Recap: 223rd Chapter Meeting - 25th November 2023

The 223rd Chapter Meeting was commenced by Audrey Lim PM3, VP Membership, by sharing the theme of the meeting, which was a table topic topics contest simulation and evaluation. She then shared her views on the theme and encouraged all members to share their views as well. All members and guests shared their views on the competition and their opinions about participating in it.

Joseph Tan, DL5, EC5 PM1, delivered his opening speech by sharing the AVCC Toastmasters Club arranged workshops, such as a table topics workshop, an evaluation workshop, and a speech writing workshop, to encourage new and old members of the club to participate in the upcoming contest in January 2024. He also shared his contest experience from the previous year and the agenda for the meeting.

 

First segment of the meeting was Project Speeches where Chong wee Kim, Murugan Velsamy, and Nicolas Tay delivered their prepared speeches.

Wee Kim's speech, titled "Who Am I?", focused on the importance of self-awareness and personal development. She shared her own experiences in discovering her identity and purpose, and she encouraged the audience to reflect on their own values and goals. Murugan's speech, titled "Financial Literacy", provided practical advice on managing money and building wealth. He covered topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, and debt management. Nicolas' speech, titled "Leap of Faith and Step into Unknown", was about the importance of taking risks and embracing changes. All three speeches were well-received by the audience, and sparked lively discussions among audience on the topics covered.

Then Table Topics Contest simulation was undertaken by Table Topics Master, Joseph . The participants were Meetu, Audrey, Rusman, Wee Kim, and Murugan. The speech title was "Do You Want to Travel Alone?". The contest simulation gave the participants an experience of what it is like to participate in a real table topics contest. Each participant had to give a short speech on the given topic, with minimal preparation time. The contest simulation was a success, and all of the participants performed well. They all gave insightful and engaging speeches on the topic.

 

 

The next segment was prepared speech evaluation by evaluators Rusman Hadijanto,  Gerald Ong DTM, and Sabrina Cham. They carefully evaluated the speeches delivered by Kim, Murugan and Nicolas respectively. One interesting thing to note was that Gerald Ong DTM used Lego blocks to make notes and showed that Lego while presenting his evaluation.

 

The next segment was a speech specially arranged for the evaluation contest simulation session and given by Qian Hui from Temasek Poly Toastmasters Club. Her speech title was "Dad's Regret", and it was a really amazing and emotional speech. 

And then Audrey, Rusman, and Constantine participated in the speech evaluation contest simulation by judging Qian Hui's speech. This segment was also conducted as a real speech evaluation contest simulation, and everyone who participated had a real experience of competing in the evaluation contest. 

General evaluator Richard Sng, DTM shared his overall evaluation of all aspects of the club meeting, including procedures, breaks, food service, speech writing and delivery, evaluation, and more. He covered almost all aspects of club meetings and public speaking. Everyone had learnt a lot from his feedback, which came from his vast experiences and expertise. We are grateful to Richard for sharing his detailed and excellent feedback.

The last segment was award presentation and  presented by Joseph. Following were the awards and winners. Heartily congratulations to all the winners.  

1.    Ice breaker speech award – Chong Wee Kim

2.    Best evaluator speech award – Rusman Hadijanto

3.    Table topics contest simulation winner - Rusman Hadijanto

4.    Best prepared Speech award – Nicolas Tay

  

We sincerely appreciated all appointment holders for preparing and making this chapter meeting a success and we were grateful to all guests and members who took the time to attend this meeting. Special thanks to the timer Li Shan Shan, DTM who had helped to ensure the meeting was on track.

Do stay tune for our next chapter meeting we welcome you to join us as guest. 

Together We Shine!

Anchorvale CC Toastmasters Club

Written by Murugan Velsamy

Recap: 222nd Chapter Meeting - 11th November 2023

On the 11th of November, just before the joyous Diwali festival, Toastmasters Singapore hosted a special workshop led by DTM Michael Wader, a seasoned Toastmaster and expert in leadership excellence, power walking, inspirational catalysis, and edutainment. The workshop, aptly titled "Weighing Your Feedback," delved into the art of providing constructive and effective feedback, aligning perfectly with the day's theme of "Triumph of Good over Evil."

As we gather today to reflect on the workshop, we are reminded of the importance of balance in all aspects of life. In the realm of communication, feedback plays a crucial role in helping us grow and develop. However, not all feedback is created equal. Constructive feedback, delivered with care and consideration, can be a powerful tool for personal and professional improvement.

Michael Wader, renowned for his ability to educate and entertain simultaneously, captivated the audience with his engaging presentation, highlighting the importance of balancing positive and constructive feedback. He emphasized the need to start with the positives, using phrases like "I liked" to set a supportive tone. This positive foundation allows for more impactful delivery of constructive feedback, which should be specific, actionable, and delivered with empathy.

To illustrate his point, Michael introduced the "Burger 1-2-3" approach, a simple yet effective framework for delivering constructive feedback. The first bun represents the positive aspects, acknowledging what the speaker did well. The burger itself comprises two to three specific, actionable suggestions for improvement, and the second bun serves as a summary, reiterating the key takeaways.

Throughout the workshop, Michael emphasized the importance of providing feedback with the intention of helping the recipient grow and develop. He reminded participants to avoid personal attacks or overly critical language, instead focusing on offering guidance and support.

Here are some key takeaways from the session:

• Address the Speaker's Strengths First: Begin with positive feedback to establish a supportive foundation.
• Be Specific and Actionable: Provide concrete examples of what can be improved.
• Deliver Feedback with Empathy: Consider the speaker's feelings and offer constructive suggestions.
• Use the "Burger 1-2-3" Approach: Structure feedback in a clear and organized manner.
• Focus on Growth and Development: Provide feedback with the intention of helping the speaker improve.

Michael Wader's workshop on "Weighing Your Feedback" provided valuable insights into the art of giving constructive feedback. By emphasizing positive reinforcement, specificity, empathy, and a structured approach, participants learned how to provide feedback that helps others grow and develop. The workshop also served as a reminder that feedback, when delivered thoughtfully and with the intention of helping, can be a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.

Following the enlightening workshop, we were treated to a trio of prepared speeches that captivated and inspired us. Sandhya's speech, titled "Three Things Learned from My Daughter," was a poignant reminder of the power of courage, empathy, and patience in navigating life's challenges. She recounted the harrowing experience of her daughter's accident, highlighting how her daughter's resilience and unwavering spirit epitomized these virtues.

The second speaker Chloe, delivered a speech titled "How, Now, and Wow," energized us with their fresh and creative perspectives on turning setbacks into stepping stones. Her message resonated with the audience, reminding us that failures are not roadblocks but opportunities for growth and reinvention.

Constantine Koh's speech, titled "Embracing Networks," eloquently showcased the transformative power of networking in shaping personal, professional, and social spheres. His experiences illustrated how networking fosters connections, expands horizons, and opens doors to new possibilities.

The table topics, skilfully guided by TTM Doreen, sparked lively discussions that delved into profound life lessons. Each topic, ranging from "We Rise by Lifting Others" to "What Do You Understand by Kindness?" ignited thought-provoking conversations and encouraged the audience to reflect on their own values and beliefs.

The speakers' insightful perspectives and confident delivery captivated the audience, making for an engaging and enriching session. The session concluded with a well-deserved recognition for Constantine Koh as the best speaker for prepared speech and DTM Michael Wader as the best Table Topics Speaker, and a heartwarming moment when all three prepared speech evaluators TM Darrell Tan, Coach & TM Jason Thong, and our Godmother DTM Jenny Au were awarded the best evaluator award, reflecting the equal merit of their contributions.

Acting President Joseph Tan’s closing remarks brought the session to a close, leaving us with a sense of fulfilment and renewed motivation to continue our Toastmasters journey. As always, this session was a testament to the transformative power of Toastmasters, fostering personal growth, communication skills, and a deep sense of community.

Thank you, Michael Wader, for sharing your wisdom and inspiring us to be better communicators and leaders. Thank you to all the speakers, evaluators, and participants for making this session a truly memorable experience.

Until we meet again, let us continue to hone our communication skills, embrace the power of networking, and always strive to embody the values of courage, empathy, and patience and many more qualities that will undoubtedly guide us towards success in all aspects of life. 

Do stay tune for our next chapter meeting We welcome you to join us as guest. 

Together We Shine! 

Anchorvale CC Toastmasters Club 

Written by Sandhya Rani Maruvada