'Meet the EXCO' Monday: Treasurer Wee Chee Sian

Welcome to our Meet the EXCO series where we share a little about our EXCO members every other Monday.

Today, we are introducing our Treasurer, Wee Chee Sian. Organised, steady and meticulous, Chee Sian is the perfect person to take care of our money matters. Let's find out more about what he has to say! 

1. What might the club members be surprised to know about you?

I was never athletic in school. I became hooked on running long distances (I've taken part in marathons before) only after I started working. Then, I stopped running so frequently after suffering from a slipped disc, ouch! Later, I put on weight, oops!

2. How long have you been with Anchorvale TMC? 

I attended my first chapter meeting on 14 September 2013 — you do the maths! It was for exploration and fun initially. Then I did what the club requested whenever I can and voila! I was asked to be SAA (last term), and now Treasurer.

3. Can you tell us something about your responsibilities as Treasurer?

As Treasurer this term, I will keep accurate records of club's funds and expenses, and prepare budgets.

4. What do you like/enjoy most about Anchorvale TMC?

The laughter, the fun and the growth of all our members. You have so many people to learn from, to joke with, and who listen to you when you speak. What more can I ask for? I like to see members enjoying themselves at activities I help to set up during bonding sessions. Making people happy makes me happy. 

5. What do you wish other people knew about Anchorvale TMC/being a toastmasters?

Participation from everyone is encouraged, always! It is vibrant. You won't want to miss any of our meetings and bonding activities. The club's culture is getting more vibrant, and will continue to become more exciting... I think our membership will expand.

6. How has being a toastmasters affected other areas of your life?

When people ask me what I usually do on weekends, I now have Toastmasters in my list of activities. This alone usually opens a floodgate of questions.

7. What is your personal philosophy?

Borrowing a quote from someone else: "Take care of the downside, for the upside will take care of itself."

'Meet the EXCO' Monday: SAA Debanada Patro

Welcome to our Meet the EXCO series where we share a little about our EXCO members every other Monday. 

Today, we are going to meet our Sergeant-At-Arms, Debanada Patro. From day one, Deb has greatly entertained us with his sense of humour and deadpan delivery of his jokes. He is always willing to help out with club activities and is a familiar friendly face among the members. Let's find out more about what he has to say!

1. Tell us a little something surprising about yourself.
I have a childhood dream to run my own business. In fact, in 2000 I took a break from work for about a year and started an Internet cafe. The shop included a cafe, 5 pool tables and 20 internet stations. However, running a business was hard and I lost everything. Then, it was back to the IT profession.

2. How long have you been with Anchorvale TMC?  

I am "one year old" in Anchorvale TMC. My company has its own club, but due to work challenges I don't have time to attend their meetings. I am so lucky to have a club near my home and can attend the meetings during weekends. My passion to learn and regular attendance eventually led me to join the EXCO.

3. Can you tell me something about your responsibilities as SAA?

As Sergeant-At-Arms, I attend to club property and coordinate club meetings. Everything I do as SAA supports the club's mission.

4. What do you like/enjoy most about Anchorvale TMC?

Anchorvale TMC is unique and most importantly I learn while having fun. As it is a non-profit organization and open to all, I really hope that others can take this opportunity to learn while having fun too. I am keen to keep up the legendary activities that we have and maintain the club's success.
I see that we have positive competition, which spurs everyone to put 100% in their speeches. What that means is, this club will produce many international champions. Obviously, this is a good thing.

5. How has being a toastmasters affected other areas of your life?

I am very attached to my family, like most other people. Since I attend most of the chapter meetings every alternate Saturday, my family members feel they have "lost" me for 8 hours every month! But over time they have gotten used to it.

6. What is your personal philosophy?

I am happy to be me and not anyone else.

7. What is one thing you cannot live without/cannot resist?

I can't live without love - for love is the single source for air, food and light.

'Meet the EXCO' Monday: VPM Riz Masurekar

Welcome to our Meet the EXCO series where we share a little about our EXCO members every other Monday.

Today, we are introducing our VP Membership, Riz Masurekar. He is no stranger to being in the EXCO as he was Treasurer in the outgoing EXCO. Riz never fails to inspire the audience with his impressive oratory skills and charismatic personality. Let's find out more about what he has to say!

1. Tell us a little something surprising/unusual about yourself.

 

Let me share a life-changing moment with you all. I was a terrible student in my engineering course, always flunking and barely scraped through the years. Those years of consistent failures and constant taunts shattered my self-esteem. However in the final year, we had a course, Business Management, in which I found myself naturally excelling in. Towards the end of my course, I confided in the professor of the course: “Sir, I wonder whether I would ever be as successful as Hiren (the class topper).” 

 

The professor looked straight into my eyes and replied: “I have no doubt that you will eventually be more successful than Hiren. Because, while he can do his tasks very well, you have the ability to get people to do tasks very well. And corporations always recognise and reward people who can get other people to achieve goals.”

 

I was dumbstruck and thought he was pulling a fast one on me. Now after 20 years, whenever I recall this conversation, I realise his knowledge about corporate organisations was correct.

 

2. How long have you been with Anchorvale TMC?

 

I joined Anchorvale TMC in October 2013 and won the Best Table Topics in my first meeting. That had an encouraging impact on me. Also, right from the start, the warmth and friendliness of Salma, Sathya, Roger, Thomas and others really touched me and made me realise — this is the club where I want to be. In 2014, Roger and Sathya tactfully convinced me on why they believed in me as an ideal choice as the Club Treasurer. I couldn’t refuse my friends and the rest is history.

 

3. Can you tell me something about your responsibilities as VPM?

 

As the VP Membership for 2015/16, my key responsibilities are to:

1. Retain existing members along with their enthusiasm by understanding and fulfilling their needs.
2. Plan a Membership Building Strategy to expand our membership strength
3. Invite new guests to join by welcoming them with the same warmth, friendliness and clarity that I got when I first walked in.

Frankly, for me, it’s never been about the role. It’s always about the goal. I love the glint of hope

and excitement in the eyes of a first-timer when I explain to them how Toastmasters can help them

find their own voice!

 

4. What do you like/enjoy most about Anchorvale TMC?

 

Anchorvale TMC is like my second home. I have not seen any other place where members are

genuinely concerned about the development of other members and voluntarily get involved to support

others. I have met some of my best friends in this club: Sathya, Roger, Salma etc. Zul and Norman remind me of my younger days (which were not too long ago). I love their youthful company. Chee Sian, Deb, Hareesh etc. have deeply impressed me with their simplicity and commitment. Suresh and Thomas have consistently appreciated and encouraged me at contests.

 

5. What do you wish other people knew about being a toastmasters?

 

I would prefer people to understand that Toastmasters is not only about personal development. It is also about getting involved in the development of others. It’s nice to hear people applauding you, but it is even better to see people applauding someone whom you have helped to improve.

 

6. What is the best/worst thing to happen since you joined Anchorvale TMC/becoming a toastmasters?

 

Best Things:

1. I made so many good friends and met many well-wishers at Anchorvale TMC. I couldn’t have asked for more.
2. In 2014, I surged all the way to the District finals of the Humorous Speech Contest. At that level, it wasn’t me any more. It was about representing Anchorvale TMC.

Worst Things:

Are you kidding? This is Anchorvale, the place for only the best people and best moments! Haha!

 

7. What is your personal philosophy?

1.  Losers quit when they are tired. Winners quit when they have won.
2. Keep working silently and let your success make all the noise
3. A talented individual can with a match. But a united team can win a tournament.

8. What are your most overused word or phrase?

 

You don’t want to know some of the swear-words in Hindi, do you? Haha! On a serious note, one of my most overused word is “Hello” because it’s the best word to know someone.

 

9. What is one thing you cannot live without/cannot resist?

 

My wife, lah. (And no, I didn't say that because I heard the faint click of a Colt M191 gun behind me. LOL!)

'Meet the EXCO' Monday: VPE 1 Norman Tan

Welcome to our Meet the EXCO series where we share a little about our EXCO members every other week.

Today, we are introducing our VP Education, Norman Tan. This is his second term in the EXCO as he was VPE 2 in the outgoing EXCO. Always friendly and helpful, Norman makes it a point to warmly welcome all new members and help them get acquainted with the projects and club culture. Let's find out more about what he has to say!

1. Tell us a little something surprising/unusual about yourself.

Hmm... I haven’t told many about this, but I’m quite a closet film buff! I really like movies, especially as a form of art. I especially like films that carry a conversation within them, such as those by Christopher Nolan or Stanley Kubrick. One example would be the romantic drama trilogy by Richard Linklater (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight). It's a beautiful tribute to the passage of time and love, and I think it represents filmmaking at its very best

2. How long have you been with Anchorvale TMC? 

I’ve been with the club for close to four years now! Zul (our current President) was actually the one who roped me into the club. I always felt that I needed to work on my speaking skills and joining Anchorvale TMC felt like a step in the right direction for me. Since then, I’ve never looked back ☺

3. Can you tell me something about your responsibilities as VPE?

The VPE stands for the Vice-President (Education). Essentially, I am in charge of the chapter meeting programme as well as the educational progress of all the members. As the programme co-ordinator, I will arrange the programme and speakers list for each meeting. I also help to keep track of each member’s growth using the Progress Report and schedule their various speech slots.

4. What do you like/enjoy most about Anchorvale TMC/being a toastmasters?

The part I love most is that with each speech, I get access to the stories of so many others, stories that I would not have paid attention to otherwise. You know the website, Humans of New York? I feel that with each prepared speech/table topics, you get a glimpse into someone else life and experiences, their hopes and dreams, and sometimes it can be miniscule, but still very uplifting.

5. What do you wish other people knew about Anchorvale TMC/being a toastmasters?

That is not just a place for the shy or less confident to pick up public speaking. I think that mindset in itself is a misrepresentation of Toastmasters. It is definitely not just for those who are poor in public speaking. Ultimately, Toastmasters should be a safe space for people to come, learn and express their views, to venture out of their comfort zone. Everyone needs that safe zone, to experiment and try, regardless of how talented you are, and I believe that Anchorvale TMC serves that goal.

6. How has being a toastmasters affected other areas of your life?

Needless to say, Toastmasters has really helped me be more comfortable speaking in front of large crowds. Contrary to what most think, even the most experienced speakers are prone to moments of anxiety prior to speaking. Its not about the experience, but about the practice involved. And this was something I didn’t pay much attention to before I joined. Now, I’m even more acutely aware of the importance of practice.

7. What is your personal philosophy?

Always stay curious and hungry for knowledge. That way, you will seek to learn. This philosophy reminds myself to stay humble.

'Meet the EXCO' Monday: President Zulhafni Zulkeflee

Welcome to our Meet the EXCO series where we share a little about our EXCO members every other Monday.

To kick off the series, we have our incoming President, Zulhafni Zulkeflee. Known for his sharp evaluations and eloquent speeches, Zul is a familiar face among the club members as he was VPE1 in the outgoing EXCO. Let's find out more about what he has to say!

1. Tell us a little something surprising/unusual about yourself (especially if it is reflected in the photo!).

I chose a simple photo because there are too many unusual ones out there! One surprising thing about me is that ... I once did a modelling stint for my hostel, involving a full cat-walk, thick make-up and questionable clothes :P

2. How long have you been with Anchorvale TMC? 

I joined Anchorvale TMC about four years ago, back when the club was in its infancy – in my first chapter meeting, Jenny signed me up to participate in the Area Contest for International and Table Topics – the main reason I remain dedicated to Anchorvale TMC is the community of people we form. Every meeting, I get a valuable opportunity to learn something new and get acquainted with individuals from all walks of life, all sharing a common goal of improving their leadership and public-speaking skills.

3. Can you tell me something about your responsibilities as the President of the club?

As the President, I have the honour of leading a dedicated team of individuals and overseeing the full functions of the club as well. The EXCO operates as an open team and one of the key roles of the President at least is to always have one eye on the big picture as we trawl through the smaller details.

4. How has being a toastmasters affected other areas of your life?

Toastmasters started out as an experience that smashed me back to earth from the false presumption I used to have about my ability to speak in public. As I met more dedicated individuals who were always showing the hunger to improve and surge forward, Toastmasters became a nurturing environment for me to hone my confidence and skills in a supportive environment.

5. What is your personal philosophy?

To keep on fighting – I believe what sets an individual apart is his/her ability to face down adversity, push themselves off the ground and surge forward. Just keep on moving!