Anchorvale CC TMC and Braddell Heights II TMC Joint Meeting on 28th October 2023

On the bright and sunny afternoon of October 28th, Anchorvale CC Toastmasters Club and Braddell Heights II Toastmasters Club had a joint meeting. It was a wonderful experience for members of Anchorvale CC Toastmasters Club members to participate in the joint meeting with another club. A large number of participants from both clubs attended the meeting in person, with some on zoom, making it a great way to share knowledge and grow together across the teams.

The joint chapter meeting started with the Sergeant-at-Arms, Julia Tay (PM2) introducing the meeting with the theme of "Art of Excellence, Thriving Under Pressure". Members actively participated by sharing their thoughts and discussing how to excel under pressure.

 

The baton was then passed on to Constantine Koh (SR2) who acted as the Toastmaster for the day (TMD) to run the meeting. With his good natural instincts and an amazing smile, Constantine began the role of TMD by introducing the agenda and the team members who participated in the meeting for their respective roles.

 

 Anchorvale CC Toastmasters Club President Adeline Yeo (PM5, EC5, PI1) delivered an inspiring speech whereby she encouraged all the members to face challenges with strength and excel under any pressure that comes their way. She shared her personal experience of delivering a speech in Mandarin in Taiwan on short notice despite her voice being broken due to waking up early in the morning and the pressure of delivering the speech well. Despite the challenges, she managed to deliver the speech to a large audience, which received good feedback from the organisers. Adeline urged all the team members to take up challenges, deliver more speeches, overcome pressure and strive for excellence, just as diamonds shine under any circumstances. She also encouraged all the members to be well-prepared for the upcoming contests by practising more during the chapter meetings to thrive and excel. 

 

The workshop on "How to Tackle Table Topics" by Aparna Raja (EC5, VC4) was a valuable opportunity for members to learn new skills and techniques to improve their impromptu speaking abilities, especially with the table topics competition approaching. Aparna provided a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of table topics, and then delved into the step-by-step procedures, rules, and strategies for delivering a successful speech from start to finish.

The last part of Aparna's presentation featured a complete demonstration of delivering a table-topic speech in the contest from start to end which was the core target and focus of the workshop. The 30-minute workshop was highly informative and offered many key takeaways. Aparna emphasized the importance of reading, listening, observation, and practice in preparing to be a successful impromptu speaker for table topics.

 

The second half of the meeting included prepared speeches, table topics, and project evaluations for prepared speeches that involved participants from both club members.

 

For the Prepared Speeches Segment, the first speaker, Murugan Velsamy, a new member of Anchorvale CC Toastmasters club, delivered an inspiring ice-breaker speech where he shared his story of growing up in a small village in India and how he achieved success despite facing numerous challenges. Murugan graduated in computer science and is now a successful IT project manager in Singapore. His speech emphasized the importance of strong motivation, hard work, perseverance, and a never-give-up attitude when striving to succeed under pressure.

The second speaker, Michael Spencer Go, delivered an engaging speech about his lifelong passion for public speaking and his unwavering determination to excel as a good public speaker in any situation. 

Prabha Jayaraman was the third speaker who gave a speech titled "From Ordinary to Out of Ordinary." She shared her love of working in a zoo which is often considered extraordinary as people love to see the animals at the zoo but are afraid to work with them. Additionally, she talked about her passion for heritage which has become a trending hobby across the world to capture the glorious past. The fourth speaker, Manikandan, gave a speech titled "Are You Retiring at the Right Age?" In his speech, he emphasised the importance of having a well-planned retirement that includes clear goals and targets. Manikandan stressed the need for early planning instead of just drifting through retirement without knowing what to do.   

Toastmaster Ravindran Pandian (DL5, PM4) from Braddell Heights II CC club conducted the table topic segment, which provided members with an opportunity for impromptu public speaking. The session was focused on the theme of green living, recycling, and sustainable products. Members actively participated in the session and took advantage of the opportunity to improve their impromptu speaking abilities and prepare themselves for the upcoming Table Topic contest.

Next segment was the project evaluation prepared speeches where our honourable evaluators, Wilson Lim (DTM), Imam Hossain, Lim Li Li (ACS) and Wee Chee Sian (ACB, ALB, PM1) provided their honest and positive feedback to the project speakers. They gave constructive feedback on areas of strength and suggested ways for improvements to speakers elevate their speeches to a higher level.

Mr. SS Cheng (AGC) from Braddell Heights II CC Toastmasters Club diligently monitoring every member's use of filler words and presented a detailed Ah Counter report.

Behind the screen, Sivakumar played a key role as the timer, recording all speakers' timing with diligence and sincerity, probably unnoticed by many.

Next was the award presentation to the top winners. The awards were presented to winners jointly by two club presidents Adeline Yeo and Uppli Srinivasan, followed by the closing address by Uppli, President of Braddell Heights II Toastmasters Club. 

Best Speaker – Spencer Go

Best Table Topic Speaker – Jason Thong, PM5

Best Project Evaluator – Wee Chee Sian

We sincerely appreciated all appointment holders who made this chapter meeting a success, and we were grateful to the guests and members who attended either in person or via zoom. 

Do look out for our future chapter meeting. 

Together We Shine!! 

Anchorvale CC Toastmasters Club

Written by Imam Hossain

Recap: 220th Chapter Meeting – 14th October 2023

The 220th Chapter Meeting commenced with a beautiful greeting by SAA Joseph Tan (LD5, EC5, PM5, MS3). Joseph started with a personal story “I never thought I can inspire others” and today he has showed up to his calling and make a significant impact to people around him through his sincere actions.

Next up is TMD Marc Wong (DL5, PM1) who extended a warm welcome to all toastmasters and gave us an introduction to the Chapter meeting’s agenda.

Our club President Adeline Yeo, (PM5, EC4, MS1) who set the tone with an opening address that resonated deeply. She shared an impactful story about J.K. Rowling that prompting us to reflect on the extraordinary struggles and challenges the author overcame. Rowling’ story served as a powerful reminder of her ability to defy the odds and ultimately attain the success that she enjoys today.

A beautiful afternoon encapsulated with an informative and value adding workshop by Jason Thong (PM5). The title of the workshop is “Speechwriting as easy as OBC”. Distinguished Guest Speaker Jason Thong presented us with a simplified framework “OBC” on crafting any speech. A highly engaging and interactive workshop where audience can have practical takeaways. Using the analogy of Burger for audience to remember and “Power of 3s”, “5 steps approach to organize a speech”. Fantastic workshop by Jason and our sincere appreciation to him for sharing the techniques with us. We presented the certificate of appreciation to Jason to express our heartfelt appreciation to him for taking his valuable time to conduct this workshop and add value to our guests and toastmasters.

The 2^nd segment of the meeting came long with prepared speeches by three speakers, Kelly Lei (Taiwan Toastmaster Club), Sandhya Maruvand and Rusman (CL.DL5,PI5).

Kelly’s speech was about FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) Movement and FIRO (Financial Independence and Retire Optional). A new perspective on how we can create the life we want based on the different lifestyle, cultures and personal financial goals that we planned and projected.

Sandhya’s speech was about a personal story of her daughter and how we can learn the 3 powerful traits displayed by her daughter during a paining situation. “Courage, Empathy and Patience”.

Rusman’s speech was about his personal transformative experience in his teens. A fateful encountered which let him to realise the need to choose the type of friends to be with which transform him and reshape his future destiny.  “Show your friend and I will show your future”.

Table topic segment was presented by Constantine Koh (SR2). The response I got from the audiences were creative and fun. Most importantly was the participants got to have the opportunity to try and practice “thinking on the feet”.

The last segment, the project evaluation segment, we have Imam Hossain (PM2), Adeline Yeo (PM5, EC4, MS1), Yuniati (MS5, PM2) and Charnel Izaks (IP5) presented their frank and yet encouraging evaluations to the Project Speakers and Table Topics Master, Constantine Koh. 

Next was the award presentations to the top winners.

Best Speaker: Rusman Lee (CL, DL5, PI5)

Best Table Topics: Charnel Izaks (IP5)

Best Project Evaluator: Adeline Yeo (PM5, EC4, MS1)

We sincerely appreciated all appointment holders for preparing and making this Chapter meeting a success and were grateful to all guests and members who took time to attend this online Zoom meeting.

 

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

Together We Shine!

Anchorvale CC Toastmasters Club

Written by Constantine Koh

Recap: 219th Chapter Meeting – 23rd September 2023

Welcome Welcome Welcome to AnchorvaleCC  Toastmasters Club 219^th Chapter meeting.

The Sergeant at arms kicked off the meeting with everyone introducing themselves and sharing activities that we are working towards perfection or doing our best.

Several members shared with us their interesting pursue of their perfection and there were few golden nuggets captured.

1)      Enjoy the journey of working towards perfection, not the destination.

2)      Do not enjoy the goal but enjoy the process of getting to perfection.

3)      Practices more, not for perfection but for progression.

Our lovely Madam Toastmasters of the Day took over the meeting sharing with us the program agenda and role holders for today. Our acting President, VPM Audrey Lim step forward and address us with her president opening address. Inspiring speech by her with many words of wisdom, “Many situation in business, personal life and work, don’t need to be perfect but can be executed as long as it is good enough. Aim for excellence but don’t let Perfect be the enemy of Good.

Next, our speaker segment featuring 3 prepared speech speakers.

Our first speaker Prabha Jayaraman was doing her Presentation mastery Level 1 Project 3 where her project objective was to practice using her Vocal Variety and Body language to enhance her speech. Her speech title “Feather in my Cap” and her story gave us a glimpse of her moving to Singapore, some of her challenges and her affection with birds that leave a memory of lifetime. In her closing speech, she left us a take home message that life throw challenges at us, weather the storm and sunshine will shine at the horizon. 

Our second speaker, Hedy Neo working also her Presentation mastery Level 1 Project 3, presented not only her speech but also a loaf of sourdough bread. It was 101 on bread baking, from yeast to bread storage (No no to keeping bread in fridge). How do you pronounce flour? Go google it. (“Flau.uh”). Bread contains a high amount of sodium, so let avoid eating bread everyday to prevent hypertension and heart attack. Hedy has so much love in bread baking and I have no doubt in that.

Our third speaker, Constantine Koh working on his Strategic Relationship Level 2 project 2 bring us along his journey of protege from first day of work and his toastmasters experience. Several mentors were spotlighted in his speech and he felt so valuable to be part of Anchorvale CC Toastmasters Club member.

Thereafter, Doreen Neo took us on a roller coaster ride with nail biting Table Topics segment. Salute to the many brave souls (Audrey, Hedy, Akshaya – Sandhya’s daughter, Murugan, Daniel, Kim, Chee Sian) who took up the challenges and shared very insightful thoughts on the table topic questions.

We had the luxury of a 20mins break  enjoying the sourdough bread from Hedy together with Pizza and snacks from Jenny. For me, Toastmasters meeting break is why I sign up Toastmasters 😊. Yummy food and catching up with fellow Toastmasters.

After break come the most valuable segment of Toastmasters meeting, evualtion. Dylan, Nicholas and Imam shared their compliments on how the speakers did well and suggested improvement for them. So much to take away today for me.

Today Chapter meeting was treated with a special workshop from Sarah Ong giving us insight about Personal Data Protection. If you have been receiving too many marketing calls you missed the most important highlight of the meeting. Additionally, I am filled with knowledge about my rights on my personal data. Thank you Sarah for the informative workshop.

Lastly, it was the award presentation and closing speech.

Congratulations to Constantine Koh for taking the Best Speaker award, Nicholas Tay for Best Evaluator award and Wee Chee Sian as Best Table Topic Speaker. This afternoon was one of my most valuable time spend this week.

Written by Marc Wong, DL5, PM1.

Recap: 218th Chapter Meeting – 9th September 2023

An awesome afternoon which started with an epoch-making workshop by the renowned James Harris Jr. (MS5, EH5) on the key topic “The Uncomfortable Zone’. For the whole forty-five minutes, we were all glued to our screens and took many important points from James to ponder over. For instance, ‘Every speech is for the audience’ ; ‘Being imperfect is what makes you perfect’; ‘Be a little curious’ ; ‘Burden is me, Blessing is we’, just to mention a few.

The meeting then moved on to the three prepared speeches by three speakers, Olivia Oliveiro (MS4), Dyland Lam (TM) and Sandhya Maruvada (TM). Olivia’s speech was ‘Lessons Learnt’, through her speech she explained the three fundamental steps which help prepared in advance for an event or a speech. The steps were planning ahead, asking for assistance and starting early on time. Dylan’s speech on ‘Power of Belief’ shared about the story of an elephant and how its limiting beliefs can restrict the elephant and how should overcome the limiting beliefs in them. Sandhya’s speech titled ‘Values and my journey with them’. She meticulously explained how she had followed integrity, adaptability and empathy to achieve balance in her personal and professional life. All three speakers delivered their purposes of their speeches with utmost clarity.
 

Table Topics segment hosted by Prabha Jayaraman, TM was refreshing and interesting. Many fellow toast masters volunteered and participated actively. It was an engaging and fun twenty minutes for all participants.

  

For project evaluation segment, we have visiting Toastmaster, Brahmakumar, DTM, our club mentor, Jenny Au (DTM) and Audrey Lim (PM3) presented their candid yet encouraging evaluations to the speakers. 

The meeting programme concluded with evaluation by our guest General Evaluator, Tay Zan Jun, PM5 on the appointment holders which were straight forward and easy to understand.

  

The 218th chapter meeting ended with Club President's closing speech and the annoucement of award winners. 
Best Speaker: Olivia Oliveiro, MS4
Best Table Topics: Brahmakumar Balakrishnan, DTM
Bes Evaluator: Audrey Lim, PM3

We appreciate all our appointment holders who took time and effort to conduct a well-coordinated meeting and made it wonderful, meaningful for everyone.

List of appointment holders for the meeting

1.    Sergeant-at-arms: Constantine Koh, TM

2.    Toastmaster of the Day: Venkat Voleti, PM3

3.    Timer: Bharathi, IP5, PM5

4.    General Evaluator: Tay Zan Jun, PM5

 
Do stay tuned for more exciting and enriching chapter meetings of Anchorvale CC Toastmasters Club. 
 
Together We Shine!
Anchorvale CC Toastmasters Club⚓️
 
Written by Prabha Jayaraman, TM.

Recap: 217th Chapter Meeting - 26th August 2023

 Member and Guests had a wonderfully hybrid meeting last Saturday, 26 August 2023. During ice breaking segment, everyone share their dreams and aspirations for the meeting theme “Living your Dreams, Achieving Greatness”.

 

The Three speakers that had delivered their project speeches were Prabha Jayaraman (TM), Daryl Lam (TM) and Rusman Hadijanto (CC, CL, DL5, PI5). In Prabha’s speech titled, “The Day I Started My Public Speaking” she urged us to believe in ourselves. In Daryl’s speech titled “Power of Belief”, he shared the importance to break through from our limiting belief in order to attain a greater height. Rusman shared his precious memories of the childhood friends that had made positive impact in his life and reinforced the importance to choose our friends wisely. He summed up his experience in a quote “Show me your friends and I will show you your future”. 

 

Visiting Toastmaster, Chou Yee Fee, EH5 hosted an interesting and fun Table Topics segments. Participants got to choose between toastmasters and non toastmasters related topics. A young guest, Akshaya also bravely stepped forwards to attempt the table topics question. 

 

For project evaluation segment, we have Imam Hossain (TM), Marc Wong (DL5, PM1) and Constantine Koh (SR1) presented their constructive and encouraging evaluations to the speakers. 

Workshop trainer, Veronica Tan Lyann presented an interesting workshop on how colours can affect our mood, energy, and well-being and how to use colours to empower our personal and professional life. 

The 217th chapter meeting ended with Acting Club President's closing speech and the annoucement of award winners. 

Best Speaker: Rusman Hadijanto

Best Table Topics: Hedy Neo and Akshaya

Bes Evaluator: Marc Wong

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all the Appointment Holders for their invaluable dedication and contributions to chapter meeting. 

List of appointment holders for the meeting

1. Acting President: Joseph Tan, EC5 PM5
2. Sergeant-at-arms: Audrey Lim, PM3
3. Toastmaster of the Day: Bharathi, IP5, PM2
4. Timer: Julie Tay, PM2

Do stay tuned for more exciting and enriching chapter meetings of Anchorvale CC Toastmasters Club. 

 

Together We Shine!

Anchorvale CC Toastmasters Club⚓️

 

Written by Sarah Ong, IP2

Recap: 216th Chapter Meeting - 12th August 2023

Anchorvale CC Toastmasters Club had yet another splendid chapter meeting on  Saturday, 12 August 2023. 

Our new member, Oliveiro Olivia, MS4 was such an engaging and enthusiastic Toastmaster of the Day, holding her positive and high energy throughout the meeting. We had 4 members delivered their speeches. New member Iman Hossain, PM2 delivered delivered his level 3 elective project - Inspire the Audience while another new member Sandhya Rani Maruvada, TM delivered her ice breaker speech. Congratulations to Sandhya⁩ who clinched Best Speaker 🎀 for her first speech!

 

⁨Constantine Koh, TM surprised us with creative and fun Table Topics Segment whereby members and guests participated enthusiastically. Our club mentor, ⁨Jenny Au, DTM shared her 17 years of incredible experience in building a quality club in the workshop segment. 

 

For project evaluation segment, we have 3 visiting Toastmasters, Jason Thong (PM5), Abdul Qaiyum (PM5), Chanel Izak (IP5)and club member, Srinivasan Kumar (TM) presented their solid and top-notch evaluations to the speakers. 

 

Visiting Toastmaster, Belinda Wee, MS5 presented language evaluation report for the session. 

 

The 216th chapter meeting ended with Club President’s closing speech and the announcement of award winners.

Best Speaker: Sandhya Rani Maruvada

Best Table Topics: Jason Thong

Best Evaluator: Charnel Izaks and Abdul Daiyum

 

We were grateful to all the Appointment Holders for taking up of meeting roles and keeping our meeting on time! 

List of appointment holders for the meeting:

1. Sergeant-at-arms: Marc Wong, DL5, PM1

2. Toastmaster of the Day: Oliveiro Olivia , MS4

3: Timer: Audrey Lim, PM3

 

Do join us to experience a more refreshing and fun ways to improve your public speaking skills. 

 

See you!

Written by Sarah Ong, IP2

Anchorvale CC TMC's 2022 Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contest

Begin every day with the thought that you can achieve the impossible and surely you would achieve your target.

Want to achieve your goals? Here comes the opportunity! Anchorvale CC Toastmasters Club would like to invite all for your participation in our upcoming Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contests. Make the impossible possible.

Contest: Humorous Speech & Evaluation

Date: 26 Nov 2022 (2pm-5pm)

Mode: Hybrid (Contestants and appointment holders to join physically)

Registration link: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkdeivqzkrE9CYpMzsVVJ7yawPtIkllAQT

Meeting ID:889 2175 2194

Passcode: 660312

Come cheer on our contestants!