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!

202nd Chapter Meeting, 8th Oct 2022

Dong Dong Dong, it is 2 pm on a lovely Saturday afternoon. Welcome to Anchorvale CC Toastmasters Club 202nd Chapter meeting.

Constantine Koh, TM, who joined us recently started the meeting as Sergeant At Arms (SAA), and Kudos to him for taking up this role.

He warmly welcomed everyone and invited us to share what we did to boost our mental.

Sarah shared that she practices Dragon Boat every Sunday morning with her team. Despite the physical challenge for her, it gives her the Zen feeling and mental boost.

Sharon Tan, our new member, whenever she is busy or whenever she is free or not sure where to start, she will find something to eat. This helps her to focus and gives her the mental boost. Additionally, singing is also a way for her to boost her mental as it helps her to relax.

Daniel is feeling tense and looking forward to giving his ice breaker speech which can provide him the mental boost.

Dickson shocked us when he reveals that he uses drugs as a mental boost. Fortunately, the drug that he was referring to was caffeine. Indeed “Coffee” has caffeine which stimulates our nervous systems giving some people energy, and alertness and for Dickson the mental boost.

Myself, Marc, I take up sports as my mental boost, and additionally joining Toastmasters meeting always inspire me to be better and it is my mental boost as well.

Srini driving himself around as mental boost for a quick short break. For long-term solution, he likes to keep learning and he enjoys the Toastmasters atmosphere.

SAA then wrapped up the introduction and handed it over to Toastmasters of the Day (TMD).

Sarah Ong, IP2, our passionate Vice President Membership took over as TMD and briefed us on our program highlights and appointment holders for today before handing over to Club President.

Timer – Monica Low

Ah Counter – Rusman Hadijanto

Table Topic Master – Marc Wong

Club President – Venkat Voleti

Venkat Voleti, PM3, our Club President reminded us of the importance of Mental Health in his opening address. For him, 3 things that he practices to maintain his mental health, are (1) regular exercising, (2) meditation, and (3) talking to people around him. Ending of the opening address, everyone might have a different way and it is critical for us to take care of our mental health.

Moving on to the Prepared Speech segment, our energized, 1^st prepared speech speaker, Alvin Kuek, PM2, MS2, amazed everyone with his mind-blowing sexy screen. His project today was about persuasive speech where he was trying to convince us with his speech titled “Why I have to Marry Scarlet Johansson”.

We were not convinced at the beginning but after 7mins into Alvin’s speech, he got the buy-in that they were destined to be together with so many similarities.

Our 2^nd prepared speech speaker, Daniel Tham, TM, was cool and calm when sharing his Ice breaker speech. He shared his interest and hobbies and his life after moving to New Zealand, including an earth-shaking memory. Yes, he was right in the middle of the 6.3 earthquake that strike Christchurch on 2011, 22nd Feb 12.51 pm which he recalled the exact moments and was blessed that he and his friends and family were safe. Fast forward to current day, he hopes to create happy memories and improve his social skills.

Moving on to the Table Topic Segment, we have many brave souls Toastmasters, and guests who embraced and boosted themselves.  

Alvin’s topic was “Can you Think of a time when Impossible Became Possible?” where he shared about being realistic about our aspirations and taking that First Step.

Joseph’s topic for today would be “It OK not to be OK”, where he talked about how we should fail positively and learn from that failure.

Prabha’s topic was “Without Rain nothing grows. Learn to embrace the storms of your life”. She shared with us to accept the storm and move ahead.

Jenny’s topic was “Relax.. We’re all crazy.. It’s Not a Competition” where she shared that we should take life easy and not to rush. 

Sirin’s topic was “Don’t Worry Be Happy, because everything is going to be alright” and he was very impressed with how we managed and track our allocated time.

Dickson’s topic was “You can't control the wind, but you can adjust the sails” where he shared people are born differently but we can take control and ask ourselves, what have we really done.

Audrey’s topic was “Mistakes help us grow” where she shared her experience when she was young and how she learned as a kid. 

Sharon’s topic was “Tough Times Never Last. Tough People Do.” She struggles to learn English as it wasn’t her native language, but she was determined to keep learning

Constantine’s topic was “You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take care of yourself first”. He starts his day with a mental boost like meditation and recharge to start his day.

Rusman’s topic was “What’s get you excited about life”. Rusman shared about his learning journey from Antony Robin and what are our purposes in everything we do. 

Following all table topic speakers, we had a group photo taken and had a nice time chatting around with members and guests.

Our last segment, Project Evaluations where speakers learn and improve to be better.

The evaluator for Alvin, Christine Lim, DTM, presented to us very insightful details about Alvin's speech. I certainly felt it was already a good speech Alvin had delivered, Christine was able to identify a few minor changes but yet with great impact to the speech that will create more mystery and humour. Excellent evaluation shared by Christine.

The evaluator for Daniel, Audrey Lim, PM2, presented her second evaluation in her TM journey. Audrey commented on what Daniel did well which helps to encourage him to continue doing. With all evaluations, it is the improvement or suggestion which will help speakers improve and Audrey provided a very valuable sharing for Daniel to consider for his next speech.

Finally, moving to the last program in our agenda, Ah Counter Report where Rusman Hadijanto, DL5, PI4, was so attentive throughout the meeting capturing our pause filler usages.

The chapter meeting ended with an award presentation and congratulations to Alvin Kuek and Joseph Tan both being the Best Table Topic Speakers. As the meeting drew to a close, I felt mentally boosted with so much inspiration and motivation, I was pretty certain that everyone also had the same boost as me.

Written by Marc Wong, DL5, PM1