Best Evaluator: Cheng Kok (from AIA Toastmasters)
Best Table Topic: Gladys Tye, CC
The meeting opened with Club President Gurmit Singh, CC, telling the story of his friend, Jack, who had powerful body odour. Everybody else noticed except Jack. So Gurmit sat down with Jack and gave him honest advice. Jack didn't believe him at first, and said "Why are you the only one telling me this? Nobody else said anything" So Jack verified with another friend, who concurred with Gurmit's opinion. So it was more like nobody else DARED to say anything. Long story short, Jack got rid of his jacket and the world was safe.
Immediate Past President Ted Chong, ACB, CL, gave an educational talk segment about the Communication and Leadership Tracks in the journey towards Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM).
The first Prepared Speech Speaker, Toastmaster Jack Chu (this is a different Jack from the story above) shared a 4-step process of happiness:
1. Remember an extremely happy moment in your life
2. Paint a picture of the happy moment in front of you, like in a large-screen TV and FEEL it
3. Reach out and grab the picture with your hand, together with the feeling
4. Put the memory into your heart with your hand action
Ideally, do this every day.
The second speaker, Toastmaster Peter Koh, started with an exercise where we tore a piece of newspaper into half 4 times. His point was that, since the instructions were vague, the results would also be unpredictable. I tore mine into 8 pieces, neatly. I must have missed a beat. Some others tore the newspaper into random shapes. The point was the variability of the results. Then Peter quoted Sun Tzu from "The Art of War":
“If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders ARE clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers.”
An interesting side story: *Before hiring Sun Tzu, the King of Wu tested Sun Tzu's skills by commanding him to train a harem of 180 concubines into soldiers. Sun Tzu divided them into two companies, appointing the two concubines most favored by the king as the company commanders. When Sun Tzu first ordered the concubines to face right, they giggled. In response, Sun Tzu said that the general, in this case himself, was responsible for ensuring that soldiers understood the commands given to them. Then, he reiterated the command, and again the concubines giggled. Sun Tzu then ordered the execution of the king's two favored concubines, to the king's protests. He explained that if the general's soldiers understood their commands but did not obey, it was the fault of the officers. Sun Tzu also said that, once a general was appointed, it was his duty to carry out his mission, even if the king protested. After both concubines were killed, new officers were chosen to replace them. Afterwards, both companies, now well aware of the costs of further frivolity, performed their maneuvers flawlessly.
* sourced from Wikipedia
Next, Toastmaster Christina Ho talked about proper pronunciation and enunciation. She gave examples like "No sheet on my bed" and "He is a guy who is all heart" (mispronounced)
In the Table Topics segment, Gladys Tye, CC, talked about "the worst thing about turning 21", which she said, was planning her 21st birthday party. I remember my own 21st birthday party. A complete disaster- note to self: if you want to invite your friends, don't invite your family members. If you want to invite your family members, don't invite your friends.
CK from AIA Toastmasters talked about "the best thing about his life/job", while Jack Chu talked about the "worst thing about Toastmasters". Next, Kim Low, a Speechcrafter, had to put together a Table Topic using the words "slimy", "black magic", "general", "sock" and "drill". Finally, Speechcrafter Flora Fong talked about "the best time she's ever had", which was the time she studied in Belgium.
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| Newly-inducted members Jack Chu and Darren Loh (2nd and 3rd from left) with VPM Tan Mingjian,CC and President Gurmit Singh, CC |
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| Best Prepared Speech: Christina Ho |
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| Best Evaluator: CK from AIA Toastmasters |
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| Best Table Topic: Gladys Tye, CC |
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| President Gurmit Singh's closing address |
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