Ireka & Friendship Joint Meeting - 26 Nov 2009
The first joint meeting for the term 2009/2010 was held yesterday, 26 November 2009. This idea was mooted when Friendship Club members requested for speaking slots. Both Club Presidents agreed. Members of both clubs took up roles and it resulted in a fantabulous (Word of the Day) evening for all who attended.
We were honoured to have a very experienced Toastmaster DTM G Sivalingam to give a presentation on "How to Handle Table Topics". He said, every single moment of our lives is a table topic moment - every day in our conversation with relatives, friends, colleagues, anyone we meet, we do not prepare and plan what we are going to say. But why, when we are asked for our opinion about something in front of an audience, our minds go blank? He gave us valuable tips on how to react and respond in such situations. The trick is to first understand the question, pick up key words in the question and plan your answer around them.
DTM Siva also pointed out the different approaches in impromptu speaking in the Toastmasters arena that should/could not be applied in the corporate world. In Toastmasters, if we do not know about the topic thrown at us, we can avoid the questions and subtly speak about something else. Sometimes, the questions can be ridiculous or not even plausible.
After DTM Siva's educational presentation, Frances proceeded to chair the Table Topics Session. Her questions were all cleverly designed to fit into the theme of the evening, Thanksgiving. Her questions provided opportunity for volunteers to apply the skills mentioned by DTM Siva. After five courageous volunteers expressed their opinions, DTM Siva provided valuable feedback on how they fared. Congratulations to Dorcas for Best Table Topics Speaker!
Brave volunteer Victor answering the first question prepared by Table Topics Master Frances
A section of the audience enjoying the impromptu table topic answer that food is not a priority, when you are a vegetarian at a Thanksgiving dinner
I expected a philosophical speech from KK Ann's "Living Life by the Day". Instead, he told us about his getaway to East Malaysia and even if things do not turned out as planned, there are pleasant surprises. Now we know, this quiet man partied and ate worms!
Want to know how to get that promotion that you think you deserved?
Take Dorcas' advice - be HEARD. Being able to communicate is definitely a great asset. Toastmasters meetings provide you with the conducive environment to practice this skill.
Next, we were entertained by Freddie of Friendship (Best Project Speaker) who related to us his relationship with a lady colleague. His great story telling skills led us to believe there was more to this relationship that at the end of the meeting, he had to clarify that his relationship with this fabulous colleague is purely platonic. Hmm, I wonder how many believed him!
I am sure many of us who have yet to attempt the projects above now have ideas on how to deliver them. Especially so after listening to the evaluators' feedback. Leonard, Lay Theng, Angeline and KL Fong praised the good skills displayed by the speakers and provided valuable
suggestions for improvement. And the Best Evaluator Award goes to KL Fong of Money & You TMC.
I would like to thank NJ Singam for accepting the GE role and for his feedback on my role as the Toastmaster of the Evening. Being one of the guardians who witnessed the "conception" of the Ireka TMC, his kind and generous comments certainly inspire us to do better in the future. I am glad, Ireka Toastmasters Club did not disappoint him.
A special mention also for Friendship TMC. This joint meeting gave our members an opportunity to witness and learn from them. I would like to thank them for their effort and contribution towards the success of this meeting. In fact, in his closing speech, President Ben Fong commented that both Elaine and Freddie performed much better in this joint meeting than in their club meetings. Did I detect a tinge of jealousy?
Thank you to all the other role players - Timer Alex, Grammarian Angeline, AH counter Syuen and ASAA Fang. Together with all who attended, you make this meeting a fantabulous evening for all!
Ah-counter Syuen Kiew presenting her report. On her left is Timer Alex and ASAA Fang Ai Choo
Hope to see all of you at our next meeting on 10 December 2009!
Best Table Topics Speaker, Dorcas receiving her certificate from Ben Fong (President of Friendship)
Best Project Speaker, Freddie with Ben Fong
DTM G Sivalingam (D'Utama) receiving certificate of appreciation from Ben Fong and Jani (President of Ireka), for his presentation on "How to Handle Table Topics". In the background is TME Soo Ling
Special thanks to General Evaluator NJ Singam (WIM) who provided us with an encouraging and constructive feedback session
Contributed by Lee Soo Ling, VPE of Ireka
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