On the 26th September
2019, I served as Project Speaker at AIA Toastmasters Club. I served jointly as Toastmasters of the
Day. April Lin served as Table Topics
Master. Liang Ye served as Timer. Stephen Hoon Wee Jin served as Ah
Counter. Frances Goh served as
Photographer.
The
Presidential Address
Jack Sia delivered the Presidential
Address, speaking on reaching for the stars and serving as a guide for the
club, arguing that a team walking together is never truly in darkness. Delivered with genuine sincerity rather than
the usual ceremonial platitude, it landed with real weight.
The Speeches
Chng Pia Kim delivered his very
first speech, recounting his journey toward a healthier lifestyle after a
genuine wake-up call: his father’s stroke, six years earlier. He has since eliminated canned soda and
barbequed food from his diet, and exercises regularly. A first speech built on a genuine health
scare, rather than a rehearsed icebreaker, carries a weight most debut speeches
never manage.
Angelique Ng told the story of her
journey from Asia Insurance to AIA, and the sheer volume of work required to
achieve Million-Dollar Round Table qualification eventually. MDRT recognition is not handed out
generously. Fewer than 1% of the world’s
life insurance and financial services professionals ever qualify for it, drawn
from an international membership base of tens of thousands across dozens of
countries, each required to meet strict production thresholds alongside an
equally strict ethical standard.
Angelique’s account was not one of shortcuts or fortunate timing. It was the story of climbing from executive
assistant to MDRT qualifier through unglamorous, sustained effort, which is
precisely the only route that statistic actually permits.
Linda Lee delivered a humorous
speech covering her habit of talking in her sleep, her self-diagnosed dyslexia,
and her method of trawling Google for material whenever inspiration for a comic
speech runs dry. Her talent for
structuring a joke properly, rather than simply being amusing in conversation,
continues to set her apart from most speakers who attempt the humorous
category.
I spoke about the lessons learned
during my first few months as Area Director and what the club could
collectively draw from that experience.
Early mistakes in a leadership role are rarely wasted if the lessons get
shared rather than quietly buried.
The Evaluators
Stephen Hoon, Jack Sia, Zhuo Shu
Zhen, DTM, and Ivan Lee, DTM, served as Project Evaluators. Four evaluators across five speeches is a demanding
rotation, and the panel handled it without a single evaluation feeling rushed
or superficial.
The Results
Best Speaker went to Chng Pia Kim, a
striking result for a first-time speaker, and a direct testament to how much
weight a genuine personal stake carries over polish. Best Evaluator went to Zhuo Shu Zhen, DTM. A meeting that opened with a call to reach
for the stars closed with a first-time speaker walking away with Best Speaker
honours, which is the kind of result that justifies the opening
address rather than merely decorating it.
Terence Nunis, DTM | Division Advisor, District 80 Division M | Club Advisor, AIA Toastmasters | Past President & Founder, Awesome Toastmasters
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