Grassroots TMC as Language Evaluator, 04th January 2020

On the 04^th January 2020, I was at Grassroots Toastmasters Club, as language evaluator.  This was my 139^th club visit on the 188^th day of the Toastmaster year.

The sergeant-at-arms was Thomas Lee.  The Toastmaster of the Day was Jennifer Lee.  The timer was Mugan s/o Tayalan.  The ah counter was Daniel Sun.

Aaron Koh, in his president’s address, spoke about his New Year’s resolutions, and the fears that accompany them: getting a new car, having a baby, and changing his job.  He spoke about taking that first step, since, as Stephen King said, “The scariest moment is always just before you start.”  For Aaron, that first step begins with asking the right questions.

Goh Swee Heng gave his first speech on the Pathways programme.  He had a great store of self-deprecating humour, speaking candidly of his life, his mistakes, and his challenges.  In the end, he rose above them, and is who he is today: wearied, unapologetic, and accepting of his past.

Chew Ying Ying opened her speech with the first lines of Joanne Rowling’s “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”.  This was to illustrate the point that the right words can open up a universe for many, many others.  She cited the National Library Board statistics that only 19% of Singaporeans actually read.  Writing began around 4,000 BCE, and is the basis of our civilisation, the cumulative knowledge of humanity.  Reading is an important part of society, and it is important that it is encouraged.

Dex Yuen Kin Wai opened up with the Toastmasters International tagline, “Where leaders are made.”  He then gave us an understanding of his leadership style, and how he utilised his strengths to build his won company.  It was a valuable insight into the entrepreneurship mindset.

The evaluators were George Chew, Saju John, Hwang Shu Rong, and Wilson Ong.

Best Speaker: Dex Yuen Kin Wai;

Best Evaluator: George Chew; and

Best Table Topics Speaker: Goh Swee Heng.