Metamorphosis Chapter Meeting Recap
“To transform yourself or morph to something greater, you have to work as a team, to learn to lead a team so that each individual can achieve more: TEAM (Together, Everyone Achieves More). That’s what Toastmasters is about… transforming you into leaders through effective communications. (Slogan: Where leaders are made.)”
– Club President, Chai Pei Shan
On 8 Jan 2016, personal transformation and team-building were the main focus of this chapter meeting where members and guests were encouraged to come out of their comfort zone to take on new challenges in 2016. The club had a spectacular start to our first meeting in 2016 with an attendance of over 40 members and guests. The new year usher in new hopes and aspirations for members. MMTMC welcomed 2 new additions to our family: Pamela Lau and Mahendra who joined us officially as new members.
The evening started with the members and guests partaking in the delectable treats with healthy home-cooked dinner while waiting for the programme to start.
At 7.30pm, our Sergeants-at-Arms for the evening, Christopher Kusumowidagdo and Maureen Suryani leaped on stage to energise the crowd with their harmonious and creative banter. Taking the stage as the Toastmasters of the Evening for the first time, Arva Rangwala exuded confidence ready to host the evening’s Metamorphosis.
The Language Evaluator, Mohamad Saddiq, ACG, AL, shared the Word of the Day, “Initiate”, paving the way for a transformative evening.
In the Opening Address, Club President, Chai Pei Shan kicked off the first chapter meeting of the year with a spectacular opening segment that drove home the message of transformation for 2016. Four brave warriors, new members Shuan, Qing Lin, Danny, Mahendran spontaneously took up the challenge on stage and performed a spontaneous team-bonding activity! The audience was ‘wowed’ by the impactful opening act. Through the lively and enthusiastic participation of the members on stage, she illustrated a refreshing concept of teamwork by using the root word for metamorphosis – “META”.
The opening segment shows that, in the club, members can choose to take or give resources. The chair represents the resources. Volunteers sit on them, they take up the resources. As the resources get depleted and the going gets tough (by removing the chair one by one) it is up the human team work and resilience to keep going by leaning on each other. Peishan applauded the new members for their courage and learning spirit. She illuminates the message in the energising activity that — together as a club, Toastmasters can transform you through “TEAM” by communicating Trust, Resilience, Responsibility, and Accountability.
By reorganising the 4 letters from “TEAM” to “META”, she explained another perspective of experiential learning in the club. Peishan revealed that the crux of the message is: to transform yourself or morph to something greater, you have to work as a team, to learn to lead a team so that each individual can achieve more: TEAM (Together, Everyone Achieves More). That’s what Toastmasters is about: transforming you into leaders through effective communications. (Slogan: Where leaders are made.)
The Prepared Speeches Session saw four quality speakers speaking on four different projects. The speakers were exemplifying the very best of MMTMC. New member Tan Qing Lin delivered a refreshing speech about looking at the things through the “rear view mirror” as his Ice Breakers speech. Our VPM, Catherine Lai shared heart-warming photos and stories about her transformative journey through her work and life experiences where she worked with children. Our second VPM, Mannan Pacha shared about his diving experiences. Our Club President, Peishan delivered an advanced project on “Mastering the Toast” and paid tribute to the magnificent members and mentors of MMTMCs.
Then, four seasoned toastmasters delivered their masterful evaluations of the prepared speeches with finesse and provided recommendations that crystalize the crux of the delivery and how the speakers can take the next step forward. Special thanks to our visiting Toastmasters, DTM Wekie Tay, Norman Tan, Arun Sharma for their presence and evaluation of our members’ speech.
A vibrant Table Topics session was helmed by our VPE Chye Bei’an and Janty Widjaja. Our brave speakers included an array of 3 magnificent members Christopher Kusumowidagdo, Danny Suyanto, Shaun Pang, 2 enthusiastic first time speakers, as well as, our loyal and adorable, Zoya expressing their opinions about the theme. The speakers took their first steps into the unknown, taking a leap of faith to improvise based on the topics chosen, master of their 1-2 minutes of talk-time.
Finally, LE Saddiq took the stage and shared on the beauty of the language and the fine speakers who have weaved in the Word of the Day “Initiate” appropriately to delight the audience.
During the closing ceremony, Pei Shan delivered the award to the best speaker, best project evaluator and best table topics. The “Best Project Evaluator” goes to our Visiting Toastmaster, DTM Wekie Tay from NUS Toastmasters Club and the “Best Table Topics Speaker” goes to our new member, Shaun Pang.
The Metamorphosis themed chapter meeting came to a close on a high note with guests feeling inspired and motivated for personal transformations and peak performance this year. The evening’s delights had all who were present raring to go for our next Chapter Meeting and Table Topics Workshop cum Marathon on 22 Jan 2016.
Photo gallery link:
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MMTMC 13th Anniversary Celebrations Recap
Dear MMTMC Family Members,
What are your fondest memories of the club’s 13th Anniversary on 20th November 2015? My fondest memories have to be those of all of you who were present to make this event heartwarming. My heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the organizing committee and appointment holders for all your effort in the most elaborate, entertaining and engaging birthday bash.
Elaborate:
Stepping into the hall, I was greeted by colorful displays of superhero-themed balloons, and a wall of intricately hand-cut spider web designs.
Most special of all, was the photo booth that was set up with props for us to use when taking polaroids for souvenirs. The organizing committee even invited cosplayers to pose with us at the photo booth. There were characters like Ghost in the Shell Major Motoko, Super Mario Luigi and a pretty Victorian-era English lady.
The members of our organizing committee also dressed up as superheroes: Catherine was the beautiful Batwoman, Tommy, the righteous Robin Hood, Maureen, the babyish Babs Bunny and Christopher K, the zealous Zorro.
No party is complete without delectable food. We had the luxury of ten-course menu in a romantic outdoor deck that set the perfect ambience for guests and members to get to know one another better.
Entertaining and Engaging:
Energetic Karen & Chandran kick started the evening as wonderful TMEs.
Then we had the honour of having three distinguished guests sharing with us the hallmarks of leadership: International Director Mr Patrick Oei, District Director Ms Tay Yiang Ping and Club Mentor & Past District Governor Mr Michael Rodrigues.
Truly, as Mr Patrick Oei has defined “A great leader is one who breeds more new leaders”. MMTMC embodies this belief and on this joyous occasion, we had Past Presidents and previous EXCO members who have witnessed how far we have come over the past 12 years to share in our celebrations. The appreciation of their dedicated commitment and contribution was led by our Club President, Chai Pei Shan. Surely, this would serve as a great inspiration for all, bringing MMTMC to greater heights together as a family.
What would a superhero night be without challenges for the superheroes to save the world? Our table topics masters Dexter and Benjamin skilfully crafted an improv game based on the theme. The improv game called for quick thinking and the task was to solve a contemporary societal issue. We had three crises that Jacky, Michell & Janty’s teams had to solve.
Next came the showcase of our Superheroes’ talents that made us laugh non-stop. Su Anne & Tabita danced energetically Bollywood-style for us. Siew Onn charmed us with sweet talk. Vicky sang Happy Birthday a-la Marilyn Monroe. Eleven-year-old Zoya, who dressed up as Thor entertained us with her frank sharing on how much she loved to hate her weekend language classes. Aaron, aka Sharon, stunned everyone with his impressive cleavage, hot pants and titillating dance.
Then the presentation of awards commenced:
Aaron bagged the most coveted Talent Award of the night. Michell’s team (Aaron and Mike Lee) won the improv table topic. The Best Dressed awards went to Danny, who made a tall and dashing Captain America and Nancy, whose Florence Nightingale was both beautiful and sweet.
The night was truly a testament of how close-knit the MMTMC family is. And as hospitable hosts, you can be sure that the guests all looked like they were having a blast!
The big night culminated with the singing of the Happy Birthday song to MMTMC and our enjoying the tasty superheroes cupcakes and the chocolate cakes Zoya baked especially for us.
The birthday celebration may be over, but the memories stay forever. We are a family that eats, drinks, laughs and grows together.
Remember, Money Mastery Makes Members Matters!
Cherishing these moments,
Wendy Lee
Masquerade Chapter Meeting Recap
If you could put on a mask and party all night, where would you go? Money Mastery (Singapore) Toastmasters Club’s (MMTMC) Masquerade Chapter Meeting would be the place to be at on the night of 13 Nov. Many members of MMTMC and guests attending the Masquerade “Ball” at 26 Tai Seng Street came bearing Mardi Gras masks, party theme masks and even protective N-95 masks.
The evening started with the members and guests partaking in the wonderfully wholesome home-cooked bee-hoon and sweet and savoury muffins while waiting for the main event.
At 7.25pm sharp our Sergeants-at-Arms for the evening, Tommy Chew and Angel Chan, came up on stage in surgical and N-95 masks, energising the crowd with their humorous banter. Our Toastmasters of the Evening, Claire Cheong and Aaron Khoo then followed and delighted the audience with their good looks and charm. Claire was in a stunning little black dress and bolero jacket while Aaron was in a smart black suit with a bowtie. They exuded elegance, ready to host the evening’s Masquerade Ball.
Aaron and Gang
The Language Evaluator, charismatic and charming DTM Glenn Lim, shared the Word of the Day, “enchant”, paving the way for a truly unforgettable and enchanting evening.
In the opening Address, Club President, Chai Pei Shan shared her vision for the club, the important contributions made by the previous Exco, the challenges ahead and the cumulation and celebration of our 13th Club Anniversary on 20 Nov, a day for Superheroes, a day for MMTMC.
The Prepared Speeches Session saw four quality speakers speaking on four different projects. The speakers were a band of sisters, exemplifying the very best of MMTMC. Lin Yuan spoke about being true to oneself and living a life without regrets—a mantra to live by. Arva Rangwala talked about her beautiful childhood, the importance of human interactions, friendship, and all the things in life to be treasured. Janty Widjaja shared about the trials and tribulations of everyday work-life and about how finding the right attitude is key. Karen Lim, working on her first project in the Story-Telling advanced manual, regaled us with a folk tale on how the rainbow was made.
Following the prepared speeches, our dedicated club adviser, Jeffery Seah, delivered a club update for the ages, sharing the stage and honouring our immediate past Exco members who have sowed the seeds of our club’s success, raising the bar and challenging the current Exco to bring MMTMC to greater heights.
Members from our immediate past Exco with Club Advisor
Then, four seasoned toastmasters delivered their evaluations of the prepared speeches with finesse and provided recommendations that crystalize the crux of the delivery and how the speakers can take the next step forward. Special thanks to our visiting Toastmaster, Area E4 Director, Prem Methani for his presence and evaluation of one of our speakers.
The Table Topics session began with a bang, with the witty repartee between the lovely Wendy Lee and the “Smoking Master” Chandran Kanapethey. Our brave speakers include the ever-lovable and indomitable Zoya, the refreshing Rayana, the gentlemanly Shalen, the studious Jerome and enthusiastic Ikhlash. The speakers took their first steps into the unknown, taking a leap of faith to improvise based on the topics chosen, master of their two minutes of talk-time.
Beautiful Wendy and Erudite Chandran
When Glenn took the stage, he had the audience mesmerized. He was in his element, conducting the language evaluation in a clear, concise manner, wowing the audience on the art of the use of rhetorical devices and vivid imagery in making a good speech great.
LE Glenn Lim in his element
During the closing ceremony, Pei Shan delivered the award to the best speaker, best project evaluator and best table topics. The best prepared speaker was a tie between the animated Toastmaster Arva and our very own Story Spinner, Competent Communicator Karen. The best Project Evaluator goes to our language guru, Toastmaster Michell Sheya Wong and the best table topics speaker goes to our first-time visitor, the fabulous Rayana.
Claire with the”Ladies”
The masquerade themed chapter meeting came to a close on a high note with guests sharing their delight in how much fun they had and how much they had learned. The evening’s delights had all who were present raring to go for our next Chapter Meeting on 11 Dec – “May the Force be with You”.
Eureka Chapter Meeting Recap
TME (Desmond & Zhang Yuan)
“Eureka!” was the theme for Money Mastery (Singapore) Toastmasters Club chapter meeting on 9 Oct 2015. Eureka depicts the story of Archimedes, who has made discovery that has profound contribution to Science. Our Toastmasters of the evening (Desmond Yam and Zhang Yuan) related Eureka to the journey of discovery in Toastmasters.
In the opening Address of our Club President, Chai Pei Shan, aptly related “Eureka!” to 2 events.
Firstly, “Eureka” sounds like “You-Rika”. It is an encouragement for our homegrown talent, Rika, who will be representing Money Mastery in the Division D Humorous Speech Contest on 10, Oct 2015.
The second event is the launch of “Improv” session in the Eureka Meeting programme. “Improv” stands for improvised table topics. It is the first ever being done in Money Mastery and probably first in Toastmasters club in Singapore.
There was also another reason to cheer and shout Eureka. Traveling toastmasters Jason Topp & Lyn Cassar from Algester Toastmasters (Australia), together with their son, David, visited MMTMC on that evening. We are grateful and honored to have Jason and Family to visit our club in spite of the short vacation in Singapore.
Language Evaluator Zaid explaining the Word of the Day – “Muse”
We are honored to have ALB/ACB Zaid Yassin as our Language Evaluator. As Language evaluator, Zaid introduced the word of the day “Muse” and encouraged everyone to use the word throughout the meeting
Our prepared speech session was just as exciting with 4 speakers. Two of the speakers were first timers, Toastmasters Maureen Suryani and Toastmasters Shaun Pang who gave their maiden prepared speeches. Even as first timer, the audience was captivated by their high standard of speech deliveries.
This was followed by the Project evaluation session. It was another good delivery by 4 experienced toastmasters.
The climax of the night was the Improv session. Our Table Topic Masters, CC Wendy & Toastmaster Arva did a fabulous job to create fun improv topics where our many of our guests have the chance to participate in the Improv session. The rule of the improv is such that when the speaker was given a line to speak for 2.5 mins, the speaker could be interrupted by 3 “money changers” who will shout “change”. When “change” is shouted, the speaker will retract the last statement said and change to a different subject. The improvisation trains the imrov speaker to think on their feet quickly and created lots of fun & entertainment to the audience as well.
Table topic Master explaining the role of “Money Changer” in the Improv session
Mike Lee was the first and the best improv speaker.
Zaid wrapped up language evaluation with his witty and fun prognosis on the use of grammars and good phrases throughout the programs.
In the closing ceremony, our club president delivered the award to the best speaker, best project evaluator and best table topics. The best prepared speech speaker went to Toastmaster Arva Rangwala with her witty speech title “Queen of Venus without Mars”. The best Project evaluator was Toastmaster Michelle Sheya Wong and the best improve speaker was Toastmaster Mike Lee!
It was a high energy evening throughout! We look forward to the next formal meeting theme on 13 Nov – “Masquerade!”
