Word of the Day - November 2010

abate verb \ə-ˈbāt\

abat·ed abat·ing

Definition - transitive verb
: to put an end to
: to reduce in degree or intensity : moderate
: to reduce in value or amount : make less especially by way of relief
: deduct, omit

Language Evaluator- Freddy Ng, CC (SMU Toastmasters)

Daylon Soh @ TEDxSingapore - The Creative Rebel

Vice President - Membership, Daylon Soh, CC speaking at TEDxSingapore.

What is TEDx? In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organised events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. TEDxSingapore organises idea events throughout the year, where x=independently organised TED event. At our TEDxSingapore events, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organised.

Word of the Day - October 2010

Angst : noun \ˈäŋ(k)st, ˈaŋ(k)st\

: a feeling of anxiety, apprehension, or insecurity

Language Evaluator- Whai Aun

Humorous Speech and Evaluation Club Contest

Dear Toastmasters,

You are invited to participate in our annual Humorous Speech and Evaluation Club Contest on 2nd Sept 2010. Pls take a moment to consider taking part in both contests. Both contests speeches can be used to clock your communications and leadership projects. Do not miss this opportunity!

Why Humorous Speech?
Humor is one of the most effective skill to engage your audience.

Humor breaks through barriers.
Humor relaxes your audience and puts them in a receptive mood
Humor alerts your audience to listen.
Laughter can enliven potentially dry or dull material.
Humor releases tension

Here are some links on writing a humourous speech. Which I hope to ease your decision to participate.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2067349_write-humorous-speech.html
http://www.write-out-loud.com/humorous-speech.html
http://www.speech-topics-help.com/humorous-speech-topics.html


Why Evaluation Contest?

The purpose of evaluation is to help people develop their speaking or leadership skills in various situations. And, it requires little preparation. There are no reasons to give this contest a miss. ;-)

Please kindly response your interest ASAP.

ps: appointments holders are welcome too.

Regards,
Chee-Siong
Organising Chairperson

Vote for your favorite Speechcraft Workshop Theme!

Speechcraft 2011 Theme Voting - How many of you would be interested in attending a Speechcraft workshop based on the following themes:

1) Entertaining and Humor Speaking: Building rapport, enabling teams (Useful for any social situation and corporate interactions)

2) Connecting the dots: Technology and Toastmasters (Useful for anyone who wish to improve their social-media and PowerPoint know-hows professionally and personally)

3) Advance with Communication II (Useful for career focused professionals who wish to present themselves better with interview skills, resume writing tips and presentations)

Pick your favorite and tell us what you'll like to hear in the workshop!

To vote simply reply to this thread!

Area U1 Governor 2010/2011 - Shao Ning, CC

Congratulation to Buona Vista CC Toastmasters Club member, Shao Ning, CC for the appointment of Area U1 Governor 2010/2011.



Shao Ning has been a member of this club for past 2 years and has served in various appointment in the club's executive committee.

Words of the Day

onomatopoeia
[on-uh-mat-uh-pee-uh, ‐mah-tuh‐]
–noun
1. the formation of a word, as cuckoo or boom, by imitation of a sound made by or associated with its referent. The formation or use of words such as buzz or murmur that imitate the sounds associated with the objects or actions they refer to.
2. a word so formed.
3. Rhetoric . the use of imitative and naturally suggestive words for rhetorical effect.


complacent
[kuhm-pley-suhnt]
–adjective
1. pleased, esp. with oneself or one's merits, advantages, situation, etc., often without awareness of some potential danger or defect; self-satisfied: The voters are too complacent to change the government.
2. pleasant; complaisant

Definitions quoted from Dictionary.com

By Language Evaluator Ho-Tan Whai Aun, CTM/CL

Notice of AGM

Dear members,

The Toastmasters Term is coming to an end in June and as we await the new exciting term starting in June, we will have new leaders serving in the Executive Committee!

We will be holding our chapter meeting on 3rd June and we will be having our Annual General Meeting (AGM) after that to elect our new leaders! Remember our date!

Date: 3 June 2010 (Thursday)
Chapter Meeting : 7.30 to 9.00 pm
AGM: 9.00 to 10.00 pm
Venue: Buona Vista CC Room 2-5

Posted on behalf of AGM Chairperson and Immediate Past President Ralph Shao Ning, CC.

mediacorp interview during our Division U Contest

Photo with our dear Nicholas at Division U Contest

more table topics...

1. Intuition is the source of scientific knowledge.
~ by CJ Lim Seh Leng for Katong TMC Contest 18 March 2010~

2. Happiness is not getting what we want but in wanting what we have.
~ by CJ Koh Hock Seng for Area Z5 Contest 16 March 2010 ~

3. Pros and Cons of Casino
~ CJ Teh Kai Chong for Lew Lian Gardens Mandarin Club Contest 15 March 2010 ~

Table Topics Contest Topics

The topics for Table Topics Contest is set by the Chief Judge. For our club contest, the topic was "Time to Slow Down" by Chee Kim Loon, ATMB/CL.

These are some table topics set by me for other contests as a form of reference for our contestants on the level of difficulty as they progress to the next level of contests.

1. He who asks remains a fool for 5 minutes. He who does not ask remains a fool forever. (Ulu Pandan Table Topics Contest 2 March 2010)

2. A no is not a never. A never is not a forever. (Area B1 Contest 6 March 2010)

3. It's not who you know, it's who knows you. (Area B2 Contest 6 March 2010)

4. "In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.” ~ Coco Chanel (Area B5 Contest 6 March 2010)

For table topics contest, share your own personal viewpoint or opinion about the topic. You also need to be clear whether you agree or disagree with the topic.

Some of the winning strategies I observe...

Winners usually disagree with the topic and have a strong personal viewpoint on the reason they disagree. Table topics contestants who score high points are usually those who share their own personal story to support their viewpoint. They will avoid common viewpoints that other contestants might say to differentiate themselves. The idea is to stand out from the crowd.

Other point scoring techniques...

Table topics is a mini speech... so proper introduction, body and conclusion will score points.
Body language is something that many contestants forget during table topics contests. So if you demonstrate excellent body language, you are an edge over your peers. Please don't forget your vocal variety and the use of beautiful language.

So, contestants, please familiarize yourself with the judging criterias and see how you can score points! All the best!

International Speech and Table Topics Club Contest 2010

We have successfully conclude our club contest last night at Buona Vista Community Club. Congratulations to our double champion, William Tang, ACB/CL for winning both contests. William will be representing our club in Area U1 contest on 10 April 2010 (Sat), at Buona Vista Community Club.

International Speech Contest
Champion : William Tang, ACB/CL
1st Runner-up : Nicholas Tan, CC
2nd Runner-up : Shao Ning, CC/CL

Table Topics Contest
Champion : William Tang, ACB/CL
1st Runner-up : Paulin Chan, CC
2nd Runner-up : Juey Ong, CTM/CL

I would also like to thank the following for making the contests a successful.

Chief Judge, Chee Kim Loon, ATM-B/CL and his Judges
Contest Chairman : Lorraine Chin,CC
Tally Counter and SAA : Cherlene Chua, CC/CL, Jerlynn Ang, CC/CL
Timers : Edwin Seah, CC/CL, Adeline Chik

Word of the Day - February 2010

procrastination
pro·cras'ti·na'tion n.
pro·cras'ti·na'tor n.

Definition:
the act of procrastinating; putting off or delaying or deferring an action to a later time

Originates from the word Procrastinate (pro·cras·ti·nate)

v. pro·cras·ti·nat·ed, pro·cras·ti·nat·ing, pro·cras·ti·nates

Synonyms:
prolong, postpone

Notable Examples:
"Procrastination is the thief of time"
[Edward Young The Complaint: Night Thoughts]

- by Language Evaluator, Johnny Tan, CC (Fort Canning Toastmasters Club)

Workshop - Your Charisma, Uncover it.

Money Mastery Toastmasters Club is organising a workshop on 23 January 2010.

Here are the details of the workshop:

Presenter: Mr John Sih, DTM
Topic: Your Charisma, Uncover it.
Date: 23 Jan 2010 (Sat)
Time: 2pm to 5pm
Venue: Queenstown C.C.
Price: $15/ ticket (Tea- break is provided)

Kindly contact Raymond Ho from Money Mastery Toastmasters Club for the tickets.
Mobile: 90091122 or 91811000
Email: ray_ho1122@yahoo.com

Word of the Day - January 2010

Anyone who has resided in Singapore for a period of time would notice that conversations of local Singaporeans are often littered with phrases and exclamations derived from different languages and ethnicity; over time, such loose habits has turned our use of the English language into a cultural phenomenon known as Singlish.

One may agree that the use of Singlish has added much flavor and variety to the way we communicate but yet we should not ignore the synonyms which sums the beauty of the English vocabulary: synonyms which exists to replace exclamations like 'Wah Liau' / 'Wah Lau' as shared by our Langauge Evaluator, Loo Mei Mei, Competent Toastmaster (CTM).

Synonym [sin-uh-nim]
- noun

1. A word having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word or other words in a language.

2. A word or an expression that serves as a figurative or symbolic substitute for another.

Perhaps whenever you're tempted to exclaim 'Wah Liau' / 'Wah Lau', which could be grossly taken as an expletive. Why not try words like fabulous, fascinating or fantastic in the spirit of speaking good English in the year 2010.