TM Saiful, our Toastmaster of the Evening
Vamos (Spanish origin, meaning ‘lets go’) was the resounding message for the audience of the BSC meeting last Tuesday, instilled by our ardent Toastmaster of the evening, TM Saifulizam Zamhor. The evening was yet another educational rendezvous for members as well as many returning guests from Brunei, notably Cloë Lai who has been visiting the club ever since its inception in the year 2000.
TM Pooja, our Grammarian for the Evening
I (TM Pooja Shivanand) as the Grammarian, introduced the word of the day ‘Flabbergast’; a verb, which means to surprise (someone) greatly.
TM Heidi, our Timer and Tip
Our efficient Timer, TM Heidi Rahman shared an inspiring quote from Bill Copeland, ‘the trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never score.’ Quite a thought to ponder!
TM Aziman delivering his CC5 project
In the prepared speeches segment, TM Aziman Nasir attempted his CC5 project – Body language – with his speech ‘Third Person View’. Aziman spoke about how fear and anxiety gripped him whenever he faced audience from stage. He made efforts to analyze this condition of his and along the way learned about the concept of ‘thought dissociation’ from the director of stage fright survival school, Burton Rubin. This study influenced Aziman to realize that it is necessary to pay attention to three things while speaking on stage – having purpose, maintaining eye contact and having presence of mind. Congratulations Aziman on the CC5 speech project.
TM Aziman receiving his Halfway Communicator Ribbon
TM Rahul Breh delivering his CC6 project
Our second speaker, TM Rahul Breh attempted his CC6 project – Vocal variety – with the speech titled ‘Mango lassi’. Rahul’s speech centred around his marriage, where he and his wife come from two very different cultural backgrounds in India. He offered a nuanced, funny, thoughtful perspective of the diversity as well as the concept of stereotype found in India. He humorously narrated that coming from north of India, it was quite a challenge for him to convince a south Indian family that he was the potential groom for their daughter. Congratulations Rahul on the CC6 speech project.
TM Seng Yee delivering her Speaking to Inform project
Our third speaker, Chang Seng Yee, CC, attempted her first speech from the advanced manual, ACB – speak to inform. Her speech title was ‘Couchsurfing 101’. Seng Yee told us that she has become a member of couchsurfing – the hospitality exchange and social networking website – a few months ago. She finds hosting travelers a rewarding experience with many advantages that come along like learning new life lessons, meeting different people and listening to their wonderful stories and getting insights into new cultures without having to travel. It was indeed an informative speech that gave a glimpse of this unique way of connecting to people and expanding our horizons. Congratulations Seng Yee on your ACB1 speech project.
Table Topic Speakers of the evening
In the second half of the meeting session, the TME passed control to our fervent Table Topic Master, TM Deno Goh, whose theme for the session was E-sports. Members and guests eagerly volunteered for the topics.
Our first speaker, Malik, was given the topic – Should e-sports be categorized as real sport? Malik said he is an equal enthusiast of basketball, an outdoor sport, as he is of league of legends, a virtual game. He pointed out that the kind of preparation and dedication that goes into sports training is the same be it physical or virtual. He sees the passion in his friend who is excelling in an internet game Malik introduced to him. He concluded that e-sport should be categorized as a real sport.
Our second speaker, Lukman’s topic was – How would you convince your parents that you would be a professional e-sport athlete. Lukman said his parents wouldn’t entertain the thought that he would drop out of school to become an e-sport professional. Such an idea would be immediately rejected. Moreover, he himself doesn’t understand e-sport. Since he sees no future in these games Lukman said he would rather not convince his parents on this.
Our third speaker, TM Hayati Kamis, was given the topic – If you wish to be a famous athlete in a sport, which one would it be and why? Hayati said in her reply that since a very young age she has been a Pokémon enthusiast. She knows the ultimate universe of Nintendo and she is well-versed in game theory. We were flabbergasted to know that she has been practicing karate for over eight years along with Kendo and Wushu. She loves the training and the rewarding experience of winning. Hayati wished to relive her childhood dream as the Pokémon monster and be famous as the karate girl.
Our fourth speaker Geneviève Lai, DTM, was posted the topic – How would inspire your team to win a championship game if you were the team coach? In her response, Geneviève talked about the importance of believing in oneself and having fun together as a team in order to win. She recalled her forte – ballet, a performance which is all about training, dedication and team work. Geneviève spoke about advising her team on learning the right lessons, building the right posture, getting the right outfit and more importantly having team building lessons to foster team spirit.
Our last speaker, TM Gerald Goh, was given the topic – In a scenario that you were charged with doping after winning a world championship match, how you convince us that it is not real?’ Gerald immediately came up with three reasons to defend his claim that he is innocent – had he doped, he wouldn’t be that skinny; doping wouldn’t give him the puffy eyes he has now and finally, he demonstrated that he hands don’t tremble. All these ascertain to the fact that he doesn’t dope. Moreover, he says he is scared of needles and tablets and would not take them at any cost.
Best Table Topics Winner, Malik.
The table topics speakers entertained the audience and also shared their viewpoints. Congratulations to Malik for winning the best table topic ribbon. The meeting’s success wouldn’t be possible without the infectious energy and valuable feedback of the other office bearers – TM Theodric Chong, as Ah Counter and ‘Who said what?’, TM Supatra Lee as table topic evaluator and Shawn Cassidy Narcis, DTM, as General Evaluator.
Our guests and visiting members from OTTERS and UBD
In her closing remarks, our Vice-President of Membership, TM Supatra Lee, applauded everyone present at the meeting for making it a success. In her message, she urged members to take on new roles in meetings and also take part in organizing contests and events because with every new experience comes new leaning. The meeting opened a gateway for networking among members and guests. We look forward to our future club meetings.
TM Supatra delivering her closing remarks
Written by:
TM Pooja Shivanand Breh
Photography and Captions by:
TM Gerald Goh