DWG Toastmasters' Club Contests

I could not believe I could win in our Dennis Wee Group Toastmasters' Club contests for both international speech and table topics. I had just returned from an 8 days' vacation in Penang. Though I had plenty of time, I was too lazy to write out my speech by pen as my sibling did not have a computer at home. Hence, I waited till I reached Singapore to write my speech. It was somewhat stressful because I also had work to catch up after being "laid off" for 8 days. After printing out my speech in our company, I read it a number of times and tried to remember the key points.

As for table topics, I realised I had little practice. Most of the times when I visited clubs I was either a prepared speech speaker or an evaluator. Hence I seldom participated in table topics as I felt that everyone in the meeting should participate and be given a chance to do so.

I felt that Shirley Gwee was better in her prepared speech than me and expected her to win the contest. I also felt that Lionel Ng was better than me at the table topic contest. It is really a humbling experience. Now I have to represent my club and compete with other winners at division level on 24th March.

I will fine tune my prepared speech and practise on my own at various table topics at home. So long as I have tried my best for my club, I know I have given my best even if I do not win both contests at divisional level. It is most important that I enjoy myself and keep improving all the time.

Gan Chau