How Katong Toastmasters Club Started as Singapore Swimming Club

OPENING ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT ON 22 JULY, 2005,

THE CHARTER NIGHT OF SSC TMC

District Governor Distinguished Toatmaster Dr Khong Chooi Pheng,

Immediate Past District Governor Distinguished Toastmaster, Gea Ban Peng,

Lieutenant Governor Education and Training Distinguished Toastmaster Poh Kim Siong,

Lieutenant Governor Marketing, Distinguished Toastmaster Michael Wee,

Fellow District Officers,

President of the Management Committee of the Singapore Swimming Club, Mr Bernard Chang,

Vice President of the Management Committee, Mr Jeffrey Heng,

Members of the Management Committee,

Members of the Social Sub-Committee,

Distinguish Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen:

A very warm welcome to Singapore Swimming Club Toastmasters Club’s Charter Night.

On March 17, 2005, at the invitation of Singapore Swimming Club, ATM–B, AL Patrick Chang gave a demonstration to a group of SSC members on the benefits of Toastmasters. The demonstration was so impressive that by the end of the evening, almost all of the people present signed up. That evening, the SSC Toastmasters Club was born.

A month later, on April 21, the SSC Toastmasters Club held its first chapter meeting. Four petrified souls made their debut as Toastmasters, and delivered their first project, the Ice Breaker. I was one of the petrified speakers.

A competent Toastmaster had told me days earlier that the Ice Breaker was “a piece of cake” as all I had to do was to talk about myself. What he did not tell me, which I found out the hard way, was that speaking for 4 to 6 minutes// without notes// and in front of a large audience// was a terrifying experience: My face was flushed, my legs were like lead, my heart was heaving and my tongue was tied.

That evening, I did not break any ice, rather, it was the ice that broke me.

On May 13, we were chartered. Our charter number, in case you want know, is 791331; not the best number from a 4-D perspective, but please feel free to be an early supporter of the Integrated Resort.

As at tonight, the SSC Toastmasters Club has 27 members and we are looking for men and women who would like to join us in our journey of discovery and transformation.

If you are looking for an adrenalin rush, you have come to the right place; join us and I guarantee we will give you all the rush you can handle.

Tonight, I'd like to acknowledge and thank 4 very special persons who were instrumental in our birth and who continue to watch and guide us as we grow. Our Sponsors Poh Kim Siong and Patrick Chang, our Mentors, Gideon For-Marqui and Cherlene Chua. Without their help, the SSC Toastmasters Club would not be where we are today. May I call on Kim Siong and Patrick to stand so that we can acknowledge and thank you. Gideon and Cherlene unfortunately are not here tonight.

The SSC Toastmasters Club is very fortunate to have the support of the Management Committee, the Social Sub-Committee and the staff. For that we are very grateful. You may wish to know that the Chairman of the SSC Social Committee, Sam Bhorej is a Competent Toastmasters from the SIM TMC and a strong believer and supporter of Toastmasters movement. Sam, could you kindly stand to be acknowledged.

Finally, I like to thank all of you for coming tonight to celebrate our Birth and on behalf of the SSC Toastmasters Club, I wish you an enjoyable evening ahead.

- contributed by Benjamin Gan, Charter President