Pinnacles

Pinnacles
Issue 10

The Journey Begins!
12 Jul 2014
The term started with a
team of eager and freshfaced
members. Neil was
keen to continue the great
work of the past presidents
and bring Tiarel to new
heights. As we thank the
2013-2014 team, let us
also congratulate the new
team and see what’s been
happening in Tiarel so far!
Tiarel Exco 2014-2015:
President: Neil Sarno
VPE: Raja Nelluperumal and George Goh
VPM: Alison Chan and Lian Jinxing
VPPR: Ta Susiwati
Treasurer: Karen Moke
Secretary: Veron Goh
SAA: Soh Siew Wee

Joint Meeting and Deepavali Celebration
with NTU Alumni TMC
25 Oct 2014

Wine Party and Chapter Meeting
22 Nov 2014

Best Performance Holder

Christmas Party Celebration

1st Impromptu Speech Idol Contest 2014
21st Dec 2014
(jointly organised by Clementi C.C. & Clementi Toastmasters
Club)
16 contestants pitted their quick-thinking verbal skills to out-speak one another on
a rainy and windy Sunday afternoon in a standing-room-only of the conference
room, for the coveted title of the very first Impromptu Speech Contest Idol.
Strong and stiff competition came from seasoned, charismatic and eloquent
Toastmasters in the likes of Oon Tik Lee, John Monteiro, Kenneth Yeo, Marshall
Cooper, Sanjeev Menon, Theo Davies, Michael Chang, Ban Haw Leong, Ranjana,
Simon Koh, Charles Tan, Jackie Tan, Chai Pei Shan, Shawn Aw and Lawrence
Lee.
It was a contest with a twist, ala the American Idol (Singing) format.
Immediately after each speech, feedback was dished out by 3 judges in the areas of
(1) audience engagement (2) contents relevance and (3) speech organisation. No
words were minced nor harsh criticisms withheld.
The common topic was "Success is not final. Failure is not the end. It is the courage
to continue that matters."
Results . . .
Champion : Richard Sng (Tiarel TMC)
2nd Place : Kenneth Yeo (Nee Soon South TMC)
3rd Place : John Monteiro (Money Mastery TMC

First Chapter Meeting of 2015!
10 Jan 2015

Tiarel
International
Speech and
Table Topics
Contest
24 Jan 2015

Confidence and Competence in the
Command of the English Language
By Richard Sng, DTM
Do we have a grasp and grip of the English language or words, to
grab the attention of the reader and the audience
Why do so many people struggle to find the right words, or even for
the words, to put across their ideas, opinions and thoughts in simple sentences
Is it because of our poor command, and competence of the language
Many struggle with grammar and pronunciation.
Others choose words which are boring and bland, lack variety,
Vitality and vibrancy.
Words are also incorrectly used. Many try to get out of a situation
with overused and overworked words.
It is a delight and joy to listen to a handful few. They speak correctly and clearly,
coupled with audibility and intensity. Not
many can speak and write creatively.
Having an effective grasp and grip of
English language skills is an asset to be
more successful in today’s world.
We have to deal with a broad range of
communication challenges.
Mastery in the use of proper words in the
right context enables us to
have the edge over others and stay ahead
in our industry and
profession.
The way we wriggle, wrestle and wrangle
with words is a great
challenge and task.

Many, even among the native speakers of the English language,
wriggle and wrestle with words. Some even wrangle with words, both in the written
and spoken forms.
Why wriggle with words
How do we get out of a tight verbal situation Do we use overworked
and overused words, and clichés Do we take the easy way out by
using general, rather than specific words
Why wrestle with words
Is it because we do not try to understand or find a solution to a
difficult writing or speaking problem Or is it, we are not sure of
which, or better words to use, to bring out the meaning, because our
vocabulary is not extensive and expansive enough
Why wrangle with words
Do we have a complicated argument with ourselves over a long time,
and getting angry over the choice of words, simply because we
cannot find a suitable word
There are no short-cuts to speaking and writing well, to speak
correctly, clearly and especially, creatively. One needs to read
extensively and expansively. Listen and learn from the more
eloquent and fluent speakers, those with a strong command and
competence in the use of the language.
Use the dictionary all the time. Verify and clarify the meaning and usage so that
words are not misused, overused and abused.
Put to use words we know, rather than leaving them in
the dictionary or the cabinet to gather dust, and letting
them become mouldy.
Richard Sng ~ Author of “Wriggle Wrestle Wrangle
with Words”

Opening
Speech by
President Neil
Sarno
8 Nov 2014
Promise# 7: To treat my
fellow Club members and
our guests with respect and
courtesy;
Good afternoon friends.
A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who
sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.
- Saint Basil
In this club we promise: To treat my fellow Club members and our guests with
respect and courtesy;
My dear friends, you reap what you sow, you cannot escape the consequences of
your actions. What you do comes back to you. If you are courteous, kind and
friendly to your family, neighbour and friends and even strangers, the natural
reaction of that person would be positive and in return you will be accorded the
respect of that person and most probably he will be kind, courteous and friendly
to you as well as the saying goes kindness begets kindness
However, in this world we’re living in, we have to face the realities of life that
there are people who do not practice this wonderful human behaviour. There
might be circumstances that we ourselves are not practicing this behaviour too. It
is a normal pattern of life because we have this left and right conscience and we
behave like an airplane in an auto-pilot. If a person is good to us, we are good to
them and if they are bad to us, we are bad to them. That is what I call auto-pilot
behaviour.
But in all things in life, the only permanent thing is change. Yes we all have room
for changes and improvement. Some people change for good, some people
change for bad, but here in Toastmasters we change for the better.

My dear friends, we are here not only to improve our public speaking and
leadership skills. We are also here to hear the stories of our dear toastmasters,
those motivational and inspirational speeches. And in return we improve for the
better both mentally and spiritually.
In the process of improving ourselves, we need to treat each member and guest
with respect and courtesy.
Courtesy is the gift of treating others with warmth and respect. It means
according dignity to people by being considerate, responsive, and kind in our
dealings with them. It helps us to remember our manners in the way we regularly
and sincerely express gratitude, thoughtfully acknowledge feelings, and offer true
hospitality.
Does it sounds familiar, have you experienced it here in our club. Is it a yes
Courtesy is given and Respect is earned.