Use the Pen!

Written by Ian Chan
Edited by Charis Chen

Welcome to our first meeting of October! Today's meeting was started by a warm welcome by our Chapter Chair, Speaker Jern Yoong.

The icebreaker was conducted by Eunice. Everyone had to find either a shelter to hide in, or a partner to form a shelter with. To form a shelter, two people would stand facing one another with their hands stretched upwards. A Person would then sit underneath the shelter to make it complete. When the caller called, "People!" all the People had to change Shelters, but the Shelters stayed where they were. When the caller called,"Shelters!" all the shelters split, switched partners, and found different People to shelter. Finally, when the caller called, "Storm!" everyone had to split up and find different partners. After any command, the person left out became the new caller.

photo by Ranen Chan

After everyone had settled down, we were led by Speaker Jern Yoong for the devotion. He shared with us about having a hunger and thirst for righteousness. Then he broke us into two groups to discuss these questions:

1) What do you do when you want something really, really badly?

2) Think about some of the things you really want and spend a lot of time thinking about and trying to attain.

3) Are they things that last forever?

4) How would thinking more about hungering and thirsting for righteousness change you?

After discussing those questions, a speaker from each group shared what they had discussed.

Following the devotions, Coach Joseph shared with us the power of impromptu speaking. He gave us a scenario. If he were to attempt to persuade a CEO to sign a contract, which would be the best tool to use: a PowerPoint presentation, his training curriculum, his portfolio, or a whiteboard marker?

Well, the whiteboard marker was the best tool. Why is it so? Well, the reason the whiteboard marker was the best solution was because the speaker can present his information based on his audience analysis and improvise on the spot, especially when the CEO comes in from a different perspective.

After Coach Joseph's sharing, the speakers headed to their respective breakout sessions.

Jern Ling and I did the YCC skill session with the energetic, yet attentive kids. They reviewed the basic public speaking skills that they had learned, and we recited the BPS Song. They wanted to recite the song by themselves and they did well! After the revision, we had an activity.This activity was called Whoosh, where everybody had to stand in a circle and say 'whoosh' to the next person. After a round, we started to add more sounds such as: whish, zap, groovelicious, and whoop. Through the activity, they learnt how to focus and act quickly.

Photo by Coach Choong Ming

Meanwhile, the YSGers led by Speakers Eunice and Charis learnt about P3+R3=C3. 
Here, Eunice shares with us about the skill session. 

"This YSG formula has definitely been imprinted in all the YSGers' minds like words engraved in stone! This chapter meeting, Charis and I led the other YSG speakers in a lesson about how P3+R3=C3 relates to our upcoming chapter presentation and how it can help the various stages in our presentation! For example, we discovered that "Purpose" in P3 helps us stay focused on the very reason why we are doing the Chapter presentation, to bless the community as living testimonies of Christ. It also reminds us to always keep in mind the message of our presentation, that God has a purpose for each and every one of our lives! :) It was such an incredible time of learning with the other YSGers! We certainly had a lot of fun and a meaningful experience together!" ~Eunice Tan

Photo by Coach Choong Ming

After the breakout sessions, we had tea break!

When tea break was over, it was time for Speech Coaching. The YSG 1 speakers practiced their Limited Preparation Speeches while the rest of the YSG speakers discussed their speech topics and practiced their speeches.

Photo by Ranen Chan

When Speech Coaching was over, we listened to Coach Joseph, who shared with us an experience he and his family had while on a trip to US. When the immigration officer checked their passports, Coach Joseph and Coach Debra were denied passage; only their daughters were allowed to go through the immigration. Despite Coach Joseph's desperate pleas, the immigration officer firmly replied, "No."

Coach Joseph then asked us why the officer had forbade them to pass. He explained that even though they had made an honest mistake, the Immigration Department had a standard that they had to maintain, and likewise, we should also maintain a high standard for ourselves in order to be successful. He also talked about how we need to "raise the bar," which means to raise the standard for ourselves. Furthermore, rules are rules, and when there are rules, we need to follow them.

Speaker Jern Yoong closed the meeting with some announcements, and the speakers proceeded to have their chapter presentation practice, led by Speakers Eunice and Charis! 

Till next time, goodbye! Hope you enjoyed reading the blog! :)