Youngest individual to be featured in the Toastmasters International Magazine, December 2011 issue

1. Q&A WITH JASMINE TAN, ACS, ALB
PAYING IT FORWARD
Singapore student seeks DTM —
and to make a difference.
By Jennie Harris Jasmine Tan
s a 22-year-old area governor, guidance of our more senior district Annual Convention. I put my heart
Jasmine Tan, ACS, ALB, officers, I managed to overcome into making every event memorable
thrives on opportunities this challenge. for everyone in the audience, as well
to make the world a better place. A second challenge was learning as the performers. My true reward
She joined Nanyang Technological to build a good rapport with the new is when I know that everyone had a
University’s (NTU) inspYre Toast­ clubs under my charge. I learned that wonderful time.
masters club in Singapore as a respect is not given based on rank.
freshman. Since then, she has served We have to gain the respect, as cliché What part does Toastmasters
as vice president public relations and as it sounds. Different age groups play in your future?
club president, and she currently have different working styles and we Toastmasters will continue to
oversees four clubs as area governor. have to tweak our working style in shape me as a public speaker and
Tan expects to graduate from NTU order to build rapport. leader. I appreciate such a safe and
next year with a bachelor’s degree
warm environment to speak and
in biology, a minor in English and a What are your career plans? lead. Mistakes can be made and we
diploma in education.
After graduation I will teach learn from them without the fear
Q. Why do you seek Toast- high school biology. Teaching is a
rewarding profession because I have
of embarrassment or criticism. It is
simply a respite from the real world,
masters leadership positions?
the opportunity to make a difference where fear is common.
A. I do it to become a better leader in the lives of my students. I want After I achieve my Distinguished
in different situations and levels. I feel them to realize that learning is fun Toastmasters title (hopefully next
truly happy when mentoring and seeing year), I will continue to be a mentor
and to truly own their learning, to
members and clubs reach new milestones. to my club members. Being in
become thinkers and problem solvers
We are never too young to take on Toastmasters is beyond titles and
of the future.
leadership roles in Toastmasters. This accolades. We ought to take the
Beyond education, I intend to
organization welcomes everyone, no time to serve our new members or
eventually develop as a professional
matter who you are or what you do. less experienced peers in order for
speaker. Bonding with my audience is
I feel so blessed to be accepted for me them to grow. It is about paying it
simply exhilarating and I love every
and not based on my age and stereo­ forward. T
moment I have on stage!
types in society.
What challenges have What type of public speaking
Contact Jasmine Tan at tan_jia_jing_
you ex­ erienced as area
p do you like best?
jasmine@moe.edu.sg.
governor so far? I have been an emcee for nine years,
When I started out, I found the hosting corporate and family events,
Jennie Harris is a junior writer for
administrative matters mind-boggling. air shows and road shows, National
the Toastmaster magazine. Reach
There was so much to do that I was Day celebrations and even the
her at jharris@toastmasters.org.
not aware of. Of course, with the Welcome Night at the District 80
Photo credit: A. Syalabi, ACB, CL TOASTMASTER DECEMBER 2011 29