CC Project #8: The Fan

Competent Communication Manual
Project #8: Get Comfortable with Visual Aides
Speech Title: The Fan
Delivered at: PIPCA Riyadh Toastmasters Club
Evaluated by: ATM-G/CL Ron Jacobe

* * * * * *

Opening

Captures Audience Attention:

I need a volunteer, someone who knows a bit of me. TM Richard! What is do you think is my favorite hobby!

Hah! That is one of my hobbies, I agree, but not my favorite.

Body

Fellow Toastmasters, beloved guests, lady and gentlemen good evening!

Tonight, let me talk about a hobby that is closer to my heart than all the girls I met. A little disagreement in there, I could see. Hehehe...

Main Point 1: My Hobby and Me

What is my favorite hobby? I believe only few of you here knows that I love Formula 1 or simply F1, very much

Sub point 1: Acquaintance with F1

Have you heard of F1? It is a racing competition of cars that is running at 300kph or more.

I never heard of it until the year 2004 when my boss brought me to Malaysia to represent our company in the Sepang Circuit.

Clueless, I asked my boss to bring me to the docks. I want to see the cars up close and personal. And when I got there, whoa! It was a love a first sight. Not that model in the car, but these beautiful and magnificent pieces of machines. I was so bewitched, I didn’t sleep that night.

The next day, I watch the race and I was overwhelmed with sound of the machines. No wait – it was not a sound – it was a scream, a thunder coming out from the mighty engines!

And everywhere I go, I see funny faces, rabid fans in an ocean of red, yellow, blue and white.

It was a fascinating experience.

Sub point 2: Hobby of Collecting

It started there.

I begin collecting F1 items like caps, jersey, shirts, miniature F1 cars, bags, and even shoes! Only to realize later, that I was into a hobby of collecting.

Sub point 3: Hobby of Outdoor & Travel

I got hooked into the sports. Too much, that I started to follow the race as it moves to different countries. I went to Australia, Japan and China and if not of monetary consideration, I could have wind up in Europe too.

Sub point 4: Hobby of Photography

Along the way, I meet fans, beautiful people, and seen different places.

It was very exciting and how I wish my friends could share the feeling. They could not understand no matter how I explain. That is why I pick up photography because I want to capture all the beautiful things I’ve seen and then show it off to my friends.

Besides, a big camera and my matching outfit make me look good, isn’t it?

Main Point 2: What is F1

I became a fanatic of Formula 1.

And just like what true fan does, I started to understand the nitty-gritty of the game.

Sub point 1: Cars & Teams & Fans

There are 11 teams to choose from: Ferrari, McLaren-Mercedez, Red Bull, Toyota, Renault, Honda, Force India, and many more.

And the Drivers: there is Kimi of Ferrari, Lewis of McLaren, Fernando of Renault, David of Red Bull, Nico of Williams, and a lot more. All in all, there are 22 drivers – two from each team.

Which team I belong?

As you can see, it’s obvious. I cheer for the Ferrari Team.

Sub point 2: Circuit Race & Host Country

Every year – called season – there are 17 races. And these are held in different countries that were spread across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. As the F1 teams moves from one circuit to another, expect, a horde of fans that follows with them.

I have been to 5 countries, my 6^th last year in Bahrain, and I am hoping to get my 7^th in Abu Dhabi this coming November.

Conclusion

Summary or review

You could see, my fellow Toastmasters, I enjoyed my hobby very much.

Collecting F1 items, watching F1 circuit races, cheering for the Ferrari Team with my camera by my side… all of these bring great personal satisfaction.

So what is my hobby for me?

· It relieves all the tension that my work place tolls on me.

· It is my breather in the foggy atmosphere of the corporate life.

· It is my lifeline when my work asked me to sink in the bottomless pit of work priorities.

· It is sometimes my avenue to fantasize a life with celebrity complex

It brought fulfillment in me.

Call to Action / Memorable Statement

How about you my fellow Toastmasters? What do you do after work? Do you exist and live so that you can work? Or do you work so you can exist to live?

Pick up a hobby, if you don’t have one. Relax and take time to enjoy life. An old Egyptian proverb says:

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

Be careful not to overdo it. Novelist Maria Edgeworth said

All play and no work makes Jack a mere toy.

Back to you evening master!