I have had the pleasure of interacting with George through various Toastmasters contests at the Club, Area, and Division levels in 2024-2025. 

As the Division Z Director, George consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to the Toastmasters community. His presence at contests and events was always notable, and he actively participated in various roles, including Toastmaster of the Day, Contest Chair, Organising Chair and Chief Judge.

George's in-depth knowledge of Toastmasters International rules and procedures ensured the smooth execution of contests. His commitment to mentoring and supporting Area Directors from Z1 to Z5 was evident in the time and expertise he invested in guiding them. Moreover, his willingness to engage with contestants, particularly "freshies" from other clubs, showcased his passion for nurturing promising speakers. There were no biases, and he showed fairness in how he offered constructive criticism to contest speakers. 

What impressed me most was George's selfless approach to leadership. He prioritised empowering and enabling Division Z's Area Directors and fellow Toastmasters, demonstrating a genuine interest in strengthening the division. His ability to provide constructive feedback and guidance to speakers from diverse backgrounds underscored his exceptional mentoring skills.

If elected as Club Growth Director, I am confident that George Chew will excel in this role. He will not only fulfil his prescribed duties but also go above and beyond to drive growth and success in District 80. With his leadership as a Club Growth Director, I am certain that District 80 will continue to thrive and grow from strength to strength.

Tang Keen Yeen

President, NUSS TMC (2019-2020)

Five years ago, I attended one of Singapore’s very first online Area Contests, the Area Z2 Contest as Contest Chair. That day, a young and dynamic contestant immediately caught my attention with his energetic, entertaining, and empowering speech delivery. Eventually, he emerged as the champion. Curious to know more about him, I got hold of his club’s Zoom link and joined their chapter meeting. Due to the pandemic, all Toastmasters meetings had shifted online, and as I continued “clubbing” around different Toastmasters Clubs, I noticed him actively participating in various club meetings too!

When I was elected as Division Z Director, George was highly recommended as the Area Z2 Director. I nominated him for the role, and it was one of the best decisions. He was one of the most enthusiastic and dedicated ADs I’ve worked with. During his term, George made it a point to attend every single chapter meeting of all the clubs in his Area, always showing genuine care and concern for each club and its members. That same year, he also worked tirelessly to establish and stabilise Grab Toastmasters Club. George has a remarkable ability to connect well with people. He listens, understands, and meets individuals where they are, which naturally builds trust and strong relationships. Whether it’s club members, officers, or fellow leaders, he always brings empathy and understanding to every interaction. Another one of his strengths is his ability to keep the atmosphere light, fun, and energising, while motivating everyone around him to work towards their goals. What’s most remarkable is that he doesn’t push. Instead, he inspires. People choose to give their best not because they are told to, but because he makes them want to. That year, under his leadership and encouragement, Area Z2 achieved Distinguished Area status.

Beyond that, after helping to build up Grab TMC, George was invited to help establish ACE The Place Toastmasters Club. From a small and humble beginning, he transformed the club into a vibrant, energetic space where young adults can develop confidence and leadership skills in a supportive environment. Even after his AD term, George continued to serve in the Division Z Council for another three years and was eventually elected as Division Z Director. Over the years, many would recognise George as a familiar face in the Contest scene — not as a contestant, but as a trusted Contest Toastmaster, Chief Judge, and sometimes the quiet supporter working behind the scenes. He has an exceptional ability to remain calm and steady, especially when unexpected challenges arise. Besides his speaking abilities, one of the things I truly admire about George is his deep knowledge of Toastmasters, both in practice and in policy. He is well-versed in contest rules, club officer roles, and leadership processes. This is especially evident during Division Z Council meetings, where George would not only check in on his Area Directors’ progress but also ensure everyone was clear on their roles and responsibilities. Beyond the technical knowledge, he always took the extra step to check on everyone’s well-being, offering guidance and support when needed.

With his depth of experience in nurturing, supporting, and growing clubs, coupled with his strong knowledge of Toastmasters, his people-centred leadership, and his ability to inspire, I have full confidence that George will make an outstanding Club Growth Director for District 80.

Yip Li Xian

District 80 Division Z Advisor (2024-25)
District 80 Administration Manager (2023-24)
District 80 Toastmaster of the Year (2022-23)
NUS Toastmasters Club President (2022-23)
District 80 Division Z Director (2021-22)
Singapore International Toastmasters (Charter Member)