Ever since Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) was introduced, as for Division K which consists of clubs in Sabah, Labuan and Brunei, it has always been held in Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah. By having the majority of clubs in its surrounding, the choice of venue is obvious.
Club officers outside Kota Kinabalu namely Labuan, Brunei Darul Salam, Sandakan and Tawau will have no choice but to fly in. With proper planning and careful consideration, the TLI would be a very great learning and sharing expression for all.
However after a few instances of last minute changes of venue, time and date, the TLI has created a lot of unnecessary problems for club officers who have to fly in. More than often they have to forfeit their flight tickets due to the last minute changes. After various complaints from affected club officers, the changes were restored but the damaged was done.
The idea of conducting TLI outside Kota Kinabalu was then mooted. This would allow for better participation for members outside Kota Kinabalu and also allow members around Kota Kinabalu to experience for themselves when more preparations are needed. Such experience will certainly help in clubs hosting future TLI or events which require participation from the whole Division or even District.
That was how the first TLI outside Kota Kinabalu was conducted in Sandakan, The Nature City of Sabah.
TLI II, 2009/2010
Having known the history, the expectations on TLI II in Sandakan was definitely high. The host, Sandakan Toastmasters Club, did not disappoint. The organising team did very well and the preparations were careful, thoughtful and thorough. Division K Governor Datuk Hassan even dispatched his vehicle to transport members and trainers flying in to Sandakan. Sandakan Toastmasters Club members also rendered their hospitality on the transportation and booking of hotels. For members who have participated in Division, Area and Club level events such as Convention, TLI, Speech Contests and Installations, such hospitality is not new for clubs in Sandakan, Tawau and Brunei.
The TLI II proper was a good experience and learning opportunity for all, even for officers who have attended before the TLI more than once. District Governor, Ritchie Chong, despite having a plane to catch to his very important family function, did not disappoint the participants either. He shared his thoughts, skills and experience. It was enlightening and eye opening listening and watching top district officer in action. It also helped to enhance the commitments of club officers to serve even better. The District Governor also spoke on Election of Area Governor which should be conducted soon.
The man who is slotted to be the first District 87 Governor, Md Ariff motivated and inspired the participants. District 51 will split into two with Penisular Malaysia assuming the present district number while Indonesia, Brunei, Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan will be in district 87 comes July 2010. Ariff promised a new and down to earth approach to improve on club membership.
Some strange but interesting things happened during Md Ariff's hour long presentation. First when he switched off all the lights in the room and started to recite his sharing, the minute he said the rising sun and his right hand pointed to the door, the door opened and Pangiran of Sandakan Pidato Toastmasters Club walked in.
Later he was praising the organiser by saying that after so many TLIs, it was the first time he was offered a microphone to speak. He then announced that the session would break out for discussion. As soon as he did that the room blacked out, though it is very common in Sabah.
Despite all that Md Ariff has proven himself as the capable District Governor to be and has successfully inspired the club officers to continue serving their respective clubs even better.
District 51 TLI Chair Sandrasegaran, fondly known as Sandra (without the skirt) flew in just in time to conduct the next session. He spoke on Conflict Management. As Toastmasters club officers are all volunteers from various groups and backgrounds, Sandra's presentation come handy and timely.
Besides the presentations from 3 top District 51 officers, there was also a sharing and discussion session within each Areas. A Q&A session was next for the District officers to take questions from the floor. The Division council members stayed back for meeting while other club officers left for home or stayed back to explore the Nature City of Sandakan.
General Notes
1. The venue was suitable to accommodate club officers from all over Division K, despite Brunei not being able to make it. The lecture hall at Yu Yuan Secondary School is just perfect for the training and refreshments were served next door.
2. Refreshments were sufficient and suited everyone's taste.
3. Transportation and accommodation for outstation club officers were well planned and executed.
4. Trainers Ritchie Chong, Md Ariff and Sandra were all well prepared, experienced and presented from the heart instead of from the notes.
5. Fellowship among participants was great before, during and after the TLI. Everyone felt at home.
6. Division Governor has been sporting and supportive enough to sit through the whole session. However his frequent interjections of quotations might not to the liking of everyone.
8. Credits should be given to Division K Secretary Ling How Kee, Organiser and MC Shane Ho, District 51 Mentoring Chair Datin Grace Chiu, President and members of Sandakan Toastmasters Club, not forgetting all the participants from all over Division K.
9. The TLI II in Sandakan has certainly set a good benchmark for all future organisers to put in more efforts, thoughts and considerations to further improve on any Toastmasters events.
Lee Chye Ewe
Area K2 Governor 2006/2007
