Club Visit Sandakan Toastmasters Club 12 April 2007

Area Governor Lee Chye Ewe inducting a new member, witnessed by President Dusun Chong
Meeting in progress

A birthday celebration with Sandakan Toastmasters Club

Sandakan Pidato Toastmasters Club Speechcraft 12&13 April 2007

Speechcraft Participant Salbiah making her ice breaker speech
Area Governor Lee Chye Ewe presenting certificate to participant, Santi

Area Governor Lee Chye Ewe receiving appreciation from President Datin Nurifrideri

Division K 11th Annual Convention - Brunei Darul Salam

From left: Janet Chin, Datin Grace Chiu, Area Governor Lee Chye Ewe, Luna Chua, Datuk Hassan Alban Sandukong, Datin Nurifrideri

Battle Of Words And Wits At Toastmasters Meet

By Wani Abdul Gapar

Bandar Seri Begawan - The two-day Toastmasters Division K 11th Annual Convention came to a grand finale yesterday at the Holiday Lodge Hotel. The convention saw participants from Brunei and Sabah toastmasters clubs.

In her address Fatima Yassin, Division K Governor, said, "We're here to support the contestants to bring out the best in them."

The governor for Sabah and Brunei lauded the organising committee for their efforts, "This is one of the best conventions I've seen," she added.

The morning began with the Table Topics Contest where the two-minute impromptu speech, an "integral part of Toastmasters meeting. It is also an important skill in everyday life", according to Amy Lau, Contest Chair.

With the topic entitled "Knowledge is Power. Action is Powerful", all the participants gave quite an exceptional delivery.

Soh Nyet Lan from Otters Toastmasters thought that the Table Topic contest was very "competitive and that everyone expressed their ideas very well".

Speakers who vied for the top spot in the two-minute impromptu speech contest were Selvarajah K Nagalingam from Brunei Speakers' Club, Stanley Joibi from Kota Kinabalu Advanced Toastmasters Club, Luna Chua from Sandakan Toastmasters Club and Alison Lyall from Kota Kinabalu Toastmasters Club.

Meanwhile, participants in the International Speech Contest gave compelling performances when they battled it out on a number of topics. John Tse Tow from HSBC Speakers Group spoke on helping to eradicate child poverty in "World, Hold On!"; Hassan Alban gave an inspiring speech, "The Second Life", about his experience in reviving his Sandakan Pidato Toastmasters Club; Stanley Joibi said "powerful questions breed powerful solutions" in "The Power of Questions!" and Shahar Banon Hassan from Sandakan Toastmasters Club related a humorous account of her childhood experiences with her father in "Break That Barrier".
Shahar Banon Hassan, who emerged champion, stressed the value of "discipline and education" in her speech. She also added that "fathers push their children to new heights by being down to earth. Break that barrier of misunderstanding".

"Destiny does not come by chance, but by design," said runners-up Hassan Alban. The Division K Table Topic Champion was awarded to Stanley Joibi with Alison Lyall as first runners-up.
The Toastmasters will be holding the District 51 Annual Convention in Johor Bahru next month.
On the first day of the convention, participants were entertained and educated on the finer points of public speaking. Richard Gontusan from Kota Kinabalu Toastmaster Club addressed the audience on the `5 Steps to Speech Evaluation Made Simple'.

He highlighted the need to be very tactful and diplomatic when evaluating Toastmaster speeches. "Avoid whitewashing as you lose your credibility," he said. "This is actually my third visit to Brunei and it's been wonderful," the manager of an investment company, said.

Ang Ley Hian of the Brunei Speakers' Club said they were all very excited about the convention. "It's good to see Brunei growing," she said, adding that it was a significant event for the Brunei clubs as this was the first time the annual convention was held in the sultanate.

Saturday's workshop saw participants from industries ranging from the medical sector to finance and the oil industry rubbing shoulders with each other.

"It's good for Brunei to host this because locals get the chance to meet people from other clubs and learn about different ways of running Toastmaster clubs," said HSBC Chief Operations Officer Matthew Martin.

Martin was one of the workshop presenters who gave a talk on "Are You Having a Laugh?" -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

You Made It Happened!

Dear Fellow Toastmasters,


I recovered after 2 days’ leave. Life goes back to normal, but the memories of the wonderful moment we shared during the Convention in Tawau will remain forever. Thanks to everyone who have participated and contributed in one way or another to make it happened, I love you all!

Congratulations to all the contestants of the speech contests, to me, you are all winners!

Special thanks to Division K Council under the leadership of Fatimah Yassin for granting us the opportunity to host the function. It was exciting and educating, all our hard work paid off.

We also like to thank the 3 workshop speakers: Richard A Gontusan from KK, Ler Liong Heng from Johor and Low Yat Seow from KL. I salute you!

Of course we have not forgotten Tawau TMC, President Vera Yap, Lee Chye Ewe and members for your assistance in the convention.

May I wish you all the best.

Lee Le Min & the Organising Committee

The Hosted Club: TAWAU MANDARIN TOASTMASTERS CLUB

Division K Semi-Annual Convention report in brief

To the Convention Organising Committee and Fellow Toastmasters,

Congratulations to the sterling performance of Host Club, Tawau Mandarin and joint efforts of Tawau Toastmasters Club for the success at the Semi-Annual Convention held in Tawau recently. Those who have missed the fun, I hope the Toastmasters in Division K can make it to the next District Semi-Annual Convention this November 17-19 in Kuala Lumpur.

To the Organising Committee and team: It is indeed inspiring to work with you who have shown much passion in the many jobs assigned to you and getting all jobs done. You are indeed AMAZING TOASTMASTERS!

Leading an organized event is certainly a challenging task. Sometimes we can’t please everyone. To face the obstacles, we need to take one step at a time and try to live up to the expectation. In trying to do the best, you have done the best. Thank you for your endurance, time and energy and perhaps money too……

A brief report for those who have missed the fun……

1. There are about 90 attendants of delegates, friends and guests who participated at the Convention programs

2. The theme ‘Cocoa Nite’ at the Fellowship Dinner brought alive the environment of Cocoa Farm and Farmers alike. Dressed to the theme attire and the aroma of cocoa , the atmosphere had certainly got everyone spell-bound as everyone anticipated the FUN in store for everyone! Yes! What fun it was!!!....

The Toastmasters of the Evening, Lee Chye Ewe (Area K2 Governor) took the mike with his KILI KALA KILI KALA KUNG KUNG HEI warm up encore – much to the delight of everyone that echoed on for days….. What a smashing idea it was!

The cocoa nite was made significant as they drank down the cocoa concoction prepared in baby-bottle nursed by mother-nature to the over-grown male babies – blindfolded as they fumbled to aim the mouths to feed. The winner was one who finished first at gulping record of time! Much to the amusement of everyone……

To the mothers and babies like – PRA…..SAN

3. Dinner was plentiful; much to the delight of Muslim delegates who broke fast of Ramadan.

4. The highlight of the evening was the performance of ‘swan lake’ Past and Present District Officers of Div.K put on their white gear - head to toes as they danced to the music. It was an impromptu for everyone as they intended to look like a so-called swan lake ballerina of their own kinds that delighted everyone! The dance was definitely the entertainment of the evening! If I can say that for myself.

Of course! It was the first for everyone on stage. Any more surprises?? There’s nothing what Toastmasters cannot do – and they did! With muscles and guts

…..Mirror mirror on the wall, who is the ugliest goose of them all…….
Well-done guys. ENCORE at next round at Annual Convention in Brunei!

That was just the kick-off of the evening. The rest was delightfully fun. IF only you were there!

If anybody deserves the praise more, it is the Organising Chairperson, Lee Le Min and his dynamic committee who worked tirelessly to make the Division Convention a great success.

Kili Kala Kili Kala Kung Kung Hei!

5. We thank our Past Dist.51 Governor, Low Yat Seow, Ler Liong Heng, ATMB from JB and Richard A Gontusan, DTM: the Speakers for the Convention Workshop. The Contestants, all registrants and resouce persons, who have in one way or another, help to make this Convention a success.

Si Share Ni Men, Thank You All, Terima Kasih Semua.....

Regards,
DvG Fatimah

Thank You - Division K 11th Semi Annual Convention

Dear all,

My sincere thanks and gratitude to all of you who have given us the support and encouragement for making the 11th Semi Annual Convention in Tawau a real success.

It was indeed a wonderful experience to be your host for both the fellowship night (cocoa night) and the speech contests.

Kili kala kili kala kung kung hei!

Thank you.

Regards,

Chye Ewe