Sunday, March 29, 2009

WARNING: Avoid Election Fraud

Disclaimer:
This is a bomb shell posting of sort. So read no further unless you are open minded about this subject matter. The only purpose is to avoid future mistakes and help to uphold the highest ethical standard and integrity in every District elections. This is not fictional but no names or dates or venues will be mentioned.

There are many election rules and guidelines to ensure fair and open election at every District elections.

1) For District elections, only a club member can act as proxy of their own club when neither the Club President nor VPE can attend. A Club President or VPE can cast both votes on behalf of the Club if either one is absent.

Unfortunately, there is temptation for a non-club member from the same Division to be asked to be a proxy voter. Many excuses are made like to achieve the minimum meeting quorum or ensure better regional representation or improve an election success.

Unexpected things do happen like delays in flights or delegates are not back from a shopping spree or sight-seeing. But if a legimate proxy holder is not present at the meeting, that proxy cannot be transferred to a non-club member.

2) Each delegate can only cast a maximum of two votes even if they belong to more than one club. Current District Officer can have a maximum of three votes including the vote as a District Officer.

So it is important for ballot counter when collecting voted ballots to verify that only two votes maximum from each non-District Officer and 3 votes maximum from each District Officer.

3) There must be strict control in printing and distributing of voting ballots. Perhap serialized ballots can be even be used.

It had happened before where in a very heated close contest of many candidates at the District election level, the total number of casted votes had significantly exceeded the official quorum to the shock of many. Phantom ballots had been added. Another very closely scrutinized re-voting had to be redone immediately after a severre warning was given by the Chair to all.

Bottomline, it is everyone's responsibility to avoid election fraud.

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Announcement: New Area N2 Governor 2009-2010

Heartiest Congratulations to our new Area N2 Governor for the term 2009-2010.

PARTHIBAN VIJAYARAGHAVAN

Area N2 Governor elect Parthiban V was duly elected at the recent N2 Area Council Meeting. Parthiban V is from Intel Penang Toastmasters and hails from Bangalore, India and will take over the role from current Area N2 Governor Khor Siang Kheng of Intel Penang Toastmasters as of July 1, 2009.

Division N Speech Champions of International Speech and Table Topics Contest 2009

Heartiest Congratulations to Division N International Speech Champion 2009 - ONG SWEE KEAT.

You have made Area N2 and Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club, Penang Island really proud of you.





Heartiest Congratulations to Division N Table Topics Speech Contest Champion 2009 - PALANIAPPA SUBRAMANIAN.

You have made Area N4 and Silterra Toastmasters of Kulim, Kedah proud of you.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

2009 Division N International Speech & Table Topics Contest



ANNOUNCEMENT:

2009 Division N International Speech & Table Topics Speech Contest
Date : Saturday March 28, 2009
Time : 1 - 5 pm
Venue : Disted College Hall, 340, Macalister Road, George Town, Penang Island
Admission : RM10 / person (light refreshment provided)
Map Location

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Invitation to Tamil International Speech Contest

In Malaysia, there are English, Mandarin, Bahasa Malaysia and Tamil speaking Toastmasters Clubs. I just received this email from the dynamic N3 Area Governor June Lim.

If you understand Tamil தமிழ்
please read on..... nanri (thank you)

=====================================





Dear Toastmasters,
We have exciting news for you.

Division N is proud to bring the

::::: 1st Tamil International Speech and
Table Topics Contest 2008/2009:::::

Tamil Toastmasters Clubs
• Penang Tamil
• Penang Muslim League Tamil
• YMSC Penang Bilingual

cordially invites you to join us on

Date: 7th March 2009 (Saturday)
Time: 2.30pm – 6.00pm
(Registration starts from 2.00pm)

Venue: College Hall (Ground Floor)
Disted-Stamford College, Macalister Road, Penang
(opposite St George’s High School)

Ticket price: RM10 per pax

Ladies and Gentlemen, This historical event is coming to Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia.

Are you ready?
Are the Timers Ready?!
Timers : Yes!!
Are the Contestants Ready?!
Contestants : Yes!
Are the Judges Ready?!
Chief Judge : Yes!!
ARE THE AUDIENCE Ready??!! Let the contest count down begin!!!!!!!

What are you waiting for?! Act now before is too late! Please join us to support our Tamil Toastmasters Club contestants from Division N and Kuala Lumpur in this historical event.

To purchase your tickets, please contact the Organizing Chairman, Encik Redzzuan at HP No: 019 – 4404830
Encik Kadir at HP No: 019 – 4522807
June Lim at HP No: 012-4380277

Thank you.
"Your presence is highly appreciated"

With joy and gratitude,
June Lim
Publicity Team
Area N3 Governor (2008/2009)

Friday, March 6, 2009

Japan - Niigata Toastmasters Club

I received a mail from Yoshio Hoshiyama-san, President of Niigata Toastmasters Club (9201-76), Japan showing the photo of their 1oth Anniversary Meeting & Party in February 2009.







Attending this celebration included the Mayor of Niigata city, District 76 Governor, the District LGM, Area 11 Governor, some former members and future members.

Club website in Japanese

Niigata Club - Club #: 9201, Dist #: 76, Est: 01/01/1999
Meeting Time: 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm, 2nd & 4th Saturday
Cross Pal Niigata, Niigata, Niigata-ken, 951-8061, Japan
Club Status: Open to all

Tel: 81 25 3869355
Email: hasegawa@otani-shokai.com
www.district76.org/niigata/