Toastmasters A La Carte

Bayan Baru Speech Contests - January 5, 2012

2012-01-05T19:41:00.000-08:00

A great start for 2012. Bagging two more awards for my shelf. Winning isn't everything - taking part is. If you have not taken part in a speech contest, start in 2012 and you are bound to collect some awards along the way. More important, you will polish further your public speaking skills. Have a great year in Toastmasters.

Bayan Baru Toastmasters Meeting - December 15, 2011

2011-12-20T09:48:00.001-08:00

Attended the last meeting of the year 2011. Happy New Year 2012.

Visiting Shanghai People's Square Toastmasters Club, Nov 24, 2011

2011-11-29T17:43:00.000-08:00

I attended the 400th meeting of Shanghai People's Square Toastmasters Club. A great club meeting near Nanjing Road, Shanghai. Nice new banner.

BREAKING NEWS: N2 Area Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contest, September 24, 2011

2011-09-24T01:43:00.000-07:00

When N2 Area Governor Beenal Baba invited me to be a judge at N2 Area Contests to held in Intel PG9, Penang Island on September 24 Saturday afternoon, I could not resist for two reasons - I was the first N2 Area Governor in 1993-94 and I used to work at Intel Penang. No regrets.

As I was late on arrival as judge at Penang Seagate Club Contests the last time, I wanted to be early this time. Judges' briefing was scheduled at 12:30pm. I was at Intel PG9 car park at 12:20pm. Improvement made.

N2 Area has 5 assigned clubs for 2011-2012. There were 4 contestants for both Humorous Speech Contest and Evaluation - one each from Bayan Baru, Intel Penang, Intel MSSC and Penang Altera. PDC did not send any contestant. May be next year?

As Division N has 4 areas, the top two winners of each contest will proceed to the Division level. Drum roll.

Kudos to N2 Area Governor Beenal Baba, Chief Judge DPRO Yoon Peng Yew and the Organizing Chair, Contest Chairs and organizing team who had helped to have successfully organized both area speech contests well.

Well done to all the contestants!

Congratulations to N2 Area Humorous Speech Contest 2011:
- Champion Jerry Low of Penang Altera
- 2nd place Tang Shin Chze of Intel Penang.

Congratulations to N2 Evaluation Contest 2011:
- Champion Jerry Low of Penang Altera
- 2nd place Terence Lee of Bayan Baru.

Members of Bayan Baru present were President Eileyn Chua, VPE Jack Ch'ng, VPPR Lim Kah Ying, contestants Koay Kah Hin and Terence Lee, Chew Yew Seng, Au Wai Ying and myself.

District 51 Melaka 19th Semi Annual Convention, October 21-23, 2011

2011-09-01T13:55:00.000-07:00

For more details, click here

More Installation Photos - Bayan Baru Toastmasters

2011-08-27T18:21:00.000-07:00

Wonderful photos taken by District 51 Public Relations Officer Yoon Peng Yew

Bayan Baru 16th Installation Dinner and Humorous Speech Contest - August 27, 2011 at Berjaya Penang Hotel Saturday Night.

2011-08-27T09:13:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful night!
Great start by emcees Jack and Ghim Hong.
Outgoing President Goh Hock Hai and daughter.
Discharge of 2010-2011 Executive Committee of Bayan Baru Toastmasters followed by the Installation of 2011-2012 Executive Committee led by President Eileyn Chua. Congratulations to the winners of Bayan Baru Humorous Speech Contest 2011 - Champion Koay Kah Hin, 2nd Place Terence Lee and 3rd Place Au Wai Yin.

New picture added: Great composite of masquerades by Past President Jessica Teo.

Visiting Penang Seagate Toastmasters Evaluation Contest - August 25, 2011

2011-08-25T01:41:00.000-07:00

Better late than never - Rain or shine - I kept reassuring myself. It was raining, not exactly raining cats and dogs but I was late for to this lunch time Evaluation Speech Contest of Penang Seagate. I have agreed to the Chief Judge N1 Area Governor Sze Wei to be one of the judges. Finally after a stressful drive through the traffic in rain, finding a lucky park space, going through the factory security, I finally arrived at the Conference Room and all eyes waiting for me for the Contest to begin.

It was a well organized speech contest and hats off to the Contest Chair and her team and to all the five contestants for evaluating the test speaker E-Jiat who is a dual member of YMCA Penang and Achievers Toastmasters. It was great to see the new Penang Seagate Club President John Yeo in action. John is a Past President and dual member of Bayan Baru Toastmasters too.

I enjoyed listening and judging all the five contestants. Well done to all contestants. The Evaluation Club Champion 2011 of Penang Seagate Toastmasters is Bafvrita, 2nd place is Tan Chu Kian and 3rd place is Nadiah.

It was a bit of dejavue for me attending Penang Seagate Toastmasters as I was one of the Club sponsors of this Club - return of the prodigal sponsor.

Toastmasters International 2011 World Championship of Public Speaking Winners at Las Vegas, USA

2011-08-21T03:57:00.000-07:00

Breakings News. The winners of Toastmasters International World Championship of Public Speaking at Las Vegas, USA:

2nd Place Winner - Kwong Yue Yang of Guangzhou, Guangdong China, District 85; 2011 World Champion of Public Speaking, Jock Elliott of Bongaree, Queensland Australia, District 69; and 3rd Place Winner Scott Pritchard of Henderson, Nevada United States, District 33

Bayan Baru Evaluation Contest - August 18, 2011

2011-08-19T08:29:00.000-07:00

I flew back to Penang from Kota Kinabalu on August 18 itself, though tired a bit, glad that I could attend the Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club Evaluation Contest 2011 - not as a judge nor contestant but as a member of the audience.

Great to see the presence of our Division N Governor Kathamuthu Nithianandan of Penang Toastmastersv who was Chief Judge and our N2 Area Governor Beenal Baba from Intel Penang Toastmasters who was one of the other judges.

Au Wai Yin was doing her maiden role as Contest Chair. There were 7 contestants and Jagdeep Singh of Penang Toastmasters was the test speaker.

Well done to the contestants - you are all winners.

Congratulations to Evaluation Champion Terence Lee - winning despite having lost his voice. Second place goes to John Yeoh and third place was President Eileyn Chua.

Toastmasters International Where Leaders Are Made

2011-08-19T08:25:00.000-07:00

Toastmasters International Where Leaders Are Made. I guess that settled the perennial question of whether leaders are born or leaders are made.

Toastmasters International New Logo

2011-08-19T07:26:00.000-07:00

Toastmasters International New Logo. Every time there is a change of logo, you can react in three ways - love it, hate it or don't care. At least the complaint that the old logo only shows the map of North America and Europe will no longer be there. Any new logo will take time to get use to. And not forgetting the cost of buying a new Club banner - allow permission for local banner.

NEW:

OLD:

Toastmasters International : Where Leaders Are Made

2011-08-17T13:39:00.000-07:00

This is an email sent to all Toastmasters which introduces Toastmasters International new branding.

Toastmasters International: Where Leaders Are Made

August 17, 2011

Dear Members,
Today is an historic day. This is the day Toastmasters International launches a newly refreshed brand. From our website to our educational materials, pins and awards, everything you see reflects our new look and feel.

Rather than changing fundamentally who we are or the nature of what we do, the new look and feel seeks to maintain brand consistency and fortify our identity; it reaffirms and re-energizes our commitment to the development of communication and leadership skills worldwide while showcasing what makes us unique in the market. The integrity and structure of our clubs, programs and policies are our greatest strength and they remain intact and inviolable. Our core values and culture continue unabated even as we look forward to address the needs of a new generation.

With 86 years of proud tradition behind us and the bright future before us, Toastmasters International thanks all of our members for the essential parts they play in the success of the organization. You carry and sustain the Toastmasters message, helping people gain the competence they need to become confident, bold communicators and successful leaders. It is you who truly makes Toastmasters International a place where leaders are made.

Sincerely,
Pat Johnson, International President
Daniel Rex, Executive Director
cc: Board of Directors

Visiting Achievers Toastmasters Club Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contest - August 11, 2011

2011-08-11T09:29:00.000-07:00

I saw the event advertisement by chance in the Star newspaper. As Thursday night was suddenly free, I attended the Achievers Toastmasters Speech Contests. I was impressed by the enthusiasm, creativity and high speech quality of all the contestants - 7 contestants in the Humorous Speech Contest and 7 contestants in the Evaluation Contest. The event was well run and attended by over 40 people. The Test Speaker for the Evaluation Contest was humorous and entertaining too. Heartiest congratulations to all the contestants and winners. For the Humorous Speech Contest: Champion Jimmy Tan, 2nd Place Keay Hong Kai, 3rd Place Ng Tik Liang. For the Evaluation Contest: Champion Loh E-jiat, 2nd Place Ng Tik Liang, 3rd Place Jimmy Tan. Achievers Toastmasters Club is a club to visit and to join if you are not a Toastmaster yet. Meeting Venue: YMCA Penang, 211, Jalan Macalister, Georgetown, Penang Island, Malaysia. Meeting Time: 8:00 pm, 2nd Thursday and 4th Thursday.

Invitation to Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club 16th Installation Dinner and Humorous Speech Contest

2011-08-04T16:44:00.000-07:00

Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club Meeting July 21, 2011

2011-07-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

Every month, our club celebrates the birthday of club members of the month with a cake. Happy birthday to the July babies - Jack and John.

Then it was more food - noodles, herbal tea, rambutans and birthday cake at the cafetaria during the break time.

Food for thought and food for the stomach.

Nice photographs taken and compiled by Jessica.

This is a posting of four J's - July, Jack, John, Jessica.

Visiting Bayan Baru Mandarin Toastmasters Club, Penang Island - July 14, 2011

2011-07-14T10:57:00.000-07:00

Out of the blue, I decided to pay a visit to Bayan Baru Mandarin Toastmasters Club which meets at PSDC, Penang Island on every 2nd and 4th Thursday 8:30pm. Our Bayan Baru (English) Toastmasters Club member ES Tan recently told me that he had joined the Mandarin Club which was the trigger for this timely visit. It was the first meeting of the Bayan Baru Mandarin Toastmasters Club and it was a Speechcraft meeting with 8 speechcrafters delivering their Project 2 including our dual member ES Tan. It was great to hear enthusiastic speeches in Mandarin and to listen to the many experienced evaluators who offered valuable tidbits. I really enjoyed the meeting and got to brush up a bit on my Mandarin particularly in the listening department.

Visiting Butterworth Toastmasters Club - July 13, 2011

2011-07-13T10:36:00.000-07:00

I visited the Butterworth Toastmasters Club during their first meeting of the new term on Wednesday night 7:30pm at Suntec City next to Bayan Baru Sunshine Square in Penang Island. The Toastmaster of the Meeting was Jayie Tan and the General Evaluator was SK Yao. An election for the 2011-2012 Executive Committee was held after the meeting. Congratulations to the new President Kevin Teh and Vice President Khor Hock Lai and the new club officers who were duly elected.

July 7, 2011 Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club Meeting

2011-07-07T11:39:00.000-07:00

This was the first meeting of the term starting July 1, 2011 under President Eileyn Chua. I was General Evaluator and took these 3 photographs while at the lectern as Grammarian Teh Ghim Hong gave her a report.

Bayan Baru 2010-2011 Annual Appreciation Dinner - June 30, 2011

2011-06-30T08:25:00.000-07:00

At the end of every term, Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club of Penang Island has a traditiona of hosting an Annual Appreciation Dinner, a prelude to the Club Installation Night, to recognize the great efforts of the outgoing Executive Committee, to give out special individual awards for the term as well as to provide a complimentary fellowship dinner for all club members, did I say free of charge, as token of appreciation. BBTMC is truly a club of the members, by the members and for the members.

This term, without exception, the dinner was held starting 7:30pm June 30, 2011 at a local Thai restaurant near the Bayan Baru Roundabout. There were 3 tables of dining members and some family members. Every member also received a free umbrella that advertised Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club including url of Club Website.

Members gave speeches of praises. Food was great and fellowship was in abundance. Every member got to stand up and give out a speech of appreciation or self affirmation or to recognize someone or to share their love for the club.

Long live BBTMC.

Congratulations to Bayan Baru Toastmasters for achieving 10 DCP Goals and Terence Lee for achieving his 3rd Competent Communicator

2011-06-16T09:31:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to President Goh Hock Hai of Bayan Baru Toastmasters and Exco 2010-2011 and all Bayan Baru Toastmasters for achieving 10 out of 10 DCP goals today at the last meeting of the term, June 16 Thursday night at PSDC, Penang Island. Goh holding the ribbon award of Talk Up Toastmasters for Bayan Baru Toastmasters from Toastmasters International for membership recruitment drive.

Well done Terence for completing Project 10 today and achieving his Competent Communicator, the third time around.

Bayan Baru Toastmasters: Teh Ghim Hong achieved Competent Communicator

2011-06-03T02:24:00.000-07:00

I did not get to listen to the Project 10 of Vice President of Membership Teh Ghim Hong during an extra club meeting last week. But I received confirmation from VPE Eileyn that Teh Ghim Hong has indeed completed her Project 10 and achieved her Competent Communicator. Congratulations!

Email from Eileyn.
"Yes, Ghim Hong has achieved her CC. I've already submitted the CC to TI. Eileyn"

Congratulations Bayan Baru Toastmasters - Lee Sze Kuang achieves Competent Communicator - Club achieves President's Distinguished

2011-06-02T08:06:00.000-07:00

On June 2, 2011 Bayan Baru Club Meeting, Club Secretary completed his Project 10 to achieved his Competent Communicator. Congratulations.

With that, Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club has achieved the 9th DCP goal to become President's Distinguished Club for 2010-2011. Heartiest congratulations to Club President Goh Hock Hai and the Club Exco as well as to all members of Bayan Baru Toastmasters.

China Shanghai People's Square Toastmasters Club - 2011-12 New Exco Elected

2011-05-29T00:38:00.000-07:00

I have visited Shangahi People's Square Toastmasters Club a few times every time I visited Shanghai and so I am on the club's mailing list for guests. Received email news of the new Club Exco for term 2011-2012. Congratulations to Club President Elect Emily Chu and her new team. All the best in the coming term.

Shanghai People's Square Toastmasters Club
Mobile: 1364 1968 050
Email: secretary@pstmc.org
Website: http://pstmc.org
Blog: http://tmc585.blog.sohu.com
Weiqun:People‘s Square TMC http://q.weibo.com/686971/public/
Microblog:人民广场Toastermasters”---http://weibo.com/pstmc
Douban: http://www.douban.com/group/Toastmasters/

Time: 19:10-21:10 Every Tuesday (except public holiday)
Venue: Conference room, 4/F Finance Square, 333 Jiujiang Road
九江路333号金融广场4楼会议室
Metro No.2, East Nanjing Road Station, Exit No.4, turn left side, on the opposite of the road
地铁二号线，南京东路站4号口，左转，马路对面，进入大厅左面边门电梯上来4楼
Supporting Each Other, Achieving Excellence!

Butterworth Toastmasters Club, Penang Island - May 11 Club Visit

2011-05-11T07:56:00.000-07:00

On May 11, Wednesday night, 7:30 pm at Metal Room, 10th Floor, Suntech @ Cyper City, Bayan Baru, next to Sunshine Square, I attended Butterworth Toastmasters meeting which meets at 1st and 3rd Wednesday. Club President is Sophea Lim who was Toastmaster of the evening.

Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club 2011-2012 Executive Committee and Club Members

2011-05-07T09:08:00.000-07:00

Here is a club picture taken right after the election of the Executive Committee of Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club 2011-2012 and 2 club auditors.

Heartiest congratulations to President Elect Eileyn Chua and her new team.

Well to President Goh Hock Hai and Nominating Chair Immediate Past President Jessica Teo for ensuring a successful and smooth election.

Esprit de corps.

May 5, 2011 - Bayan Baru Toastmasters - New CC and New President for 2011-2012

2011-05-05T09:05:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Au Wai Yin for being the first member of Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club to achieve her Competent Communicator in the term 2010-2011.

There was a club election held and heartiest congratulations to Eileyn Chua for being elected as the Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club President for the term 2011-2012.

Elected into office for the term 2011-2012
- Vice President Education Jack Ch'ng
- Vice President Membership Lau Choon Mei
- Vice President Public Relations Lim Kar Ying
- Secretary Terence Lee
- Treasurer Koay Kah Hin
- Sergeant-At-Arms Ben Lim

Breaking News: 2011 Champion of Toastmasters International District 51 International Speech and Table Topics Contests

2011-05-01T19:40:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to 2011 District 51 Intenational Speech and Table Topics Contest Winners.

District 51 International Speech Contest 2011 Champion - Muthukumaran Kodiappen. 2nd place goes to Stephen Fernando and 3rd place is Marcus Chee.

District 51 Table Topics Contest 2011 Champion - Phillip Wong. 2nd place is Kishin Sham Mahtani and 3rd place is Selvaraj KS Maniam.

Toastmasters International District 51 Annual Convention 2011 in Penang

2011-04-30T10:02:00.000-07:00

I attended the District 51 Annual Convention at Bayview Beach Hotel, Batu Ferringhi in Penang Island, Malaysia in the last weekend of April, 2011. The welcoming night theme was Bollywood nite. Enjoy viewing the pictures.

Election 2011 - Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club, Penang Island

2011-04-14T11:36:00.000-07:00

Every year Toastmasters Clubs around the world hold elections,usually in the first meeting of May to elect the next batch of club officers to serve from July 1 - June 30. By changing club officers annually, members get the opportunities to serve to ensure the club helps members to each their educational goals while at the same time learn better leadership skills as well better communication skills.

The outgoing President will serve as the incoming Immediate Past President. The 7 club officer positions are: President, Vice President Education, Vice President Membership, Vice President Public Relations, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant-At-Arms. In addition, for Bayan Baru Toastmasters, there are 5 Committee Members positions and 2 Club Auditor positions to be filled.

Here is a recent email notification from Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club Secretary.

Dear BBTMC members,

Please be informed that Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club will be having an Election of Office Bearers for the 2011 - 2012 term.

Date : 5th May 2010 (Thursday)

Time : 10:30pm (Immediately after the club meeting)

Venue : Room 3406, Level 4, Penang Skills Development Center (PSDC)

Below are the date for nomination & election

1. Notice to members to submit proposed candidates – 18 April 2011.

2. Closing date for submissions – 25 April 2011

3. Nominating committee meet to go through the proposals submitted members.

4. Announcement of candidates by Nominating Committee -30 April 2011 by e-mail.

5. Election – 5 May, 2011 (1st meeting in May)

Besides nominations announced earlier, candidates can also be proposed from the floor on election day.

These timelines are very tight due to the lateness in sending out the notice and nomination forms)

Nominating Chair (appointed by President) - Jessica Teoh
Nominating Committee - Teh Ghim Hong, Koay Kah Hin

Your attendance is very much highly appreciated. Looking forward to seeing you all.

Attached herewith ELECTION NOMINATION FORM.

*Only members who are paid up member with Toastmasters Interntaional can run for office or can vote.

Regards,
Sze Kuang

Joint Toastmasters Meeting of Bayan Baru with Singapore Toastmasters from Tampines Changkat, Tampines Changkat Advanced, Brilliant Advanced Clubs

2011-04-07T10:55:00.000-07:00

What an extraordinary meeting on April 7, 2011 Thursday night from 8pm until past midnight as Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club of Penang island hosted a joint meeting teeming with visiting Toastmasters from Singapore, primarily Tampines Changkat, Tampines Changkat Advanced, Brilliant Advanced and other clubs from Singapore and Penang island. My apologies - photos are blur but you can still make up and sense the excitement, enthusiasm and camaraderie.

Click on photo for larger view

There were 3 Club Presidents to jointly lead the meeting - Goh Hock Hai of Bayan Baru, Coen Tan of Tampines Changkat and Julie Ng of Tampines Changkat Advanced.

There were four fearless and fearsome project speakers, starting with Terence Lee of Bayan Baru doing Project 3.

Linda Huang of Tampines Changkat doing Project 9.

Teh Ghim Hong of Bayan Baru doing Project 6.

Coen Tan of Tampines Changkat doing Project 10, completing his Competent Communicator. Congratulations.

Toastmaster of the Evening was Margaret Chan of Bayan Baru. Thought of the Day was given by Eileyn Chua, VPE of Bayan Baru. Word of the Day was Lim Seh Leng of Brilliant Advanced. Humorist was Ong Swee Keat of Bayan Baru.

There were 8 brave speakers for the Table Topics session led by Rosalind Chan of Bayan Baru. Table Topics evaluation was done by Chong Cheng Lee of Tampines Changkat. Timer was Jack Ch'ng of Bayan Baru, Ah Counter was Lim Kar Ying of Bayan Baru and Grammarian was Lim Seh Leng of Brilliant Advanced.

Project evaluators were Michael Wee of Tampines Changkat/Tampines Changkat Advanced, John Yeoh of Bayan Baru, Constance Yip of Tampines Changkat/Tampines Changkat Advanced and Michael Xavier of Bayan Baru.

Coen Tan of Tampines Changkat was voted best project speaker, TK Mah of Bayan Baru was best Table Topics speaker and Michael Xavier was best Project Evaluator.

The meeting was graced by current District 51 Governor Thannimalai of YMCA Penang Toastmasters Club and his team of District Offers as well Past District 80 Governor Michael Wee of Tampines Changkat/Tampines Changkat Advanced and Past District 51 Governor SL Liew of Bayan Baru.

Tonight was like a deja vu. Back in 1996, newly chartered Bayan Baru members assisted me to organize a joint meeting of Penang and Singapore Toastmasters hosted by Butterworth Toastmasters at the Tanjung Club, Penang island. Visiting Singapore Toastmasters included Kevin Ong, Augustine Lee, Aileen Tan, Christopher Teoh, Lilian Lau, Aziz Mustajab and many others. Last year, Bayan Baru under IPDG Jessica Teo organized a trip to Southern Thailand for a joint meeting with Hatyai Songkhla Toastmasters. Tonight, Bayan Baru under President Goh Hock Hai had successfully hosted a historic joint meeting between Bayan Baru and Singapore Toastmasters. Well done!

Postcard greetings from Australia

2011-03-28T23:34:00.000-07:00

A nice postcard of Sleeping Koala sent from our Bayan Baru Toastmasters member Terence Lee and Jasmine, who were visiting Western Australia. Thanks - I am an avid postcard collector.

The cute koala is not unlike the equally cute panda. Both koala and panda does eat a lot and sleep a lot to maximize slow digestion eucalyptus and bamboo leaves respectively and minimize use of energy.

Are you a koala-like Toastmaster? Wake up after your nap and strive now to achieve your personal and club goals. Be cute as a sleeping koala but at same time be active like a roaring tiger.

Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club Achieved 7th and 8th DCP Goal

2011-03-03T13:10:00.000-08:00

I attended Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club March 3, 2011 Meeting.

Good news: The Club achieved the Distinguished Club Program 7th and 8th goals.

1) Sergeant-At-Arms Jack Ch'ng achieved a Competent Leader

2) Club inducted 4 more members, reinstatement of Ong Ching Seng and new members Faiezah, Mr and Mrs. Ho.

Visiting Toastmaster from Down Under

2011-01-20T06:18:00.000-08:00

An email from a visiting Toastmaster from Australia:
"It was truly a delight to attend the meeting of Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club. One of the members John set the scene, when he asked me whether I came on a kangaroo when he found out I came from Australia.

As I was given the role of Humorist, I siezed on this opportunity and began with, John asked me whether I came on a kangaroo, when he found out I came from Australia. "So sorry lah," I said to BBTMC, "I rode in on a lion," and they roared with laughter. I had concerns when I was preparing my act, about sprinkling in Bahasia Malaysia and my own dialect, Hokkien and mentioned it in the beginning. "May I use words like 'si kui kia' and 'orang puteh'? The response was positively yes. Not having spoken in a toastmasters club outside Australia before, I was cautious about the rules. And also Penang was my hometown and I grew up in this lovely island until I moved to Australia. Can one forget the unique lingo spoken locally? Naturally not. I thought it would be fun to be able to transform into my old way of speaking, which is a mix of English, and other local languages and I asked for permission first, which to me was the obvious thing to do. The members were very warm and agreeable and made me feel very welcome that the concerns I had went whoosh out the window as swiftly as they appeared in my thoughts.

Overall I am extremely glad that I visited the club. BBTMC is a very dynamic club and I will definitely have a speech about my experience, the warmth of the club members and also amazingly public holidays including the first day of Chinese New Year, are of no hindrance to club meetings. This situation is rare if none at all in Sydney. If anyone can let me know that there are clubs in Australia which meet on public holidays, I'd be interested to know.

I am very grateful to Eilyen for giving me the Humorist role and all the club members for giving me such a warm reception. You've made my trip back to Penang memorable.

Gong Xi Fa Cai to everyone.

Shirley Childs"

Last Thursday, January 20, 2011 was Thaipusam -a state public holiday. The usual club meeting venue, Penang Skills Development Center, is closed during public holidays. But Bayan Baru Toastmasters, in keeping with the tradition of never cancelling or postponing a club meeting even on public holidays, held the club meeting at a different venue at Krystal Point II, Bayan Baru. Long live BBTMC.

On holiday in Penang, Shirley Childs, a Penang-born Toastmaster from Sydney, Australia joined the meeting as a visiting Toastmaster and even played the role of humorist. Shirley took part in the Table Topics session and won the best table topic speaker award. Bravo.

As Toastmasters International is an international organization, visiting a local Toastmasters club when travelling in a foreign county is a rewarding experience. For Shirley, it was the first time, she had spoken in a Toastmasters club outside of Australia.

Personally, I have attended Toastmasters club meeting in various countries, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, USA, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and different states in Malaysia. It is a great way to meet local Toastmasters and to enjoy an evening of sharing, laughter and fellowship.

So the next time you travel, check the club directory in Toastmasters International homepage and visit a local Toastmasters club if you can . Toastmasters is truly international.

Breaking News: Bayan Baru 2011 International Speech and Table Topic Contests Results

2011-01-06T10:33:00.000-08:00

Both contests were held together on Thurday night, January 6, 2011 at Penang Skills Development Center the usual club meeting venue on the first club meet of the new year.

The Chief Judge was N2 Area Governor Seah Yeow Ngee. I was one of the judges with the rest of the judges from other clubs. There is no contest rule that judges will be anonymous - anyway, it was easy to know who were the judges when voting ballots were collected.

Lee Sze Kuang was the International Speech Contest Chair with Goh Hock Hai as his last minute stand in while Jack Ch'ng was the Table Topics Contest Chair. Jessica Teo was the Toastmaster of the Evening. Timers were Lim Kar Ying and Lau Choon Mei. Tally Counters were Wong Wai Leng and Lim Wei Sheng, Table Topics Contest Sergeant-At-Arm was Kenny Ngoh and registration was Teh Ghim Hong.

The contestants for International Speech contestants, in speaking order, were Jack Ch'ng, Margaret Chan, Eileyn Chua, Terence Lee and John Yeoh. Unfortunately, one contestant was disqualified on time.

The topic for the Table Topics contest was "Women spends more money than men in their lives. Do you agree?". The contestants in speaking order were Terence Lee, Eileyn Chua, Margaret Chan, Chew Yoon Seng, Ong Swee Keat, John Yeoh and Au Wai Yin. Great news - there was no time disqualification.

Congratulations to all. All contestants are already winners.

Here are the top three winners. Drum rolls. The top two will represent Bayan Baru Toastmasters at the N2 Area Contests in February, 2011.

Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club International Speech Contest 2011
1st - Terence Lee
2nd - Eileyn Chua
3rd - John Yeoh

Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club Table Topics Contest 2011
1st - Terence Lee
2nd - Ong Swee Keat
3rd - Au Wai Yin

The Toastmaster Magazine - Do you read? Do you write?

2011-01-01T08:55:00.000-08:00

I was spring cleaning for the new year 2011 and found this old magazine dated January 1996. It caught my attention because it had a picture of a white rabbit as 2011 being the Year of the Rabbit in the lunar calendar.

The International President then was Ian Edwards and the theme was "Live, Learn, Lead". I would like to add a twist by asking can you live well, learn well and lead well if you do not read well.

Do you read The Toastmaster Magazine? Do you read your manuals of Club Officer, Club Constitution and By-Laws, Area Governor or District Handbook? Do you read your project manual a few times before you do your projects?

As Toastmasters, while we emphasize listening, thinking and speaking skills, we realize that much of the information and wisdom can be found if we read more.

For leadership and service, writing skill is important too. The articles written in The Toastmaster Magazine are living proofs of sharing and learning through writing. They can be read in 2011 even though they were written in 1996.

Writing whether by email, sms, fb, twitter or traditional printed material is one of the best and fastest way to share information and wisdom to more readers faster, easier and more cost effectively.

So never underestimate the power of your club blog or club newsletter. It has to be written before it can be read.

As Toastmasters, we emphasize on making effective oral communication a worldwide reality. Reading more and writing more, reading better and writing better will help towards achieving this noble goal.

Well, I have already written my first post for 2011 and hope you have read it too.

Toastmasters New Year Resolutions for 2011 Year of the Rabbit

2010-12-19T09:38:00.000-08:00

Above are New Year postcards from China and Taiwan. The Year 2011 of the Metal Rabbit is just around the corner and time for new year resolutions to be made. Here is a possible list for Toastmasters at 3 different levels.

I make a resolution to

1.1 Attend club meetings more regularly.
1.2 Try to speak at Table Topics session instead of declining with excuses
1.3 Remember to turn off my mobile and pay attention to the speaker instead of chit chatting with my neighbor.
1.4 Willing to play different roles assigned by Vice President of Education
1.5 Do at least 1 project speech every six months

2.1 Bring a guest to the meeting
2.2 Take part in a speech contest
2.3 Achieve 1 educational award for the term
2.4 Visit another Toastmasters Club
2.5 Attend a District Convention

3.1 Sponsor a new Toastmasters Club
3.2 Campaign to be the next Club President
3.3 Win at the Division level speech contest
3.4 Achieve my Distinguished Toastmaster
3.5 Conduct a Youth Leadership Program

Visiting Shanghai People's Square Toastmasters Club, China on October 26, 2010

2010-11-01T04:24:00.000-07:00

This is my third visit to Shanghai People's Square Toastmaster Club. Their current venue is at Finance Square on Jiujiang Road. In my last visit, their club meeting venue was at YMCA at People's Square.

It was October 26, 2010 #347 Club meeting with theme "Online Shopping". The Club meets every Tuesday and Club President is Jolie Hu. Toastmaster of the Evening was Emily Zhu. There were 3 project speakers and an educational session on "Evaluation Tips". The Ah counter also watch out for "gender confusion" as in the Chinese language, "he" or "her" sounds the same and often native Chinese speakers used the wrong gender when speaking in English. There were many walk-in guests including myself. I sat next to a Toastmaster from California who brought his son from Venezuala to attend the meeting. Overall, it was a fantastic meeting, friendly and high educational value. Keep it up PSTMC.

Information: Shanghai People's Square Toastmasters Club
Mobile: 1592 1440 816
Email: secretary@pstmc.org
Website: http://pstmc.org
Blog: http://tmc585.blog.sohu.com
Douban: http://www.douban.com/group/Toastmasters/

Time: 19:10-21:10 Every Tuesday (except public holiday)
Venue: Conference room, 4/F Finance Square, 333 Jiujiang Road
九江路333号金融广场4楼会议室
Metro No.2, East Nanjing Road Station, Exit No.4, turn left side, on the
opposite of the road
地铁二号线，南京东路站4号口，左转，马路对面，进入大厅左面边门电梯上来4楼

District 51 Humorous Speech Contest Winners and Evaluation Contest Winners 2010

2010-10-31T21:41:00.000-07:00

In the recent District 51 (Toastmasters Clubs in Peninsular Malaysia) Semi-Annual Convention held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the District 51 Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contests were held. Here are the winners and their photos. Source: District 51 Official Website.

District 51 Humorous Speech Contest 2010
Champion: Ooi Ing Chyuan (Seberang Jaya Toastmasters Club - Division S)
1st Runner Up: Zarina Mustafa (USM Toastmasters Club - Division N)
2nd Runner Up: Lee Xi Wen (TTDI Toastmasters Club - Division W)

District 51 Evaluation Contest 2010
Champion: Muthukumaran Kodiappen (Renesas Semiconductor Toastmasters Club - Division S)
1st Runner Up: Bernard Louis (D'Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club - Division B)
2nd Runner Up: Seetho Whye Kit (TTDI Toastmasters Club - Division W)

District 51 - 18th Semi Annual Convention, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

2010-10-12T10:32:00.000-07:00

(This message is to all Toastmasters who have yet to register for the 18th Semi Annual Convention. To register, please download your form from: http://tm51connects.blogspot.com)

12th October, 2010

Dear Toastmaster,
Happy Day! Greetings and Good Cheer to you.

Arising from our message to all Toastmasters on Sunday last, there were numerous persons who inquired about Individual as well as Sub Package Rates for the Convention.

It was encouraging to receive responses from numerous TMs, who, although not able to participate fully in the entire Convention, were nevertheless keen to attend some of the more important events to their liking, or those that fitted better with their own circumstances.

Also, many students, particularly those from colleges and college clubs, showed keen interest in wanting student tickets.

Here then – attached to this message (Download here)– are 10 different Packages that we have made available for you. It is almost like going to your favorite store, and being allowed to pick n choose, mix n match, and even to fit according to your own time and tide.

For this Convention, we are pleased and proud to have comfortably conformed to our DG’s request that the Convention rates should be shaved to bare bone prices, and that breaking-even should be the guiding philosophy in pricing.

Students will therefore be extremely pleased, that the entire Convention Package is offered to them at Super Early Bird prices… prices that were offered about 5 months ago at the Miri Convention… PRICES MARKED-UP BY A MERE TEN RINGGIT FROM THE HOTEL’S RATE QUOTED TO THE COMMITTEE.

Those purchasing Individual Event or Sub Package Tickets will also be pleased – pleased and relieved – to know that the mark-up for them is closely comparable to the door fee one pays for certain Area and Division events.

You may therefore rush for your tickets… but please take care not to stampede and trample.

Sincerely,
N J Singam
Organising Chair
18th Semi Annual Convention
Toastmasters International, District 51

+ 6 016 – 396 3242; njsingam@gmail.com
http://tm51connects.blogspot.com ; tm51connects@gmail.com

Oct 10 - Division N Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contest 2010

2010-10-10T03:04:00.000-07:00

UPDATE - Division N Contests Results emailed by President Goh Hock Hai:

For our Bayan Baru Contestants representing Area N2 in the Division N Contests,
1) Uthaya Kumar competed in the Humorous Speech Contest but was not placed.

2) Ong Swee Keat was 2nd place in the Evaluation Contest.

And also Terence Lee, dual member of Bayan Baru and Oracle Advanced, represented N-1 Area and Oracle Advanced and won 3rd place in the Evaluation Contest.

It is never easy to advance up to the Division level contests and so our hats off to both our club members for their wonderful achievements.

Division N Humorous Speech Contest 2010
1st place - Zarina Mustafa (USM Toastmasters - N3)
2nd place - Jimmy Tan (?)
3rd place - Jagdeep Sigh (Penang - N1)

Division N Evaluation Contest 2010
1st place - Chee Keng Kok (Butterworth - N1)
2nd place - Ong Swee Keat (Bayan Baru - N2)
3rd place - Terence Lee (Oracle Advanced - N1)

Venue: Dewan Budaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Sungai Dua Campus, Penang Island.
Time: 1:30pm - 6pm, Sunday October 10, 2010
Admission: RM10

First Toastmasters Club in Kelantan

2010-10-05T04:50:00.001-07:00

I just viewed the Toastmasters International official website and was delighted to see that there is now a Toastmasters Club in Kelantan - the first!

So now, Perlis is the only state in District 51 that does not have a Toastmasters Club yet.

Here is the meeting information of the first Toastmasters Club in Kelantan:

Name of Club: Magical Tanah Merah

Club No: 1520929
District 51
Charter date: June 30, 30/2010

Pusat Tuisyen Nur Ilm
PT462-2 Jalan Tasik, Tanah Merah, KEL, 17500, Malaysia
60139335883

Meeting Time: 8.15pm to 10.15pm, 4th Saturday
Club Status: Open to all

Email contact: karupal@gmail.com

N2 Area Speech Evaluation and Humorous Speech Contest Results 2010

2010-09-05T02:10:00.000-07:00

Email announcement from N2 Area Governor 2010-2011 Seah Yeow Ngee.

Congratulations to our Bayan Baru Toastmasters Ong Swee Keat and Uthaya Kumar. Since there are only 4 Areas in Division N, the top two winners will proceed to the Division level. Good luck to both of you at the Division N level contests and bring back more trophies! Well done to club members Au Wai Ying and Kartigeyan for entering the Area level contests for the first time.

Bayan Baru Toastmasters 15th Anniversary - Installation Dinner - Humorous Speech Contest - Berjaya Georgetown Hotel, Burmah Rd, 7pm Sat Aug 28, 2010

2010-08-28T06:32:00.000-07:00

The Ticket

The Guests

The Emcees

The Exco 2010-2011

The Installation

The Newly Installed President

The Dance

The Humorous Speech Contest Winners and Contestants

The President and spouse and daughter

Bayan Baru August 19, 2010 Meeting - 1 new CL and 1 new ACB

2010-08-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

Tonight, Bayan Baru Toastmasters achieved 2nd and 3rd Distinguished Club Program goal with 1 new CL and 1 more ACB.

Congratualations to John Ung for achieving the Competent Leader award.

Congratulations to Lim Kheng Yew for acieving the Advanced Communicator Bronze award.

World Champion of Public Speaking 2010

2010-08-19T04:08:00.000-07:00

Online news:
Texan Becomes Newest Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking

Attorney David Henderson wins title during annual Convention, earning cheers from an international audience of more than 1,600.

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif., Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- "We all fall down. That's the bad news. No matter how far you fall, love will lift you up." With these words, attorney David Henderson, a Toastmaster from San Antonio, Texas, rose above a field of nine contestants to win the final round of the Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking on Saturday, Aug. 14. Henderson presented his winning speech, titled "The Aviators" to a crowd of more than 1,600 fellow Toastmasters from 113 countries.

Henderson claimed the title of 2010 World Champion of Public Speaking during the Toastmasters International Convention, held in Palm Desert, Aug. 11-14.

In his acceptance speech, Henderson shared with the audience his winning strategy. When it comes to connecting with an audience, he said, "Don't tell people, just show them."

Presenting his speech dressed in an aviator helmet, goggles, bomber jacket and long "Snoopy" scarf, Henderson brought to life his heartfelt story of loving and then losing a cherished childhood friend.

He demonstrated his emotional story about coping with loss by literally falling on the stage.

Speakers delivered five to seven minute presentations on wide-ranging topics, and were judged on content, organization and delivery. The nine final contestants reached the Convention after several eliminating rounds that began with 30,000 participants.

Second and third-place winners in the Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking were Robert Mackenzie of Los Angeles, Calif., with his speech, "My Alter Ego," and Linus Chang of Canterbury, Victoria, Australia, with his speech titled "Being Jane."

Source: Toastmasters International Official Website
Here is the list of Toastmasters International Past World Champions of Public Speaking.

Note that only Toastmasters are allowed to compete and so the winner is a world champion amongst Toastmasters only worldwide.

Toastmasters Clubs from Malaysia were allowed to participate starting from 1997 when District 51 became a full district.

In 2008, a Malaysian, K Logandran, won the 2nd place in Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking. What an achievement!

Now, who will be the first Malaysian born Toastmaster to become the World Champion of Public Speaking? and when? Soon I hope.

2010 David Henderson - San Antonio, Texas
2009 Mark Hunter - Albany Creek, Queensland, Australia
2008 Lashunda Rundles - Dallas, Texas
2007 Vikas Jhingran - Cambridge, Massachusetts
2006 Edward Hearn - Chicago, Illinois
2005 Lance Miller - Glendale, California
2004 Randy Harvey - Sherwood, Oregon
2003 Jim Key - Rowlett, Texas
2002 Dwayne Smith - Decatur, Georgia
2001 Darren LaCroix - Auburn, Massachusetts
2000 Ed Tate - Aurora, Colorado
1999 Craig Valentine - Ellicott City, Maryland
1998 Brett Rutledge - Auckland, New Zealand
1997 Willie Jones - Honolulu, Hawaii
1996 David Nottage - Auckland, New Zealand
1995 Mark Brown - Mount Vernon, New York
1994 Morgan McArthur - Idaho Falls, Idaho
1993 Otis Williams Jr. - Cincinnati, Ohio
1992 Dana LaMon - Lancaster, California
1991 David Ross - Norman, Oklahoma
1990 David Brooks - Austin, Texas
1989 Don Johnson - Torrance, California
1988 Jerry Starke - Milwaukee, Wisconsin
1987 Harold Patterson - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
1986 M. Arabella Bengson - Islington, Ontario, Canada
1985 Marie C. Pyne - Ireland
1984 Joe Boyd - Bellingham, Washington
1983 Roy Fenstermaker - Downey, California
1982 Kenneth Bernard - Australia
1981 Jim Joelson - Reno, Nevada
1980 Jeff Young - Los Angeles, California
1979 Dick Caldwell - Calgary, Alberta, Canada
1978 Michael Aun II - Lexington, South Carolina
1977 Evelyn Jane Burgay - Springfield, Virginia
1976 William Johnson - Aberdeen, Maryland
1975 Andy McKay - Rochester, New York
1974 Bennie Powell - Los Angeles, California
1973 Charles W. "Doc" Stewart - San Antonio, Texas
1972 Rudy Valle - Canoga Park, California
1971 Bert Angus - Transcona, Manitoba, Canada
1970 Stephen D. Boyd
1969 Dennis Nangers - Delano, California
1968 Grant R. Sheehan - Washington, D.C.
1967 Dale Smith - Goshen, Indiana
1966 Michael Yaconelli - San Diego, California
1965 John L. Nydegger - Lewiston, Idaho
1964 Anthony C.L. Bishop - Northridge, California
1963 Larry D. Beitel - Winston-Salem, North Carolina
1962 Robert Garton - Columbus, Indiana
1961 John J. Carver - Seattle, Washington
1960 Glenn E. Carroll - Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
1959 Dean F. Berkeley - Bloomington, Indiana
1958 Edmund Shire
1957 Charles Jones - Fort Smith, Arkansas
1956 David Holmes Jr. - Toledo, Ohio
1955 Charles W. Bryant - Tacoma, Washington
1954 Herbert Thompson - Wood River, Illinois
1953 Theodore B. Furlow - Long Beach, California
1952 George W. Armstrong - Omaha, Nebraska
1951 Albert Green Jr - Seattle, Washington
1950 Charles Hilton - Mason City, Iowa
1949 Dalton McAllister - Fort Wayne, Indiana
1948 Robert Dellwo - Spokane, Washington
1947 Douglas Sherwin - Clearlake, Iowa
1946 Thor Myhre - Spokane, Washington
1945 NO CONVENTION
1944 NO CONVENTION
1943 Llyod Prante
1942 Cavett Robert - Phoenix, Arizona
1941 John McInnis
1940 David MacFarlane - Santa Monica, California
1939 William Roberts - Huntington Park, California
1938 Henry Wiens - Reedley, California

Bayan Baru Toastmasters - Early History

2010-08-18T15:52:00.000-07:00

With our 15th Anniversary dinner celebration just around the corner, I thought I share our club family tree and a bit of history. Happy reading.

IN THE BEGINNING ......
The first Toastmasters Club in Malaysia is "Toastmasters International Kuala Lumpur". It was chartered in July 1978 by expatriates working in Klang Valley. Many year later, I met the Club sponsor at a Division Speech Contest in KL where he was invited as a judge - he is Mr. Sheppard from New Zealand.

In 1979-80, Ismail and members of TIKL drove north to help form Taiping Toastmasters Club and Butterworth Toastmasters (meets in Penang island) which were both chartered in 1980.

In 1985, Butterworth Toastmasters helped to charter YMCA Penang Toastmasters.

Then, YMCA Penang helped to charter National Semiconductor Toastmasters (later renamed Fairchild Toastmasters) in 1988 and Penang Development Corporation (PDC) Toastmasters in 1989.

In 1996, both Margaret Chan (PDC) and SL Liew (dual member National Semiconductor, Butterworth) sponsored and helped to charter Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club.

So the family tree:
TI KL - Butterworth - YMCA Penang - PDC/National Semiconductor - Bayan Baru

HOW WE STARTED
In 1995, I was busy as the District 51 Lieutenant Governor of Marketing. After almost six months of demonstration meetings to attract banking officers and staff, I finally helped to charter IBBM Penang (Institute Bank Bank Malaysia) Toastmasters. Interestingly, Jessica Teo's father was a charter member, current District Governor Thannimalai became a member and Past President Joachim Xavier was always a guest because he could not join as he did not work in the bank.

In 1995, there were few Toastmasters Clubs in Penang island - Penang @Light Street, Butterworth @Tanjung Bungah, YMCA Penang @YMCA which were open to the public. The inhouse clubs were MIM (Malaysian Institute of Management) @Anson Road, Intel Penang, PDC and National Semiconductor.

Bayan Baru Toastmastesr was the brainchild of Past President Dr. Janet Lim who wanted to start a club in Bayan Baru and FIZ area that was open to the public. Janet approached Margaret Chan to form a club in the Bayan Baru area. Margaret then roped me in as co-sponsor as I had the experience of chartering IBBM Penang.

I remembered going to then newly open Sunshine Square to get permission to put a poster inviting members of public to join this new club. Margaret contacted Star to put an announcement in the newspaper. We decided to arrange for the first demo meeting in the beginning of the year of 1996.

The Bayan Baru Residents Association agreed to our proposal for Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club to be one of the RA new activities and provide the RA hall at the field at 1 Jalan Nibong as the meeting venue. Our club members also paid membership fee to be RA members until later we became "independent" as a society registered with the Registrar of Society (ROS).

Life was interesting at the RA hall. We frequently had to "chase out" the women aerobic group so that our meeting could start on time. Club members all helped to carry tables, chairs and benches from the store room to set up the meeting. There was no air conditiong at first, just ceiling fans and members had to speak louder than the sounds of barking dogs, passing motorcycles and overhead aeroplane.

We had more than 40 people attending the first demo meeting. Learning from my past experience of IBBM, we decided that we will charter the club on the first meeting, rather than six months later - strike when the iron is hot.

During the demo meeting, we announced that all those interested to join to stay back and sign up and we would conduct an election. We had more than 20 members signing up and held a protem EGM to elect the Protem Committee. The protem President was Adrian Ang and protem VPE was Nailul Murad who worked in USM and we held the first Protem Exco meeting to plan the 2nd meeting. As a new club needed a sponsoring club and two club mentors, PDC was selected as the sponsoring club and PDC members Lee So Cheran and Rizal Fauzi became Club mentors.

Of all the charter members at the first demo meeting, I remembered Mah Ting Keong who came after reading the announcement in the Star. He said that by joining he had met two of his new year resolutions - to learn something new and to meet more people.

For our charter night, I was the "director" of the sketch about joining and the purpose of Toastmasters. Members wore different traditional costumes. with Mah Swee Chin in cheongsam with a fan. Our guest of honor was the Honorable Chief Minister Koh Tsu Khoon and our Charter President Adrian Ung drove all the way from KL to make it to the dinner but alas, Tsu Khoon did not show up and sent a last minute representative.

In 1997, Dr. Janet Lim was the second Club President and the VPE was Joachim Xavier. We moved to Panther's Club, opposite PISA. It was like moving from economy class to business class. There were iced water jugs and sweets on the prearranged table with table cloth and skirting. Noodles or fried rice, cakes and drinks were catered and served at the refreshment hall outside meeting room where we dined on tables and chairs. That year, our club always attracted many regular guests and visiting Toastmasters.

Click here for the pictorial history of Bayan Baru Toastmasters

Hope you have enjoy reading something about our family tree and early history. Let us celebrate our 15th Anniversary and many happy returns.

New Improved Competent Leadership Manual

2010-07-18T19:59:00.000-07:00

Did you find navigating and using the Competent Leadership manual a little bit cumbersome? Good news! Per Toastmasters International official site, an improvement version is now available. Click on the project completion record, to view a pdf file of the new easier tracking system at www.toastmasters.org

"New Improved Competent Leadership Manual
June 28, 2010

You told us how to improve it, and we listened. The latest version of the Competent Leadership manual includes a few member-suggested enhancements that make it easier to track progress and complete evaluations.

With the new project completion record, you can view your current progress in all 10 projects at a glance.

The streamlined evaluations for each project make it easier for members to provide constructive feedback at a busy club meeting.
Members who are working in the previous version of Competent Leadership needn’t worry – the project requirements are the same, so completion of a project in either manual will give equal credit toward the CL award."

July 1, 2010 - First Bayan Baru Toastmasters Meeting for term 2010-2011

2010-07-01T08:44:00.000-07:00

On July 1, 2010 Thursday night at 8pm, Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club held the first meeting with the appropriate theme of "A New Beginning" with new Club President Goh Hock Hai and the Toastmaster of the Meeting was Vice President Education Eileyn Chua. I was the Grammarian with the word of the day "vuvuzela" - the long plastic trumpet horn which make a loud noise at the South Africa FIFA World Cup.

In attendance, there were 24 in total - 15 members, 2 guests who signed up as members and another 7 guests.

There were 2 basic manual project speakers Katigeyan and Lau Choon Mei and 2 advanced manual project speakers, Jack Ch'ng and Mah Swee Chin. The meeting order was changed to project speeches first, then Table Topics and followed by Evaluation.

Mah Swee Chin struck gold or more appropriately silver when she achieved the first Distinguished Club Program goal for the term on the first meeting with her completion of Advanced Communicator Silver. There was a yam seng toast of sparkling juice to celebrate the occasion.

Next meeting on July 15, 2010, the Club will be holding the Club Evaluation Speech Contest. The Club Installation and Humorous Speech Contest will be held on a Saturday night on August 28, 2010.

Bayan Baru Toastmasters Speechcraft Graduation

2010-06-20T09:55:00.000-07:00

On Sunday June 20, when most of us were having dinner celebrating "Happy Father's Day" or watching FIFA World Cup Paraguay vs Slovakia, Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club held a successful Speechcraft Graduation Day. These breaking news photographs, emailed out by Club President Jessica Teo, speak a thousand words. Congratulations to all.

Bayan Baru New Club Officers 2010-2011

2010-06-03T09:55:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to the newly elected Club Officers, Committe Members and Auditors of Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club for 2010-2011 from the election held on June 3, 2010.

CLUB OFFICERS OF BAYAN BARU TOASTMASTERS CLUB
Club President: Goh Hock Hai
Vice President Education: Eileyn Chua
Vice President Membership: Teh Ghim Hong
Vice President Public Relations: Katigeyan Kalidass
Secretary: Lee Sze Kuang
Treasurer: Lau Choon Mei
Sergeant-At-Arm: Jack Ch'ng
Immediate Past President: Jessica Teo

COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Mah Swee Chin, Chew Yoon Seng, Lim Kar Ying, Terence Lee, Valyn Chong
AUDITORS: John Yeoh, Rosalind Chan

Bayan Baru Toastmasters - May 6, 2010 Club Meeting

2010-05-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

Heartiest congratulations to Vice President Membership Eileyn Chua (left in the pic) for achieving her Competent Communicator from the Club President at this momentous meeting.

Eileyn is the 4th Competent Communicator of the Club this term. As a result, Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club has achieved 10 out of 10 DCP goals as of May 6, 2010. Wa-lah!

There were 5 project speakers - an icebreaker, a final CC project 10 and 3 advanced speeches from Technical Presentation, Persuasive Speaking and Story Telling.

For this meeting, I was the General Evaluator. Following changes were made to the standard meeting program.

1) Project speeches came first before Table Topics session. This allowed adjusting the number of Table Topics speeches according to time left and so this meeting actually ended timely.

2) General Evaluator led the entire evaluation session of the second half of the meeting instead of being led by the Toastmaster. Two heads are better than one. While the Toastmaster focused on getting the entire meeting going, the General Evaluator helped to ensure all the evaluators and coevaluators were on their toes to give their best positive helpful feedback.

3) The Time keeper, Grammarian and Ah Counter evaluated all who spoke during the meeting instead of just the Project Speakers and Table Topics Speakers. Again, everyone received their fair share of feedback on their time taken, language and any non Toastmaster-like utterances of ah, so and OK.

Division N first to achieve President's Distinguished Division Award - Heartiest Congratulations to Division N Governor Koay Kah Hin

2010-05-01T16:49:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of DG Ritchie Chong

Breaking news! As announced in the blog of District 51 Governor Ritchie Chong, as of April 30, 2010, Division N (Penang-Kedah, Malaysia) is the first Division out of 15 Divisions in the district (Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia) to achieve the President's Distinguished Division for the year 2009-2010.

(pics: Division N Governor Koay; Division N Pin)

Heartiest congratulations to Division N Governor Koay Kah Hin. You make us in Division N and Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club proud.

Toastmasters International awards for Division level are Distinguished Division, Select Distinguished Division and the highest being the President's Distinguished Division.

Last year for the term 2008-2009, Division N did not even achieve the Distinguished Division Award. So this year for the term 2009-2010, this is a major, mega, quantum jump!

As of April 30, 2010, the total paid up clubs in Division N is 28 which is a net growth of 1 club and 5 out of 7 Areas have achieved Distinguished Area or better. The criteria for President's Distinguished Division award is a net growth of 1 club and 75% of Area achieving Distinguished Area by June 30, 2010. And Division N has done it two months ahead of time. Well done!

Hall of Fame - Division N Speech Champions - Update April 24, 2010

2010-04-24T01:30:00.000-07:00

Division N International Speech Champion
1997 A D Ram Kumar (Area N1 - Penang, Penang)
1998 Peter Ng (Area N3 - YMCA Ipoh, Perak)
1999 Saw Chin Bin (Area N2 - MIM Penang)
2000 SL Liew (Area N1 - Butterworth, Penang)
2001 Chee Keng Kok (Area N1 - Butterworth, Penang)
2002 Saw Chin Bin (Area N2 - Bayan Baru, Penang)
2003 Devaraj T Mohd Deva (Area N3 - Teluk Intan)
2004 Saw Chin Bin (Area N2 - Bayan Baru, Penang)
2005 Chee Keng Kok (Area N1 - Butterworth, Penang)
2006 Shankar Kalianathan (Area N6 - Kulim, Kedah)
2007 Bhupinderjeet Singh (Area N5- ACM, Kedah)
2008 Asha Theva (Area N1 - Penang, Penang)
2009 Ong Swee Keat (Area N2 - Bayan Baru, Penang)
2010 Asha Suresh Chand (Area N6 - Oracle Advanced, Penang)

Division N Table Topics Champion
2000 Usha Devi (Area N2 - Bayan Baru, Penang)
2001 Suzerian Francis (Area N4 - Kulim, Kedah)
2002 Ahmed Bazari (Area N1 - Pidato Penang, Penang)
2003 Selvaraj K S Maniam (Area N3 - Batu Gajah)
2004 Audrey Cheah (Area N2 - Penang Seagate, Penang)
2005 Lee Min On (Area N1- MIA Northern Branch, Penang)
2006 Audrey Cheah (Area N1 - Penang Seagate, Penang)
2007 Edwin Hoh (Area N4 - Intel Kulim, Kedah)
2008 Foong Wai Yi (Area N4 - Silterra, Kedah)
2009 Palaniappa Subramaniam (Area N4 - Silterra, Kedah)
2010 Asha Suresh Chand (Area N6 - Oracle Advanced, Penang)

Division N Humorous Speech Champion
1997 N Ramakrishnan (Area N3 - YMCA Ipoh, Perak)
1998 N Ramakrishnan (Area N3 - YMCA Ipoh, Perak)
1999 Peter Ng (Area N3 - YMCA Ipoh, Perak)
2000 Rubiah Ahmad (Area N3 - Teluk Intan, Perak)
2001 Ong Swee Keat (Area N2 - Bayan Baru, Penang)
2002 Ong Swee Keat (Area N2 - Bayan Baru, Penang)
2003 Ahmad Bazari (Area N1 - Butterworth, Penang)
2004 Rubiah Ahmad (Area N3 - Teluk Intan, Perak)
2005 Shankar Kalainathan (Area N6 - Kulim, Kedah)
2006 Ahmad Yusry (Area N4- Siltera, Kedah)
2007 Michael Rajesh (Area N4 - Intel Kulim, Kedah)
2008 Michael Xavier (Area N2- Bayan Baru, Penang)
2009 Tan Teik Poh (Area N3 - YMCA, Penang)

Division N Evaluation Champion
1999 Varpal Singh (Area N3 - Taiping)
2000 ?
2001 ?
2002 ?
2003 Chee Keng Kok (Area N2 - Butterworth, Penang)
2004 Sue Chan (Area N6 - Seberang Jaya, Penang)
2005 S Palaniappa (Area N6 - Siltera, Kedah)
2006 Bhupinderjeet Singh (Area N5 - ACM)
2007 SL Liew (Area N2 - Bayan Baru, Penang)
2008 Audrey Cheah (N6 - Penang Seagate)
2009 Asha Suresh Chand (N6 - Oracle Advanced)

Best Division Newsletter and Best Club Website

2010-04-23T05:35:00.001-07:00

Heartiest congratulations to Division N, Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club and all the other winners. Announced Results from District 51 Official Website:

BEST NEWSLETTER - AREA / DIVISION LEVEL
Division S
Chief Editor: Johnson Tang, CC, ALS
Editors: Yoon Peng Yew, ACG, CL & Charles Tan, DTM, Celine Choy, CC & Justin Manikam & Lim Khee Seong, CC, CL
Division Governor: Lim Seow Hoe, ACS, CL

Division N
Editor: John Yeoh, ACS, CL
Division Governor: Koay Kah Hin, ACB, ALS

BEST WEBSITE - CLUB LEVEL
Tawau Toastmasters Club (Area K2)
Webmaster: Lee Chye Ewe, DTM
Website: http://tmtawau.blogspot.com
Club President: Rosslin Peter Rosen, ACB, CL

Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club (Area N2)
Webmaster: John Ung Soon Hock, CC
Website: http://www.bbtmc.org
Club President: Jessica Teo Siew Foon, ACB, CL

MEF Toastmasters Club (Area S8)
Webmaster: Kenny Lee, CC, ALB & Celine Choy, CC
Website: http://www.MEF-TMC.blogspot.com
Club President: Kenny Lee, CC, ALB

Toastmasters CC, ACB Pins and Ribbons

2010-04-23T04:27:00.000-07:00

Wonderful photos of pins and ribbons of Competent Toastmaster and Advanced Communicator Bronze taken by Bayan Baru Club President Jessica Teo. The club bought these original items from Toastmasters International World Headquarters in California and dished them out to club members who have achieved these educational awards. One more reason to be a member of Bayan Baru Toastmasters, Penang Island, Malaysia.

District 51 to spin off a new District 87 and belong to Region 14

2010-04-15T14:16:00.000-07:00

A bit history. Back in 1993, District 51 started with Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. Later, Hong Kong, Brunei and Macao joined. Then in 2004, a new District 80 was created for Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and Macao.

And as of July 1, 2010, another new District 87 will be created for Indonesia, Brunei, Sarawak, Sabah and Labuan.

Also Hong Kong and Macau will be moved from District 80 (Singapore, Thailand) to District 85 (China, Hong Kong, Macau).

District 51 will then cover just Toastmasters Clubs in Peninsular Malaysia.

All 83 Districts worlwide will be divided into 14 Regions. District 51 will be in Region 14.

Region 14 (effective July 1, 2010)
- District 51 - Peninsular Malaysia
- District 75 - Philippines
- District 80 - Singapore, Thailand
- District 87 - Indonesia, Brunei, Sarawak-Sabah-Labuan

Congratulations Bayan Baru Achieving President's Distinguished Club 2009-2010

2010-04-15T08:19:00.000-07:00

I attended tonight's meeting on April 15 Thursday night at PSDC, Penang island where Jack Ch'ng and Lim Kar Ying completed their project 10 to achieve Competent Communicator and Club President Jessica Teo and Division N Governor Koay Kah Hin completed their 10th Advanced Project speech to achieve their Advanced Communicator Bronze. As a result, Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club has achieved 9 DCP goals to become a President's Distinguished Club again for year 2009-2010. Congratulations to all members of Bayan Baru Toastmasters.

Results of N2 Area International Speech and Table Topics Contest 2010

2010-04-10T11:41:00.001-07:00

Just received email news from Bayan Baru Club President Jessica Teo on the results of the Area N2 Speech contests held jointly with Area N6 at Altera, Penang today.

The results are:

Area N2 International Speech Contest 2010
Champion : Chong Shih Jun - Intel Penang
1st runner-up: Ong Swee Keat - Bayan Baru

Area N2 Table Topics Speech Contest 2010
Champion: Jerry Low Weng Hai - Intel Penang
1st runner-up: Pavaani Thannimalai - Intel Penang

Hall of Fame - Area N2 Speech Champions

2010-04-01T06:15:00.000-07:00

As this is the season of contest, I thought I should start to compile the list of past Area N2 Speech Champions for posterity. This will be a work-in-progress until all the blanks are filled. Appreciate any help.

Area N2 Humorous Speech Champion
1997 ? (Please let me know if you know)
1998 Andre Ong (Komag)
1999 Tan Kok Joo (Bayan Baru)
2000 Ong Swee Keat (Bayan Baru)
2001 Ong Swee Keat (Bayan Baru)
2002 Ong Swee Keat (Bayan Baru)
2003 Mah Ting Keong (Bayan Baru)
2004 Michael Xavier (Bayan Baru)
2005 Tan Ju Lee (Intel Penang)
2006 Zaininah Mohd Zain (Bayan Baru)
2007 SL Liew (Bayan Baru)
2008 Michael Xavier (Bayan Baru)
2009 Jerry Low (Intel Penang)

Area N2 Evaluation Champion
1999 Foong Wai Yi (Intel Penang)
2000 Michael Xavier (Bayan Baru)
2001 ? (Please let me know if you know)
2002 ? (Please let me know if you know)
2003 Audrey Cheah (Penang Seagate)
2004 Andy Lim (Bayan Baru)
2005 Uthaya Kumar (Bayan Baru)
2006 Yoon Peng Yew (Intel Penang)
2007 SL Liew (Bayan Baru)
2008 Michael Xavier (Bayan Baru)
2009 Chong Shih Jun (Intel Penang)

Area N2 Table Topics Champion
2000 Usha Devi (Bayan Baru)
2001 ? (Please let me know if you know)
2002 ? (Please let me know if you know)
2003 ? (Please let me know if you know)
2004 Audrey Cheah (Penang Seagate)
2005 Foong Wai Yi (Intel Penang)
2006 SL Liew (Bayan Baru)
2007 Yoon Peng Yew (Intel Penang)
2008 Ong Swee Keat (Bayan Baru)
2009 Ong Swee Keat (Bayan Baru)
2010 Jerry Low (Intel Penang)

Area N2 International Speech Champion
1997 Mah Ting Keong (Bayan Baru)
1998 Mah Ting Keong (Bayan Baru)
1999 Saw Chin Bin (Camaraderie)
2000 Michael Xavier (Bayan Baru)
2001 ? (Please let me know if you know)
2002 Saw Chin Bin (Bayan Baru)
2003 Michael Xavier (Bayan Baru)
2004 Saw Chin Bin (Bayan Baru)
2005 Ong Swee Keat (Bayan Baru)
2006 Ong Swee Keat (Bayan Baru)
2007 Michael Xavier (Bayan Baru)
2008 Ong Swee Keat (Bayan Baru)
2009 Ong Swee Keat (Bayan Baru)
2010 Chong Shih Jun (Intel Penang)

Going Overseas to Sungai Bakap Toastmasters Club - March 23, 2010

2010-03-24T09:53:00.001-07:00

At the invitation of the Division N Governor Koay Kah Hin, this Wednesday night, I attended for the first time the Sungai Bakap Toastmasters Club in mainland Penang. We literally went overseas as we crossed the Penang Sea Channel using the 13.5km Penang Bridge and had a pre meeting seafood dinner at restaurant along the river at Bukit Tambun.

When we reached the venue at Simpang Ampat on time at 8pm, Murphy's Law came into effect. The electrical supply of the venue had been cut by LLN. Fortunately Club President Ang Eng Chai and the members of Sungai Bakap Toastmasters acted fast and found a last minute alternate venue. It was the meeting room at a political party center in Sungai Bakap. So there was a vehichle convoy as we drove and reconvened at the new meeting room of Sungai Bakap Toastmasters.

It was a great meeting with guests and visiting Toastmasters participating in Table Topics session. There were two guest speakers including myself and an advanced project by a visiting Toastmaster. So the guests got a good taste of Toastmasters. All the best to the Sungai Bakap Toastmasters Club. For information on next meeting, contact ec2ang@hotmail.com

Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club Meeting @ March 18, 2010

2010-03-18T10:09:00.003-07:00

I attended Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club Meeting on Thursday night March 18, 2010 at PSDC - Penang Skills Development Center at Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, Penang island. The current club membership is 40 and there were 20 members attending with 2 guests.

There were 4 Table Topics Speakers, 2 Competent Communicator Project speakers and 3 Advanced Project speakers. Two new members were officially inducted by the Vice President of Membership and the Club President officially pinned the new members with Toastmasters pins. We celebrated birthday of the month of our Past Treasurer.

Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club Meeting on March 4, 2010

2010-03-04T07:59:00.001-08:00

I just attended this Thursday night 8pm March 4, 2010 Bayan Baru Toastmastesr Club meeting at Penang Skills Development Center, Bayan Lepas, Penang Island, Malaysia. It was a night of four table topics speakers and six project speakers.

The first project speaker was Sergeant-At-Arms Ng Sim Choo on his Competent Communicator Project 5 Your Body Speaks with the speech title "Magic Dumb Bells"

The second project speaker was Lim Kar Ying on her Competent Communicator Project 7 Research Your Topic with speech title "The Famous Foods of Penang".

The third project speaker was Jack Ch'ng doing also the Competent Communicator Project 7 Research Your Topic with speech title "Saving Water".

The fourth project speaker was YP Chong (left in the photo below) doing her Advanced Manual Persuasive Speaking on The Effective Salesperson with the speech title "RSMC" where she did a role playe of selling mobile phone.

The fifth project speaker was President Jessic Teo doing her Advanced Manual Speak to Inform on The Demonstration Talk with speech title "How to Survive a 12 hour Shoppping Frenzy".

The sixth project speaker was Division N Governor Koay Kah Hin also on the Advanced Manual Speak to Infrom on The Abstract Concept with speech title "Unknown Reality".

Bayan Baru: Second Competent Leader Eileyn Chua

2010-03-04T07:57:00.001-08:00

Congratulations to Vice President Membership Eileyn Chua for achieving her Competent Leader Award in March 2010. Keep Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club flag flying high.

New Competent Communicator - John Ung - Bayan Baru Toastmasters - Heartiest Congratulations

2010-02-23T20:32:00.001-08:00

Good news travels fast. Well done to John Ung, the Vice President of Public Relations of Bayan Baru for achieving the Competent Toastmaster Award on the 5th Day of Chinese New Year of the Golden Tiger at the Feb 18, 2010 Club Meeting. For information of non-Toastmasters, you complete the first 10 speech projects of the Toastmasters International manual to achieve the Competent Communcator award. Gong Xi Ni John Ung, CC.

Photos from http://www.bbtmc.org/

Visit to Penang Toastmasters Club - Feb 9, 2010

2010-02-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

I was collecting an item handcarried by TLI Chair Sandrasegaran from Medan. Sandra suggested that we meet at Penang Toastmasters Club meeting. So this is the third Toastmasters Club that I have attended in Year 2010 - not too bad.

Penang Toastmasters is one of the earliest Toastamsters Clubs in Malaysia. I have been visited the Penang Toastmasters Club for umpteen years. Penang Toastmasters was meeting at Mariner's Club in downtown George Town as most members then were working in town. Later the venue changed including Tanjung Club in Tanjong Tokong, Sri Nibong Residents Association, Vistana Hotel in Bayan Baru, etc.

Today Penang Toastmasters has moved again to the new venue at Berjaya George Town Hotel, 7th Floor, 8pm on every 2nd and 4th Tuesday. There were 2 project speakers. In attendance were 7 club members, 3 visiting Toastmasters and 5 guests. The current Club President is Selvaraj Balasundarum. I enjoyed the meeting - the standard of English is high.

Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club International Speech Contest and Table Topics Contest 2010

2010-02-04T08:02:00.000-08:00

Tonight I went to attend my own club speech contests at PSDC - Penang Skills Development Center, Bayan Lepas, Penang Island at 8pm Thursday February 4, 2010.

"Are the Audience ready?"

"Are the Timers ready?" Here are the role players of both contests.

"Are the Judges ready?"

"Are the Contestants ready?"

There were only 4 contestants for International Speech Contest this year - what happened?

The Champion for International Speech Contest is Ong Swee Keat "After Heavy Rain, A Beautiful Rainbow". The runner-up is Margaret Chan "If Only".

There were 10 Contestants for Table Topics Contest. The topic was something along the line like "Which famous person is your idol? And why?"

The Champion of Table Topics Contest is Margaret Chan - idol is Dr Ralph C Smedley. The 1st runner up is Kartigeyan - idol is mom. The 2nd runner up is Uthaya Kumar - idol is Mahatma Gandhi.

Good bye Bazari

2010-01-30T19:03:00.000-08:00

Tall, dark, handsome, eloquent. I first met lawyer Ahmed Bazari at the Butterworth Toastmasters Club. Bazari said that he wished he had discovered Toastmasters earlier. Both Bazari and his wife Bashira became active Toastmasters. They brought their children to Toastmasters meetings and events. Bazari won many speech contests, became Butterworth Club President, Area N1 Governor and Division N Governor. Both of us flew to Medan to help charter the Medan First Toastmasters Club and Bazari was one of the club sponsors. During the term 1997-98, Distinguished Toastmaster Ahmed Bazari was awarded the District 51 Toastmaster of the Year.

Good bye my friend Bazari. We will always remember you fondly and lovingly. Rest In Peace.

Happy Thaipusam - January 30, 2010

2010-01-30T04:35:00.000-08:00

Wishing all Hindu Toastmasters, "Happy Thaipusam".

Thaipuisam is a public holiday and major Hindu festival in Penang Island. Today, I visited the Penang Waterfalls Garden to witness this colorful 3 days event where fulfilment of vows of piercing or carrying a kavadi or offering of metal containers of milk with music in the air, dancing in the street, Indian families out in their best and gawking of Western tourists and photo enthusiasts. Like a Toastmasters meeting or Toastmasters speech contest or Toastmasters convention, you have to be there to experience it. The "TM" is not Toastmasters but Telekoms Malaysia. Enjoy the photo clips.

First Speech Contest in 2010

2010-01-27T10:23:00.000-08:00

Tonight was the first speech contest that I had attended for Year 2010. It was Butterworth Toastmasters Club International Speech and Table Topics Contest. Time: 7:30 pm. Date: Wednesday January 27, 2010. Place: Fire Room, 10th Floor, Suntech. Next to Bayan Baru Sunshine Square.

The total number of contestants was 4 but the high quality of the speeches made up for the low number. I was not a contest judge - just a member of the audience enjoying the performances.

In the International Speech Contest rules, every contestant has to sign the eligibility form that their speech is substantially original. Any material borrowed or any story used from another source must quoted and quoted material must not predominate the speech otherwise it is no longer original anyway.

Glad to say that all the speeches that I heard were based on personal experiences and very original - topics varied from there is no such definition as a failure, avoiding doing things last minute and be wary of your speech and action as the walls have ears and the ceiling has eyes.

For the topic given in Tables Topics, if it is gender biased or if the topic is not clearly constructed, complicated or grammatically incorrect or is not read out clearly, it can be unfair or the contestants may struggle to speak on the topic and hence not bring out their best performances.

But glad to said that the topic given tonight did not had any of these pitfalls. I do not remember the original wordings but that topic given was something along "If you can go back to any age for a week which age would you choose and why?"

The double champion of both contests was WP Lee. Congratulations! All contestants, as they say, are winners too.

It was a celebration for all as WP gave us a treat at postcontest supper at nearby Old Towne. A car load of MEF Toastmasters from Seberang Perai who came for the contest also joined in the fellowship.

"A Tale to Two Clubs" - Bayan Baru and Butterworth Toastmasters Clubs

2010-01-13T07:29:00.000-08:00

I was semi-active if there is such a word in Toastmasters last year in 2009. In 2010, I began the year 2010 with some newfound wonder and enthusiasm. I attended my club meeting on Thursday night on the first week of January and visited my former club on Wednesday night on the second week of January. Now that is 100% attendance.

It was a tale of two clubs. One a larger club and the other a smaller club.

Bayan Baru had about 30 members and guests in attendance while Butterworth had 10 members and guests. Both are clubs uphold their tradition of excellence. Both Club Presidents announced during the meeting their incoming annual club level international speech and table topic speech contests. Bayan Baru is 14 years old and Butterworth is 30 years old.

I found the meeting program formats are similar except with these minor differences:
1) Bayan Baru has the table topics session in the first half of the meeting before break and the project speakers in the second half. Butterworth has it in the reverse - project speeches first then table topics.

2) At Butterworth, the General Evaluator calls all the ah counter, timer, grammarian reports and table topics evaluator and project evaluator. At Bayan Baru, the Toastmaster of the meeting calls all the evaluators.

Bayan Baru has great food during break. This meeting was no exception with options of fried noodles or rice (vegatarian) and pizzas. There were 4 project speakers and an invited guest speaker - a doctor who talked on prevention of stomach and colon cancer. Photographs of every meeting are taken throughout the meeting and shared online.

Butterworth is small and cozy and thus allows all members, role players and guests to take part in the table topics sessions with challenging topics like "Man cannot see his reflection on running water but on still water". The meeting room is impressive - the state of the art at the 10th floor of Suntec @Cyber City. Any member who uttered a total of 5 ahs or more throughout the meeting pays a small fine.

Both club meetings are value for time spent and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, laughed a lot and learned from fellow Toastmasters. Well done to Bayan Baru Club President Jessica Teo and Butterworth Club President Ooi Wei Nien and their exco comittee and members. Keep your club banners flying high.

"A picture paints a thousand words"

2010-01-13T07:15:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year 2010 - Year of the Tiger to all fellow Toastmasters in Malaysia and around the world.

I received a set of humorous photos by email - the source is anonymous. The photos are very Malaysian and have a poignant message to be told. Don't you agree they will be great for Table Topics - show and tell. Thanks to the photographers for sharing.

Bayan Baru Dec 3, 2009 Christmas Theme Meeting

2009-12-03T07:30:00.000-08:00

Finally after a few months of missing in action, I attended Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club December 3, 2009 Thursday night meeting at 8pm at Penang Skills Development Center in Bayan Lepas, Penang Island. The theme was Christmas Celebration. No project speeches, no table topics, no evaluations. Just eat, play and laugh with the variety of food catered and pot luck from members, interactive games, Christmas present gift exchange and singing. Enjoy some of the candid shots that I took on mobile phone below. And wIshing everyone an early Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year 2009.

19 Members and 19 Guests - Nov 5, 2009 at Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club Meeting

2009-11-07T10:50:00.000-08:00

When I heard that there were 19 attending guests at the November 5, 2009 meeting of Bayan Baru Toastmasters, I was curious. That is 1 person short to form a new Toastmasters Club.

Have you heard of these quotes:
1) "Weeds are plants whose usefulness have not yet been found"
2) "Strangers are friends whom we are going to meet"
3) "Guests are Toastmasters waiting to be invited to join".

Following photos are taken by Margaret Chan. Can you tell who are members and who are guests? Actually, 13 were Trainees from Western Digital with visiting N2 Area Governor and visiting Toastmasters from other clubs.

Bayan Baru Toastmasters Goes Thailand for Vacation and Joint Meeting with Hatyai Songkla Toastmasters Club

2009-11-04T20:43:00.000-08:00

Members of Bayan Baru Toastmasters organized an international trip - visiting and holding a joint meeting with Hatyai and Songkhla Toastmasters. Thanks for the photos from Club President Jessica Teo and the gang who went on a wonderful weekend trip. Khorb khun khrab.

District 51 Directory - Past & Present - Nov 1, 2009 Update

2009-11-02T01:19:00.000-08:00

Year 2009-2010

I just received the District 51 Directory. Compared with last term, the cover is more attractive showing a people orientated organization. Kudos to the District Directory Team led by District 51 Secretary Wendy Wong. Many photos are still distorted vertically or horizontally. Perhaps we can improve next term with color photos and color pages. I am impressed that the Mandarin Toastmasters Clubs have Chinese script and names.

Year: 2008-09

Over the years, the concept and design of the District 51 directory has changed little. Often it is distributed during the November Semi-Annual Convention which means nearly half the term is over.

Some NGO organizations can print their directory with all the photos on the first day of their term, perhaps we can learn from them.

In 1996. I remember District Secretary TC Lim (Kota Kinabalu) had a vision of a pocket size district directory like that of some districts.

Also he had the concept of loose leftets to be updated every now and then and every year.

The list of District Council including Steering Committee, Division Governors, Area Governors, Club Presidents and Club VP Educations are added. Very few members have email or mobile phones and fax numbers were important then.

During my term as DG in 1997, we first distributed an electronic and temporary paper directory as of July 1, 1997. I guess I could not wait to get started.

Then followed by above hard copy of above "Green" Directory.

Thanks to Rizal Fauzi (PDC) who designed the cover and District Secretary Margaret Chan (PDC) who helped me to compile the information of District Officers and Clubs.

We abandoned the leaflet concept for a permanent booklet but kept the same pocket size.

We introduced photographs. Some officers were prompt and a few were always late. Usually during any compilation of Directory, you will know who will be performers and who will be too busy for that term.

For the next three years, the District Directory continued with the pocket size concept. In 2000, list of Past District Governors were added to the Directory.

In 2001, the directory had bilingual names for Mandarin speaking clubs. The list of Club Officers was expanded from just President and VPE to all officers including IPP.

In 2002, the District Directory morphed into a larger rectangular notebook

From 2002 until now, the size of the District Directory remained the notebook size. Note: In 2005, there was no hard copy published but an electronic version was distributed online.

Here is a look at other District Directories.

District 80 (Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Thailand) directory has the names of Club Officers and Mandarin Clubs in both Chinese and English. This is obviously important for Mandarin speaking members.

Hint hint for next year District 51 Directory.

District 72 Directory (New Zealand). I received this Directory from the DG Joan Hook. It was really thin pocket size and easy and light for me to carry around as I visited Clubs all over New Zealand.

May be, we can have a second printout of a more basic "travel version" for next year's Districtory.

As due to printing and mailing cost, District Directory are printed in limited quantity and limited in distribution.

Perhaps, next year, may be the District can print some additional copies for sale to make everyone happy who wants to have a copy but are not District or Club Officers and to recoup some cost too.

Anyway, I hope to continue to collect District 51 Directories. They are informative, commemorative and a labor of love for Toastmasters.

More Pictures of District 51 Genting Convention - Indonesia Toastmasters

2009-10-28T08:35:00.000-07:00

I requested some photos from Division H Governor Indriani Asfa of Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia. Just received them - enjoy the photos.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Pictures of District 51 Semi Annual Convention @ Genting Highlands, Malaysia - October 23-25. 2009

2009-10-27T23:41:00.000-07:00

Convention photos received from DPRO Rosalind Chan. Thanks.

Hope someone has more photos to share especially of welcoming night. Would be fun for those of us not there to see who was dressed as wise wizard, wicked witch, innocent looking fairy or pixie or mischevious goblin or bloody thirsty Dracula. Anyway enjoy these more drab and serious photos except for some tongue-in-cheek expression of glee of contest winners.

Like they say, a picture paints a thousand words - so no name naming nor comments included.... on second thought, I can't resist. For clarification, DPRO Rosalind only emailed the photos, all photo comments are made by me alone and I was not even at Genting. Hope this posting will cheer your day and bouy your Toastmasters spirit.

Photo 1 - My guess is this is a group photo of organzing committee and/or hosting divisions of Klang Valley. I wonder anyone had any time to play the jackpot and made a quick buck. Note: Genting Highlands is a 7/24 Casino resort.

Photo 2: All the 3 top contest winners of D51 Humorous Speech and D51 Evaluation Speech Contest. "I won, I won" .

Photo 3 - Division N delegates. I recognize the faces. My own Division covering Penang and Kedah. I recognize Bayan Baru members - DPRO Rosalind Chan and Division N Governor Koay Kah Hin with District 51 Governor Ritchie Chong and others....

Photo 4 - Congrats Rozana of Brunei Speakers. D51 covers Toastmasters Clubs in Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia - at least for this year. Next year, we split again.

Photo 5 - Ah ha... My good friends - DPRO Rosalind with Low PDG Yat Seow. Comrades in Toastmasters.

Photo 6 - DPRO Rosalind in the Gang of 12, mainly from Division N.

Photo 7 - I recognize familiar faces... the Mandarin Toastmasters. Ni men hao. Ban nian da hui hen pang ma? (in Pinyin Mandarin)

Photo 8 - Got to be serious now. The District 51 Governor Richard Chong presenting a souvenir of appreciation to the Key Note Speaker Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye.

Breaking News: District 51 2009 Humorous Speech Contest and Evaluation Contest Results

2009-10-25T21:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Division N Govenor Koay Kah Hin for this photo of all the winners! All women! Congratulations!

Received this email from our District Public Relations Officer Rosalind Chan. Heatiest congratulations to all the winners!

Dear Fellow toastmasters,
The District Humorous and Evaluation Speech Contests were held today, Sunday 25 October 2009 at the 17th Semi-Annual Convention at Genting International Convention Centre, Genting Highlands.

We are pleased to announce the results.

HUMOROUS SPEECH CONTEST

Marianna Pascal - Champion
(Division A - Sacred Heart)
Speech Title : Local English or Standard English?

Ruby Ahmad - 1st runner up
(Division S - Langkap)
Speech Title : The Return of Holy Matrimony

Karina Razali - 2nd runner up
(Division E - Miri)
Speech Title : The Adventurer's Wife

EVALUATION SPEECH CONTEST

Asha Suresh Chand - Champion
(Division N - Oracle Advanced)

Rozana Yunos - 1st runner up
(Division K - Brunei Speakers)

Mary Barton - 2nd runner up
(Division W - WIM)

Congratulations and Well Done!!

Rosalind Chan, DTM
District Public Relations Officer 2009-2010
District 51 Theme: Toastmasters: Speaking Your Way to Magical Transformation

The Next District 51 Convention - 2010 Miri D51 Convention

2009-10-25T10:02:00.000-07:00

From the official convention blog:

Website:
2010 MIRI D51 CONVENTION
"HARNESSING OUR MOMENT OF EXCELLENCE"
21-23 May 2009

Convention Venue:
IMPERIAL HOTEL
Jalan Pos, 98000 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Tel : +60 85 431133 Fax : +60 85 431122

May be changed from time to time
DAY 1 FRIDAY 21st MAY 2010
8.00 am Registration
11.00 am - 1.00 pm District Exco Meeting
1.00 pm - 2.00 pm District Exco Lunch
2.00 pm - 4.30 pm District Council Meeting
4.30 pm - 5.00 pm Refreshment *
5.00 pm - 6.00 pm
• Mandarin Meeting
• Pidato Meeting
6.00 pm - 6.30 pm
• Contestant Briefing and Balloting (Run Offs)
• Judges & Role Players Briefing (Run Offs)
7.30 pm - 11.30 pm Welcome Night *

DAY 2 SATURDAY 22nd MAY 2010
8.00 am Opening Ceremony
10.00 am - 10.30 am Refreshment *
10.30 am - 11.30 am Plenary Session
11.30 am - 1.00 pm
• Table Topics Contest Run Off A
• Table Topics Contest Run Off B
• Mandarin Table Topics Contest
1.00 pm - 2.00 pm Lunch *
2.00 pm - 3.30 pm
• International Speech Contest Run Off A
• International Speech Contest Run Off B
Mandarin International Speech Contest
3.30 pm - 4.00 pm Refreshment *
4.00 pm - 4.45 pm Concurrent Workshops 1, 2 & 3 (2 English & 1 Mandarin)
4.45 pm - 5.30 pm Concurrent Workshops 4, 5 & 6 (2 English & 1 Mandarin)
5.30 pm - 6.00 pm
• Contestant Briefing and Balloting (Finals)
• Judges & Role Players Briefing (Finals)
7.30 pm - 11.30 pm Installation Banquet and Awards Presentation *

DAY 3 SUNDAY 23rd MAY 2010
8.30 am - 9.30 am Table Topics Contest
9.30 am - 10.00 am Refreshment *
10.00 am - 11.30 am International Speech Contests
11.30 am - 12.00 pm Certificate Presentation and Results Announcement
12.00 pm - 1.00 pm Closing Ceremony
1.00 pm - 2.00 pm Farewell Lunch *
2.00 pm - 4.00 pm Incoming District Officers Training
4.00 pm - 4.30 pm Refreshment * Good Bye!

Thursday, July 23, 2009
国际讲演会-2010年-美里-51区域-第17届年常年会员大会-节目大纲

备注：可能更改
第一天星期五
二零一零年五月二十一日
八点正 - 报到与注册
十一点至下午一点
五十一区域执委会议
一点至两点 - 享用午餐 - 限于五十一区域执委
两点至四点半
五十一区域第十七届年度全年会员大会与改选会议
四点半至五点 - 茶点
五点至六点 - 华文组会议
国文组会议
六点至六点半
演讲参赛者简报会议与抽签(英文组)
演讲裁判与执行者简报会议(英文组)
七点半至十一点半 - 欢迎晚宴

第二天星期六
二零一零年五月二十二日
八点正 - 五十一区域全年会员大会-开幕仪式
十点至十点半 - 茶点
十点半至十一点半
英文分组讲座会
十一点半至一点
即席演讲选拔赛一(英文组)
即席演讲选拔赛二(英文组)
即席演讲比赛(华文组)
一点至两点 - 享用午餐
两点至三点半
国际备稿演讲选拔赛一(英文组)
国际备稿演讲选拔赛二(英文组)
国际演讲比赛(华文组)
三点半至四点 - 茶点
四点至四点四十五
英文与华文组工作坊一,二,三(两个英文一个华文)
四点四十五至五点半
英文与华文组工作坊四,五,六(两个英文一个华文)
五点半至六点
备稿演讲参赛者简报会议与抽签(英文组决赛)
演讲裁判与执行者简报会议(英文组决赛)
七点半至十一点半
就职典礼与表扬晚宴

第三天星期日
二零一零年五月二十三日
八点半至九点半 - 即席演讲比赛(英文组)
九点半至十点 - 茶点
十点至十一点半 - 国际备稿演讲比赛(英文组)
十一点半至十二点 - 公布演讲比赛成绩与分发奖杯与奖状
十二点至一点 - 五十一区域全年会员大会-闭幕仪式
一点至两点 - 享用告别的午餐
二点至四点 - 五十一区域新执委培训会议
四点至四点半 - 茶点 - 再见！

District 51 Conventions... Past, Present, Future (Updated Oct 25, 2009)

2009-10-25T08:00:00.000-07:00

Here is the list of Past District 51 Conventions that I have compiled. Looking back, I have attended all the first 13 consecutive District 51 Conventions. Why?

If you are Toastmaster, do attend your first Convention and you will find out why. Be warned, you may get hooked for more.... and that is a great thing to be addicted to.

1st District 51P Semi-Annual Convention @Bangkok
Rose Garden, Nov 26, 1993
DG: Kelvin Ong, OC: Steve Chalitaporn
(Missing Photo - Anyone can send me one)

1st D51P Annual Convention @Kota Kinabalu
Shangri-La Tanjung Aru Resort May 27-29, 1994
DG: Kelvin Ong, OC: Adeline Leong

2nd D51P Semi-Annual Convention @Singapore
Novotel Hotel Nov 26-27 1994
DG: Li Yo Wei, OC: ?
(Missing Photo - Anyone can send me one)

2nd DP51P Annual Convention @Jakarta
Horizon Hotel, May 26-28, 1995
"Better Communication Better Understanding"
DG: Li Yo Wei, OC: Prijohandojo Kristanto

3rd D51P Semi-Annual Convention @Kuala Lumpur
Swiss Garden Hotel Nov 11-12, 1995
DG: Augustine Lee, OC: ?

3rd D51P Annual Convention @Penang
Hotel Equatorial May 24-26, 1996
"A Better Communication... A Better You"
DG: Augustine Lee, OC: Ricky Ch'ng

4th D51 Semi-Annual Convention @Malacca
Straits Meridian Hotel, Nov 16-17, 1996
DG: Dunstan Chan, OC: Sandra Shunmugam

4th D51 Annual Convention @Johor Bahru
Hyatt Regency Johor Bahru, May 20-Jun 1, 1997
"Towards Closer Toastmasters Fraternity in ASEAN"
DG: Dunstan Chan, OC: ET Lee

5th D51 Semi-Annual Convention @Kuala Lumpur
Parkroyal Hotel, November 22-23, 1997
"Converging Towards Dynamic Leadership"
DG: SL Liew, OC: Yong Phie Loong & Yow Shon

5th D51 Annual Convention @Kuching
Holiday Inn Resort, Damai Lagoon May 22-24, 1998
"We Can Make It Better"
DG: SL Liew, OC: Dunstan Chan

6th D51 Semi-Annual Convention @Penang
Shangri-La Hotel Nov 21-22, 1998
"Make A Difference"
DG: Adeline Leong, OC: Agnes Oon

6th D51 Annual Convention @Singapore
Pan Pacific Hotel May 21-23, 1999
"A Convention with Difference"
DG: Adeline Leong, OC: Leslie Yong & Christopher Teo

7th D51 Semi-Annual Convention @Bangkok
Shangri-La Hotel Nov 19-21, 1999
"Fellowship in the Amazing Land"
DG: Maimunah Natasha, OC: Paisal Sae Lor

7th D51 Annual Convention @Kota Kinabalu
Magellan Sutera May 26-28, 2000
"Moving Beyond"
DG: Mainumah Natasha, OC:Francis Tham

8th D51 Semi-Annual Convention @Johor Bahru
Eden Garden Hotel, Nov 17-19, 2000
DG: Christopher Teo, OC: Irene Lau

8th D51 Annual Convention @Hong Kong
Regal Airport Hotel, May 18-20, 2001
"Experience the Breakthrough"
DG: Christopher Teo, OC: Andy See

9th D51 Semi-Annual Convention @Kuching
Crowne Plaza Riverside Hotel, Nov 16-19, 2001
"Create Your Destiny"
DG: Lilian Lau, OC: Tan Cho Huat

9th D51 Annual Convention @Kuala Lumpur
Palace of the Golden Horses, May 24-26, 2002
"Let's Get Connected"
DG: Lilian Lau, OC: Tham Chee Wah

10th D51 Semi-Annual Convention @Singapore
Swissotel The Stamford Nov 22-24, 2002
"Dare to Excel"
DG: John Lau, OC: Simon Koh

10th D51 Annual Convention @Kuching
Damai Lagoon, Kuching, Jun 27-29, 2003
DG: John Lau, OC: James Phe & Allan Ee

11th D51 Semi-Annual Convention @Kota Kinabalu
Shangri-La's Rasa Ria, Kota Kinabalu Nov 14-16, 2003
DG: Ho Fong Ming, OC: Christopher Liew

11th D51 Annual Convention @Penang
Hotel Equatorial, May 27-30, 2004
"Creating Waves of Communication Excellence"
DG: Ho Fong Ming, OC: Roger Green

12th D51 & 1st D80 Joint Semi-Annual Conventions @Kuala Lumpur
Hilton Kuala Lumpur Nov 25-28, 2004
"Ignite your Passion & Fuel the Power of Toastmasters!"
DG51: A. Arulnathan, DG80: Gea Ban Peng
OC: Kiang Faang Pyng

12th D51 & 1st D80 Joint Annual Convention @Jakarta
Shangri-La Hotel, Jakarta May 20-22, 2005
DG51: A. Arulnathan, DG80: Gea Ban Peng
OC: Netty Djohan Kalalo

13th D51 Semi-Annual Convention @Kuching
Crowne Plaza Riverside Hotel, Kuching, Nov 24-27, 2005
DG: Low Yat Seow, OC: Law Lee Poh

13th D51 Annual Convention @Penang
The City Bayview Hotel Apr 27-30, 2006
"Harvesting the Pearls of Toastmasters"
DG: Low Yat Seow, OC: Chee Keng Kok

14th Semi-Annual Convention @Kuala Lumpur
Legend Hotel Nov 18-20, 2006
"The Magic of Toastmasters"
DG: Sivanganam Rajaretnam, OC: Ramdas Nayar

14th Annual Convention @Johor Bahru
Hyatt Regency Johor Bahru, April 27-29, 2007
"Realise Your Potential"
DG: Sivanganam OC: Karen Lee

15th Semi-Annual Convention @Medan
Tiara Medan Hotel & Convention Nov 15-18, 2007
"Amazing, Awesome and Abundant"
DG: Chee Keng Kok, OC: Sylvia Wong

15th Annual Convention @Penang
Gurney Hotel Apr 18-20, 2008
"Sharing the GIFTS"
DG: Chee Keng Kok, OC: Shankar Kailainathan

16th Semi-Annual Convention @Bali
Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel, Nov 14-16, 2008
"Challenging, Motivating, Inspiring"
DG: Joseph Gomez, OC: Veronika Trianto

16th Annual Convention @Kuching
Riverside Majestic Hotel, April 17-19, 2009
"Act to Inspire and Motivate"
DG: Joseph Gomez, OC: Zabariah Matali

17th Semi-Annual Convention @ Genting Highlands, Malaysia
First World Hotel, Genting Highlands, October 23-25, 2009
"Absolutely Magical"
DG: Richard Chong, OC: Gerald Quinten

17th Annual Convention @ Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia
Imperial Hotel, Miri, May 21-23, 2010
"HOME - Harnessing Our Moment in Excellence"
DG: Richard Chong, OC: William Kueh

Coming Soon: 18th Semi-Annual Convention @ Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
"Communication Connects - Achieving Greatness Together"

Coming Soon: 18th Annual Convention @ Penang, Malaysia
Bayview Beach Resort, Penang Island, April 29 - May 1, 2011
"Experience The Chrysalis Transformation"

Single Event Tickets for District 51 Convention in Genting Highlands, October 24-25, 2009

2009-10-18T03:18:00.001-07:00

Happy Deepavali to all. Received this email from the District Governor Ritchie Chong via Bayan Baru Club President Jessica Teo.

Good morning Club President's,

A very Good Sunday afternoon to you all. To those celebrating the
'Festival of Lights', I wish each one of you and family ," Happy
Deepavali".

I'm please to inform you that the District KL Genting semi annual
convention Organising Committee is offering a special rates for single
events this coming week. If you have not register for the whole
convention package which is lower, you may also choose to attend from
below list : -

OCT 24TH Opening Ceremony 8am - Keynote Speaker
Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye,
Saturday 03 Educational Sessions
until Noon - RM150.00 with lunch

OCT 24TH Saturday Gala Night 7pm - District Hall
of Fame presenting awards
to Toastmasters of the year, Area
Governor and Division Governor of the year
2008/2009 - RM200.00

OCT 25TH Sunday Morning Final Contests 8am
-
Closing Ceremony RM100.00 with
lunch

Please forward this infomation to your club VPE, VPPR, VPM and
SECRETARY to disseminate the information to all members. If you are
interested in any of those listed above, please get in touch with:

1. Lim Kah Hong (Finance Director), email: limkahong@gmail.com,
mobile number: 019-388-9888.
2. NJ Singam (Registration Director), email: njsingam@gmail.com,
mobile number: 016-396-3242

Looking forward welcoming you at the convention! Thank you.

Best Wishes,
Ritchie
District 51 Governor 2009/2010

Results of Oct 3, 2009 Division N Humorous and Evaluation Speech Contests

2009-10-03T08:07:00.000-07:00

Breaking news email from Bayan Baru Club President Jessica Teo:

Dear members,

Here are the results for our Division N contest

Humorous Speech Contest
Champion: Tan Teik Poh
First Runner Up: Michael Rajesh
Second Runner Up: Devigaamani Sigamani

Evaluation Speech Contest
Champion: Dr. Asha
First Runner Up:Colin Lamb
Second Runner Up: Chong Shih Jun

Jessica Teo
President 2009/2010
Bayan Baru Toastmasters (7764-51)
www.bbtmc.org
Imparting Knowledge, Realizing Dreams

District 51 Newsletter - One Voice

2009-09-23T21:42:00.001-07:00

Wow...just received District 51 Newsletter, 1st Issue. Thanks to DPRO Rosalind Chan for sending it. Great job to all the team members.

Division N Speech Contest Oct 3, 2009

2009-09-23T19:41:00.001-07:00

Received this following publicity email from Division N Governor Koay Kah Hin about the forthcoming Division N Speech Contest. It is open to all Toastmasters and members of the public.

Division N
Humorous & Evaluation
Speech Contest 2009

Oct 3rd , Saturday, 12.30pm
At Fairview International School,
Bukit Jambul, Penang.

Please come to witness this exciting event and support your favourite contestants.

On Top of That
You got the chance to win
three exciting prizes

By
Participating in the
“Judge and Win Contest”

How?

Just buy a ticket
Watch the Humorous Speech Contest
And
Pick the Three winners

If you got it right with the announced result
And be lucky
You will take home with you one of the exciting prizes.

Get Your Ticket now!!!
Contact your Club Officers or Area Governors Today.

Raya Wishes from Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club President

2009-09-18T08:14:00.000-07:00

There is a saying, "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. I received this short and sweet email from our Club President Jessica Teo to all BBTMC members. Just to share with all.

And just to add my own greeetings, "Wishing Selamat Hari Raya Aidil Fitre to all Muslim Toastmasters and a Safe and Happy Holiday to all"

Greetings,

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish all BBTMC members happy holidays and Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!!!

Do take care of yourself and your loved ones during this festive period, especially if you’re planning to travel long distances. See you again on the Oct 1st meeting.

Jessica Teo
President 2009/2010
Bayan Baru Toastmasters (7764-51)
www.bbtmc.org
Imparting Knowledge, Realizing Dreams

Know Your Lyrics

2009-09-06T16:16:00.000-07:00

August 31, 2009 was the 52nd Merdeka Independence Day. On August 31, 1957, Malaya became independent from Great Britain. Then on September 16, 1963, Malaysia was formed with the addition of Sarawak and Sabah and Singapore. Singapore later became an independent republic in 1965. Hope everyone remember the history taught in school.

At the recent Bayan Baru Installation Dinner on August 22, the event started with the singing of the National Anthem - "Negara Ku". As any patriotic Malaysian, it is important to know the exact lyrics even if you cannot sing in tune. The words carry the meaning.

I have reproduced the lyris in case anyone has forgotten since singing it every Monday during the school years.

"Negaraku, tanah tumpahnya darahku,
Rakyat hidup, bersatu dan maju,
Rahmat bahagia, Tuhan kurniakan,
Raja kita, selamat bertahkta.
Rahmat bahagia, Tuhan kurniakan,
Raja kita, selamat bertahta"

Translation in English:
My country, the land where my blood is shed,
The people live united and progressive,
Blessings of happiness, may God grant,
(And that) our King may reign in peace.
Blessings of happiness, may God grant,
(And that) our King may reign in peace.

By protocol, in Penang, the Penang State Anthem will be played immediately after the National Anthem at every official state event, so here are the lyrics.

"Selamat Tuhan kurniakan
Selamat Pulau Pinang
Negeriku yang mulia
Ku taat dan setia
Aman dan bahagia
Majulah jayalah
Negeriku yang ku cinta
Bersatu dan bersama
Untuk negeri kita"

Translation in English:
May God grant safety
Safety to Penang
My noble state
To which I am loyal and faithful
Peaceful and happy
May you progress and succeed
My state which I love
United and together
For our state

As Toastmasters International is an USA based organization, when you visit USA for the Toastmasters Irternational Convention or other reasons, you may attend an event especially baseball or American football game where it is customary to sing the National Anthem before the game begins. And at least be prepared to know a bit of the American National Anthem. I learned the song when I was studying in the US. There are 4 verses of "The Star Spangled Banner" but usually only the first verse is sung.

"Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave"

What's Happened Today? August 22, 2009 - Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club 14th Installation Dinner & Humorous Speech Contest

2009-08-22T23:02:00.000-07:00

Here is a fresh from the oven report.

I arrived just before 7pm. B2 hotel car park was full and so parked at B1 shopping mall. Not too bad, only RM3 per entry. Met member ES Tan and his children. And we nagivated into hotel lobby to avoid a light rain. Below is my ticket, a lucky number but did not win any lucky prize but ES Tan later won first prize. I must have brought ES luck at the car park.

There were 15 tables of Toastmasters and guests attending. There were two other functions going on at the same hotel floor. Fortunately, our neighbors were never too noisy.

VIPs included District 51 Peninsular Lieutenant Governor of Education Training Thannimalai who was representing District 51 Governor Ritchie Chong, District 51 Secretary Wendy and District 51 Public Relations Officer, our own Rosalind Chan as well as Division N Governor our own Koay Kah Hin and N2 Area Governor Partiban who was the installation officer.

Club Sponsors SL Liew and Margaret Chan were present. The Past Presidents attending were Dr. Janet Lim, Rosalind Chan, Margaret Chan, Mah Swee Chin, Koay Kah Hin and Michael Xavier.

Organizing Goh Hock Hai and his organizing committee did a wonderful job. The Emcees Tan Kuang Ee and John Ung coordinated well the entire evening. The opening computer animation of Michael Jackson as well as for the cartoon short feature "Glorious Food" got the audience attention. The special cha cha dance performance brought great entertainment to the audience.

Everyone was dressed up and transformed for the occasion. One of the guests that I ran into was Soo Huey who, if you remember, was the test speaker at our recent Club evaluation contest. Compare the before and after photo below.

Immediate Past President John Yeoh and his 2008-09 were discharged. Then comes the highlight where Club President Jessica Teo was duly installed together with her 2009-2010 Executive Committee. In her maiden speech Jessica Teo recognized her father who was present who was the charter member of IBBM Toastmasters in 1995 6and had introduced her to Toastmasters in a Youth Leadership Program.

There were two guest speakers LGET Thannimalai and former member Past Vice President Education Carmelita Xavier.

Then the Humorous Speech Contest with Ghim Hong as Contest Chair. There were 5 contestants: John Yeoh explained why cut is cut, cut, cut; Michael Xavier demonstrated how someone ran like a scary cat inside an elevalor when someone else sneezed; John Ung acted why no money no talk; Chew Yoon Seng confessed on he got off traffic offenses; Margaret Chan confessed forgetting names after reaching post retirement age. Bravo to all the contestants as it is not easy to make a large audience of strangers laugh. It was a great learning experience for all. One contestant exceeded time.

The Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club Humorous Speech Champion 2009 is Michael Xavier, 1st runner up John Ung and 2nd runner up Margaret Chan.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable and well organized 14th Installation Dinner and Humorous Speech Contest. The hard working organizing team and support of fellow club members to attend and bring their guests reflects the traditions of commitment, camaraderie and excellence of Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club and truly deserves a big round of applause.

"Planning The Next Three Meetings"

2009-08-20T10:09:00.000-07:00

Lately, there had been too many last minute emails, desperate sms and phone calls asking for role players.

In response, last Thursday, I delivered an advance project speech sharing my experience on an easier way to plan the next 3 meetings in advance. That way, we can spend less time chasing after role players and more time on preparing and fine tuning our speeches and spicing up our meeting roles.

Anything mammoth effort can be done easier if we break it down into simple steps.

As an analogy, how to put an elephant into a refrigerator. Just 3 steps - open the door, put in the elephant - close the door!

Now how about putting a a giraffe into the refrigerator. 3 steps? No, it is 4 steps - open the door - take out the elephant - put in the giraffe - close the door!

So to plan the next 3 meetings, we can use 4 simple steps with the acronym "AARR"
A - Ask, A - Assign, R - Report, R - Replace

ASK: Ask for CC and AC project speakers first. To decorate a glass container, you would put the important stones first, then pebbles, then sand and lastly the water. So handle the major roles first.

Club members planning to achieve their CC, AC or new enthusiastic members are waiting to be asked. Ask during club meeting. Allocate 5-10 minutes before the close of meeting, before everyone rush off. Ask when everyone is all charged up and more likely to just do it. Positive peer pressure helps too.

ASSIGN: If not enough volunteers, do not wait, just assign immediately.

If a member objects violently, then ask what role the member would prefer instead. Everyone has to play a role or two to help out and rotate roles so that everyone can learn and grow.

In a club meeting with five project speeches, there can be up to 20 roles requried. So just fill in the blanks with names of available club members who are actively attending meetings.

For Bayan Baru, it is great to have over 40 members. And with the usual 20 to 30 members attend, there are enough players to play magical chairs. But important is to assing the roles early, 3 meetings in advance. This will allow sufficient preparation for better learning and self-development. For new members, if assigned role in the third meeting, they have plenty of opportunity to observe how the roles are performed by others in the next two meetings before their turn in their maiden roles.

REPORT: Immediately email out the roles assigned to all club members.

By putting it in black and white, it will avoid forgetting who had signed up for a certain role and making it a first come first serve basis.

When in print, it is like a MOU and an IOU. It is a ROU - "Role Officially Undertaken". OK, ROU is a new term that I have coined up.

Once reported, please do not later request a member to postpone their project to the next meeting or make way for another member, This can be disheartening, devasting and demoralizing. Respect a ROU.

REPLACEMENT: Many members do not want to commit three meeetings or even one meeting in advance for fear that they cannot make it.

Reassure them to go for it as we can always have replacement if they cannot do it last minute. Every member can do any role, even double roles or triple roles. So using replacement is a great back-up plan for success.

In summary, We do not plan to fail but often fail to plan. Using 5-10 minutes of the meeting program time to plan the next three meetings when everyone is present can go a long way to plan for succes.

Use the 4 steps "AARR" to help you to plan the next three meetings. It is an investment that will bear great fruits to the club educational program and help club members to achieve their educational goals step by step. May the force of planning be with you always.

Bayan Baru Evaluation Contest 2009

2009-08-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

I had been away for club meetings. Finally, this Thursday night of August 20, 2009, I made a point to atttend. The first half of the meeting was the Club Evaluation Contest 2009.

In 2007, I was the Bayan Baru Club Evaluation Champion. Then I proceeded to be N2 Area Evaluation Champion, then Division N Evaluation Champion and then clinching 3rd place at District 51 Evaluation Contest in Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia. Just a gentle reminder.

Tonight, I could relax. I was just a supportive member in the audience. The crowd was about 25 persons.

The test speaker was from Achievers Club. She had great vocals and effective use of hand gestures and talked about not judging another person by their external looks and circumstances. Hence she was dressed in jeans with a cap just to make the point.

The two timers - one with a wearing mask. How scary. Fortunately no one was disqualified on time.

There were six brave contestants.

Congratulations to the winners. The Evaluation Champion 2009: TK Mah (center), 2nd place John Yeoh, 3rd place Margaret Chan. The first two winners will proceed to N2 Area Evaluation contest as N2 Area has only 4 Clubs. Left: Club Presidente Jessica Teo, Contest Chair SC Ng and N2 Area Governor Parthiban (right).

Breaking News: 2009 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking is ...

2009-08-16T11:24:00.000-07:00

Mark Hunter of District 69 from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia is the new 2009 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking.

Heartiest congratulations!

The results:
1st Mark Hunter - “A Sink Full of Green Tomatoes”, DNARB - District 69 - Queenlands, Australia
2nd Mary Cheyne - “Nelly”, Region #7 - District 31 - New England, USA
3rd Eric Rainey - “Feed the Right Dog”, Region #1- District 7 - Oregon, USA

Note: Ong Swee Keat, earlier, has the distinction of competing against Mark Hunter in DNARB Contest.

Breaking News: Third Vice President from District 51

2009-08-15T12:03:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to our Past District 51 Governor Dr. John Lau of Sarawak, Malaysia to be the first Toastmaster from District 51 to be elected as the Third Vice President of Toastmasters International 2009-2010 at the 78th International Convention in Connecticut USA.

The Third Vice President will usually move up the ladder to be eventually the International President of Toastmasters International.

Heartiest congratulations to John from all of us in District 51.

Breaking News from Toastmasters International Convention in Mashantucket, Connecticut, USA

2009-08-13T00:39:00.001-07:00

Photo: MGM Grand Foxwoords, Convention Venue of Toastmasters 78th Annual International Convention, August 12-15, 2009, "Find Fun by the Bucket…in Mashantucket!", Connecticut, USA.

Received breaking news from our Club member Ong Swee Keat who competed in the Group B of the DNAR (Districts Not Assigned to Regions) International Speech Contest held in the evening of Aug 11, 2009

Although Ong Swee Keat is not placed in the top 3 in the DNARB contest, bravo to Ong for representing Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club and for representing Distric 51 and for having prepared so hard the past 3 months to participate in this high calibre world standard speech contest. The experience gained will bring Ong to greater heights in public speaking.

Heartiest congratulations to the 1st place winners of both DNARA and DNARB who will proceed to the finale - "Toastmasters International - World Championship of Public Speaking 2009", this August 15, 2009 Saturday morning 9am at Toastmasters 78th Annual International Convention, Mashantucket, Connecticut, USA.

DNARA:
1st - Herminigildo V. Garrobo - Philippine - District 75
2nd - Douglas Kruger - South Africa - District 74
3rd - Donald Yee - Hong Kong - District 80

DNARB
1st - Mark Hunter - Queensland, Australia - District 69
2nd - Anika Stapleton - St. Vincent, The Caribbean - District 81
3rd - George O'Keeffe - Victoria, Australia - District 73

For the Toastmasters International official news and finalist list of contestants including North American Regions, click here

I googled and found this descriptive eye witness report:

From District 27 LGET Paul White,
"Here is the “haps” from the Interdistrict Speech contests.

There were two separate contests. I attended Contest “B” - which had speakers mostly from Asia with Mexico and the island Carribean also competing. The contest speakers were excellent. A wheel-chair bound guy named Mark Hunter from Cairns who has a booming voice and a good storyline about letting go of emotional baggage won first place. Mark has been on the big stage before and has competed at International at least six times.

A young lady who was a ‘first-timer’ from the Caribbean won second place and George O’Keefe from Western Australia placed third.

In Speech Contest “A,” a Filipino named Herminigildo V. Garrobo won fist place, followed by many times over contestant Douglas Kruger from South Africa and Donald Yee.

I have seen Viki and Heath working the floor and many District 27 members here, there and everywhere. The excitement of seeing so many Toastmasters from around the world never grows old."

Note: Last year, our District 51 representative, K Loghandran of Speakers Dream Toastmasters Club of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia achieved District 51 history for winning 2nd place in the finale of World Championship of Public Speaking, click here

It was Loghandran's second time representing District 51. So Ong Sweet Keat, take a deserving break, enjoy the rest of your first Toastmasters International Convention and go again a second time.

Good Luck & All the Best at the InterDistrict International Speech Contest

2009-08-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

Let us all wish good luck and all the best to our club member Ong Swee Keat as he leaves for Connecticut, USA to represent District 51 in the Inter-District International Speech Contest this August.

Ong Swee Keat is the second member of Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club of Penang, Malaysia. after Michael Xavier in 2000, to achieve this great honor.

Ong Swee Keat, our hearts and spirits are with you. You are already a winner. We await even greater news.

Bayan Baru Club President Jessica Teo (left), Ong Swee Keat (right)

Bayan Baru - First CL - First DCP Goal Achieved!

2009-08-05T22:03:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Vice President of Education Goh Hock Hai for achieving his Competent Leadership (CL) Award and helping Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club achieved our first Distinguished Club Program (DCP) goal for the term 2009-2010. That's leadership by example. Bravo.

Per TI Online Educational Achievement Report @July 30, 2009
7764 N 2 CL 07/16/2009 Hock Hai, Goh Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club

Bayan Baru Toastmaters Club President's 2009-2010 Theme Speech

2009-07-31T10:41:00.000-07:00

"Imparting Knowledge, Realizing Dreams"

What I envision this term is to make simple practical changes.

Knowledge
As a community club we are privileged to have members from diverse backgrounds. Every member has a different views and expertise.

We are people organization. To sustain and grow, we need to constantly encourage one another and build each other up. Be generous with your praises.

Think or try out something out of the box. TMEs, role players if you have any new ideas, bring it up to the VPE or me. Let’s coordinate for the better.

For tenured members, I would encourage all of you to continue to doing assignments. A knife needs to be honed else it will rust. Learning is a life long process, by going thru the assignment second time around, you might have different insight.

Dreams
I have a dream. A dream to lead the club to greater heights to my best of my ability. In order to achieve my dream, I need to make a major decision... A decision which is to stand out of my comfort zone. With past learnings as exco member within the club and with club members support nothing is impossible.

Every one of us has dreams. Dreams are just dreams if it is not put to action.

We are at the beginning of the term. Have your education goals written out and determine a dateline for yourself. Why? It helps you to be focus. It also helps the club officers to track your educational progress.

Toastmasters program gives equal opportunity to all who wants to focus on the leadership track. Most of us are rarely given opportunity in real working environment. Toastmasters program is a proven program that has transform many lifes and careers. Take a step beyond the four walls by making your self available as a resource.

Time management
In the moments of truth, one of the reasons members cannot be retained and potential members do not sign up is due to poor time management. How can we make a manage it? Make it a point to arrive early and all role players need to work within the allocated time slots. Everyone’s time is precious. Time that flies will never return. If there any additional follow up, you may do offline via phone or email.

What can we do if we arrive earlier? Help to set up the meeting room, greet one another and initiate a conversation to get know one another better. Sometimes we have guest attending our meetings. Brief them on the meeting flow and get to know them better during break.

When a meeting runs overtime, guest and members leave meeting in a hurry as they need to get back to work the next day or fulfill their commitment with their family... There is no time to bid farewell or close off the sale with potential members. After every meeting ends, some members still need time to clear the room.

"Change is inevitable. Change is constant"....Benjamin Disraeli

With this few positive changes we will achieve to great heights.

Looking forward to serve all of you.

Jessica Teo
President 2009/2010
Bayan Baru Toastmasters (7764-51)

Division N - Which Club in Which Area? July 31, 09 Update

2009-07-31T01:23:00.000-07:00

With the coming Division N Contests, are also wondering which Clubs are now aligned into which Area...

My opinion - it is best not to constantly realign clubs and that any realignment is in the best interest of the affected club and with the prior consent of the club Exco and members. Rolling stones gather no moss. It take awhile for dynamic inter-club bonding to take place. When I was a District Officer, I constantly reminded myself the primary role of a District is to help the club help the club members - not the other way around.

CURRENT TERM 2009-2010
Source: Toastmasters International Online Report

N1 AREA
4388... Butterworth Club
997387. USM ALUMNI Toastmasters Club
752.... Penang Toastmasters Club
6843... Penang Seagate Toastmasters

N2 AREA
7764... Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club
9699... Intel Penang Toastmasters Club
918646. INTEL MSSC Toastmasters
1252031 Venture Toastmasters Club

N3 AREA
5955... Y.M.C.A. Toastmasters Club
7371... PDC Toastmasters Club
791322. Achievers Toastmasters Club
1204228 Mattel Malaysia Toastmasters Club

N4 AREA
1326267 Entegris Kulim Toastmasters Club
1066107 Intel Kulim Toastmasters Club
1149167 MDT Toastmasters Club
813778. MEF Kulim Toastmasters Club
693542. Renesas Semiconductor Kedah Club

N5 AREA
8747... Sungai Petani Club
3819... Silterra Toastmasters Club
1364341 Politeknik Tuanku Sultanah Bahiyah
7211... Kulim Toastmasters Club

N6 AREA
1350324 Oracle Advanced Toastmasters Club
1197199 Penang Altera Toastmasters Club
8156... Darulaman Club
693567. Institut Perkim-Goon 1 Club
693895. Sg Bakap Toastmasters Club

N7 AREA
1060821 YMSC Penang Bilingual
694333. Penang Muslim League Tamil Club
2881... Penang Tamil Club

LAST TERM 2008-2009

Area N1
2881 Penang Tamil Club, Butterworth
4388 Butterworth Club, Penang
693895 Mavericks, Georgetown
1197199 Penang Altera Toastmasters Club, Bayan Lepas

Area N2
7764 Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club, Bayan Baru
9699 Intel Penang Toastmasters Club, Bayan Lepas
744720 Mas Tanjong Club, Bayan Lepas
918646 Intel Malaysia Speak Up Toastmasters, Penang

Area N3
5955 Y.M.C.A. Toastmasters Club, Georgetown
791322 Achievers Toastmasters Club, Georgetown
694333 Penang Muslim League Tamil Club, Georgetown
1060821 YMSC Penang Bilingual, Georgetown
1204228 Mattel Malaysia Toastmasters Club, Prai

Area N4
3819 Silterra Toastmasters Club, Kulim
693542 Renesas Semiconductor Kedah Club, Kulim
813778 MEF Kulim Club, Kulim
1066107 Intel Kulim Toastmasters Club, Kulim
1149167 MDT Toastmasters Club, Prai

Area N5
7211 Kulim Toastmasters Club, Kulim
8156 Darulaman Club, Alor Star
8747 Sungai Petani Club, Sungai Petani
1195151 Naza Gurun, Gurun
1252031 Venture, Bayan Lepas, Penang

Area N6
6843 Penang Seagate Toastmasters, Penang
7371 PDC Toastmasters Club, Georgetown
693567 Institut Perkim-Goon 1 Club, Penang
930248 St Nicholas Toastmasters, Penang

Area N7
752 Penang Toastmasters Club, Bayan Lepas
4171 Langkawi Toastmasters Club, Kuah
997387 USM Alumni Toastmasters Club, Georgetown
1060816 Metro, Georgetown

AH1N1 - No handshakes, self-quarrantine

2009-07-29T17:40:00.000-07:00

Photo: A(H1N1)Virus, Source: Internet

Today, there are more reports of schools being closed in Malaysia due to local transmission of AH1N1 infection.

Not to create a panic, it is important to keep ourselves updated on the current situation and take public health and personal health precautions.

My personal opinion, if you feel unwell with high fever and suspect you may be having a flu, stay away from Toastmasters events and go see a doctor immediately.

According to BBC online source, "a fever - which is a temperature of 38ºC (100.4ºF) - is the key symptom, combined with other complaints which may include a cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and aching limbs. Some people with the virus have also reported nausea and diarrhoea." Symptons are known to vary in degrees and mildness from person to person.

At Club meetings, instead of the routine handshake, we can greet each other or transfer control of meeting with a warm and hearty smile and plenty of friendly eye contact.

Personally, I feel that wearing a face mask during a club meeting or sneezing and coughing continuously during a club meeting is best avoided. Just stay away until you feel better. Food for thought.

Some links I read. Just google for more....

UK National Health Service
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Pandemic-flu/Pages/QA.aspx

BBC Q&A about AH1N1
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/8021958.stm

World Health Organization - Latest reports of AH1N1 (Swine Flu)
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html

Invitation to Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club Installation and Humorous Speech Contest

2009-07-15T01:41:00.000-07:00

As Michael Jackson sang, "I'll Be There".

"Will You Be There" at Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club 14th Installation and Humorous Speech Contest.

Please contact OC Goh Hock Hai or Club President Jessica Teo.

How many Clubs in Penang (Pulau Pinang)?

2009-07-14T14:59:00.000-07:00

(Updated July 14, 2009)

If you are looking to join or visit a Toastmasters Club in Penang, Malaysia, here is my list to help you decide.

Some clubs are extra dynamic. Some are smaller and cosier. Others may not meet as often. So do call ahead using this Toastmasters Internatioanal Official Directory. If not sure, you can post here. Most community clubs will welcome walk-in guests who are interested to know more about the Toastmasters program for self-development in communication and leadership skills.

Note: (Year of Charter, Membership, Meeting Time)

I) PENANG ISLAND (Community Clubs)
Bayan Baru (1996, 43, 1st, 3rd Thu 8pm)
Butterworth (1980, 13, 2nd, 4th Wed 8pm)
YMCA (1985, 20, 1st, 3rd Thu 8pm)
Penang (1979, 11, 2nd, 4th Tue 8pm)
Achievers (2005, 20, 2nd, 4th Thu 8pm)
Gurney Hydro (2007, 20, 1st, 3rd Wed 8pm)
Farlim (2005, 23, 2nd, 4th Wed 8pm)
Vista Penang (2002, 22, 1st, 3rd Tue 7pm)
Sungai Ara (2006, 13, 2nd, 4th Tue 8pm)
Penang Advanced (2002, 13, 2nd, 4th Fri 7:30pm)
Helping Hand Advanced (2009, 20, 1st, 3rd Mon 8pm)
Oracle Advanced (2009, 20, 2nd Sat 2pm)
Penang MCA (1997, 20, 1st, 3rd Tue 8pm)
Bukit Gelugor (2006, 24, 2nd, 4th Wed 7pm)
MCA Batu Ferringhi (2005, 6, 4th Thu 8pm)
Penang Junior Chamber (2008, 7, 2nd, 4th Sat 1:30pm)
Voices (1999, 20, 2nd, 4th Thu 8pm)

Bayan Baru Mandarin (1998, 24, 2nd, 4th Thu 8:30pm)
Penang Hokkien Assn. (1999, 22, 1st, 3rd Wed 8:30pm)
Chee Hoon Khor (2002, 11, 1st, 3rd Thu 8:30pm)
Charismastic Leader (2000, 10, 1st, 3rd Tue 8:30pm)
Superstar Mandarin (2008, 8, 2nd, 4th Tue 8pm)
Talkup Advanced Mandarin (2005, 6, 2nd Wed 8:30pm)

PenangMuslimLeagueTamil(2004,20,1st,3rdTue8:45pm)
Penang Tamil (6, 2nd, 4th Wed 8:45pm)

YMSC Penang Bilingual (2007, 11, 2nd & 4th 9:30pm)

II) PENANG ISLAND (Inhouse Clubs)
Intel Penang (1993, 25, 1st, 3rd Thu 6pm)
Intel Malaysia Speakup (2006, 6, 1st, 3rd Fri 3pm)
Penang Seagate (2002, 35, 2nd, 4th Thu 12pm)
PDC (1989, 20, 2nd, 4th Thu 4pm)
Dell Penang (2005, 21, Thu 6pm)
Penang Adventist Hospital (2007, 21,1st,3rd Wed 5:25pm)
Penang Altera (2008, 22, 1st, 3rd Mon 12pm)
Motorola Penang (2005, 27, 1st, 3rd Thu 12pm)
Motorola(II)CyberSpeakers(08,23,2ndThu,4thMon12pm)
Institut Perkim-Goon 1 (2004, 20, 2nd, 4th Sat 10am)
Renesas Semiconductor (2003, 26, 2nd, 4th Tue 6pm)
RenesasSuccessPenang(2007, 20, 1st, 3rd Tue 6:30pm)
RDM (2008, 6, 2nd, 4th Thu 6pm)
Benchmark Penang (2007, 13, 2nd, 4th Wed 12pm)
Equator (2008, 8, 1st, 3rd Wed 6pm)
USM Alumni (2007, 8, 2nd, 4th Tue 4:30pm)
Venture (2008, 0, 2nd, 4th Thu 5pm)
Pentamaster (2009, 25, 2nd, 4th Fri 12pm)

III) PENANG MAINLAND (Community Clubs):
Seberang Jaya (1998, 20, 1st, 3rd Tue 8pm)
Bagan Ajam (2006, 26, 2nd, 4th Fri 8:15pm)
Bukit Mertajam Bigfoot (2006, 9, 2nd, 4th Wed 8pm)
MEF (2003, 20, 1st, 3rd Thu 8pm)
Sungai Bakap (8, 2nd, 4th Thu 8pm)

Wellesley Mandarin (2003, 13, Wed 8:30pm)
CES Mandarin (2008, 6, Wed 9pm)

IV) PENANG MAINLAND (Inhouse Clubs):
Amphenol (2009, 20, 1st, 3rd Wed 5:30pm)
Ann Joo Steel (2005, 6, 2nd, 4th Wed 12:30pm)
MDT (2008, 22, Mon 12pm)
Team Flantech(2008, 20, 1st, 3rd Wed 8pm)
Mattel Malaysia (2008, 29, Tue 12pm)