Visiting Penang Seagate Toastmasters Evaluation Contest - August 25, 2011

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.

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

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.

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

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

Visit to Penang Toastmasters Club - Feb 9, 2010

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.

How many Clubs in Penang (Pulau Pinang)?

(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)

2009-2010 Club Exco of Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club (Updated Aug 6, 2009)

On Thursday, June 4, 2009, the 2009-2010 Club Officers of Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club (7764-51) of Penang Island, Malaysia were duly elected. Heartiest congratulations!

President - Jessica Teo
Vice President Education - Goh Hock Hai
Vice President Membership - Eileyn Chua
Vice President Public Relations - John Ung
Secretary - Teh Ghim Hong
Treasurer - Teoh Teik Thong
Sergeant-At-Arms - Ng Sim Choo
Immediate Past President - John Yeoh



Visit our Bayan Baru Toastmasters official website

Visiting Butterworth Toastmasters, Penang Island - April 8, 2009

I received an email from Jayie Tan inviting me to attend the Butterworth Toastmasters Club meeting in their new state-of-the-art venue at Suntech City, 10th Floor, Metal Room, Bayan Baru in Penang Island at 7:30 pm -9:30 pm every 2nd and 4th Wednesday.

As a former Butterworth Toastmasters Club member, I could not resist to see "old friends" again and visit this fantastic venue next to Sunshine Square, Bayan Baru in Penang Island and I was not disappointed but pleasantly delighted.

The Toastmaster of the Meeting SK Yao was in her usual element and led a very enjoyable and entertaining meeting with full laughter and fellowship.

So a visit to Butterworth Toastmasters Club at their great new meeting venue is highly recommended.

The meeting floor is carpeted with modern ergonomic chairs with restrooms complete with sauna albeit not in operation yet and coffee break at the open terrace on the 10th floor overlooking Bayan Baru township is break for a breathe of fresh air. All for RM5 for guests and visiting Toastmasters.

Photos below:
1) Welcoming sign at this impressive post modern building.
2) One of the most impressive meeting rooms that I have been.
3) Club President Leong Siew Foong
4) Advanced speech by KH Tan on the wisdom on the Second Penang Bridge.
5) Supportive friendly members and guests.

Members Birthday, CC & Project Speech

Here are some snapshots that I have taken of tonight's Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club Meeting @ November 20th, 2008.

- Happy Birthday cake for November born: Leong Teng Leong, Alfred Kuan and VPPR Chew Yoon Seng.

- Only 4 Speech projects were delivered instead of original 8 members who had signed up. Bravo for Tajima, Alfred, Kishen and John for prevailing.

- As usual, President John Yeoh led by example, did his advanced project as "Guest" at a talk show entitled "Genghis Khan" with recently back from Bali, Michael Xavier playing the host.

- It was Guests Night. Prakash Rao brought his two children, Kuan Ee brought 4 classmates. Alfred Kuan brought his colleague Zan.

- Our 2nd Competent Communicator for this term:
Club Secretary Kishen Velu, CC. Congratulations.

Venture Toastmasters - Newest Club in Penang

VENTURE TOASTMASTERS CLUB



Welcome to the Toastmasters family in Penang.

The information below is obtained from Toastmasters International online website.

Charter Number: 1252031
Charter Date: October 21, 2008
Type of Club: Inhouse Club (English)

Meeting Time: 2nd, 4th Thursday, 5pm
Venue: Venture Electronics Services (M) Sdn. Bhd
Plot 44, Bayan Lepas Industrial Park, Bayan Lepas, Penang Island
Contact Number: 04 642 8000

Area Designated: Area N-5
- Venture is aligned together with Clubs in Kedah. My guess is because the Club Sponsor is from Kulim Toastmasters and current Area N-5 Governor. Perhaps Venture will be realigned to an Area in Penang Island next term.

Club Sponsors : Frank Yap, Chew Kah Hooi.
- primary role of Club sponsor is to assist a club to be chartered.

Club Mentors: Frank Yap, Chandrakumaar Subramaniam.
- primary role of Club mentor is to assist the running of a club for six months after charter.

Penang Seagate Toastmasters Are The Champion

Left to Right: Club President Doris Foo, Club Supporter, Devigaamani & Audrey

Penang Seagate Toastmasters (Area N-6) emerged as Champions at today's Division N Evaluation Contest 2008.

Audrey Cheah and Devigaamani Sigamani were both Area N-6 Winners competiting in the Division N Evaluation and Humorous Speech Contest respectively.

It takes a village to raise a child, it takes a club to groom a speech champion.




Heartiest congratulations to Audrey Cheah of Penang Seagate - the newly crowned Division N Evaluation Speech Contest 2008 Champion. Next Bali...

More details on contest....

How the first Mandarin Toastmasters in Penang started..

First Club Meeting - Newspaper report: Lim Ah Lek of JB Mandarin Toastmasters (seated far right), Division N Governor Jayie Tan (seated far left), Protem President Ong Poh Hin (standing, second from right)




Charter Night Photo @Bukit Jambul Country Club, Penang
(Front Row) Club Sponsor SL Liew, Guest-of-Honor YB Koay Kah Huah, Charter President Ong Poh Hin, Club Sponsor Margaret Chan
(Back, left to right) Mah Swee Chin, Lim Seng Tean, Quah Kean Lim, Emily Tan, Poh Bak Lean, Amos Teoh, Ooi Poh Tin, Koay Kah Hin were all charter members.

I have just wandered into the Bayan Baru Mandarin Toastmasters Club website and am impressed by the achievements of the Club over the years.

Back in 1998, I had tried without success to ask bilingual Toastmasters to form the first Mandarin Club in Penang. I had seen how dynamic Mandarin Toastmasters Clubs were in Singapore, Sabah, Sarawak and Johor.

Although my Mandarin was rudimentary, I decided to take it upon myself to establish the first Mandarin speaking Toastmasters Club in Penang. I felt strongly it was a worthwhile venture.

With the help of Margaret Chan from the English Speaking Bayan Baru Toastmasters (7764-51), we advertised in the local newspapers. One of the first persons who called me was Ooi Poh Tin.

She asked me in Mandarin whether it was a public speaking or social club. "Shi bu shi ju le bu?" I replied "Bu shi". At that time, my Mandarin was still not so good. I thought she asked me "Jiao Yi Bu" - whether I was from the Education department. And so I said "No" but invited her to attend our first demonstration meeting to find out more.

The first demonstration meeting was held at Panther's Club, Relau in Penang Island which was located across the road from PISA. Arrangement was made for a Chinese newspaper reporter to attend our first demonstration meeting. But how was I going to explain the role of SAA or Table Topics session in Mandarin?

I had the Mandarin version of C&L manual but I wanted to put the best foot forward to the news media. Luckily as District Governor, I knew some of the Mandarin Toastmasters Clubs. Lim Ah Lek of Johor Bahru Mandarin came to the rescue and took a bus from JB to Penang to be present at our first demonstration meeting and to professionally answer all the questions asked by the guests and newspaper reporter.







We had members in our Bayan Baru Toastmasters who were Mandarin speaking and they all chipped in by becoming charter members too. Even our outgoing Bayan Baru President Janet Lim, incoming President Joachim Xavier and Rosalind Chan who did not speak Mandarin joined as Charter Members to help us get the minimum twenty members to start the Club.

Bayan Baru Mandarin (7050-51) was chartered on June 1998. For several years, many of us were dual members of both Bayan Baru English and Mandarin Clubs. I even completed up to C&L P5 in Mandarin. Both clubs still meet at the same location, now at PSDC on Thursdays but on different weeks but both clubs are no longer Siamese twins and have chartered each own independent separate journeys. Perhaps one day, we can reestablished closer ties again including waiving of guest fees or joint meetings.

Now back to 1998 again, at the Bayan Baru Mandarin Charter night, as the Club Sponsor, I had to give a speech in Mandarin. Again, Lim Ah Lek helped me through fax to write a splendid speech in Mandarin. However, my delivered speech was more impromptu than the text. It was like giving my icebreaker speech. Fortunately, the audience were very supportive and there was no YouTube then.




Here are some milestones.

Despite initial objections, I made a bold proposal to move Bayan Baru Mandarin from N2 area to be aligned with Division A Mandarin Clubs in Johor. That helped to accelerate the growth of Mandarin Clubs in Penang with Officer training in Mandarin, a Mandarin speaking Area Governor as well as inter-Mandarin club exchanges.

Eventually, Division M in District 51 was formed for all Mandarin Clubs covering Singapore, Peninsular Malaysia and Hong Kong. Mandarin Clubs in Sarawak and Sabah chose to remain in their own Divisions.

Another milestone that I am glad I was involved was this. When I was LGET, with the initiative from Lim Ah Lek and support of the 5th JB Annual Convention OC ET Lee, we officially formalized the Mandarin workshops/contests into District 51 Convention program.

I also helped to submit to Toastmasters International 3 more advanced manuals in Mandarin that was translated by the Mandarin Toastmasters Clubs in Singapore.





Eventually, I hope, although there are current obstacles, there will be a separate Mandarin Speaking District in Asia like the Spanish Speaking District of Mexico. I think the mindset that "not more than one District over one geographical region" can be changed. As Toastmasters, we need to adapt with the changing reality of the global community as Mandarin gains more prominence.

Though no longer active in the Mandarin speaking Clubs, I have benefited from the opportunity to deliver speeches in my begining Mandarin. It gave me much confidence when I later worked in China.

To Bayan Baru Mandarin Toastmasters and all other Mandarin Toastmasters Clubs in Penang - "Jia You"

Visiting Butterworth Toastmasters Club - Sep 24

I was there as a contest judge for the Humorous Speech Contest. It was a Wednesday night. The Club venue was at Northam Tower, near the famous Gurney Drive of Penang island and was at one of the meeting rooms of Olympia College on the 28th floor. We had supper at Northam Beach Cafe.

Yes, once I was a hard core member of Butterworth Toastmasters. I was the Organizing Chair of Butterworth 20th Anniversary and compiled a year to year photo writeup souvenir book.

The Club has never met in Butterworth but always is Penang island in her 28 years of existence. So you may ask why was the Club named "Butterworth Toastmasters"? Come to the meeting and ask.

The winner of the Evaluation Contest was SK Yao. Congratulations! Photo showing Club President Siew Foong (left) presenting award to SK.













The winner of the Humorous Speech Contest was Tan Kok Hong. Syabas!













Unfortunately, one of the contestants was disqualified due to time.

It is important that as Toastmasters that we always try to speak within allocated time during our regular club meetings whether we play roles, give an evaluation or do our project speech. Practise makes perfect. So when it comes to contests, no problem in speaking within the time specified.

Tip: Do not wait until seeing the red light to stop.
Start summarizing your speech whenever you see the green light. Give your concluding sentence when you see the amber (yellow) light and before the red light is turned on.

Also met the incumbent N1 Area Governor as well as members of Gurney Toastmasters Club and YMCA Penang Toastmasters Club.

To my surprise, the members of Gurney Toastmasters did not know who I was and that there is a Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club in Bayan Baru. Better talk to the Vice President of Public Relations of my club.

If you like controversy - here is one. Both Butterworth and Bayan Baru Toastmasters were "shockingly moved" into N6 Area without consultation for this term starting July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. There were vocal protests and now both clubs are happily back in their respective N1 and N2 Area which they had been since Day One in 1993 when N1 and N2 were formed.

People power. Club Power.

Pictorial History of Bayan Baru Toastmasters (Updated)

Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club (1996-2010)



Charter Members 1996. Meeting Venue: Bayan Baru Residents Assocation, near Sunshine Square




First Christmas Meeting, Dec 1996




Meeting Venue moved to Panthers Club, Relau - opposite of PISA. Club Photo 2001





Meeting Venue moved to current premise at Penang Skills Development Center (PSDC), Bayan Lepas near Snake Temple @2004





Club Term End Appreciation Dinner 2004





Club Exco and members 2005





President's Distinguished again @JB Hyatt Regency, April 2007





Bayan Baru supporters @Division N Humorous Speech & Evaluation Speech Contest, Intel PG12, October 2007





Bayan Baru supporters @N2 Area International & Table Topics Contest, Sri Malaysia Bayan Baru, February 2008





Achieving President's Distinguishe Club award again, 10 out of 10 DCP goals, with International President Chris Ford @Penang Gurney Hotel, April 2008





Largest contingent of supporters of Bayan Baru Toastmasters @ Division N Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contest, Intel PG9, October 2008





Club Exco 2009-2010






Visit to Thailand; Joint meeting with Songkhla-Haadyai Toastmasters, Nov 2009





Christmas Meeting, December 2009





Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club: Members and new Executive Committee 2010-2011