Highlights of Division N Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contest 2008

Date: October 25, 2008 Saturday
1pm - Venue: Intel U Penang PG9

First was registeration. Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club members were manning the counter. Still I had to pay RM10. Honest folks. Saw the Deepavali decoration in the background by Intel.




Could see the contestants "relaxing" and were hving a pre-contest get-to-know each other. Perhaps contest briefing would happen soon or already done.





I went on the stage to get a feel. Just a few early birds. Most of the guests had not yet arrived or still milling outside.




Timing device was huge and right in front.





Took a quick look at the Humorous Speech Contest and Evaluation Trophies, including Certificates of Participation and Certificate of Appreciation for Organizing Committee members.





Next important stop was the restroom. Every contestant and members of the audience need to quickly know where it was located.




1:30pm
The Toastmaster of Day Rosalind Chan (Bayan Baru) did the roll call by Areas. Here are the list of clubs in each Area N1 to Area N7.



First, the Event Organizing Chair Frank Yap (Kulim) thanked his committee.

Then Division N Governor Eddy Chew (Achievers) gave his welcoming speech with 007 James Bond Presentation to introduce all the 7 Contestants each of both contests.



2:00pm
Humorous Speech Contest Chair June Lim (YMCA Penang) introduced each of the speaker.

Suddenly, Murphy's Law showed up. The hand mike and the clip mike started to act. It was unfortunate but unplanned.

The first speaker was able to overcome this difficulty to deliver his speech despite of the distracting sound system. Throughout the contests, the sound system caused intermittent problems.

As we seldom use the mike and amplifiers at club meetings, inexperience of handling this during contest can rattle any speaker preventing peak performance.




Here were the names of Humorous Speech Contestants in their speaking order:

1) Sherman Chew (Area N4 - Intel Kulim) - "Criteria of A Successful Salesperson" - about the 3Ps of effective selling.
2) Devigaamani Sigamani (Area N6 - Penang Seagate) - "Accidents, Accidents" - about personal story of motorbike accident.
3) Anne Kathleen Haslam (Area N5 - Sungai Petani) - "The Young Ones" - about staying young at heart, sang a song twice.
4) Michael Xavier ( Area N2 - Bayan Baru) - "What A Dumb Idea" - about smart and dumb bosses.
5) Penny Ooi (Area N1 - Maverick) - "Little Penny" - about being petite but advantages.
6) Selvaraj Balasundram (Area N7 - Penang) - "The Secret Link of Obama, McCain and Hollywood" - about trip to USA.
7) Kee Eng Hai (Area N3 - YMCA Penang) - "Elvis Phua Chu Kang" - about Elvis Presley and Singapore PCK, sang, danced and impersonations.





Around 3pm
Break time with vegetarian nasi lemak, curry puffs, bottled water.




3:30pm
Evaluation Contest Chair Goh Hock Hai (Bayan Baru) introduced the test speaker Joanne Tan (Gurney) with her speech title "Heels Up".

The speech title was mispronounced but Joanne had the presence of mind to clarify it. I enjoyed her entertaining speech about the advantages for a woman to wear high heels. Great body language to say the least.




Then all Evaluation Contestants were ushered out for 5 minutes preparation.

Meanwhile an interview session was carried for the Humorous Speech Contestants. It was good that the contestants were asked which club they were from. Very often, the audience had no idea.

Next photo showed too many Toastmasters to put on a clip mike. We are always learning as Toastmasters.




Then, one by one, each Evaluation Contestant gave their 2-3 minutes speech. The 7 contestants in their speaking sequence were:

1) Foong Wai Yi (Area N4 - Siltera)
2) Penny Ooi (Area N1 - Maverick)
3) Teo Tang Ghee (Area N5 - Darulaman)
4) Ricky Ch'ng (Area N3 - YMCA Penang)
5) Michael Xavier (Area N2 - Bayan Baru)
6) Cheryll Ng (Area N7 - Penang)
7) Audrey Cheah (Area N6 - Penang Seagate)






Apologies for poor non-flash old tech mobile phone snap shots. Just to give you a feel of the atmosphere.

You can get excellent photographs taken by event offical photographer Percy Chen (Penang Altera) as well as video taken by Videographer Koay Kay Hin (Bayan Baru).

Here are the some of clear and great shots taken by Percy and posted by Kah Hin click here and click here too.

Finally, the results were given by the Chief Judge who was Division N Governor Eddy Chew.

It was announced that there was no time disqualification for both contestants and that was great news and great relief to all.


Some food for thought on judging:
1) It is important to announce the name of the Chief Judge during contestant briefing in case of any protests by contestants prior to announcement of results. It is not in the contest rule that names of judges must be or remain anonymous after contest. Why not recognize the judges like in the good old days before the results are announced. Usually, we can guess who are the judges anyway.

2) Better to have two sets of Chief Judge and judges for two contests. This provides more opportunities for Toastmasters to judge at a division level contests. It also reduce the impact of one judge especially for a contestant who is representing his/her Area in both contests. The usual excuse is cannot find so many judges. Judges help to add number and variety to the audience since they are usually from non-participating clubs.

3) Contestants must be briefed that no testing of mike or restarting a speech once the Contest begins. Any verbal or non-verbal commnication of a contestant means the timer starts.

Even if the mike goes wrong? When that happens, the speaker can continue with or without the mike. Speakers must be prepared for any distractions during a contest. The only exception in the contest rule given is the failure of timing device, even then only an extra one minute grace is given.


Drum rolls......the winners are

Division N Evaluation Contest 2008
1st Audrey Cheah (Area N6 - Penang Seagate)
2nd Michael Xavier (Area N2 - Bayan Baru)
3rd Teo Tang Ghee (Area N5 - Darulaman)



Left to right - Teo Tang Chee (3rd), Audrey Cheah (Evaluation Champion), Michael Xavier (2nd)

Division N Humorous Contest 2008
1st Michael Xavier (Area N2 - Bayan Baru)
2nd Anne Kathleen Haslam (Area N5 - Sungai Petani)
3rd Kee Eng Hai (Area N3 - YMCA Penang)


Left to Right - Kee Eng Hai (3rd), Contest Chair June Lim, Michael Xavier (Humorous Speech Champion), Anne Kathleen Haslam (2nd), Division N Governor Eddy Chew, District 51 Lieutenant Governor Marketing Thannimalai

Before 5pm, the contest had ended - ahead of time....

Entire program ran on schedule with clockwork precision. Area for improvement was better control of sound system. Overall - well done!

Congratulations to the winners, please move on to Bali and grab top honors for Division N.

Bayan Baru Toastmasters Are The Champion

Bayan Baru Toastmasters emerged as Champions at the just concluded Division N Humorous Speech Contest 2008 held today.

Group photo of Bayan Baru Toastmasters - the largest club contingent to support witness the Division N Contests and full support to our club contestant Michael Xavier who was dual N2 Champion in Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contest. It takes a village to raise a child, it takes a club to groom a speech champion.



Heartiest congratulations to the newly crowned Michael Xavier - Division N Humorous Speech Contest 2008 Champion. His speech title "What A Dumb Idea".

Michael also achieved a second win as the 1st Runner up in Division N Evaluation contest 2008.

More details on contest....

Note: This is one better than last year for Bayan Baru Toastmasters and Area N-2.

Last year, I was the Division N Evaluation Champion and Divison N Humorous Speech 2nd runner-up. That record is now broken and history...

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....

Venue of Division N Humorous Speech and Evaluation Speech Contests, October 25 Saturday afternoon at Intel Penang (PG9)

NOTE:
Just received this email and thought I post it here to help the publicity. Map shows location of PG 9 (It is not same location as last year's venue PG12).

The "roundabout" is really small. You can park at the mult-storey car park but it is a 10 minutes walk away or find a parking spot at PG9.

As there are 7 Areas this term in Division N, there will be up to 7 Humorous Speeches, 1 test speaker and 7 Evaluations which is a great value for money for RM10 with free parking inside Intel.

Warning:

The email only mentioned that registration starts at 1pm. Based on previous events, there will be waiting time before actual time of contest begin. Will it be 1:30pm, 1:45pm or 2pm - just speculating.

Anyway better to arrive early if you are coming to this venue for the first time and take opportunity to get to know other "early bird" Toastmasters.

---------------------------------------------------------
Division N Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contest 2008/2009

Time: 1.00pm - 5.00pm
(Registration starts from 1pm)

Venue: Intel Pg-9, Bayan Lepas FIZ, Phase 3, 11900 Penang (attached is the road map to Intel Pg-9)

Ticket price : RM 10 per Pax

It is on 7 days count down now!!

Hurry, Grab your ticket while it is Hot and Going Fast!!!

You may be wondering how are you going to get your ticket..
It is simple and fast, you will just need to apply the 3 simple steps

1.) Grab your cell-phone
2.) Give your Area Governor a call
3.) Collect from your Area Governor or

you may skip all these by contacting Terence Lee at terence_lee13@yahoo.com or 6012-5516800 or

you may contact the Contest Organizing Chairman Frank Yap at tienloy.yap@venture.com.sg

You have 3 simple steps, 3 way of getting your ticket, Hurry, take your action now! Thank you. Terence Lee

Area Governor Visit - What's Up?

Tonight, our N2 Area Governor Khor Siang Kheng (Intel Penang Toastmasters) visited our Bayan Toastmasters Club meeting. His main purpose was to promote and sell tickets for this October 25 Division N Humorous Speech and Evaluation Speech Contest at Intel Penang.

This term Area N2 consists of 4 clubs only - Bayan Baru Toastmasters, Intel Penang, Intel Speak Up and MAS Tanjong. PDC Toastmasters has been moved out to another Area.

Summary of AG w.r.t. Bayan Baru Toastmasters: "BBTMC is a role model club."

What is the purpose of an Area Governor's visit?

It is a requirement for an AG to visit a club every six months and file a report to Toastmasters International through the District Governor. It includes whether the Club is holding regular club meetings, have a minimum membership of charter strength of at least 20 members and working towards achieving the Distinguished Club Program as well as identifying club members who will be interested in being future District Officers.



In 2007-08, in the N2 Area Council, Siang Kheng was unanimously elected as the 2008-09 N2 Area Governor. In 2006-07, he lost the election to Past N2 Area Governor Koay Kah Hin (Bayan Baru Toastmasters). So if you are keen to be a District Officer, do not worry, you can run again and again and eventually, you will get the opportunity to play this role.

Bottomline, an AG is to help a Club, and only when help is needed, to achieve the Club mission for her members. It is also an excellent opportunity for an AG to learn better communication and leadership skills. Of being a positive motivator and able to discern and appreciate the different club cultures and different ways of doing things by each Club while sharing best practices.

Besides being the Induction Officer to install this term's Club Officers, AG is involved in Club Officer Training and organizing Area level Contests. Strives to achieve President's Distinguished Area Award.

What do this year AG Khor Siang Kheng, in addition to above, hope to achieve further as if above list is not enough for a full time unpaid job.

As I have known Siang Kheng for umpteen years, I will be sending him some easy and hard questions and will post his reply here.

1) What are your goals for Area N2 this term?
2) Where are the areas we need to improve?
3) There are only 4 clubs now in N2 Area, any plans to charter new clubs. If so, where and when?
4) What are your personal goals as Area Governor? Achieve your DTM?
5) How would you like to be remembered after you have completed your term.

If you have any questions you would like to ask the N2 AG, please post them here...

October 25 Update:
Met N2 AG Khor Siang Kheng at the Division N Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contest at Intel PG-9 today. Did a quick face-to-face interview. Here is the summary:

Siang Kheng is married with 2 sons and the "Building Owner PG-8" in Intel Penang.

His goal is to achieve President's Disinguished Area. He hopes that Bayan Baru and Intel Penang will achieve President's Distinguished Club again and for Intel Speak Up and Mas Tanjong to achieve Distinguished Club or better.

Personally, he is going to complete his DTM - serving as Area Governor is one of the requirements.

Siang Kheng plans to conduct a Youth Leadership Program and charter a new corporate club by March or earlier.

Obama vs McCain Table Topics Session

Photo taken from BBC News

My personal reaction while watching live the last of the third debate between Senator Barrack Obama and Senatohr John McCain was answering questions sitting facing each other around a table.

How did they fare as table topics speakers?

Initially both have to overcome nervousness:

Obama: I felt he tried to keep himself looking cool and focused. Seldom smile, serious. Lots of ehs when he struggles.

McCain: Tried to look cheerful and smile and even laugh. His eyes wink a lot and he always seem to make his eyes bigger. Always using the paper and pen to give the impression that he is taking down notes.

Obama: Flashed his rare all teeth bared smile when John McCain made a claim he does not agreed. Based his argument of facts and numbers. More logical.

McCain: Used his hand gestures liberally. Like to bring out names of others and tell stories. More personal.