New Zealand - Dunedin District 72 Convention 2008

When I visited New Zealand some time ago, I met with the District 72 Governor Joan Hook and the LGM Suresh Kumar who was Malaysia born. Attended their speech contest and several club meetings. Found that our Kiwi counterparts ran their Club meetings with formality and putting into practise the Robert's Rules of Order and yet the dress code was very informally.

So it was a nice surprise to receive this email from International Director Poh Kim Siong of an update of the recent New Zealand District 72 Convention.



Goldrush!
Goals, Opportunities, Leadership, Direction, Reassurance, Understanding, Support, Help
Dunedin, 14-16 November 2008

The convention opened with a bag piper leading the banner bearers into the auditorium. Dunedin ’s mayor Peter Chin welcomed delegates with a magnificent song in praise of his fair city. He stressed the importance of public speaking and the role of Toastmasters in promoting this in a witty and entertaining speech that had the audience in fits of laughter.

District Governor Chrissy Meyer officially opened the convention using the convention’s gold rush theme to urge participants to open doors of opportunity.



The keynote address from Professor Mark Henaghan, the Dean of Law at the University of Otago was entertaining and informative. He tastefully drew out the parallels between public speaking and sex – why do it if you don’t enjoy it - and urged the audience to consider his ten commandments of public speaking, illustrating his theme with stories taken from his experience in teaching law.

During the convention Immediate Past District Governor Geoff Trotter presented a range of awards to clubs and individuals who had excelled during his term while District Governor Chrissy Meyer presented 11 Toastmasters with their Distinguished Toastmaster award.Table Topics contestants were faced with the subject "We live in a PC world" and all skillfully constructed brief exposes to illustrate their views. David Hatchuel placed first, Mark Baker second and Astarte third.



Humorous speech contestants had the audience in fits of laughter. Adrian Humphries took first honors with 'Wax On – Wax Off' a speech about having his back waxed, Barry Edwards placed second recounting his experiences as the winner of the wooden spoon award in junior rodeo, and Dominic Philips recounted the childhood horrors of being passenger in a car driving up one of Britain’s busiest motorways in the wrong direction.

Sunday's keynote speaker Christian Kasper related some of his experiences in building his company Vouchermate and his success in working alongside key international media companies to develop the business overseas. Using personal stories he transformed what could have been a dry business presentation into an entertaining and informative speech.

There was a diverse range of superb educational. Anna Campbell and Gaelene Woods explained personality types and portrayed that the best speeches are given when they are presented in a way that is true to the speaker's personality type. Gaelene also presented a later educational on speaking from the heart.



Kevin Prohl talked about creating the invisible thread that connects the speaker to the audience. Chris Manly, a Dunedin based drama teacher, explained the fine points of story telling and illustrated them masterfully. (Her description of a pavlova was cruelly evocative with many minutes to go before lunch).

Lindsay Wright’s educational 'Beyond 7 Minutes' focused on techniques for presenting longer speeches. With members of the audience holding up his washing line he illustrated the concept of a theme (the line) holding together a series of inter-related stories (each a piece of washing) and rounded off with volunteers piecing together an effective presentation using this technique (pictured below).District Officers presented educational on membership building and retention and successful clubs.



Chrissy Meyer chaired a well attended district council meeting that dealt efficiently with the business at hand. Past district treasurer Jan Meehan gave a particularly effective visual summary of the district's financial performance for the 2007/8. Chrissy also lead the district officer training on Friday night where area and division governors were briefed on their roles for the coming months and Richard Moffatt, the Division G governor received two bottles of wine for leading his division to a win in the division web site challenge.



There was networking, dancing and general conviviality at the Saturday evening at the dine and dance although some of those who stayed late and then gathered at 6:00 AM on Sunday to watch the Rugby looked a little jaded by the time the conference ended.

Well done to Julie Culpitt and her team for putting together a superb convention.

by Wayne Webley, District 72 PRO

District 72 Official Website

What members said about District 80 Semi Annual Convention@ Singapore....

I have just received this email of photos and comments from our International Director Poh Kim Siong.

District 80 (Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Thailand) is our twin sister District held their recent Semi-Annual Convention during Nov 21-22, 2008 at YMCA Fort Canning Lodge, Singapore.

District 80 Official Website






What members said about District 80 Semi Annual Convnetion @ Singapore ..




CTM - Cozy, Timely & Meaningful convention
ATM - Amazing Time Mingling with all TM delegates
DTM - Don't miss next Time to Meet in HK Convention May 2009

Ivy Chan, ATMB, CL
Division H Governor 2008-2009
Hong Kong




“Learned to be Thankful”

Besides being touched by the Keynote Speaker and Workshop Speakers; inspired by breathtaking District Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contests; warmed by caring hospitality of the Organizing Committee, what I learnt most in the Singapore 2008 Semi-Annual Convention is to be Thankful!

I thank so many impassioned Toastmasters friends and distinguished leaders who have given their heart to help us promote and enroll registrations for Macau 2009 Convention. We have received more than 120 registrations in 2 days.

THANK YOU for believing in Toastmasters Conventions, believing in Macau , and believing in Reaching … for your Dreams!

Melanie Hoi
Macau 2009 Semi Annual Convention Chair
Reach For Your Dreams




"Good place, good rest, good food, good performances and good friends! "

Happy to be with brothers / sisters in Singapore Semi Annual Convention. Thanks all for such a good entertaining. See YOU soon in Hong Kong Convention !!

Cheers!
Supin Chaiboonruang, CTM CL
Past Area Governor T4,
President The First Thai TMC Thailand




You demonstrated greatness and humility. You have endeared yourself to the hearts of many. May I salute you, International Director!

Chin Mei Har, DTM
Singapore

HPL & ALS @BBTMC

At tonight's Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club meeting, I was the evaluator of the "Presentation of Results" of the High Performance Leadership done by Koay Kah Hin (holding manual below).



High Performance Leadership is a service leadership manual where you have a Guidance Committee to provide ongoing feedback while you are a team leader of a major project. Here, the project chosen was the Joint Installation of Division N and Division S Toastmasters Club held on August 8, 2008.



The manual covers from Vision/Mission/Core Values to Recruting an Action Team, Writing Up An Action Plan, Review of Progress and Overcoming Obstacles and finally to Presentation of Results to the Club members on lessons learnt in leadership.



In doing High Performance Leadership, you rate yourself on six dimensions of service leadership:
1) Vision and Values
2) Direction
3) Persuasion
4) Support
5) Development
6) Appreciation



Tonight Koay Kah Hin had not only completed his High Performance Leadership but also had completed his Advanced Leadership Silver. Photo above: Kah Hin receiving ALS blue ribbon from Club President John Yeoh.

The requirements for ALS included having achieved old CL (or new ALB), served as a District Officer, completed HPL and served as Club Sponsor, Club Mentor or Club Coach.

For the record, Koay Kah Hin was N2 Area Governor in 2007-08 achieving the President's Distinguished Area Award; acheived his old CL in 2007, finished his HPL tonight and had been the Club Mentor for Mas Tanjong Toastmasters of Penang a few years ago.

One more DCP goal was acheived by Bayan Baru Toastmasters tonight.

Well done, Koah Kah Hin, ALS.

With position, comes power and responsibilities and possibilities.

Photo: Gavel - the symbol of leadership

The second round of Club Officer training is just around the corner.

Every year in Toastmasters International, we elect a new set of club officers who are thrown into the deep end to learn to run the club and overnight enhance their leadership, communication and service skills. The Club Officer manuals and the Club Officer training and guidance of senior club members are the life jackets thrown in.

During the first round of Club Officer training and Club Installation, every enthusiastic club will zealously commit to achieve President's Distinguished Club or 10 DCP goals early without any qualms.

And now five months down the road, reality has set in. The busy schedule, the last minute projects pulled out, the unexpected resignations due to job changes.

Yet it is amazing to read that there is one Club in District 51 that has already achieved 9 DCP goals! So everything is still possible and it is time to pull up the socks.

It has been said that achieving 1 DCP goal from the Club Officer Training is the easiest. Yet, it is a measurement of leadership and the commitment of the club officers to get 4 of the 7 to attend two trainings per year. Club Presidents can always give free rides and overflowing recognitions to encourage officers to attend.

Unfortunately, sometimes even Club Presidents do not attend. Here is when the VPEs can become the heroes and heroines.

In the good old days, Area Governors would even visit the "weakest clubs" who did not send a single officer to attend. Did a quick briefing to give these clubs one DCP goal and to give their club officers their requirement to acheive the Competent Leadership award.

Even at some Club Officer training that I have attended, some club officers would show up to only sign their names and then to leave immediately or during the break, just to make the minimum number of 4 officers attending. That is not right and should not be condoned. If you can do that, others will start doing it too.

There was an email from Toastmasters International a long time ago that gave reasons why it would appreciate the benefit but would not give DCP credit to a video conference training given to a club which was 200 miles away by the District Officer because it was not a face-to-face training.

Since it was too expensive for the Club officers to fly to attend an organized training by that District, the Club had no choice but to accept the rule of credit giving but knew technically it was still possible for their club to achieve the other 9 DCP goals for President's Distinguished Award.

There is a range of diverse and opposing needs at any club officer training. The new club officer often complained that not enough basic training is given to help them play their role well.

The senior member who had attended many training before would complain that it was the same old thing and prefered some more esoteric exciting albeit non-Toastmasters leadership mini-workshops.

Yet there are plenty of opportunity for learning new things and sharing when senior and new club officers meet on an areas of common interest during any Club Officer training..

My opinion is that Club Officer training is the only and best time to focus soley on the responsibilities, challenges and sharing of best practices of the Club Officers. Other workshops can be held at other times.

If you are a Club Offcier, whatever your reasons to attend or not to attend, remember that you were elected, installed and have pledged to serve your club as a club officer to the best of your ability.

Where have you been in 2008? An Inspiring Video

Where have you been in 2008?

This YouTube video is inspiring. Like an inspiring speech, I hope it will make you feel better about yourself and this world.

Let me know if you like it?



Source: YouTube. Added by: Matt, 32, USA, Website: http://www.wherethehellismatt.com

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.

Welcome to Bayan Baru Nov 20th Club Meeting cum Guest Nite

Welcome to this forthcoming Bayan Baru Toastmasters Club meeting at Thursday 8pm on November 20, 20008. It is "Guest Nite" too.

Venue is at Penang Skills Development Center (PSDC), Room3406, Block 3 Level 4 @ No.1, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, Penang Island. It is 5 minutes from Penang Snake Temple.

Click here for the map. One gate is for entry, another gate for exit. Free parking inside. Ample places - there is outdoor parking spaces as well as multi-storey indoor car park. The guard is helpful and is aware of the Toastmasters meeting room venue.

Just take the lift to the Level 4 and you can see the meeting venue when the lift door opens - the meeting room with see through window screen.

If you cannot find the venue, call for direction, Club President John Yeoh, 019-4615178

As it is "Guest Nite", the usual RM5 admission is waived. So come one, come all. Bring your friends along.

The Toastmaster of the Evening is Leong Teng Leong with the theme "Hero To Zero". Just received his email of the meeting roles.


Toastmaster of the Evening: Leong Teng Leong

General Evaluator: Goh Hock Hai
Table Topics Master: Eileyn Chua
Table Topics Evaluator: Margaret Chan

Thought of the Day: Tan Kuang Ee
Humorist: Chew Yoon Seng
Timer: Prakash Rao
Ah Counter: Winnie Foo
Word of the Day/Grammarian: Kesavaraj
Registration: Chan Kuan Wai

Project Speaker #1: Tajima Keiji, P4
Project Speaker #2: Alfred Kuan , P5
Project Speaker #3: Kishen Velu, P10
Project Speaker #4: John Yeoh, ACS3

Evaluator #1: Rosalind Chan
Evaluator #2: Mah Ting Keong
Evaluator #3: SL Liew
Evaluator #4: Ong Swee Keat

Taiping Toastmasters - Well Done!

At the recent Bali Convention, Taiping Toastmasters made waves again as May Cheah won the 2nd Runner-up in the District 51 Humorous Speech Contest 2008.



May Cheah continues the fine tradition of Taiping Toastmasters in producing speech champions in the likes of Sukhdev Singh and Varpal Singh.

Personally, I have visited Taiping Toastmasters Club many times over the years. Besides going to the famous Taiping Lake, Maxwell Hill, Night Safari Zoo, one can just drive to Taiping for a great evening of fellowship and late supper at Taiping Toastmasters.

Taiping Toastmasters, chartered in 1980, is the oldest Toastmasters Club in Perak. Here is the meeting information from Toastmasters online directory.




Taiping Club - Club No. 552 , Area S-1, Divison S

Meeting Time: 8:00 pm, 1st & 3rd Wednesday

Venue: Panorama Hotel, Conference Room, 5th Floor
61-79, Jalan Kota, Taiping, Perak

Contact: 6012 4631982
sussiehippo@yahoo.com

News from International Director

Wow! What a great District 51 Convention@ Bali, Indonesia, 14th - 16th November 2008

Dear Brother SL,
I just came back from an exciting time at the District 51 semi-annual Convention. Congratulations to the Toastmasters of District 51 for putting together a great experience for me and for more than 310 Toastmasters that made the journey to that beautiful Bali, Indonesia.

The amazing experience began with being picked up at the airport by Convention Chair, Veronika Trianto.

The Convention was organized with excellent presenters and good food in a great facility. I congratulate District Governor, Joseph Gomez, DTM and his team on putting together a great convention. An excellent conference can go a long way to helping a District 51 achieve its goals.

I was warmly welcomed everywhere I went. It looks like we should get at least one new club in Bali very soon.

Once again, to the members of District 51 thank you for your warm welcome and for putting on such a great home coming convention for me. It made my first visit as your International Director a memorable occasion that I will remember for a long time.

Your friend for life

Kim Siong
Your International Director 2008-2010

2008 District 51 Humorous Speech and Evaluation Speech Top 3 Winners

Here are the Top 3 winners of both Contests at District 51 Bali Semi-Annual Convention on Nov 16, 2008. Heartiest Congratulations!

Well done to all the contestants too - you are all also winners in your own right.


District 51 2008 Humorous Speech Contest:



Champion : Stephen Fernando
Division C, C-2: PJ Hilton, Selangor

1st Runner-Up: Roger McGowan
Division W, W-4: Speecom, Kuala Lumpur

2nd Runner-Up: May Cheah
Divison S, S-1: Taiping, Perak

District 51 2008 Evaluation Contest:



Champion : Michael Xavier
Division N, N-2: Bayan Baru, Penang

1st Runner-Up: John Lee
Division W, W-2: Help University College, Selangor

2nd Runner-Up: Ahmad Fakri Hamzah
Division P, P-1: Shell Semarak, Selangor

Click here for List of Past District 51 Speech Champions since 1997.