WARNING: Avoid Election Fraud

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Announcement: New Area N2 Governor 2009-2010

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

PARTHIBAN VIJAYARAGHAVAN

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

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

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

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





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

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

2009 Division N International Speech & Table Topics Contest

ANNOUNCEMENT:

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

Tamil Speech Contest - Photo Update

Invitation to Tamil International Speech Contest

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

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

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





Dear Toastmasters,
We have exciting news for you.

Division N is proud to bring the

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

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

cordially invites you to join us on

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

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

Ticket price: RM10 per pax

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

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

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

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

Thank you.
"Your presence is highly appreciated"

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

Japan - Niigata Toastmasters Club

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







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

Club website in Japanese

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

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

Photo Gallery of Club Timing Devices

A fun posting is to share the photos of different timing devices used by various Toastmasters Clubs.

To join, just email a photo of your club timing device to smspenang@yahoo.com

Include the name of your club and online link if any.

PHOTO GALLERY OF CLUB TIMING DEVICES

#1
Toastmasters International Timer

This model is from online Toastmasters International Shop. Weight: 4 lb Price: USD 125.00

Not sure if any Toastmasters Club in Malaysia, Indonesia or Brunei has bought timer.

Have you seen it at any Club?


------------------------------------------------------

#2
"Big Size and Contest Standard Timer". The property of Intel Penang Toastmasters Club, Malaysia.



-----------------------------------------------------------

#3
"Future upgrade include incorporating the stop watch into the device itself, so it will be a self contained autonomous timer/indicator..."

from Percy Chen, Altera Toastmasters Penang Island, Malaysia.





------------------------------------------------------

#4
"The Basic Set". Bayan Baru Toastmasters, Penang Island, Malaysia




----------------------------------------------------------

#5
"Smart looking" from Weerawan, B&V Toastmasters, Bangkok, Thailand



----------------------------------------------------------

#6
"Timing Lighthouse" of Institut Perkim-Goon 1 (IPG1) Toastmasters Club, Jalan Burma, Penang Island from Tze Wei of IPG1 Toastmasters.




------------------------------------------------------------

#7
"White Tower Light Timer" of D'Utama Advanced Toastmasters of Petaling Jaya, Selangor.



------------------------------------------------------------

#8
"Simple & Elegant" Timer. Sandakan Toastmasters Club, Sabah, Malaysia.



----------------------------------------------------------

#9
"Flat Indicator Type" Timer. IFPAS Toastmasters Club, Singapore.




-----------------------------------------------------------

#10
"The Manual System". Kutaradja Banda Aceh Toastmasters Club, Sumatra, Indonesia.



------------------------------------------------------------

#11
"Covered up for contest" - Seberang Jaya Toastmasters, Penang Mainland.



---------------------------------------------------------

#12
"Black Box Timer" - Johor Bahru Toastmasters, Johor, Malaysia




----------------------------------------------------

#13
"Light to Travel" Timer - MAS Melor Toastmasters, Selangor, Malaysia



---------------------------------------------------------

#14
"Wow.. complete with TI logo" - HELP University College Toastmasters, Selangor, Malaysia




-----------------------------------------------------------

#15
"Come in a brown box" - MII Toastmasters, Kuala Lumpur



-----------------------------------------------------------

#16
"Flick the Switch" - TTDI Toastmasters, Kuala Lumpur



-----------------------------------------------------------

#17
"Fashionably Black" - Klang Bilingual Toastmasters, Kelang, Selangor




-----------------------------------------------------------
#17
"Not easy to be a timer" - Speaker's Dream Toastmasters, Kuala Lumpur

News from District 51 LGET Richard Chong

This week, I read this email from our dedicated District 51 LGET Richard Chong regarding news that on February 14, 2009, the Toastmasters International Board of Directors had given approval for District 51 to be reformed (split) into two Districts as of July 1, 2010.

In other words, at this Kuching District 51 Annual Convention April 2009, we will be electing the "Last District 51 Governor" covering Clubs in Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia and for two Lieutenant Governors of Education & Training and two Lieutenant Governors of Marketing for the term 2009-2010.

For the next term 2010-2011, there will be elections for two District Governors - a District Governor for clubs in Peninsular Malaysia and a District Governor for Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei and Indonesia and their respective LGET and LGM.

For the record, District 51 started in 1993-94 with clubs from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. Later Hong Kong, Macau and Brunei joined. In the term 2004-2005, District 51 went through the first reformation (split) with Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and Macau forming a new District 80.

--------------------------------------------------------------------


District 51 2008/2009 - "Toastmasters: The Courage to Conquer"

Dear Division Leaders, Area, Club & District past leaders,

Toastmasters’ Board of Directors met during the week of February 9-14, 2009, and announced the results of its deliberations at an open briefing held at Toastmasters World Headquarters on Saturday, February 14.



Among the highlights of the Board’s announcements are the status on our district reformation plan.

District Administration Committee (DAC)
The District Administration Committee focused on district reformation, district boundaries and the continuing development of the Region Advisor Marketing concept.

The Board approved the reformation of District 51.
- The district split will be effective July 1, 2010.
- The district will elect two lt. governors education and training,
- Two lt. governors marketing and one district governor for the 2009-2010 program year in order to support the transition year.

More on the Board of Directors Report February 14, 2009 can be found here

With Thanks and Gratitude,

Richard Chong @ Ritchie ACG / ALB
Lieutenant Governor Education & Training 08/09

Mobile: (+6)012-2939 272
Toastmasters International District 51 ~ Brunei , Indonesia & Malaysia
http://www.tmdistrict51.org/
http://ritchierc.blogspot.com/
District 51 16th Annual Convention 17th~19th April 2009 ~ www.Kuching2009.com

News from Area N4 - Kulim Area, Kedah

Today, Past Division N Governor Abdul Kadir of Kulim Toastmasters forwarded this email from N4 Area Governor Ang Eng Chai.

======================================
From Abdul Kadir:

Dear friends,
Heartiest congratulations to all. You had courage to stand up to the challenges in Club Level Contest. You made your Club proud by preparing & delivering first class performance. By this you would have realized that all your Club projects had been instrumental to your success. This is not all, send positive thoughts so that you will be an Excellent speaker by the end of this term.

The champions of International Speech Club level, Sherman, Azlan, Ai Lyn & Wendy – you have something special. Develop it with confidence.

The champions of Table-Topics Club level, KG, Veloo, Ai Lyn & Wendy – you can cope with any difficult topics. Read more & develop memory power.

Wish to see you all on the Top! Have the Courage to Conquer!

PS: Be ready for Area Contest on Sat 28 Feb.

======================================
From Ang Eng Chai:

Congratulations to All the Winners (Intel Kulim, MDT, MEF Kulim & Renesas Kedah Toastmasters Club)!