Report by President Angeline Lee Photos by VPE Chor Chee Hoe |
Effectiveness and Efficiency
It was most appropriate that VPE Chee Hoe, the soul of effectiveness and efficiency, was our TME for this meeting with the meeting theme “Effectiveness and Efficiency”. With the program agenda sent out 1 week in advance, and GE invited 1 month in advance, it is obvious why he is an effective and efficient VPE.
From left: Our guest Hann with President Angeline, VPE cum TME Chee Hoe and Table Topics Master Ian Tai |
For the Table Topics Session lead by Ian Tai, we had 6 volunteers stepping up to answer patriotic questions about Hari Raya, mayor of KL City, benefits of Malaysia, Maths in Bahasa Malaysia, 1Malaysia and best Malaysia food. Thanks to Past President Lay Theng who sponsored 3 free tickets for Division W Humorous Speech Contest as prizes for Best Table Topics Speaker and Best Project Speaker, we had willing volunteers like President Angeline, VPM Alexandra, Sylvia, Area W3 Governor Kimmy Foo, Hann and Sivadas trying their best to impress the judges – the audience!
Table Topics Evaluator Alexandra was eager to participate in the Table Topics so she requested TME Chee Hoe to evaluate the first two speakers. Thank you TME Chee Hoe for spontaneously taking up the Table Topics Evaluator role.
Front row: Club Secretary Daphne, Sook Ling, President Angeline, Area Governor Kimmy and Sylvia Back row: Hann, Club Treasurer Ian and VPM Alexandra |
Daphne’s “Motivated by Fear” speech about her fears of criticism, failure and death touched her evaluator’s heart. Past President Lay Theng went down memory lane on her first few CC speeches as Daphne told us, “my heart begins to race, my stomach turned and my thoughts get jumbled” as she confront her fears of public speaking. Daphne then bought all our fears into perspective by quoting from Steve Jobs who said:
All external expectation, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure. These things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.
As Sylvia was describing the heavenly Lang Tengah beach with white sands, we were transported to her “Holiday in Heaven” on the wings of her vivid, tantalizing choice of words. Her chalet had a sea view, idyllic surroundings and was just at the edge of the white sands and blue ocean. The enchantment continued at night as she gazed at the starry sky and made wishes when 5 shooting stars appeared.
It was a heavenly speech and we were left hoping that Sylvia will continue to enchant and mesmerize us in her future project speeches!
Grace Tan (left) is the evaluator for Sylvia (right) |
Our General Evaluator was Area C5 Governor Sarah Abedi Abdullah. In her evaluation of the overall conduct of the meeting, she added 4 Cs to our 2 Cs – Efficiency and Effectiveness. She praised our Enthusiasm, Ever readiness to try out new things, Enjoyment, Enriching and Enlightening meeting. Thank you GE Sarah for taking time out from your busy schedule as an Area Governor to visit us!
GE Sarah Abedi who is Area C5 Governor |
The awards given out during our Effectiveness and Efficiency meeting went to
Best Table Topics Speaker – Hann Gan
Joint Best Table Topics Speaker – Sylvia Tan
Best Project Speaker – Sylvia Tan
Hann Gan is Best Table Topics Speaker |
Sylvia Tan wins two awards! |
At the end of the meeting, we played 2 video clips as a tribute to Past President James Arokiasamy. We bid farewell to a great Past President as we watched the clips. The first one was prepared by VPE Chee Hoe, featuring photos of James. The second video clip prepared by VPM Alexandra featured James singing a Tamil song during the Friendship Melaka outing in November last year. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, we have photos and video clips of James doing what he loved, attending Toastmasters meetings and mesmerizing us with his singing talent.
Our guest Hann decided to sign up as a Toastmaster, after visiting us twice. The latest addition to Friendship Toastmasters Club wishes to improve on his public speaking skills. Welcome to the Friendship family, Hann!
After the meeting, GE Sarah wrote a charming Thank You note to members of Friendship. She wrote:
Dear Enchanting Friendship Members,
It has been a pleasure for me to have met all of you.
Great Meeting, Great Company, Great Teamwork, Great Speakers, Great Evaluators, Great Supportive environment, Great Food and a Great Tribute to a Great Toastmaster – James !