5th Feb 2013: Homeward Bound

Ian Tai

Chinese New Year is just around the corner. Everyone is bound to go homeward  and celebrate this auspicious occasion with our love ones. Madam President Alexandra, Grace Tan and Vice President of Membership Sylvia Tan came ignite the festive aura by wearing the mandarin gowns cheongsam to suit this occasion. The meeting was quickly brought to live by our zestful looking Toastmaster of the Evening, Area W3 Governor Chor Chee Hoe. 

Ladies in their dazzling cheong sam outfit

Our TME diligently introduced the history and founder of Toastmasters International by making use of Friendship Club’s Facebook Page. Induction officer, Sylvia Tan led us to welcome Zion Chin as our newest members in the Friendship family. Welcome to the club, Zion! 

From left to right: Zion, Andrew, Adhlen, Susan Lim and Geok Ean

Toastmaster Geok Ean took over and conducted the Table Topic Session in the utmost proficient manner. All table topics speakers did marvelously, given only 2 minutes to think and speak off the cuff.  They were comprised of Andrew Low, Christian Leong from HELP University Toastmasters Club, Division Governor Tan Lay Theng, Sivadas and yours truly.

There were 5 project speakers enlightened and inspired us that evening. Andrew Low kept us in suspense when he shared his experience on his deathbed. Luckily, it was just a bad dream, and he reminded us to appreciate our life and live to the fullest.  Ben Chan shared his painful yet forgiving experience as a victim of verbal abuse. He prompted us to be careful with our words when we are angry or frustrated with someone. Christian Leong educated us on how to capture our finest moments with a few tricks using camera. The dynamic and avant-garde Susan Lim delivered her speech no. 7 – Using Visual Aids, in a rather unconventional way. She broke her patterns by having our VPE Daphne poured water on her head! Her message was clear; if we desire to be better in anything, we must first break from our habits and comfort zone.

Our International Speech and Table Topics champion, Lee Chen Choon was given a table topics marathon as practice and preparation for the upcoming Area W3 contest. There was an open evaluation right after the marathon where he got plenty of feedback especially from Lay Theng, Past President Ben Fong and Grace Tan in regards to his table topics presentations. Perhaps we should do this more regularly as it is excellent practice for Table Topics, overcoming our nervousness, gives both our VPE and members more relaxation as there are lesser project speeches to do. I know, I know. Don’t freak out, Madam President. We will still thrive to complete our project speeches.

Getting ready for the Auspicious Toss

After our merry-jolly-fun-filling Auspicious Toss, five brilliant evaluators further flourished us with their constructive feedbacks and evaluations. Past President Zaiton gave her encouragements to all table topic speakers. Following that, the typically scrupulous and erudite Grace Tan gave her evaluation on Andrew Low’s speech. Timothy Nakayama and Ben Fong were equally superb in their evaluations to Ben Chan and Christian Leong respectively. Susan Lim certainly benefited from Lay Theng's evaluation, especially when she suggested Susan to pour water on her own instead of getting Daphne’s help to make that impact! 

Best Table Topics Speaker: Ian Tai

Best Project Speaker: Susan Lim

Best Evaluator: Grace Tan

The meeting ended joyfully and jubilantly where everyone greets Gong Xi Fa Chai and happy Homeward Bound.  It was indeed an auspicious evening to Friendship Club, our guest Adhlen Zulkifly immediately signed up as a member and Ann Agnew, our Past Secretary came back to reinstate her membership. What a prosperous evening!

Signing off with a CNY Blessings from

Ian Tai

VPPR of FTMC  

Come Join Us on 5th Feb 2013!

VPE Daphne Au

Dear Friends,

Chinese new year is just around the corner. Regardless of where do you come from: local, outstation or even overseas, you will be homeward-bound soon. It is always nice to be at home, the place you find secure,  hope, refreshment and rejuvenation.

There is a Chinese saying, “a decade makes an encounter, a century makes a couple” Despite having our own biological family, Friendship is definitely another big and happy family to me and you. Although we are not related to by blood, but we are definitely sitting in the same boat, going through the same journey and rowing towards the same destination. We support, motivate and inspire each others, having the same mission and vision to be a better leader and communicator. Amazing Grace Tan used to write to Friendship “Born in Friendship, grew in Friendship, evolved in Friendship and forever part of Friendship, whether in good standing, half squatting or naked lying. “ I agree with her heartily and completely. 

Our theme for this meeting will be “Homeward Bound”!

Our GE is none other than DTM Gan Teong Hock all the way from TTDI Toastmaster Club. He is a very helpful, sincere and dedicated toastmaster. Congratulations Gan for achieving the DTM title last year.

Our Area W3 Governor Chor Chee Hoe will be the TME for this meeting. It has been a very long time we do not listen to him speak on stage. I am sure he will host the meeting with all his energy.

We have 4 CC project speakers, they are Andrew Low, Ben Chan, Christian Leong from Help Uni TMC and Susan Lim. They are ready to conquer another milestone to spur on to be better speakers. We have one speaker, Lee Chen Choon who is going to do marathon table topic speeches, and he has been assigned with 3 evaluators. Please come to the meeting to find out more about this special session. J

The evaluation team is comprised of Timothy Nakayama, Angeline Lee, Grace Tan, Ben Fong, Zaiton and Division Governor Tan Lay Theng. Grace Tan and Zaiton have been away for sometimes and will be homeward bound for Friendship. They are definitely the experienced, competent and insightful evaluators. They are ready to provide penetrating, specific and constructive evaluations to all the speakers on their speeches.  

Last but not least, Geok Ean who will lead the table topic session, bravo! Friendship VPM Sylvia Tan will be the grammarian. Our very new and helpful member Eri Tang has taken up the Timer role. And lastly Friendship VPPR Ian Tai will capture and help you to correct your speech clutches during the meeting. He will also monitor the flow of the meeting and update Friendship blog for the benefit of members we can’t attend the meeting due to some other reasons.

I have an announcement to make here that needs your attention. That is in conjunction with our Chinese New Year celebration, please dress in RED, ORANGE, YELLOW or any glaring and sharp colors to celebrate this once a year event together.

Friends, please join us in the upcoming meeting; I am looking forward to meeting all of you soon. J

Daphne

Vice President Education

We had FUN! @ Friendship Club International Speech and Table Topics Contest, 22nd January2013

23rd January 2013

Dear members and friends,

I got a hangover from last night - NOT because of too much of alcohol, but I was overwhelmed with excitement and exhilaration at our International Speech and Table Topics Contest!

It was thrilling. It was fun. It was AWESOME!

First of all, please help me to CONGRATULATE all the contestants for delivering a marvelous show in the contests. All did their best. All were inspiring. All had made us proud!

Kudos to IPP Angeline, Ian Tai, Lee Chen Choon, Sivadas and Andrew Low !

A contest… is a contest...And here are our results from last night…

International Speech winners:

Champion: Lee Chen Choon

1^st Runner-Up: Ian Tai

Table Topics Speech winners:

Champion: Lee Chen Choon

1^st Runner-Up: Angeline Lee

2^nd Runner-Up: Ian Tai

Heartiest CONGRATULATIONS to all winners! Let us continue to support our double champion –Lee Chen Choon who will represents Friendship Club to complete in the next level, i.e. Area W3 International Speech and Table Topics Contest on 23^rd March in Plaza IBM No. 8, First Avenue, Persiaran Bandar Utama.

Let us also thank all the role players who did similarly marvelous jobs and especially to..

VPE Daphne Au, our lovely and diligent International Speech Contest Chair

Area Gov Chee Hoe, as one of our Ballot-Counters. Thanks for your brilliant artwork!

Contest Chair Timothy Nakayama, who took us on a tour full of humor, creativity and fun during the Table Topics Contest.

New members and first-time as SAAs – Ben Chan and Eri Tang performed their roles enthusiastically  …like a pro!

Supportive members from Satu Hati Toastmasters Club – Lenny Pang, our attentive Timer who came along with 4 of her members as role players backup-Joachim Yuen, Victor Loh, Marcus Ooh and Gordon Ooh.

Members from IBM Toastmasters Club – Wendy Yap and Sharifah Nur Laila

Our handsome, suave and cool Timer, President Ahmad Zahir from Taylor University Toastmasters Club.

I could not thank enough to DTM NJ Singam and District Public Relations Officer Lim Lay Kun, our Chief Judge. DTM Singam had graciously accepted the role as our Chief Judge even on the first day I invited him. When something urgent came up yesterday morning, he immediately get his replacement, who is none other than Lay Kun, who accepted the role given the short notice. Hat’s off to both of them!

Last but not least, thanks to members and guests who came last night. What is a contest without the audience? A big group from Agro Mahligal and several others came support their close friends. Even the District Champion Sim Bok San came to support Lee Chen Choon! Contest is a contest, but it brings us together. 

Wow! I should stop now. I think I need to get sober already.

See you all in our next meeting on 5^th February, 2013.

PS: More photos of the contest in Friendship Toastmasters Club Facebook Page

Regards,

Alexandra

Organizing Chair

A Christmas Meeting with Ireka Toastmasters Club

Some comments in Friendship's Facebook Page after the Joint Meeting

13^th December 2012 was a night to remember – where TWO clubs came together to learn, share and celebrate Christmas before bid farewell to the year 2012.  The teamwork between the 2 clubs was so efficient and superb; the meeting was conducted so seamlessly and bombarded with excitement. As a result, none of us remembered to take photos during the meeting. 

It was a full-house meeting at Level 18, Wisma Mont Kiara, with members from Friendship and Ireka as well as a number of guests clad in Santa’s hats and reindeer headbands. Amongst the guests who came were including TLI Chair DTM Sue Ding, Past Division W Governor DTM Vincent Hor, Past Division W Governor Marion Lee, Division W Governor Tan Lay Theng, Division P Governor Geoff Andrew, Area Governor W1 E Son Lee and Area Governor W3 Chor Chee Hoe. 

The meeting was hosted by the esteemed Friendship Club member, Nancy Soo, as the Toastmaster of the Evening. It was her virgin attempt to play the role, but she managed to deliver with flying colors. Her quality of being funny, humorous and spontaneous has allowed us to enjoy the evening thoroughly. 

Ireka’s Lee Soo Ling, as the Table Topics Master, diligently and creatively delegated table topics speakers into groups. The groups were competing to win the Best Table Topics Group. It was overall entertaining as the topics were chosen from the titles of various Christmas songs. 

There were 2 project speakers from Ireka and Friendship respectively. Ireka’s Club President, Yap Ket Bin, shared his painful but worthy Boy Scouts experience – a journey from Kuala Lumpur to the peak of Genting Highlands without vehicles or, most of the journey. 

Friendship Club member, Oh Lien Chai, generously shared his dark secret with his speech title “Do you like hearing the truth?”

Frances Aw from Ireka Club, gave a smooth and sleek sales presentation had drawn much attention by rewarding us perfumes if we help her to generate referrals. 

Last but not least, our club champion Timothy Nakayama shared with us some ridicule but true-life stories about businesses that are highly successful and profitable even though they are selling items that are not (quite) making sense. In this case, he was referring to rocks and sea monkeys. His message was about the power of marketing. 

Our General Evaluator was none other than Past Division W Governor DTM Vincent Hor who led the evaluation session with much humor and nonetheless, insights and in-depth. He began his address by informing us there are 2 types of evaluators -The female and male evaluator. The humorous saga continued by his panels of evaluators - IPP Angeline Lee, Lee Soo Ling, Timothy Nakayama and DTM Marion Lee. It was the most holly-jolly evaluation session we experienced by far. 

Christmas is not Christmas without the gift exchange ceremony. Everyone got a gift; big or small, heavy or light by the end of the joint meeting. 

Friendship’s members, Timothy Nakayama was voted as the Best Project Speaker and IPP Angeline brought home the Best Evaluator award. Well done to both of them!