On an evening of drizzling rain, members and guests of Friendship convened at Bukit Kiara to Initiate the Transformation to revolutionise (word of the day) our communication and leadership skills.
(L-R) TME Sylvia, Chong Soon (President of Seri Petaling TMC), VPE Chee Hoe, President Angeline, Janice (Puchong Mandarin TMC), Secretary Daphne, Joey (Puchong Mandarin TMC) & Treasurer Ian
At the helm was Toastmasters of the Evening, Sylvia Tan. She was as eager as ever to continue with her Initiate the Transformation journey to be a better speaker and leader, undertaking the TME role for the first time.
The Table Topics Session hosted by VPE Chee Hoe had several intriguing transformation questions. IPP Zaiton spoke of the transformation in her life, moving from her corporate job into the nutrition line. She had just spent the past two months abroad, where she took long walks in the sunny, summer days of Germany.
In Treasurer Ian’s opinion, the greatest marketing transformation was the Internet which brought about a revolution of marketing ideas and created millionaires in their 20s.
Treasurer Ian
For Past President Ben, the best communication transformation was the phone. Without a phone, friends can’t find you and your boss can’t locate you. Don’t leave home without it as you can call your friend to help out, if you have left home without your wallet.
We were wondering who was the “Beauty and the Beast” as Ian started to narrate his fascinating tale of two Wendys and Sylvester Stallone. It was a tale of dejection, elation and transformation with elements of vocal variety.
For Sook Ling’s “Food Revolution”, her key message was that for every problem we encounter, we should change our perspective to find the solution. For the food industry, the revolution started with the realization that instead of having just a best product for everyone, there is much to be gained in creating great products for specific groups of people.
Sook Ling
Zakie (President of KL Advanced TMC) reading out the project objectives to Ben
Past President Ben was the radio talk show guest in the “Morning Breakfast Show” while Angeline was the radio host. He explained about the benefits of Toastmasters to his radio listeners.
Ben on the "Morning Breakfast Show"
In her Entertaining Speaker speech, Grace was brimming with energy and moving with exuberance as she told us about her tomboy childhood days. We definitely enjoyed her transformation into the svelte, amusing and entertaining speaker that she is today.
Grace presenting her "Stay Foolish, Stay Funny" speech
Area G3 Governor Victor Ong capably and humorously lead the Evaluation Session. He jokingly told us that he grudgingly and disappointingly admitted that Grace is as good a speaker as he is. With his “addiction” to Friendship, he had visited our clubs 4 times this year! He praised our meeting as being productive, attended by committed, conscientious and candid Toastmasters.
Clockwise starting from top left: Table Topics Evaluator Chong Soon, speech evaluators Alexandra and Zakie, and GE Victor
The awards given out for our Initiate the Transformation meeting went to
Best Table Topics Speaker – Ian Tai
Best Project Speaker – Grace Tan
Best Speech Evaluator – Ahmad Zakie
Half CL Ribbon – Alexandra Lau
District 51 President Distinguished Club award – IPP Zaiton
VPM Alexandra who has been working assiduously on her Competent Leadership projects was the presented with the Half CL ribbon as she has completed 14 out of the required 23 projects.
Former Area Governor Angeline presented Immediate Past President Zaiton with District 51 President Distinguished Club award, for her leadership role in guiding Friendship to a successful term for 2010/2011.
IPP Zaiton receiving Friendship's President Distinguished Club award
After our meeting, we had an impromptu autograph signing session. Ian unveiled his newly minted “Silver” book. VPM Alexandra and Past President Lay Theng promptly grab the opportunity to request for his autograph.
Ian with his "Silver" book
Our next meeting will be on 15 November 2011 with the theme Where Leaders Are Made. We hope you will be there to witness Where Leaders Are Made after we have initiated our transformation to be better speakers and leaders !
