How to be a Professional Emcee

Ever wanted to brush up your emceeing skill? Wanting to improve your speaking ability in front of public?

Still not too late to purchase tickets. Workshop is open for both toastmasters and non-toastmasters. Cheapest workshop you can find. 

Please contact me suhanasidik@gmail.com to purchase your tickets.

Bursa Malaysia Open Day

Following the positive feedback received from the Youth Leadership Program organized by MIM KL Toastmasters Club, Bursa Malaysia has invited the team to setup a toastmaster booth during Bursa Malaysia’s HR Open Day. It was indeed a great experience for the Division P Council to engage the public on the benefits of joining Toastmasters with the idea of setting up a Toastmasters Club for the company.

Some of the employees who came and visit our booth registered their interests, and we will indeed be working hard towards realizing this idea!

Upcoming Event (updated 20Oct10)

KL Semi-Annual Convention 29-31 Oct 2010
Div P Christmas Party 14 Dec 2010

Area P1 IS&TT Contest 11 Sep 2010
Area P2 IS&TT Contest 21 Aug 2010
Area P3 IS&TT Contest 28 Aug 2010
Area P4 IS&TT Contest 4 Sep 2010
Area P5 IS&TT Contest 5 Sep 2010

Division P&G TLI2 8 Jan 2011
Division W IS&TT Contest 12 Mar 2011
Division B&G IS&TT Contest 19 Mar 2011
Division P&C IS&TT Contest 26 Mar 2011

Penang Annual Convention 29Apr-1May 2011

TMIKL - The Great Debate

Contributed by Sidney Ng, President TMIKL

Albert Einstein once said that it is pure madness to expect the same results when you do the same thing over and over.
In the same vein, TMIKL decided to put a fresh twist to the word debate and table topics. At the same time build camaraderie between supporting sister clubs.

We had our first (and definitely not last), Great TMIKL Debates on the 26th October where we pitted our speakers with visiting club AFC. Mas Rizal, Cyril Jonas and Sandra Ghouse represented TMIKL; while Sean, Hilston and Jack represented AFC.
The twist of the evening was that nobody knew of the topic. A flip of the coin was done to choose which team would select sides PRIOR to knowing about the topic. How is that for a Toastmasters Table Topic challenge?

The topic of the evening was "Is cohabitation the replacement for marriage". Teams were given 5 minutes to prepare and the spills and thrills of the debate begun.
With laughter, logic, sheer intensity, reasoning with even the equation of the iPhone 4's contract to a telco as an metaphor for a marriage contract!

The speakers from both teams put up a good fight with excellent points and "seemingly rehearsed" speeches despite only knowing about the topic on the day itself. TMIKL emerged champions as the proposition team, while Jack from AFC was the best speaker.

TMIKL would like to thank AFC, ITC Bintang and Satu Hati Toastmasters Club for gracing the event and making it a success. It was certainly a night of spills, chills, and laughter for all who attended

Feature Toastmaster - Ivan Pei

By Ivan Pei, DDYPC Member

“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.”
Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
US humorist, novelist, short story author, & wit

I recall first stepping on stage, in front of an auditorium with about 300 of my peers. Blood drained from my hands, my palms were sweaty, my mind a daze. I was scared. No, I was terrified. Luckily for me, I was on a debating team and happened to be the 3rd speaker. Thus, the task of breaking the ice was not mine. The first two speakers on my team did an admirable job despite being obviously petrified. It didn’t help that this was a debate, not just a simple speech.

“Point! How do you explain the loss of obvious humanitarian benefits of alleviating famine and hunger in regions such as Africa by choosing to condemn genetically modified crops that can grow in regions that are otherwise barren?” fired the opposition. My dear team mate answered, “Uh, uhm, ur, genetically modified crops are um, ah, have health risks and are unethical, like I mentioned uh, just now”. Capitalizing on our weak response, the opposition again attacked us, “So, basically what you are saying is that you would rather have them starve to death, rather than take the minor risk of suffering small health complications. I ask you, based on your stance of ethics, which is more ethical, starving to death? Or eating genetically modified crops?”

I still vividly remember stepping up to the microphone as the final speaker facing an opposition that was armed to the teeth and unafraid to lash out at any weakness in our arguments. I was terrified before, now I was on the verge of hysteria. I calmed myself and delivered my speech. It wasn’t great I admit, and we definitely did not win that debate, but after going through that, I can’t say I’m afraid of very many things. At that time, I was fifteen.

Fear of public speaking is very common, and nothing to be ashamed of. Mastering fear is part and parcel of public speaking. Toastmasters International helps you do just that. So how does the courage to speak, the courage to stand out, help in life? I would like to share with you my story and how the art of public speaking has helped me.

At sixteen, I attended the PETRONAS scholarship camp, where over a few days; we had to demonstrate our leadership and speaking skills for their consideration in order to obtain a scholarship. Public speaking training in the past gave me the confidence to voice out my opinions, answer questions and lead groups. Some of my good friends, who were academically better than I was, shied away from the spotlight. They had the willpower to study day and night to get their results, but lacked the courage to display their brilliance.

The way I look at it, hard work leads to good results. Public speaking and courage leads to the display of your results. So, what is the point of working hard and achieving results if nobody knows about it? I eventually was lucky enough to receive a scholarship from PETRONAS to further my studies overseas. The only difference between me and my peers was my courage and ability to market myself. A year later, after pre-university studies, I was on a flight to Sydney to study in Australia’s oldest university, The University of Sydney.

Public speaking helped me secure posts in the Malaysian Society of my university and also during my job interview. I finished my studies at the end of 2008 and was pleased to be informed that I was recommended for a post in PETRONAS. I joined DDYPC Toastmasters because I feel that I can improve much more on my speaking skills. I may have tamed my fear, but with toastmasters, I can now learn to master my fear.

Miri Convention - by Hadzrin Shah

You may have missed the recent Miri annual convention, but that doesn’t mean that you were not fed the whole experience through the many updates from District 51 website, or even tweets from some of the attendees.

So yes, the event was a success as it marks the very last conference that Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei toastmasters got reunited as District 51. Do enjoy the write up from our very capable TM Hadzrin Shah of his recollection what Miri convention is all about (besides the many girls’ contact that he had!)

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At this point of writing, I am trying hard to recall all that happened in Miri from my vague memory. I remember what happened since my anxious wait at the LCCT airport before departing to Miri on Thursday. At the waiting hall I met LGM-to-be DTM Ramdas, LGET-to-be DTM Sue Chan and the Penang gang! Not to forget, and surely I did not, my dear friends Hakim, Suhana and my UEM Academy Toastmasters Club President Ridzuan. It was a whole happy Toastmasters family eager to board to trip to the convention.

The Miri Annual Convention 2010 from 21-23 May 2010 in, of course, Miri, Sarawak, was the last District 51 convention to include Peninsula Malaysia, East Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei. On Friday prior to the district officers’ election, the lobby was filled by campaign flyers and banners by the candidates vying for the top posts in District 51 and the new District 87.

There’s nothing much I have to tell about the elections that pursued, except for one havoc moment which to me actually defined the highlight of the event. Division W proposed to split into Division W and Division G. Suddenly out of nowhere from the calmness of the ballroom, came up a suggestion… to rename Division G to Division X! The arguments that ensued create quite a scene that the decision making had to go down to the ballot paper. In the end, Division G was to remain. But it was the day the members opened their eyes to Division X as the future in the making.

Later that night, I remember we were entertained by a musical from Kota Kinabalu Toastmasters Club who were celebrating their 20 years anniversary. It was sweet, and taking pictures with the girls who performed was sweeter.

On Saturday, nothing much happened apart from educational sessions and run-offs. Our favourite uncle from Hilton PJ Toastmasters Club, ATMB Stephen Fernando was at his usual best. Nonetheless we could already see new talents who have earned their right to give Stephen a run for his money.

Then came the grand Gala Dinner. All the delegates were dressed to kill. The ladies were stunning in their black and white dresses and evening gowns, the gentlemen were elegant in their suits and I was so super awesome, tuxedo-clad. The night was fantastic, and again, the pictures I took afterwards with all the girls were marvellous.

The next day, it came down to the grand finale, the final of the contests. The Table Topics contestants set the stage alight with their mind-blowing diverse ideas in tackling the topic. But the International Speech contest was the bomb. I don’t need to add more, you know the ending yourself and I was so happy and super elated that Stephen Fernando won! Uncle, you’ve earned your chance to have a crack at the World Championship again.

It was only after the whole convention has ended and after I boarded the flight back to KL that I realised, the whole weekend was totally super tiring. Nevertheless I went back a happy man, knowing that I have enjoyed so much in a memorable last-one-together-before-we-go-apart convention. District 51 and District 87 will open a new chapter in their fresh books, but all the recollections and memories, together with the girls’ contacts in my phone – plus one on my palm – will forever remain to stay.

Feature Toastmaster - Wan Chee Wing

Dear Toastmasters.
My journey to the Toastmasters world was sort of by chance!
Five years ago, my wife asked me to accompany her with a few friends who have just graduated from a professional trainers program to 'shop' for a Toastmasters club to join - so that they can use it as a platform to practice their new found skill.

My role was merely as an escort. There were a few clubs that were visited and Maxis Toastmasters Club was the last one on the list. I have heard about Toastmasters before, but only in some vague references and never understood the full details of its operation.

My academic background was in the field of Mass Communications, and in the corporate world I have held positions as Advertising & Public Relations Manager, Media Manager, Sponsorship & Events Manager, Sr. Brand Manager, Marketing Manager & so on - and it was part of my job to conduct public speaking and dealing with the media on a regular basis.My first encounter at the Maxis Toastmasters Club meeting was quite an interesting one.

I remember, we were late - as usual, partly to blame the KL traffic and also locating the right meeting room at Maxis. When we finally found the room, we discovered it was packed with rather dignified individuals seated around a table in a large boardroom. Soon, I realized that there was a well structured agenda in conducting the meeting and everyone was rather disciplined. Suddenly, the aura of the Toastmasters movement clipped a couple of positive notches up, in my brain!

We took our seats and as a formality we were asked to introduce ourselves. I sat comfortably and was enjoying the proceedings. Then came the Table Topics session and my name was suggested - I was caught off guard! But, it was a pleasant experience and I started to enjoy those special moments - although for just 2 minutes.

I soon realize that the Toastmasters bug has bitten me and there's no reverse gear! I am thoroughly fond of my club and since then I have never failed to take on a variety of roles from being Table Topics Master to Evaluator, a Speaker to Ah-counter, as General Evaluator for other club meetings to taking part in Contests - every bit of it was of immense joy to me.

I have seen many members upon completing their 10th assignment and achieving their coveted CC title leave the club! This is very disappointing. I have always felt that there's the need to lend continuity and to give back to the very club that has groomed one to be a CC. Only in that manner could proper mentorship be administered. I felt duty bound to play a more effective role in promoting my club to a higher level.
Currently, I have completed my ACG & CL and definitely eyeing for DTM in due course and will definitely stay on with my club, "The Club of Champions" and the "President's Distinguished Club".

Yours in Toastmastering,
Wan Chee Wing, President-Maxis Toastmasters Club 2010/2011