After serving as club officers for five months, Toastmasters of Division W met in the second Toastmasters Leadership Institute training (TLI2) session at Menara AIA on 12 December 2009. As our reward, we found ourselves broadening our networks, exchanging knowledge with fellow Toastmasters and perking our ears listening intently at the wise words of our Toastmasters veterans.

Lieutenant Governor of Education & Training - Peninsula Thannimalai Letchumanan ACB, CL flew in from Penang despite the fact that Division S was having its TLI2 and his whole family had gathered at his Penang residence. He confidently spoke without visual aids and set the scene on the Importance of Club Success Plans.


Then, all of us had an interactive Break-Out session with our respective Area W1 to W8 Governors or their representatives;

• W1: Assistant AG W7 in Marketing, Angeline Lee ACB on behalf of Area Governor W1 Syamala Murigiah CC
• W2: Area Governor W1 Mohd Hadzrin Shah ACB, CL
• W3: Assistant Division W Governor in Marketing Chan Guan Leong CTM, CL stood in for Area Governor W4, Loh Chia Hur ACB, CL
• W4: Area Governor W4 Cheong Kuok Sum CC,ALB
• W5: Area Governor W5 Christine Khoo ACB, CL
• W6: Area Governor W6 Ng Lay Choo ACB, CL
• W7: Area Governor W7 Tan Lay Theng CC, CL
• W8: Area Governor W8 Henry Fu ACB, CL

The overall consensus was that Toastmasters provides a conducive environment for members to improve their communication and leadership skills, learn new things and in return, achieve personal growth and improved self-confidence. Current practices and suggestions to retain existing members as well as recruit new ones include proper mentoring, organising mini workshops and invitation to external General Evaluators for their constructive feedbacks. 


District Parliamentarian Dr. Arulnathan, DTM shared on the election and proxy processes of Area Governors and Club Officers. Now equipped with a better understanding, we are in a better position to handle the next election.

Toastmasters Leadership Institute Chairman R.S. Sandrasegaran, DTM touched on Conflict Management. In this interesting session, attendees were asked to complete several questions to check if their individual character personify a Collaborative Owl, Accommodating Teddy Bear, Compromising Fox, Competing Shark or Avoiding Turtle.

After that, in a reverse Table Topics session, the audience threw pressing district-related questions to our District officers, District Governor Richard Chong DTM, LGET-P Thannimalai Letchumanan ACB, CL and LGM-P Francis Ng, DTM and TLI Chairman R.S. Sandrasegaran, DTM.


This was followed by the Half CC Award presentation ceremony which saw Division W Governor Soh Fong Wai DTM presenting ribbons to 9 Division W members who started their ice breaker speech on 1 July 2009 and completed five or more Competent Communicator manual projects by 30 November 2009.



In the Judging of International Speech Contest Forum facilitated by District Mentoring Chair Ramdas Nayar DTM, the limelight fell on Dr. Arulnathan DTM, past champion of District 51 Humorous Speech Contest Stephen Fernando and District Marketing Committee, Awards - P Geoff Andrew DTM. They divulged insights on the evaluation of speeches:

• 50% Content (speech development, effectiveness and speech value),
• 30% Delivery (physical, voice, manner); and
• 20% Language (appropriateness and correctness).

Those present had the privilege to see District 51 International Speech Champion 2009 Ong Swee Keat on DVD and hear the Judging Forum panel’s evaluation. This was an opportunity to learn tips on improving the preparation and presentation of a speech. Those who would like to learn more can register for the upcoming International Speech Contest - The Winning Speech Forum 2010 on 6 February 2010. You can find more info here.   

After presenting tokens of appreciation to the speakers and organisers of the event, Division W Governor Soh Fong Wai DTM wrapped up the day and acknowledged that it was a good sign that more than half the audience were still present after four hours.

Overall, TLI2 proved to be an enlightening, entertaining and educational experience for me. Kudos to Organising Chair Toastmaster Tan Lay Theng and her team for making this a successful event!


Contributed by Elaine Tan, Friendship TMC