With “Positive Thinking”, you could be the next Division W Humorous Speech Champion. Here is the story of how it became a reality for one positive thinker.

Our Humorous Speech Champion grew up with the ambition to be a salesman. He realized that salesman, like mahjong players are positive thinkers. Even though fate may not hand you the perfect set of mahjong tiles, “Never mind, play first, maybe can still win” positive thinking means not quitting before the game is over.

Then he joined Toastmasters and he realized that there are many positive thinkers in this organization. He related his experience of not having prepared for his first speech, and slouching back to his seat after delivering it. To his surprise, fellow member Marian commended on his courage for doing his Ice Breaker speech. Another member Charlie shook his hand warmly, saying “Good speech. The next one will be even better”.

Our laughter continued when he told us that even if we were to remain silent for 5 minutes, the encouraging evaluation we will receive would be: “Speaker was courageous to attempt speaking before an audience, has good posture and I look forward to the next speech”.

He started with strumming on his guitar and ended his speech with a song. In between, he told us stories of the salesmen visiting his father’s shop, his goalkeeper days at school and his positive thinking football coach “It doesn’t matter how many goals the other team scored, we just have to score one more than them”. In the end, his “Positive Thinking” speech won the hearts of the judges and the audience.











Chief Judge DTM Ramdas Nayar receiving his certificate of appreciation from Organising Chair Kang, who is also Area W2 Governor


Our first-runner up “The Better Man” is a Superman fan. With his Superman costume change right in front of our eyes, his clever incorporation of the other contestants’ speech titles into his speech, and his hilarious explanation of why Superman is better than Batman, we became fans of Superman as well. Although none of us are Superman, we certainly can be The Better Man or Woman and do our part to help out others.










Members of KPMG who came to support their favourite contestants Aaron and Grace


“Size Does Matter” proclaims our second runner-up. She was surprised when a guy asked for her number. She was again pleasantly surprised when he called her but instead of sending her flowers and chocolate, he sent her slimming products. Her personal stories were immensely entertaining and her message was simply beautiful - yes, size does matter - the size of your heart. Show love and shower kindness on everyone, she says.











The winners !


Division W Humorous Speech Contest
Champion Lee Xi Wen (Positive Thinking)
First runner up Aaron Francis Lee (The Better Man)
Second runner up Nishaline Priya (Size Does Matter)













Aaron receiving his award from Division Governor DTM Vincent Hor











TTDI members with their Humorous Speech and Evaluation Champions


For the Evaluation Contest, test speaker G. Sivalingam’s speech on “Decisions, decisions, decisions” asked us not to sweat over the small stuff. Make the little decisions in your life based on your heart. These small decisions may change your life and the big decisions will take care of themselves.

Our Evaluation Champion quoted from Donald Trumph “A winner is not one who does not fail, but one that does not quit”. His winning recommendation to the test speaker is to use the power of 3 which is triads, to use 2 voices as he narrated one of his stories and to use pauses for his ideas to sink into the audience’s mind.

Our first runner-up praised the test speaker’s dynamic speech but questioned the speech value. The speech started with the test speaker’s decision to quit his job (big decision) and in the conclusion, the speaker asked us to make small decisions based on our heart. This evaluator recommended to link the introduction to the conclusion.

The second runner-up’s evaluation was delivered without using the podium. In his opinion, it was a good speech with a pertinent message which we can relate to. The test speaker has good body movements but perhaps a little too much. He also advocated the power of pauses to add greater emphasis to his points.

Division W Evaluation Contest
Champion Seetho Whye Kit
First runner up Dr. Devi Menon
Second runner up Darcy Steinhart









Members of Speakers Dream who came to support their contestant Darcy Steinhart who took part in both contests












Toastmaster of the Day Stephen Fernando receiving a token of appreciation from OC Kang











Mantissa members Viet Ha & Jia Qi, after their Timer and SAA duties have ended


To enjoy more Humorous Speech Contests, do clear your schedule for these upcoming events:

Division B Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contests
Date: Sat 25 Sept 2010
Time: 1.30pm - 5.30pm
Venue: Kolej Putra Intelek, Puchong

Division G Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contests
Date: Sat 25 Sept 2010
Time: 1.30pm - 5.30pm
Venue: PJ Community Centre, PJ

Division P Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contests
Date: Sat 25 Sept 2010
Time: 2.00pm - 6.00pm
Venue: Menara Exxonmobil, KLCC

Division C Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contests
Date: Sat 2 Oct 2010
Time: 1.30pm - 6.00pm
Venue: UMW Toyota, Shah Alam

District 51 Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contests
Date: Sun 31 Oct 2010
Time: 9.00am - 12.00pm
Venue: Legend Hotel, KL Semi-Annual Convention