March Club Meetings

Friendship on Tue 1 March 2011

For our “Trust and Integrity” meeting, Friendship was host to nine guests, thanks to the effort of VPM Chee Hoe, Susan and Past President Kim.

VPPR Alexandra with guests Rosalie, Lana, Daphne, VPE Angeline, Susan & guest Lee Ching

We have three pieces of happy news to share. Firstly, Susan informed us she has just received a promotion, after she joined Friendship. Congratulations to Susan !

Secondly, Susan’s guest, Daphne, announced that she has made the decision to join us, thus becoming the latest addition to Friendship Toastmasters Club.

Thirdly, VPM Chee Hoe unveiled the results of Friendship’s Membership Campaign which started on 19 Aug 2010 and ended on 28 Feb 2011. For her effort in bringing guests to our meetings and effortlessly converting her guests to members, Susan was the clear winner. Once again, congratulations to Susan !

Susan is the winner for Friendship’s Membership Campaign

KPMG KL on Wed 9 March 2011

Toastmaster of the Day Chee Sing has us laughing when he told us he can’t wait to ‘discover’ Joo Lee. We discovered more of Joo Lee when she presented her touching Ice Breaker speech about her difficult decision to move on after being in a relationship for 5 years. With her uplifting message of “keep growing, keep learning and be the best you can be”, she had our hearts and votes to emerge as the Best Project Speaker.

Project Speakers Joo Lee, Patrick and Krystle with their TI ribbons

Not only did President Grace presented project speakers Joo Lee, Patrick and Krystle with TI ribbons for speeches 1, 2 and 8, she had two more to give away. Congratulations to VPE Joanita and VPM Michelle who have completed all their CL manual assignments !

Joanite and Michelle with their CL ribbons

One World on Thur 10 March 2011

We had interesting speeches from our Best Project Speakers. Mei Fen inspired us to say “Yes!” to a new world of possibilities, excitement and adventure. We may even gain new friends just by saying yes to an invitation to a gathering.

Joint Best Project Speakers Meifen and Amenny with President Jessica

From Amenny, her speech on “How to become a property investor with 0 downpayment” held us spellbound for 7 minutes as she told us how she managed to own 5 properties at the age of 30. Last year, she bought 5 units at Berjaya Times Square and subsequently sold it at a profit of 40% ! This successful property investor gave us valuable tips and promised to share more in her future speeches. Interested in joining us at future One World meetings and learning from this enterprising extraordinaire ?


Exact ADC on Tue 15 March 2011
By Caroline, Exact ADC

“Changes” (Theme of the day) were definitely in store, as Brenda took the stand as Toastmaster of the Day. She had lined up a slightly reshuffled agenda, making things a little unexpected for those who were all too familiar with the standard format of our meetings.

Instead of starting off with the Table Topics session, we had assignment speakers presenting their prepared speeches first. Our Area W3 International Speech Contest winner, Loon, on a roll from the recent contest speeches, did his CC speech no. 6 with the title “My Malaysian Christmas”. He spoke of how Santa Claus came about and his version of what a Malaysian Santa Claus would look like.

Our second speaker was TME Brenda, who presented her assignment speech from the Humorously Speaking manual. In her “Anti-gravity” speech, she did not fail to make the audience laugh, with her signature humour-filled delivery on the modern day women’s obsession with youthful beauty and the race to defy age.

The impromptu speech session was up next. Table Topics Master Caroline had prepared some rather tricky topics based on the meeting’s theme. The winning speech was about “If you could change the plot of a movie, which movie would it be and why?” It was clear that Brenda would have liked to be Leonardo’s love interest on Titanic, when she spoke on her topic.

Best Table Topics Speaker Brenda receiving her award from President Andrew

This meeting was indeed a pleasant change from the norm and the general feedback was to see more positive changes in our coming meetings !

Division W ISTT Contests

Area W3 congratulates Soo Loon and Shirley who did not return empty-handed after contesting at Division W International Speech and Table Topics (ISTT) Contests on 12 March 2011.

Congratulations to Shirley & Soo Loon !

We had a number of members from One World, Friendship, Exact ADC and KPMG KL attending this event. They came to witness the 10 winners from 5 Area Contests competing to win the coveted Division W Champion titles and also to support our favourite contestants Soo Loon and Shirley.

Members of One World Toastmasters Club

Shirley & Grace from KPMG KL Toastmasters Club

Exact ADC Yuen Kai & Chern Yi, with Soo Loon & Club Mentor Rengan

Seated two rows in front of Yuen Kai and his 7 year old son Chern Yi, we heard Chern Yi’s exclamation of delight during the winning speech about “Talk Talk Talk”. It proved that age is not a barrier to enjoying an International Speech Champion’s speech. With practiced ease, our Champion told us that babies can’t wait to talk, children can’t stop talking and teenagers talk in their own world. It was a LOL moment when he exclaimed, “OMG ! Look at the time. TTYL!” Although we can’t run away from talking, our Champion suggested that perhaps we should talk less and listen a little bit more.

Our first runner-up in his “The Brave Little Kid” speech vividly told us that each day, we take one small step towards death. It is a destination that we all share. He then had us laughing at his dramatic “die die must do” story where it was either he do or he dies. In the end, he asked us to hold on to the dreams that we had as a little kid because our dreams are not for sale. Instead of saying, “I wish I did”, we would be able to say, “I’m glad I did” if we have the courage to pursue our dreams.

Our second runner-up told us of his ardent desire to lose weight, to exercise more and to earn more than $100,000. However because of his permanent resident status in the most populous nation in the world – Procrastination, he told himself, there’s always tomorrow. Two years ago, for his elder brother Alex, tomorrow never arrived. Shaken by the sudden loss of his brother, he decided to live life as his brother had, to “Fire First, Aim Later”. He concluded by asking us, “Death is certain, but the hour is not. How many hours do you have ? What would you choose to do with it ?”

Division W International Speech Contest
Champion – Kevin Lim (Ireka – Talk, Talk, Talk)
First runner-up – Lee Xi Wen (Metropolitan – The Brave Little Kid)
Second runner-up – Teo Soo Loon (Exact ADC – Fire First, Aim Later)

Division W Governor DTM Vincent with Xi Wen, Kevin, Soo Loon & IS Contest Chair Kang

Our five Table Topics contestants tested their mettle in answering the table topic of “For every minute you are angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness.”

Our Table Topics Champion told us of his friend who was unhappy that he has no private jets and buildings named after him. Asking us to pursue our cherished childhood dreams, he said, “Don’t wait to be happy”.

Our first runner-up lived with a woman who was full of anger. That affected her and she also transferred her anger towards her younger sister. However she concluded that this will not lead to happiness and emphatically asked us, “Don’t be angry, be happy!”

Our second runner-up told us that he does not have a lot of anger in him. For example, although he is less than pleased over his International Speech presentation, he has resolved not to let anger get in the way of his happiness.

Division W Table Topics Contest
Champion – Lee Xi Wen (TTDI)
First runner-up – Shirley Cheok (KPMG KL)
Second runner-up – Darcy Steinhart (Speakers Dream)

Division W Governor DTM Vincent with Shirley, Xi Wen, Darcy & TT Contest Chair Angeline

The champions of Division W Contests will be representing Division W at District 51 International Speech and Table Topics Contest on 1 May 2011 at the Penang Annual Convention. We wish them all the best and may our “Talk Talk Talk” Champion talk his way to another trophy while our “Brave Little Kid” with his many dreams achieve his dream to be District 51 Table Topics Champion !

Photos contributed by Yeoh Cheng Lim

Area W3 ISTT Contests 03.03.11

At Exact ADC, host for Area W3 ISTT

At our Area W3 International Speech and Table Topics (ISTT) Contests held on Thursday 3 March 2011 at G Tower, we had 50 members and guests attending this event.

Members and guests attending Area W3 ISTT

Hosted by Exact ADC Toastmasters Club, lead by Organising Chair Andrew Ng, we had guests singing praises about our buffet dinner comprising of
· Baked chicken with coconut sambal
· Roast lamb with black pepper
· Fish fillet with sweet chili sauce
· Baked prawn otak-otak
· Siew pak choy
· Mixed vegetables
· Pineapple & cucumber salad
· Fried rice
· Saute yee mee
· Banana chocolate cake
· Local fruit
· Iced punch

However, we are quite certain our members and guests did not attend solely for the food. It must have been the star power of our 8 Area contestants.

Organising Chair Andrew, Chief Judge Janice, Area Governor W3 Angeline & Contest Chair Vincent

Area W3 International Speech Contest started off with Contest Chair Vincent Soon explaining about the contest rules. Then it was time for our first contestant, Freddie from Friendship, to take centre-stage. Devastated that he was addressed as “uncle” by two young ladies, Freddie reflected on the psychological damage of the inevitable aging process. Looking on the positive side, we are “Like Fine Wine”. We get better with age, as we gain in wisdom, courage and determination.

Suresh of KPMG KL highlighted that we Malaysians could do with more of common sense. After giving us 3 humourous incidents involving “The Not So Common Sense”, he asked us to think, “Do I want someone else to do this to me?” before we act.

Third contestant Soo Loon of Exact ADC, charmed the judges with his “To Do or Not To Do” speech. Despite not feeling well, he gave us a sterling performance, convincing us to “Just do it. Tomorrow may never arrive.” Motivated by his elder brother’s motto of “Fire first, aim later”, this self-confessed procrastinator decided to take part in this year’s International Speech Contest. Procrastination’s loss was Area W3’s gain.

Our final contestant, Gary from One World, presented his life’s learning lessons in “Don’t work. Be hated. Love Someone”. It was Gary’s second speech as a Toastmaster, and Area W3 salute his courage to participate at our Area Contest, being a member of 2 months as One World Club was just chartered in January 2011.

Area W3 International Speech Contest
Champion – Teo Soo Loon (Exact ADC)
First runner-up – Freddie Yap (Friendship)

Exact members with Soo Loon (third from right), Area W3 International Speech Champion

Friendship members with Freddie (third from right), first runner-up for International Speech Contest

In the Table Topics Contest, Chief Judge Janice Lee selected the topic of “If I could travel back in time”. Shirley from KPMG KL told us she would have been less rebellious as a child. As the past cannot be changed, she would now like to help her sister to improve in her communications skills, by introducing her to Toastmasters.

Instead of spending his money on girls, parties and booze, Freddie from Friendship, would have listened to his mother’s advice to invest in property. Yuen Kai from Exact ADC, wished to study medicine and become a doctor. This Toastmaster is always generously sharing health-related information with his family and friends. Our final contestant, Gary from One World, jokingly told us that he wished he had not picked the last speaking order. He has had a nomadic existence in his growing up years, and as he cannot change the past, he chose to reflect on it and make the best of life, now.

Area W3 Table Topics Contest
Champion – Shirley Cheok (KPMG KL)
First runner-up – Gary Lee (One World)

KPMG KL members with Shirley (second from left), Area W3 Table Topics Champion


One World members with Gary (first from left), first-runner up for Table Topics Contest

Area W3 wishes both Soo Loon and Shirley all the best at Division W International Speech and Table Topics Contests to be held on Sat 12 March 2011 1.30 PM at Menara Great Eastern. Do join us and support our Area Champions, potentially the new Champions of Division W !

Area W3 Announcements

At our Area W3 International Speech and Table Topics Contests held on Thursday 3 March 2011 at G Tower, our new Area Champions were crowned.

Here are the results of our Area Contest, hosted by Exact ADC Toastmasters Club.

Area W3 International Speech Contest
Champion – Teo Soo Loon (Exact ADC)
First runner-up – Freddie Yap (Friendship)

International Speech Champion Soo Loon

Freddie is first runner-up

Area W3 Table Topics Contest
Champion – Shirley Cheok (KPMG KL)
First runner-up – Gary Lee (One World)

Contest Chair Vincent Soon with Gary Lee, first runner-up and Shirley Cheok, Table Topics Champion, and Area Governor Angeline

Our Area W3 Champions will proceed to the next level of contest which is Division W International Speech and Table Topics Contests to be held on Sat 12 March 2011 1.30 PM at Menara Great Eastern. Do join us for another exciting contest where the best of the best (contestants who have won at Club and Area level) will be competing to be the new Champions of Division W !



Area Governor Election

Following our Area Contest, Area Council members of Exact ADC, Friendship, KPMG KL and One World met for the Area Governor election for term 2011/2012. Our incoming Area Governor will serve from 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.

Area W3 is pleased to announce that our incoming Area Governor is Kimmy Foo, Past President of University Malaya Toastmasters Club and Division W Public Relations Officer 2010/2011.

Area W3 Council members with Kimmy Foo (fifth from the left)

Area W3 looks forward to working with Kimmy for the coming term and we wish her all the best in her Area Governor leadership journey.

Area W3 Club Contests

Friendship on Tues 25 Jan 2011

Freddie convinced the audience and judges that it is “Quality, not quantity” that matters. After that, Chee Hoe made us sit up and listen in his “Listen, please!” speech. Sivadas spoke of being a better speaker since joining Toastmasters in his “Unchangeable Change” speech.

In the Table Topics Contest, the topic selected by Chief Judge Lakhmichand was “Nothing is perfect, nothing is impossible” from a choice of 3 topics. Contestants Freddie, Alexandra, Sivadas, Ben and Vincent spoke on this topic with no hesitation. Among other things we heard about the perfect wife, the perfect job and of meeting one’s dream girl. It might not have been easy task for the judges to decide on the winners, with so many perfectly convincing answers to choose from.

After careful deliberation, Chief Judge Lakhmichand handed over the results to Contest Chairs Lay Theng and Angeline. Here are the results.

International Speech Contest
Champion - Freddie Yap
First runner-up - Chor Chee Hoe

International Speech Contest winners Chee Hoe and Freddie

Table Topics Contest
Champion - Freddie Yap
First runner-up - Vincent Wong
Second runner-up - Ben Fong

Table Topics winners Vincent, Freddie and Ben

KPMG on Mon 21 Feb 2011
By Grace Loh

Table Topics Champion Shirley and International Speech Champion Suresh

Suresh Ragavan, our International Speech contest champion reminded us to use a scarce commodity, “Common Sense”. He hilariously related various things we often did or encountered when we didn’t engage our brains.

Table Topics Contest Chair Joanita unveiled the topic “Your future depends on your dreams” to our team of brave ladies. It was a parade of 6 beauties taking their turn to share with us their dreams, ambitions and desires as well as how they plan to achieve them.

Table Topics contestants Joo Lee, Diyana, Shirley, Yi Hoong, Michelle and Krystle

Our newest member Joo Lee, shares her experience in taking part in a club contest for the first time. “Most agree that first love is the deepest. I’ll say my first participation in the Table Topics contest was the most exhilarating experience I’ve ever had! It was nerve wrecking at first but I truly enjoyed delivering the table topic. My level of enthusiasm increased when I saw positive responses from the audience. I’ve done it once and am already looking forward to my next speech presentation. Toastmasters can be addictive!”

International Speech Contest
Champion – Suresh Ragavan

Table Topics Contest
Champion – Shirley Cheok
First runner-up – Too Yi Hoong
Second runner-up – Toh Joo Lee


Exact ADC on Tues 22 Feb 2011
By Caroline Yap


Yeow Yuen Kai’s speech “Never give up”, was an emotional tale of his recent encounter with his cousin, who is battling cancer. There are those who are fighting for their lives, yet there are many cases of youths announcing their own “Judgement Day” and committing suicide. His key message was to not give up and life is indeed precious.

Second speaker was Andrew Ng, who firmly sent the message “Make love, not baby” in his speech on pre-marital sex, children borne out of wedlock and the murderous crime of abandoning babies.

Loon was next, with his speech “Just do it”, in which he exemplified his experience of preparing for this contest as a built-up constipation. His delivery brought rounds of laughter as he spoke of the 3 devils, urging him to fear, be unprepared and to procrastinate.

In the Table Topics Contest, the contestants were asked to speak on “Who we were, will not influence who we can be.” Andrew, Loon and Yuen Kai delivered their table topic speeches within the allotted time.

Contest Chair Chee Yoong, contestants Loon, Yuen Kai, Andrew and Organising Chair Caroline

International Speech Contest
Champion – Teo Soo Loon
First runner-up – Yeow Yuen Kai

Table Topics Contest
Champion – Teo Soo Loon
First runner-up – Yeow Yuen Kai


We wish the club contest winners all the best at the upcoming Area W3 International Speech and Table Topics Contest on Thursday 3 March 2011 at Level 8, G Tower, Jalan Tun Razak. Join us and find out who will be the new Area W3 Champion !