Clubbing in Shanghai

Dear Friends,

I would like to share my recent experience in Toastmasters clubbing in Shanghai.

First I recommend your inform the club you plan to visiting as soon as possible if you are requesting for a speaking slot. A very important rule is to know your audience. As I was redoing my ice breaker speech, I wanted to make it interesting for my audience. I have a primary massage and a sub massage. The primary massage was what is it like to be a Chinese born and live outside China and the sub massage was what I was doing in Shanghai.

I visited two clubs, the first one spoke Mandarin before and after the meeting and the other spoke English during the entire session. I also did a humorous speech with some success and even learn from their funny man. (Sorry it always the guy lah) They meet every week and
signing up new members at every meeting. Membership size is about 50.
They have two additional VPE assistants.

Most of the members are from other part of Shanghai and even a Malaysian (past President). I know you guys are asking what about the women. A few six footers with even higher heels but most of them are like you and me. This may sound funny but they don’t look like the Chinese nationals here in KL. They look like you and me.

After this trip I am motivated to speak more Mandarin but of course it may comes out like (pause) Orange. Haha. Hence if you get a chance to travel overseas, I strongly recommend you include visiting a Toastmasters club, it is very educational and rewarding.

Marcus CheeRS

Meeting #154 (12/08/08)

I was thrilled to bits… we are finally having our first meeting at our new own venue! Whoppee! And phew, lots of savings and no more paying a bomb for Shah Village motel. *winks*

What a profound venue it was. We had to take the service lift right at the back of the building to Level 1, Menara PJ. It’s a whole lot bigger than our previous venue.

In line with the Olympics theme, Francis was the only one dressed in sports clothing. Kudos. I guess the instruction was not clear… to wear or not to wear sports clothing, hmm.

We had 6 wonderful guests…Khairy (guest of Jasfarina), Paul Guy (a French Canadian, friend of Paul Tan), Fennie (found us from the world wide web), Cindy (our newest member, James’ sister), Shi Ting and Yee Ming (guests of Erica).

Our profound President, Hj Hashim let us chew on the following phrase, “Only hungry minds can grow” to start off the meeting.

Siew Yin inspired us too with her invocation. One World, One Dream. Like the Olympics, TM is all about friendship, progress and realizing of our communication dreams together.

Table topics were centered around the Olympics theme. Kudos to our guests, Khairy and Paul Guy for taking up the challenge to speak impromptu-ly. Paul Tan, Marcus Chee and Ben Hoe participated enthusiastically too.

Something profound happened tonight… 2 speakers spoke on the same subject matter from different perspectives. I’m sure with the vivid sharing from them, our members who were not able to join us for Chilling Waterfalls trip, definitely felt compensated.

Erica Soon showed profound improvement from her previous speech in her 3rd speech, “No Pain, No Gain”. Chilling Waterfalls is a creation of God in the middle of the jungle. So, sometimes in life, struggle and pain do bring about awesome reward…the beautiful sight of the waterfall.

Gean Lau definitely played her part… arriving just in the nick of time for her 3rd speech, “Procrastinate Your Way to Success”. I learned that procrastination may not necessarily be a bad thing, if we know how to be a smart procrastinator. Being one herself, Tips for successful procrastination are:
Know your limits. Don’t keep piling up the list of “To-Do” things.
Find a way around the task/challenge. Sometimes, you’d be amazed…more creative ways to solve the problem.
Knowing the difference between Urgent and/ important will produce profound results in your life.
After hibernating for 2 years, Cindy Foong attempted her 5th speech, “Trip to Nature’s Gym”. I loved her very descriptive words in sharing with us her Chilling Waterfalls experience. For some it was a leisurely walk; for others it was an intense workout in the gym. Yes, indeed, why pay through your nose for the gym when you can go trekking in natural surroundings and get to breath in fresh air, free massage and tone our body through the walking up and downhill. Kudos.

Refreshment was yummy nasi lemak, orange and banana with coffee. And also the delicious birthday cake of the month.

We are privileged to have our supporter (helped us from our charter days), Lackmichand (who is not Chinese) to be our general evaluator. Very tactful feedback, thank you.

To our dear charter president, Hj Naburi, you’ve improved tremendously with time management, please don’t go astray.

See you at our next meeting… our club’s Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contests. 8 contestants for each contest, awesome. Come and support them and invite your friends/relatives/spouses/colleagues.

Cheers,
Huey Yee
PP

DWSEP Awards Night (2/8/08)

WE ARE NO. 1

On the 2nd August, 2008, the Division W Soaring Eagles Awards presentation was held at the Level 1, Menara PJ (our new meeting place) where about 70 Toastmasters and guests attended. Our club, MM-KL TMc was represented by IPP Tan Ben Hoe, President Hj Hashim, VPPR Hj Naburi and wife, VPPM E.K. Yeo, Treasurer K. H. Song, SAA Eugene, Hon. Adviser Francis Ng, James Chow, Sharon Siow, Erica Soon, Janice Ooi, Marcus Chee, Abu Bakar, Matthew Alexander, Nini Yeoh, Gene Lau, Paul Tan and Albert Seah and wife.

The supremacy of Money Mastery-KL Toastmasters Club came to the fore in the program where we are declared as the NO. 1 or TOP Club in Division W for the 2007/2008 term and we received the Gold Eagle Award for achieving President Distinguished Club status by 31st March 2008 and accumulates the most number of points under the scoring system of 1 point for every new member and 1 point for every education award (CC, AC, CL, ALB, ALS & DTM) by 30th June 2008. CONGRATULATIONS! to MM-KL Toastmasters. Here are the People responsible that contribute to the Gold Eagle Award. Touché, Kudos, Well done and BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THEM:

• President Tan Ben Hoe received the Exemplary President Award for leading us to achieve the President Distinguished Status by 31st March 2008;
  


• Hj Hashim Adnan received the Exclusive Walnut Miniature Lectern Award for VPE who achieves all 6 education DCP goals. and Hj Hashim was declared The Outstanding VPE in Division W who meets the 6 Education DCP Goals by 31st March, 2008; Club achieves minimum Distinguished status by 31st March, 2008 and records the most number of education awards (CC, AC, CL, AL & DTM) by 30th June 2008.
  Liew Siew Yin received the Exclusive Walnut Miniature Lectern Award for being a committed VPM who achieved all 2 membership DCP goals.
  


• K.H. Song also received The Exclusive Walnut Miniature Lectern Award for Treasurer who submits the April Semi Annual dues by 31st March 2008 with 20 members or net growth of at least 5 members.

The following who achieved their Competent Communicator (CC) by 31st March, 2008:

1. Alexander Matthew


2. Nini Yeoh Liew Hwa


3. Yeo Eng Keng


4. Liew Siew Yin


5. Khoshim Malim

They have received their individual 18k Gold Plated CC pins from the Immediate Past Division W Governor DTM Azmi Shahrin.

For the Advance Communicator Silver Award:
Francis Ng.

For the Advanced Communicator Gold Award:
Francis Ng

For the Advanced Leader Bronze Award:
Francis Ng

For the Distinguished Toastmaster Award:
Francis Ng.

For the Old Competent Leader Award:
1. Song Kueng Hor
2. Marcus Chee
3. Alwin Chuah
4. Hj. Hashim Adnan
5. Liew Siew Yin
6. Low Meng Koon
7. Hj.Naburi Bin Idin
8. Wan Nazmi
9. Francis Ng
10. Abu Bakar Ngah
11. Nini, Yeoh Liew Hwa
12. Raymond Sii
13. Tan Ben Hoe
14. Tan Peng Leong
15. Victor Wan
16. Chong Huey Yee
17. Alexander Matthew
18. Yeo EK

Special mention to our Paul Tan who achieved the Outstanding Area Governor W6 fo Membership Extension Award whose area achieves minimum Select Distinguished status by 31st March 2008 and records the most number of new members by 30th June 2008.

Our members who contributed their services outside the club and achieved Baby Eagle Award for the outstanding New Club Team in Division W. that sponsored or mentored the new club to achieve DCP award by 31st March 2008.
Francis Ng - sponsor of Sai Masters TMc (President Distinguished Club)
Francis Ng - sponsor of KPMG KL TMc (Distinguished Club)

Golden Phoenix Award:Francis Ng - Coach of MIA TMc (Distinguished Club)

Once again CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THOSE WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR CLUB TO BE THE NO 1 CLUB IN DIVISION W FOR 2007/2008. KEEP THE GOOD WORK.

FOR THIS TERM LET US AWAKEN OUR INNER STRENGTH AND PICK UP OUR COURAGE TO CONQUER AND HELP FRIENDS TO SUCCEED AND TURN OUR DREAMS TO REALITY TAKE UP THE CHALLENGES FOR THE TERM AND ENSURE OUR CLUB TO REMAIN AT THE TOP OF THE PEDESTAL. BRAVO MM-KL TOASTMASTERS!

REPORT BY:
HJ. NABURI IDiN, CTM, CL
VPPR

Trip (9/6/08)

Dear members,

Those who saw the photos of our Chilling Waterfalls trip (end of Jun08) projected at our meeting on 22nd July must be wondering why so many of our men strutting their muscles , everyone smiling happily for the camera etc. haha. Let me explain... Money Mastery-KL TMc had our inagrual eco-trip to Chilling Waterfalls in Kuala Kubu Baru 29th June 2008. It was fun (MK will upload the pictures onto our blog soon. those who brought cameras and had interesting pictures different from MK pls also upload).

Siew Yin was our able and industrious organiser making sure everyone were taken care of, kudos.

Slight drizzle didn't dampen our spirits. The trail was laden with many things natural...monkey cups (this small plant species grew from ground up), butterflies, mushrooms, parasit plants, beautiful unidentified plants and insects etc. We even saw a green stick insect on a leaf.

Lots of oxygen and 5 river crossings and a short walk later, we were greeted by a huge waterfall. A sight to behold. We put down our things and jumped into the pool for a good dip. Some of us swam and still others got a good massage from the strong flow of water.

Then, we makan our packed lunch and we even got to enjoy a cup of hot coffee/tea etc.The beautiful environment sure worked up my appetite.

We were blessed, really. Not only did it not rain/pour cats and dogs (it was a really cloudy day), we all got to the waterfall (all of us) and we made it out and not a drop of rain. Just awesome. Then, we proceeded to hot springs nearby to freshen up. The water was bloody hot, scalding hot.

Dinner was delicious at Ulu Yam, famous for coconut prawns and 'loh mee'.

The day ended too early (at 8ish pm!). Thank you, members and some imported people from MIA for making our trip memorable.

So, game for our next trip? Where to, guys? Let's vote on the following (you can email in suggestions):

1. Rainbow Waterfalls in Sg Lembing, Pahang

2. White water rafting and eco activities in Gopeng, Perak

cheers,

Huey Yee, ACB, CL

Past President

Meeting #153 & 6th. Anniversary (22 July 2008)

Happy 6th Birthday, Money Mastery-KL Toastmasters Club!

And to all our industrious members, happy 6th birthday! Looking forward, may we celebrate many more birthdays together as we learn and grow, in our positive learning lab?
It was indeed a grand and energetic meeting. We are definitely a class above… I mean in all my 6 years with the club, I’ve never had a buffet dinner before the meeting! Wow.
Our esteemed President, Hj. Hashim said the most dangerous place to be is in the middle of the road. Likewise, to become better speakers/communicators, Decide. Decide to firmly follow the path…do the right things to pursue your communication/leadership goals this term. Very apt. Practice not only makes perfect. Practice makes permanent.
Nini Yeoh was energetic in her role as TME, kudos.
Gean Lau inspired us with Emily Dickinson’s, “I dwell in possibilities.” So, like the U-mobile advertisement on TV presently, start to ask ourselves, “Why not…?”
Why not finish my 10 speeches by Dec? Why not participate in the upcoming Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contests? Why not commit to coming to club meetings regularly? Yes, why not indeed?
Bravo to our industrious Table Topic Master, Hj Hashim, whose topics let our volunteers, have a field day. Kudos, Aziz Youp, Janice, Cindy, James, Bakar.
MK Low…he’s definitely one person who asked why not? Why not learn to be humorous? His brand of humor has evolved and it’s so original. Thank you for making us laugh.
Calista attempted her 2nd project speech, titled “My Best Friend”. Congrats, my dear! The twist to your story was absolutely amazing. I expected to hear juicy story about boyfriend and unexpectedly, you led us to think about our relationship with our dad. So, how many of us went home and told daddy, “I appreciate all you have done, thank you?”
Eu Gene brought us down memory lane with “Children of the 50s, 60s and 70s”. The value that I got from his sharing is…
Yesterday is Past, Tomorrow may never come. Today is a gift from God, that’s why it’s Present. So, why not live life to the fullest? Experience/learn one new thing everyday.
Marcus is on his 2nd round of CCship. Saving his icebreaker for a TM club in Shanghai, he attempted his 2nd project speech, titled “The Law of Attraction”. A universal law of success, the law of attraction was highlighted in The Secret. The VCD/DVD is worth watching.
Kudos to all the evaluators for their industrious evaluations, Ben Hoe, KH Song, KL Loh, Francis. Kudos too to our roleplayers who listened attentively, the grammarian, ah counter and timekeeper.

Some dates to note:
2nd Aug… Division W 2007-2008 DWSEP Awards night.
12th Aug…our next meeting.
26th Aug…Club Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contests. Volunteers for role players and contestants, pls respond to Siew Yin’s email on this.
Have an industrious and meaningful weekend.
See you at next meeting,
Cheers,
Huey Yee, ACB, CL
Past President