2016/2017 Installation Night Cum 14th Anniversary Celebration

The night of all nights, the installation Night of Money Mastery-KL Toastmasters club finally arrived upon the dusk of a Saturday on the 24^th of July 2016.  Our installation night was held at Nando’s in Jaya One in Petaling Jaya. The organizing chair, Wendy and her team, found a perfect spot to celebrate this memorable night. The place was outdoors with a good ambiance and was spacious. The venue had a setting that look like a stage for the installation ceremony and we were also able to install our LCD projector and the screen. Members and guests had sufficient space to move around and sit around the tables to enjoy the dinner. We were blessed with good weather and clear skies overlooking us from above. There weren’t many stars though for all of them were on the ground that night. 

With an enthusiastic team of committee, namely Fung Jiun, Mandy, Chitirra, Ji Sheng, Dr. Thilla C., ACG, ALS and CS Quah they had the Installation Night moving smoothly and steadily with much poise, with Wendy at the helm. Kevin Khoo, CC was the advisor for the team. 

The crowd were slowly drawing in by 7.15pm and we had with us some very distinguished guest, Distinguished Toastmaster Lakhmichand (Lucky), DTM and Distinguished Toastmaster Geoff Andrews, DTM who were the key people responsible for the chartering of Money Mastery-KL Toastmasters Club. The other important people were our Division Director KM Srinivas, ACB, ALB and our Area Director Charmaine Lee, ACB, ALB. We had the honor of having our District Director Distinguished Toastmaster Thiagarajah Nesan, DTM upon his arrival at the airport from London as he chose to make his presence at our event.

If one had a bird’s eye view before the event, you could have seen how the committee were a busy swarm of bees buzzing around to ensure that the event would be as sweet as honey. We had Serena setting up the stage, Fung Jiun getting the orders for the food, Mandy preparing for the games, Kevin being a whiz at the laptop, Chitirra snapping the evidence of it all and Wendy ensuring everything was in place. She ensured that her committee was not only in check, but comfortable as well as most of us were nervous wrecks being newbies part of such a huge event.

As the sun was setting, the fellow Toastmasters were getting more excited and the new EXCO were getting more anxious.  The event started rolling in as the Toastmaster of the Evening; Dr Thilla C. welcomed everyone and started the agenda flowing.  She called on the Installation chairperson Wendy Sim, who with much delight welcomed everyone and announced what was in store for everyone. 

Next, Mathew P., CC, ALB, the out-going President was invited to take the floor and spoke with much vigor. We also had the privilege to hear our Area Director Charmaine Lee, ACB, ALB with her Inspiring speech which filled everyone’s hearts before they could fill their tummies.  

And so, with that, dinner was served. Juicy, tender chicken flavoured with the spicy level one’s taste buds could handle, were placed on the thick ceramic plates on everyone’s table. Alongside with it were two mouth-watering side dishes picked by the individuals such as coleslaw, corn, tantalizing Mediterranean rice, wedges and a few other options. Everyone were finally on “Catch-Up” mode, chattering away as they satisfied their stomachs. Free flow of laughter came along with free flow of drinks from the excellent and attentive crew at Nando’s. A sweet chocolate desert complimented the savoury dining experience and as the sky fully immersed into its darker shade of blue at about 8.15pm, both the former and new EXCO members also got into their dark shades of blazers to get ready for the main part of the event. 

Our Division Director KM Srinivas, ACB, CL, led the whole Installation process at 8.20pm with much ease and charisma. The out-going EXCO committee lead by the out-going President, Mathew Philippose, CC, ALB came in line and was recognised for their diligence and hard work over the past year. They were then discharged of their duties. 
 

 

The EXCO lined up were then called to come to the front to take the oath of office. They came in a single file and each stepped forward with the gavel as they swore to take up their duties and responsibilities. It was beautiful sight to behold with all of them in their full suit. Finally, was the in-coming President Ron Yeap himself who took the office being fully in charge for Money Mastery-KL Toastmasters Club. All the officers received their pins. The Immediate Past President Mathew Philippose, CC, ALB then pinned the President Badge to the President Ron Yeap, CC. In return President Ron Yeap, CC pinned the Immediate Past President (IPP) Badge to Mathew Philippose, CC, ALB. 

With his new role, he drove the team together with his speech. 

With a thundering applause the new EXCOs were officially installed and the next item on the agenda begun. 

Nothing like stirring some fun with games in an event like this. With the help of our creative Game Master Mandy, the games session took place. 

The first game was a quiz. Not any ordinary quiz but a brain teasing, noodle dancing game that got the crowd that were split into two groups shouting out hilarious yet intelligent guesses. Upon draining everyone’s brain juices, the second game started. 

Charades it was and it was much more exciting, watching the members act out words from a scroll to form a short story. We even had an Ultraman in the house. The winning team received Kit-Kat bars that were shared eventually between both teams because sharing is what we do best here at Toastmasters. Everyone is a winner at Toastmasters.

The achievements and undying support of certain members were recognised at the awards session. During the recognition award, the IPP Mathew Philippose, CC, ALB gave away the awards to few long standing members, supportive committee and accomplished speakers during his term in office.

As the night was drawing to a close, the team ended the night with a sweet cake cutting session followed by a group snap. What a great night it was and the magic of photography added the to the memorable event into the minds of everyone.

Everyone indulged in their cakes and although they tried very hard to keep the taste of the chocolate lasting onto their tongues, they somehow easily managed to etch a memory of the great Installation Night into their hearts as they bid goodbye.