Sandakan Toastmasters Club: February 2008

Friday, February 29, 2008

Meeting the leap.

Leap because in February this year (2008), there are 29 days and our 2nd meeting of the month, although did not fall on the 29th itself, was held one day earlier and still, we felt the "leap" too...yeah.

Last night's meeting was made successfully by the supports and attendance of 13 members. Although it's a small number, it's the spirits and enthusiasm from them that count. *_*

There were 3 speakers for the night and guess what? All of them are in the very properous palm oil industry which made them all spoke about palm oil, i mean all 3 topics were related to the palm oil industry. Therefore, the audience had gained very good knowledge about this industry and the products. First, we had our new member, TM Chong S. Y. to embark on his very first Ice Breaker speech and i fel that it was so courageous for him to tell us about his past where he had established his own business successfully to how he lost everything and started from square one again. TM Chong, you are so brave *clap clap*.

TM Chong doing his Ice Breaker

Next up was TM Charles, with his charm and passion for the enironment, he talked about environmental economy and its sustainability which, we had learned more about the environment and how we should really take care of it.

TM Charles with his "body language" CC 6 speech

In Toastmasters, not only we learn about motivation or leadership, we can also learn about something very specific, solid and professional terms for certain subject. I really think so after hearing TM Ling How Kee's speech about "Fractionation of Palm Oil". Don't know what it means? I bet.

Here's what happened in one of his slides that made me think so.

Crystallisation Mechanism - (sounded so pro hey)

Nucleation (level of difficulty to comprehend/understand: High)
Meaning: birth of new small crystal (ok, understood)

Growth (Ok, comprehenable) which means size of the crystal is increasing in this context

Agglomeration (level of difficulty to comprehend/understand: High)
Meaning: crystals stick together (now i know!)

TM Ling presenting his "Fractionation of Palm Oil" speech

See.....that's what i meant.

Now, let's see some photos from the meeting!

Mdm President with her welcoming speech and reports

ACB David Chong receiving his Golden Eagle Pin for bringing in more than 3 new members to our club.

Norman in his "not so fitting" NEW coat because he has gained some extra kilos.

New way of taking photo to Mdm President =)

Beautiful and delicious chocolate birthday cakes

3 February "babies" - TM Charles:" 150 years old brithday babies" I believe TM Ling is still young.

Induction of TM Chong S.Y.

p/s: sorry i forgot to take photo of Luna. YES, our very own Luna is back! Miss her? Do come to the next meeting to see her.

x regards x

Alice Kok

Monday, February 18, 2008

Double celebration: Another Goal Achieved

and

a New Member!

We are proud to announce that Sandakan Toastmasters Club has achieved it's 7th DCP goal on the 15th February 2008 by our club president Datin Grace Chiu who has completed her ATMB-10 speech during the meeting.

Despite heavy rain, which has continuously poured for one whole week, and the Chinese New Year celebration, which makes everyone happy, busy and lazy, the meeting was successfully held at our usual venue, The Mark's Lodge.

With only 10 members, we not just successfully held the meeting with the 'Toastmasters Spirit', with 4 of our members delivered their project speech, and we managed to secure another DCP goal with Datin Grace completed her ATMB-10 speech. AND, we have recruited a new member, TM Chong Sung Yan to our club.

Let's join our hand to welcome TM Chong..... clap! clap! clap!

I believe with this good start in the year of the Rats, and we have created a momentum, a momentum that will push through the 10/10 DCP goals. Hooray to that!

Norman
Vice President of Education
Sandakan Toastmasters Club

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Pardon our 'ahs' and 'ums', Counter...

Since being a Toastmasters, sometimes I'll tend to take note of all the pause fillers in a casual conversation. I began counting the pause fillers of the other person in my head and once in awhile noting my own mistakes. I tell you, it still amazes me how much we rely consciously or subconsciously on these pause fillers in our speech. The normal conversation which I am sure all of us are familiar with goes " You know ah, that day ah, I meet Ah Lian Oh. She slimmed down a lot you know. Don't know what slimming tea she drink or slimming pill she bought." The other person goes "Erm, i also don't know oh. Ask her lor." Now, toastmasters, be an Ah Counter and count the pause fillers yourself.

As much as it is consider a "no-no' in order to speak the standard or perfect English, I guess sometimes, these pause fillers filled language are what contributes to the culture of a certain nationality as a whole. Our nation actually takes pride in it by exclaiming "That is Manglish what!!" just as how the Singaporean exclaimed "That is Singlish what...Don't Pray Pray!"

If you observed closely, even the English speaking nation adopt an English slang of their own. Australian or Britain like to add an "aye" at the end of each statement, Americans say 'like' 2 or 3 times' per sentence like "You know, she's like way over the top like she's all that" and what's with "Yo, good morning y'all! How ya doing?"

But then, we identify their slang of languages as part of what makes them a whole. That's another beauty of it. Being an international Language that goes to narrow down for each countries or nations on how even English Language could be a symbolic aspects to be added to their already diverse culture.

So, hoorays for 'Ahs' and 'Ums' but when it comes to Toastmasters meeting, let's play 'speak proper English,' shall we?

Cheers for now,

Melissa, CC and VPPR 2007/2008

1st Training Meeting for Feb 2008

Date and time: 15th February 2008 (7.30pm to 10.30pm)

Venue: Mark Lodge, Mini Private Room

Theme: CNY 2008 (Red or oriental or festive)

Be there or be square!