How Poor We Really Are

-Author Unknown-

One day a wealthy family man took his son on a trip to the country so he could have his son see how poor country people were.They stayed one day and one night in the farmhouse of a very humble farm.

On the way back home at the end of the trip the father asked the son, "What did you think of the trip?"The son replied, "Very nice, Dad."The father then asked, "Did you noticed how poor they were?"The son replied, "Yes, I guess so."The father then added, "And what did you learn?"To this question, the son thought for a moment and answered slowly, "I learned that we have one dog in the house and they have four. We have a fountain in the garden and they have a stream that has no end."We have fancy lanterns in our garden, while they have the stars. Our garden goes to the edge of our yard, but for their back yard they have the entire horizon!"

At the end of the son's reply, the rich father was speechless. His son then added: "Thanks, Dad, for showing me how poor we really are."

Up close and personal

In one of the recent training meetings, Table topic master DTM Eleanor Wong asked a very straight forward table topic question "What do you like about Toastmasters? Most answers given boiled down to the same points.

Positive enviroment, Friendly people, Able to improve in many areas be it leadership, communication or simply one whole being.

Yes, Toastmasters does that and a whole lot more. Of course a club is not a club or an organization is not an organization without people. People are the essense of the organization.

25th October '07 Training Meeting.

P.S. We had 6 speakers on that night!

District 51 Semi annual convention.

Note: Fun & Fruitful

Question: So, what do you like about Toastmasters? :)

Division K 12th Semi Annual Convention

27th & 28th October 2007

at Kota Palace Hotel

Kota Kinabalu

"If you don't program yourself, life will program you"

-Les Brown-

One word to sum up the Division K 12th Semi Annual Convention which was held over the weekend "Awesome!"

They say Toastmasters are one big family. And a bigger family indeed when it comes to occasion such as the semi annual convention. Different areas come together and just bond instantly as if there is an invisible ring that ties them together.

The 2 days program consists of a council meeting, an educational workshop, a theme fellowship dinner and of course the district 51 Evaluation and Humorous Speech Contest.

Part 1: Council Meeting

The council meeting aims to bring together leaders of respective areas and clubs to discuss current goals. How many have been achieved? What are the prospect? What are the obstacles? Words of advice and encouragement was given by DTM Andrew Thien, District 51 Governer to boost all areas and clubs to achieve their DCP Goals.

Part 2: Education Workshop

The Art Of Heart by Iskandar Ahmad

The education workshop is sort of like a self development workshop. Only this time, it focused on the area of listening skills which is one of the crucial essense when it comes to great interpersonal/communication skills. Conducted by Iskandar Ahmad, who is a distinguished man himself with admirable track records of achievements, the workshop was fun, educational and certainly benefited those who attended the workshop.

Part 3: Theme Fellowship Dinner

Latin Nite

Sumptuous line of buffet, good company, enjoyable performances, and dancing our hearts out..

We enjoyed tremendously! Should we elaborate more?

Part 4 and probably the last part: Evaluation and Humorous Speech Contest

It was an exciting contest, I must say. Seeing the best of the best compete. I reckoned all contestant gave their best shot. Well done! Of course, what is a contest without a winner? The winner for Evaluation contest was Matthew Martin and Humorous Speech Contest was Lim Mui Len. Nevertheless, for those who did not win, rest assured the club, the area, your friends, your family and even your gold fish is superbly proud of all of you!

Cheers aye!

So there you have it. District 51 12th Semi Annual Convention.

There are also updates in District 51, Area K2. Do click on it.

Till then, Have a nice week!

Updates

&

Food for Thoughts

First of all, the Division K 12th Semi Annual Convention will be held this weekend on 27th and 28th October 2007. Venue to be is at The Palace Hotel (formally known as Berjaya Palace Hotel) and the theme will be "Latin Nite"

2 members from Area K2 will be competing for the Evaluation and Humorous Speech Contest which is part of the event highlight.

Evaluation Contest:
1. TM Chu Ket Mee, TawauToastmasters Club

Humorous Speech Contest:
1. Dusun Chong, Sandakan Toastmasters Club

Members competing, All the best!! Remember, you are already a winner by competing alone!

******************************

Value

A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a RM 100 note. In the room of 200, he asked, "Who would like this RM 100 note?"

Hands started going up.
He said, "I am going to give this RM 100 to one of you but first, let me do this." He proceeded to crumple the note.

He then asked, "Who still wants it?"
Still the hands were up in the air.

"Well," he replied, "What if I do this?" And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.

He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. "Now who still wants it?" Still the hands went into the air.

"My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still RM 100.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the circumstances that come our way.

We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value.

You are special - Don't ever forget it!

An afternoon Affair with Rotary Club on 18th October 2007, at 12 noon in Ming Restaurant Private Room, Sabah Hotel

An invitation to deliver a presentation on Impromtu Speech during Sandakan Rotary meeting was gracefully accepted by Sandakan Toastmasters. On the day of the pre arranged affair, DTM Eleanor Wong, CL Dusun Chong, CL Anne Tan, CL Norman Chin, and TM Kenny Low represented the club.

Before the presentation commenced, sumptuos meals was served allowing members from both respective club to get acquianted to each other.

Building rapport through luncheon

When everyone was pretty much done with their meals, Distinguished Toastmaster Eleanor began her presentation introducing Toastmasters Program and a brief introduction on what Impromtu Speech is all about.

DTM Elearnor (In Yellow) briefing about Toastmasters

At the end of the presentations, the Q & A session was open to the floor.

Candid

As a result of the whole affair, the Rotarians gain a healthy portion of knowledge on what Toastmasters is all about. As for the Toastmasters who went, well, they got free lunch!

Cheers to all!

Picture post.

I had the liberty to take a lot of of pictures during the Kebaya Theme Meeting that I cannot not post it up. So here goes- a picture post throughout the meeting in random order...

Ladies from left to right: DTM Eleanor, TM Mandy, ACB Datin Grace, TM Melissa, CL Anne and ATB Datin Nuri

Blur candid shot of fellowship during tea break

Madam president giving report as well as calling report from club officers

VPM, CL Janet Chin inducting ACS David and Madam President standing aside

TM Melissa and CL Janet counting votes for the best dressed man and woman

Guest Charles taking the table topic challenge. He did well!

Table topic master, TM Wong Kah Yun listening as TM Kenny answered to table topic

The ladies look elegant in their Baju Melayu

TM Alice as the General Evaluator

TM Sunny and TM Henry Nok

Training Meeting on 11th October 2007 in Ming Court Private Room, Sabah Hotel @ 7.30pm

Kebaya Night was the theme for the 1st Training Meeting for the month of October. Most members and guests dressed up to the theme while a couple decided to be party spoilers, wearing their formal working attire to the meeting..Understood as they probably came to meeting straight from work.

Hosted by Toastmasters of the Evening, ACG Datuk Hassan, the meeting went on smoothly and most importantly, everyone was having fun. We had a few first timers brought in by ACS David Chong (Guests: Charles and Kevin) and TM Khoo (Guest: Alvin) . Datin Nuri from Pidato Toastmasters Club also joined us for last night's training meeting. I must say this bunch of guests are the coolest among all, especially during table topic session which was creatively conducted by TM Kah Yun (by putting questions into Ketupats..interesting). Not only were they sporting enough to take up the table topic questions given to them; they were prompt to answer. Cheers to that!

During tea break, members and guests had great time getting to know more about each other and also blew cake for October's babies, ACG Datuk Hassan and CL Anne Tan.

The speakers for last night's meeting was TM Melissa with her topic "Learn How To Feel Good" and ACG Datuk Hassan with "Signs of Effective Salesperson". Each completed project speech is a step closer to becoming a better speaker. Members, for the upteenth times, :) do your manual speeches.. CL Norman will award you a token of appreciation for every 3 speech projects completed.

At the end of the meeting, we had induction for ACB David Chong who joined us just this month, having shifted from Tawau Toastmasters to Sandakan Toastmasters after being transfered to work in Sukau. But it's more than that. Imagine having to travel from Sukau to Sandakan to attend training meeting every second and fourth Thursday of the month, got to salute him and Noor Azmi for that. Another member, TM Joe who also make it a point to travel from Lahad Datu to Sandakan just to attend meeting, cheers to him!

Of course, we also have the winner for best dressed; man and woman category which was won respectively by ACB David Chong and CL/' VPM Janet Chin. Congrats lovelies!

All in all, the kebaya theme meeting was successful. Everyone looks wonderful. Everyone was enthusiastic. And everyone enjoyed themselves. Below is a group picture of members and guests.

Next meeting will be held on 25th October 2007. Toastmaster of the evening is none other than club's sergeants at arms , TM Ling How Kee. So, members, do call him up to take up any roles or if you wish to do your speech.

Tata...

To all Malaysians and Muslims all over the world

Kebaya Theme Training Meeting on 11th October 2007 will be posted soonest when I can get all the pictures of the beautiful people who simply make the world a better place...:)

Cheers and Happy Holiday!!

P.S. Tis' the season to be jolly and still keep a good watch on your diet. :)

Visiting the Lions on the Weekend

Don't worry fellow members,i am still in one piece although there were many "lions" around me yesterday when i witnessed the launching of the "Joint World Lions Service Day Sabah" organized by the Lions Clubs of Sandakan Selingan and Sandakan Host.

Actually, world lions service day means "world peace day" and the Lions are celebrating this world wide on the 8th October annually. However, the 8th is a Monday (a working day), so they made it one day earlier to ease everyone coming from different places to gather together.

Lions Club of Sandakan Selingan and Sandakan Host are the host for this auspicious event this year and therefore, clubs fall under the District 308-A2 had their respective Lions to attend the event,they came from Labuan, Brunei and different areas of Sabah. In other words, the Lions Club of Sandakan is also promoting tourism to members coming from different places.

On this day, besides promoting tourism indirectly, their main objective is to promote world peace in terms of providing humanitarian services to the community. As such, the Lions Club of Sandakan had provided everyone there with Free Health Check Service and Blood Donation Drive for the Lions,Leos and of course the guests' perusal and contribution. This was followed by tree planting by all participating clubs and guests in the Rainforest Discovery Center in Sepilok.

The Lions who come from all walks of life are really materializing their motto - We Serve, as they are always serving the community unconditionally and generously. Let's put our hands together and give them round of applause.... "clap clap"

TM Alice Kok

Bulletin Editor 2007/2008

Snapshots from the Event - 07/10/2007

Travelogue- Tawau Trip on 6th November 2007

Last weekend, 11 members from Sandakan Toastmasters Club travelled down to Tawau to attend the Area K2 Evaluation and Humorous Speech Contest held in Grace Inn, 7pm on 6th October 2007.

Road Trip to Tawau took approximately 4 hours plus. I travelled down with Amy, Dusun, Margaret and Norman. I slept most of the journey. But when I was up and conscious, I began snapping away random pictures.

Thus the first collage showed US throughout the trip, having reached Tawau and proceed for high tea, and checking into Monano Dynasty hotel where we stayed for the night. If you notice one of the pictures, it showed some road construction in progress. So, just to share with you the conversation I had with Amy. :)

Amy: Ai ya!! That one also want to take
Melissa: Ya! So, we can show this pictures if we are late. (Road construction slows down the journey, get it?)
Amy: Hahahahaha..Good girl!

Well, while we were starving (a little bit of exaggeration here) from the lack of food throughout the journey, the rest who travelled separately and earlier (Grace, Luna, Mandy and daughter) were treated with delicious Kelantan Laksa prepared by Tawau TM, DTM Lee Chye Ewe.


The contest took place in Grace Inn at 7pm. Started with dinner sponsored by Datin Betty, member of Tawau Toastmasters. First up was the Speech Evaluation Contest. 4 contestant was up. All did well. So did the 4 contestants for Humorous Speech Contest. Of course, in a competition, one will always emerge the winner. This time around, it was ACG Datuk Hassan for evaluation contest and CL Dusun Chong for Humorous Speech. Congratulation to both of them as they make the club proud. Congratulation to the rest of the contestants for each is a winner by just participating alone. Below are snapshots throughout the competition.


And of course, after the whole contest, members from Sandakan and Tawau Toastmasters proceed for a fellowship supper in Hilltop. Again, we tried the recommended dishes which was actually good.. local sashimi, claypot porridge, dumplings, etc. Thank goodness this was only a one day trip or else I would have put on more pounds than intended.


Night ended and everyone head back to slumber land. We returned to Sandakan the next day.
I guess, that rounds up our travelogue for the weekend in Tawau.

On a side note. Here's a short story of how behind a successful man , is a strong and determine woman. So, Margaret decided to tag along with Dusun to Tawau so she could give full support to her husband. But Lo and Behold, a minor accident happened and she hurt her leg. Though in pain, she did not complain much. Dusun almost wanted to cancel the trip but Margaret was persistant that Dusun should go and compete and she will also go. True enough, Dusun won. Margaret was happy. Dusun was happy. Everyone was happy. :) Cheers to that!

Margaret showing her injured feet

Margaret standing beside Dusun, Humorous Speech Champion

Sweet..~! Signing off now.

Yours in Toastmasters,
TM Melissa.

P.S. Missing Tawau.

Madam President's Message to all..

Dear Fellow-members,

Please join me to congratulate the champions for the Area-Level Evaluation and Humorous speech contests.
Evaluation speech contest :Champion :Datuk Hassan Alban Haji sandukong
:1st runner-up :Chu Ket Mee

Humorous speech contest: Champion : Dusun Chong Ket Vui ("Sleeping with someone")
1st runner-up : Lee Nyuk Moi ("My Goodness")

The champions will represent Area K2 for the DIVISION-LEVEL CONTEST to be held on 28th Oct, 2007 at KOTA PALACE HOTEL, KOTA KINABALU.
Fellow-members, do make an effort to give them your supports and your co-operation is greatly appreciated.
The semi-Division Convention will be held on :
Date: 27th &28th Oct, 2007.
Place: Kota Palace Hotel Kota Kinabalu.
Time: 7PM.
Members, who are interested, please kindly registered with VPE Norman Chin or me.
Thank you .


Yours in Toastmasters,
Grace Chiu CL
President 2007-2008.

P.S. Pictures coming up in the next post. :)

Let's Break The Ice!

Ever saw a Karate Master break a wooden board with his bare hand? When he/she are able to break the wooden board, he/she will be promoted to Black Belt Karate Master.

In Toastmasters, you can also Break the Ice Board and be promoted to a Black Belt Toast-Master.

New members who haven't start embarking on your Competent Communication Track, I am going to give you another reason for doing it now.

For the first Black Belt Toast-Master who break the Ice Board this term, I will present you with a very special gift (May be a Waist Belt, black in colour?).

So, members who haven't break the ice (you know who you are), please come and enjoy the journey of Toastmastering!

Let's make a different! Not Next Year, Not Next Time, Not Later, but Make a different NOW!

Email me(chinnorman73@yahoo.com), Call me (013-8633907) or SMS me to book your slot!

Best Regards,
Norman Chin
Vice President Education

3rd Exco Meeting cum dinner @ Madam President's Residence on

4th October 2007

So we had our 3rd exco meeting last night, right? And Madam President was kind enough to prepare dinner. And it was not JUST dinner..it was DELICIOUS dinner.

Delicious Home Cooked Food Prepared byMadam President, Datin Grace.

TM Melissa enjoying her food..Bon appetit..

After dinner, Madam president called the meeting to order at approximately 8.05pm . Thus, calling report from all her ex co. Throughout the meeting, matters being followed up in regards to current member counts, member's educational program, joint meeting plans, up coming conventions etc. and other matters as well. I guess like any other meetings, it is important to keep track of all this so that the term will run as planned. Meeting ended at approximately 9pm. And while the others went back, few stayed back to go for second round of the delicious home cooked meals. (Supper?) including myself.

Above, Luna was teaching How kee how to use the movie program while other stood aside interested to know as well. I was taking this picture while enjoying the Chicken Stewed (Portugal Style). : )

The 4th Exco Meeting will be held on Nov 1st, 2007. Time and Place yet to be confirmed.

Cheers!

Allow Your Own Inner Light to Guide You

There comes a time when you must stand alone.

You must feel confident enough within yourself to follow your own dreams.

You must be willing to make sacrifices.

You must be capable of changing and rearranging your priorities so that your final goal can be achieved.

Sometimes, familiarity and comfort need to be challenged.

There are times when you must take a few extra chances and create your own realities.

Be strong enough to at least try to make your life better.

Be confident enough that you won't settle for a compromise just to get by.

Appreciate yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop, and find your true sense of purpose in this life.

Don't stand in someone else's shadow when it's your sunlight that should lead the way!