23/11/2010 HICT-UTTC Meeting

For the 1st time, we have witnessed a healthy number of people
attending the club 'away' event. Thank goodness for that.

They're six people attending this meeting, which is:
1.CC Mike Cheang, President
2.CC Alan Tan, VPPR
3.Vincent Thong
4.Tee Heng Shen
5.Durjoy Ahmed a.k.a. Adil
6.Ben
7.Jamie(former HICT TMC Member, transferred)

The members that assumed role are:
1. Mike, for Speech Evaluator
2. Jamie, for Speech Evaluator
3. Alan Tan, for Ah-counter

The only person who made project speech was Vincent Thong(who gets the
best project speaker award).

Vincent has made tremendous improvement in his project speech. Some of
the improvements are: Shorter pauses, less 'undesirable' hand gestures
louder & clearer voice and 'smoother' speech. This is significant,
despite the fact that he have done it 'away' from 'home'.

Jamie has done his 1st evaluation(assuming he does not made any
evaluation in other club meeting I did not attend) and he does not
made any major mistakes, and Mike also has improved in his delivery,
where his voices are more louder and clearer.

As for me, I've done my best for my Ah-Counter role, as this my 3rd
time I've done it. The recent time was KL Advanced Toastmasters
meeting in Cisco Office, KL Sentral on 15/11/2010. The only aspect I
need to improve is to acknowledge perfect speaker.

After the meeting, I and Heng Shen discuss about the club's issues in
order to rejuvenate the club, without deviating from the club's goals.

23/11/2010 Taman Indrahana Toastmasters Club

This time, both me & Mike went to Taman Indrahana Toastmasters Club meeting as a guest. It's kinda cool when there's lot's of members attending the meeting. 1st, it makes you feel cool. 2nd, it replicates stressful moment. The more audiences, the more pressures, because it's in our innate nature to avoid embarrassing ourselves in public, just like how a driver adopt a conservative approach on the turns to avoid accident.

In this meeting, Mike assumed the role of GE, at the 11th hour. As usual, I'm the 1st person to speak in Table-topics session. When I introduced myself, I told everyone present that I need to find for internship. Ms Yap Choi Woon, who is the club committee member told me that her company(Alcom) accepts interns for a small pay. I was overjoyed, as usual. Another Taman Indrahana member, CC Chan Weng May told me that UOB too accepts interns and she adviced me to send resume online. SO, I got one-and-a-half internship opportunities.

At the end of the meeting, Mike solicited for advice in order to rejuvenate our club. One of the method given was to organize speech-craft events to help people get into speech-making.

Times Business Books (29/11/2010 Copy, Asia-Pacific)

This is the link to the website:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2026924,00.html

It's about how good you are when the heat is on, like performing well in SPM, difficult tasks and etc. The best was "...Beilock offers smart tips such as practicing under pressure and "pausing the choke" by walking away from the problem for a few minutes in order to think clearly (not that easy for an athlete, of course)."

Due to copyright reasons, I do not want to write too much about it.

15/11/2010 KL Advanced Toastmasters Club

I attended KL Advanced Toastmasters Club meeting in KL Sentral. This is the 1st time I drove here, and I arrived the wrong direction. Thank God, Victor was helpful in bringing me to the place. Man, the jam in KL is very bad, & the weather was bad. My car slipped twice on the road.

For this meeting, I assumed the role of an ah-counter for the 1st time, and it's isn't easy though.

Mr. Victor & the rest of the Speakers managed to put up a great display. I've managed to see how well Mr. Victor has improved.

In the meeting, I managed to contact Cisco staff members, in which one of them told me there's vacancy for Business Admin job in December. So, I got really excited, as I really admire the company.

2/11/2010 Visit to Intec Toastmasters Club

Both me(Alan) & Mike attend this meeting in Shah Alam. When I attended the session, I got impressed with the facilities out there, even though it looks like a Spartan Primary &Secondary School that we used to see everyday. The lighting & etc were mind blowing, perhaps can improve your marks by 10%. It's coincidental that they're having their examinations next week, while we finished ours.

This is a very enjoyable moment for me as for the first time(or second, I forgot), I've managed to get the best speakers award.

As for Mike Cheang, he's more capable than me as a GE because he's able to perform the role despite being late.

11/10/2010 Alan's private visit to MidValley Toastmasters Club

Yesterday, I visited MidValley Toastmasters Club for the purpose of being a General Evaluator in order to fulfill Competent Leadership Manual, as well as to train myself to speak outside my 'home' club.

I've gave my honest feedback to the club, & it's rather successful.

In the end of the day, I've received a certificate of appreciation, by the President, CC Tan Poh Leong.

As usual, after the meeting, I quickly went back home, unless, I wanna sleep in KL...

VPPR CC

Alan Tan

Mr. David Lim is our Club's advisor

Mr. David Lim, from the Engineering Department has been designated as our club's advisor.

He's also a member of HICT Toastmasters Club.

I will update the details of the EXCO lineup, shall there be any change or addition towards the order of precedence.

6/10/2010 HICT-UTTC joint meeting

Today's meeting has a lower than average attendance because members need to prepare for exams & projects as the dateline draws closer.

This meeting is slightly much more simple, and thus, taking away some motivation from members. I've volunteered to evaluate Toastmaster Jonathan Koh. However, due to short time, I'm not able to prepare a well structured evaluation in order to assist him in his learning.

The next home meeting would be next week Wednesday 13/10/2010 in Senate Conference Hall. I hope to see everyone there.

29/9/2010 Toastmasters Meeting

This is one of the best meetings in our club, as our club President, CC Mike has basically pull out one of the most outstanding turnaround during the club EXCO meeting.(P.S. This is the 1st time that my proposals has been accepted, without major changes).

For the 2nd time, we managed to come early. Furthermore, we are able to meet the dress code. The club atmosphere has managed to become lively, perfectly suited for college club(corporate club need to be a little serious). This is possible after exchanging views from our Division C Governor, (rank unknown, for now)N.K. Valli, who has reminded us the need to have a lively atmosphere. From that moments, I've junked the 'Spartan attitude' gained from the Boys' Brigade & readily adopt the new method, in less than a weeks!!!

As for me, I've managed to conquer the fear of being a General Evaluator. It was somehow difficult, because Mike knew that I wanna improve myself(& my CC), as well as to be able to perform it well, in order to keep the meeting well going.

That's all folks.(P.S. If any members want to contribute article, please mail it to me)

By, Alan Tan,

CC, VPPR

23/9/2010 UTTC Meeting, new perspective

Attending this meeting has been an eye opener. This is the 1st time I have been a TME(Toastmasters of the Evening) away (from home) & it's slightly scary.

Our Division Governor, N.K. Valli has also reminded the importance of being a TME, which is equivalent of an M.C.(Master of Ceremonies) in an event, as well as a Conductor of a Band(I've been a trumpeter, 2nd trumpet, not in terms of class, but in terms of lower tone than 1st trumpet).

Our President, CC Mike Cheang also reminded me my mistakes, as well as my faux pas(i.e.: breach of etiquette) I've committed, that makes people misunderstood me. He also reminded me to put more effort to improve my social skills by taking up work that requires me to meet customers, rather than just improving my theoretical knowledge.

It's sad that most members are unable to attend the joint meeting, despite the fact that it's compulsory, due to various numbers of reasons, as they are effectively deprived an opportunity for self-improvement.

1/9/2010 Joint Meeting with Toyota

There is several unexpected circumstances. Unusually heavy traffic prevents us from arriving on time. Meantime, 2 TM members from HICT could not make it in the 11th hour, which is not ideal at all for us.

Nevertheless, we have started the meeting & we have good times together, knowing one another.

The 2 project speaker are Jamie & me. As for me, I choose to do an 'easier AC manual', than the previous persuasive speaking. Both of us have done quite well in a certain sense.

25/8/2010 Installation Night/Meeting

Swearing in of new EXCO members

This is a very wonderful Toastmasters meeting/Installation Night, as I assume one of the most powerful positions in my life(VPPR).

Since it's also our meeting, we also have 2 project speakers(Vincent Thong & Mathew Varughese), & I assume the role of TME.

CC Mr. Kenneth Yee, our AG from UMW Toyota Toastmasters Club has discharged and installed us, the new exco, which means the new exco is official.

CC Mike Cheang & I having a prep talk(by the way, I'm not good in spiking my hair, that's why my hair looks messy.)

VPM Desmond Ng taking shots while Vincent is speaking

Mathew presenting the 2nd speech

Our most important guest, our Area Governor CC Kenneth Yee

24/8/2010 Area C5 Speech Evaluation & Humorous Speech at UMW Toyota Toastmasters Club

Me, Mike & Jamie went to UMW Toyota, in Shah Alam for the Toastmasters competition. I joined the evaluation while Jamie joined the Humor speech. We have a good time there, eventhough we did not win at all.

We do meet up with people from the same Area. There's a group of students from UiTM's Intec college(private), in which they were creme de la creme and they are going overseas for studies, on JPA scholarship.

After that all of us just go out for a light supper before going back home.

17/8/2010: Bangsar TMC Meeting: Speech Evaluation Competition & Humor Contest

Today, as I was attending a function in Mid Valley's Cititel, I've decided to drop by Bangsar TMC(Suasana Sentral Condo, Level 6, KL Sentral's vicinity) to spend my holidays around. I totally do not aware that they are having their competition as they beloing to Area G1, Division W, compared to us Area C3, Division C.

Furthermore, one of the reason I've visiting clubs is not only to increaser our clubs presence, but to seek for a mentor. TM Jason Moi, from HUC TMC, a very good speaker, has told me look no further. He's none other than our founder President ACG, CL Victor Ong! Man, then I only realized about it. Furthermore, TM Lucky reminded me the downfall of having too many mentors.

Alright, back to the competition. The highlight is on the eventual winner of humor competition, who decided to thread on thin ice, with hic title: Sex, Religion & Politics. Well, either there's no ice, or he walks on the water itself. As for the evaluation contest, the test speaker, which is Jason Moi done his speech superbly. This is the 1st time I've seen a test speaker gave such a wonderful speech. And for the evaluator conest, it's a close call.

After all the formalities, it's back to home. Before leaving, I've also told them about our Installation Night.

21/7/2010 Meeting

This is a fresh meeting for new EXCO members.

The most refreshing stuff we have is that we have 3 college guests(2 new guest) to grace the event. Lee Woh Sheng, Lim Sin Yee & Ashley Wong Yii Ying. This is a triumph of sorts for me as a VPPR.

As usual, I have the 'honour' to start project speeches. Just like misfiring Messi, in 2010 World Cup, I wasn't the Messi-ah that the President hopes. On top of that, I've hurt my tounge 1 week ago, so can't pronounce well. Failure to perform well for this not only demoralizeses me through the formality of feedback, but also the inability to perform in front of 'potential members'. This is one of the greatest undoing of being a VPPR.

Jamie Koh, Club Secretary Angellica(a.k.a. Angel), & VPE Mehala does their respective CC speeches. In short, they have improved a lot, and sorry guys, forgot to evaluate you all, because I was reflecting on my mistakes.

However, we should give an applause to all members who attend for able to come on time(6:35pm). Since Toastmasters is an International Club, we must follow International norms, which is to come on time, in order to accomodate polychronic & monochronic cultures.

I would like to take the opportunity to express my full support of our beloved Club President CC Mike Cheang's call to speak outside the club.(The 1st & only time I do my project speeches is in KL Advanced Toastmasters Club, which is very strict).

Stamford PJ TLI

I would like to thank Stamford College for hosting such a wonderful course. It's a real inspirational, during the harsh months of July.

Imagine, a great man. He's deaf before the performance day, losing his mind, as well as his family. Nobody thinks that he can make a comeback. And yet he composes his greatest symphony, and people regarded him as King of Music at his era. His symphony has been played during German reunification, and it's used today the the Anthem of European Union. This song talk about the universal theme of brotherhood. Just google for him, and you will know. This TLI will not only impact me only in Toastmasters, but also in academics & all parts of my life.

I had a class from 9 am-12 pm. I waited for 30 minutes before going to Petaling Jaya. Once I've arrived, I quickly enter the hall for the training course, which was inspirational. I've missed some parts of the beginning, but the speaker for the Induction, Samuel Selvarajoo, ACB/CL ask the participants on the names of leaders in history. I was wondering, why are they are talking about Stalin & Napoleon. Perhaps, they were talking about the dictators, when I was entering.

I went earlier than the rest, as I assumed they were waiting for Desmond to change his clothing to a formal one. Sorry guys, I was rushing like mad, as usual, & I forgot bout you guys. Therefore, from the beginning until the break, I was seated separately from the rest of them. Kinda weird, but I sat beside TM Lam Suk Yee, Secretary of Nilai University College Toastmasters Club, & I asked for her contacts.

Then, during break we chatted with each other, and resume with a session, before we break up into several teams according to positions. I've learned a lot from the VPPR course, in which you need to promote the club to local media, maintain a publicity materials, have a website & make sure it's good in terms of readability, content & visual impact, Keep in touch with toastmasters events & maintain a standard in meeting, where we greet newcomers.

Then, we have no choice but to go back home. Initially, I planned to stay put as we have a course of learning how to attract new members, and it's my role. But I was persuaded on the grounds that it's not nice to let me stay behind, & let me have transportation problems. It's real touching that Mike, a personal friend of mine said this to me, because not many people show such kindness to me. Well, nevertheless, we have much fun when we go back home.

by: Alan Tan, VPPR

30/6/2010: Last meeting for 2009/2010

This is the last meeting for the 2009/2010 term. After initial hiccup, we proceded with the program, in which me, Shireen, Jamie & Angellica(nickname: Angel) give her speech. As I hinted out in my speech, it's a David & Goliath challenge for me, as this is my 1st attempt in doing an advanced speech. Just like Mr Allan Gan has told us before, it is very challenging.

The 2 guests from KL Advanced Toastmasters club are Ms Lorna Fisher & Mr Vincent. Lorna make a presentation on how to run a club successfully, and she did it very well. Mr Vincent point out my strength & weakness.

The main surprise is when the Club President, requested all members & guests, except me & Angel to wish us a birthday. Seriously, I never has such grand celebrations before.

Remember, this Saturday, new exco members need to attend officers training in PJ.

August speeches by HICT Toastmasters

Project assignment # 2 Speaking in Praise from the Special Occasion Speeches manual, titled "Farewell to Robin" given at D'Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club meeting.
By Victor Ong, ACS

Project assignment # 3 The Roast, also from the same manual, titled “Arun & Ayesha” given at the HICT Toastmasters Club meeting.

Speech title "Three Days in Paradise" from the Competent Communicator manual by Shireen Ng,TM.

Speech title "An Unforgetable Experience" from the Competent Communicator manual by Mathew Varughese,TM.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010

Today is the first day of year 2010, wish everybody have a nice weekend & holidays.