Articles

John Lau DTM - Candidate for International Director	http://www.jlasc.com/john
Deputy Registrar of Marriage/Licensed Solemnizer (DRM/LS)
Toastmaster Chew Ban Seng, DTM Appointment by the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (MYCS) as Deputy Registrar of Marriages / Licensed Solemnizer on Thursday, 5 May 2005! Amongst his many talents and interests, Ban Seng is also a trained Family Life Educator. He received his formal education in this area from Edith Cowan University, Australia, under a partial sponsorship from MYCS in 2002. Presently, he is pursuing his PhD in Professional Coaching and Human Development from International University of Professional Studies, USA.
We dedicate this letter to our baby... 17 March 2005
Dear Friend, She was panting with pain He was at her side, encouraging, supporting, and sharing the moment together. Anxiety overwhelmed them. After fourteen hours of labour pain, Doctor advised them, "You need to make decision..." The clock showed 0509hrs A life is born out of another life. Congratulation. It's a girl. Confirmed! With her remaining energy, the mother glanced at the newborn and smiled. The father saw his life extended. He whispered into her little ears first to thank her for being their child and helped her mother to go through a smooth delivery. Each bore significance. It was truly an experience to witness the birth of my child on 17 March 2005. I share this chapter with you because I cannot contain the joy & elation of fatherhood. As I recollected the happenings over the years, I must say I have gained a lot, - knowledge, recognition, job satisfaction and most of all, your friendship. Today, We reaffirm our mission in life, the day to remind ourselves to our gratefulness & the support of our family. There are still many things to learn, much challenges to assume. Let's look forward to another year of excitement. From the Proud Parents of our newborn daughter, Kim Siong & Bee Own "She may not understand this joyful moment but as she grows in knowledge and beauty, she will understand the precious place she has in the hearts of her parents." PS: A family consists of at least 3 people: Father, Mother and Child (or children). Indeed, we are now a family
THE SUNDAY TIMES January 23, 2005 - read the full details

Lianhe Wanbao, January 22, 2005 Saturday - read the full details


Dear Friends, It is with horror that I've watched the devastating tsunamis ravage areas in South Asia that many of our fellow Toastmasters call home. As far as I know, no members of our organization have lost lives or homes, but I'm sure you have all been affected by this disaster in one way or another---through friends or colleagues, or through the general disruption of services or even club meetings. As a leader of Toastmasters International, I want to personally express my empathy with your country's plight and encourage you to use your communication and leadership skills to make a positive difference in this time of need. Watching this tragedy unfold has been a painful reminder of the fact that our Toastmasters organization is a worldwide family, and when tragedy hits a family member, we are all affected. I offer my sincere condolences and know that many of our members all over the world are feeling the same way and are doing what they can to aid in the relief efforts. Please let me know if there is anything Toastmasters International can do to support affected clubs and their members. Sincerely Yours, Jon R. Greiner, DTM President, 2004-2005 Toastmasters International

Good communication skills are as relevant as ever, especially for college grads.
In October 1924 when Ralph C. Smedley started a public speaking club in the basement of the Santa Ana YMCA in California, he wasn�t planning on creating a movement. But what began as a simple means of training young men to give eloquent after-dinner toasts and speeches has developed into the world�s leading organization devoted to teaching communication and leadership skills. With its headquarters still in Southern California, Toastmasters International � now with approximately 200,000 members in 10,000 clubs in 90 countries � is celebrating its 80th anniversary during October 2004 with clubs worldwide conducting various special events in their communities � including activities by the very first club, Smedley Chapter One, in Santa Ana, California, on October 19. Since that first club started in 1924, Toastmasters International � a nonprofit, educational organization � has helped more than four million men and women become better speakers and leaders. Toastmasters groups can be found in domestic and international government organizations, in state and local agencies, in Fortune 500 companies and in many educational institutions, as well as in a variety of community organizations, military bases, hospitals, prisons and churches. As many college graduates are finding out, public speaking skills are necessary to land a job or advance a sagging career. In fact, the ability to communicate is ranked first among personal qualities of college graduates sought by employers, in a recent survey of 360 companies and public organizations by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. In the survey, �honesty/integrity� ranked second, and traits such as �interpersonal skills, motivation, work ethic and teamwork skills� shared third place. The survey also found that, when asked what skills and qualities new college graduates are most likely to lack, survey participants cited communication skills. Toastmasters International President Jon Greiner, a Toastmaster for 32 years, credits his own career advancements in large part to his Toastmasters training. �While the idea of speaking in front of an audience intimidates most people, it�s a skill anybody can learn,� says Greiner, who is a product support manager for Caterpillar Inc�s global mining division. �Our organization is full of people who have changed their lives for the better thanks to becoming more confident communicators,� Greiner says. Toastmasters offers a �learn-by-doing� education program in which members hone their skills in a supportive club atmosphere. A typical group has 20 members who meet weekly to learn and practice public speaking techniques. There is no instructor; instead, members evaluate each other�s presentations. The effectiveness of this simple learning formula is evidenced by the approximately 5,000 corporations that sponsor in-house Toastmasters groups as communication training for employees. The Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Janice Lachance, encourages federal agencies to sponsor Toastmasters groups and says: �The Toastmasters experience can help employees gain the necessary skills to speak, listen and think in ways that broaden their abilities and help create a skillful and talented workforce.� MEDIA CONTACT: Suzanne Frey

UPDATE of the RENO CONVENTION by LGET Dr. Khong Chooi Peng DTM

24th August 2004

Dear Fellow Officers and Friends:

We have just returned from the TI International Convention in Reno. What a tremendous experience & learning opportunity it was!

I have come home energised (though badly jet-lagged) with ideas as to how we can revitalise D80!

It was truly inspiring to have listened to Stephen Covey (TI 2004 Golden Gavel Recipient), Richard Green (Renown Communications Expert and author) and to David Brooks ("Magic Moments 2") just to name a few. And the InterDistrict Contest plus the Grand Finals of the Championship of Public Speaking have shown HOW MUCH there is to learn - and the excitement we can have while doing the learning.

The results of both contests are at the end of this email.

And the social gatherings - especially the International Theme Night, simply fabulous! Honest.

The MAIN reason why I am writing this is to encourage each one of you to think of attending the next one in Toronto. It will be held from 24 - 28 August 2005. My personal regret is that I have not attended any of the previous years' conventions.

Will try to personally talk to some of you into giving yourselves this marvelous, marvelous treat of the TI Convention. I will be happy to talk about this ... anytime!

Do think of going ... the experience will be priceless.

Let's go to Toronto together!

Regards,

cpkhong
.......................
Khong Chooi Peng LGET D80

INTER-DISTRICT RESULTS:

1st place : Douglas Krugger from District 74 (South Africa). "The Real Hero"

2nd place : Stephen Fernando (D51) Title: "If at first, you do not succeed";

3rd place: Erick Rainey from District 71 (Britian and Ireland)) Title: "Which dog do you stroke?"

CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS:

1. 1st place - Randy Harvey from District 7, Region I, Title " Lessons from Fat Dad"

2. 2nd place - Douglas Krugger from District 74, South Africa, "Hold my hand"

3. 3rd place - James Webb from District 47," The Ride of Life".

Real Members... Real Club... Real Division... Real Success! First Club in District 80!

12th August 2004

Dear Fellow Toastmaster,

Real Members... coming together.... Real Club... moving forward together... Real Division... sharing a common mission and vision... Real Success... Real Results!

Congratulations to Patrick Chang ATM-B AL and Charter President of Grassroots Toastmasters Club, Koh Eng Hwa for presenting the charter papers to charter Grassroots Toastmasters Club and the bank draft of 24 members to our LGM Poh Kim Siong DTM.

Congratulations to Grassroots Toastmasters Club as the FIRST club to be chartered in Division Z and the FIRST club to be chartered in District 80!

The members of Grassroots Toastmasters Club has chosen and requested for Singapore National Day, August 9 as the Charter Date for the Club and they will celebrate their club's birthday together with Singapore!

Attached herewith is a photo of members of Grassroots Toastmasters Club First Executive Committee with Darren LaCroix (World Champion of Public Speaking 2001), on 30th July 2004, in which the charter papers were presented shortly after.

Friend, Real Members... Real Club... Real Division... Real District... Real Success... Real Results.... Let's welcome the First Baby for District 80!

Do It Now! Make a Difference in Our Lives Together... And continue to bring the Toastmasters program to all....

Best regards,

Wei Koon

Division Z Governor 2004/2005

District 80

Congratulations to Division Governor of the Year - Chew Ban Seng from Div B, Area Governor of the Year - Wardiman Djojonegoro from AreaI3, District Toastmaster of the Year - Richard Sng

10th August 2004

Dear Fellow Toastmasters

In a few days, our District team for 2003-2004 will be in Reno and stand tall at the Hall of Fame in receiving awards for Top 5 District Newsletter and President Distinguished District.

On behalf of the team, I extend my salutations and thanks for all the hard work put in by clubs, Areas and Divisions in Expanding Our Horizons; to Speak, to Lead and to Serve.

Our District scoreboard is as follows :

Clubs
Distinguished - 53
Select Distinguished - 43
President Distinguished - 115
Areas
Distinguished - 13
Select Distinguished - 12
President Distinguished - 33
Divisions
Distinguished - 5
Select Distinguished - 1
President Distinguished - 8

The District has broken records in membership recruitment of more than 3,600 new members and in CTMs with 825 during this term.

Syabas and congratulations to all in the District for having made the commitment to excel and do your best. You are indeed the best!

The District takes great pleasure to announce the awards for the outstanding individuals.

Division Governor of the Year - Chew Ban Seng from Div B
Area Governor of the Year - Wardiman Djojonegoro from AreaI3
District Toastmaster of the Year - Richard Sng

Let us extend our heartiest congratulations to our Toastmasters members. Your names will be included in the October newsletter and we look forward to extend these awards to you at the Hall of Fame in Kuala Lumpur convention.

My heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all.

Ho Fong Ming
Immediate Past District Governor

District Awards

5th August 2004

Dear Fellow Toastmaster,

During the term 2003-2004, District 51(inclusive of the current Dist 80) had announced special recognition awards for members achieving CTMs and ATM during the promotional months.

Attached herewith are the following files for you reference:

1. District Awards - 1st Lot (Download list)

This is the list of names of the recepients of the VCD awards for CTMs and ATMs achieved before the Annual Convention in Penang. The VCDs were delivered during the Penang Convention (on 28th May 2004) through respresentatives of the Divisions/Area. Column H has the names of the persons through whom the VCDs were delivered. If your name is in the recepient list and you have not received your copy of the VCD, please contact your area/division representative whose name appears in column H.

2. Disrtrict Awards - 2nd Lot (Download list)

This is the list of recepients of VCDs and CTM pins for CTMs and ATMs received after the Penang Convention. The VCDs are for CTMs and ATMs in the month of May. The CTM pins are for the first 100 CTMs registered with TI in the month of June 2004. The 2nd Lot is ready for delivery. Once I have deivered them to your area/division representative, I will send you another mail indicating the name of the area/division representative and the date it was delivered.

Congratulations to all recepients of educational awards and thank you for contributing to the success of your club, area, division and district. It was an enjoyable experience for me working as you LGET during the term 2003-2004.

Download
With Best Regards
Dr. A.N. Arul
LGET 2003-2004

District 51 is President Distinguished!

21st July 2004

Dear Fellow Toastmasters

I received a call on Saturday, 10 July from our International President, Ted Corcoran to say District 51 has achieved President Distinguished, breaking many records in club charter, membership building and educational achievements.

The District as of 30 June has 410 active clubs, recruited more than 3,590 new members, chartered 66 clubs, achieved 825 CTMs and 320 ATMs.

Wow, all these figures are world records not achieved by any other Districts!

We are number 2 in the world and this is largely due to all the contribution from District and Club Officers around. I am extremely proud of all of you and look forward to recognise your achievements at the Hall of Fame in Kuala Lumpur.

Ted also mentioned that the last term has also broken the record for 200,000 members worldwide and 10,000 clubs! This is a tremendous achievement and puts Toastmasters as one of the most viable program globally.

I invite you to check the DCP report for your club, Area and Division.

Thank you in Expanding Our Horizons, we will celebrate!

Ho Fong Ming
District Governor 2003-2004

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