* An Exciting Trip with Toastmasters *

Writing contributed by TM Indah (Area G1 - JEGEG Toastmasters)
Div G's representative (Table Topic Contest) to MIRI

My name is Dwi Indah Wahyuni. I am 32 years old high motivated woman living in Pare, Kediri East Java with perfect caring husband and 4.5 years old beautiful cute daughter. I’m dealing with hundreds students from Sabang to Merauke, all around Indonesia who have strong willingness to get better English at the Daffodils speaking classes.

I want to improve my communication and leadership skill, so joining Toastmaster is the best option. Officially, I signed up in March 2010 and has become a member of JEGEG club ever since. I was lucky to be the winner in division G contest and so I got myself ready for the International contest May 22nd 2010 in Miri Malaysia. Together with another 5 distinguish fellow toastmasters from Surabaya, we had amazing trip, even though I feel little bit sorry to myself when I passed the Immigration office, nearly all the officers asked me the same question “what are you going to do in Malaysia?” Do you work there? Uhfff, well, probably it sounds simple but really Its so irritating. But, the warm welcomes from Miri toastmasters have melted my bad feeling.

On Friday evening, we had incredible welcome night. It was entertaining. We learnt about discipline; because we were late and all of the seats were reserved. It was really only early bird catches the worm. Finally we enjoyed to be vegetarian; because that was the only available one. No harm to be vegetarian anyway, I thought.

Well, Saturday was my day. The show began. I performed the best I could, I was so happy joining table topic competition, because I have learnt a lot and got many experiences. Everybody was doing great but only three contestants deserved to go final, and I did not. But, I was very much OK because it was just about time.

Every single day in Miri is the memorable one. Big thanks to district 51 for incredible moments. Also thanks a lot to Division G for the opportunity given. Thanks also to Papa Green for thinking out of the box, I like your ideas “ if you want to tell, don’t yell”. At last thanks to my lovely friends, Niken, Felisia and the boys. To tell you the truth, I have got many stories to tell and to share since then.

PARE, June, 2nd 2010

With love, TM Indah

* Small is Big *

Writing contributed by TM Fellisia (Area G2 - Academia Toastmasters)
Div G's representative (International Speech Contest) to MIRI

Small is big. Indeed, that is what I’ve learnt from my trip to Miri. It was a trip filled with pleasant little surprises. Unexpected moments that I would cherish forever in my heart.

At first, I have to admit that I was filled with skepticism as to what this convention could offer. While everyone else was bouncy with excitement, I was jittery with apprehension. Understandable actually, since that was the first time I went to this kind of convention, the first time I competed in International Speech Contest, and the first time I travelled with those people whom I had only known for about a month.

Then, came my first surprise, we would have dinner with the man everyone else had been talking about for months; Papa Gerald Green. My first impression of him: What a sweet man!!! He oozed off such friendliness and warmth that in no time, I felt like I was talking to my own grandfather. We instantly hit it off and after that there was only one thing in my mind: If only he had been a lot younger…(Well Papa, I’m waiting for our second date!)

After that, the hectic schedule of the convention soon cramped into the morning and night sessions but it gave me the opportunity to meet people from other divisions. They were very welcoming, friendly, and yet so experienced. It was a bit daunting to see the numerous pins adorning their suits but once you talked to them, they would be as down to earth as your neighbour next door. Perhaps, there is nothing better to illustrate their conviviality and zest than the uproarious reaction they projected throughout the speech contest.

As we were inching closer to my speech contest session, I believe I turned more and more ghostly because my beloved entourage kept on giving me reassuring looks and asking me if I were okay. Even my normally stern-looking mentor was being especially symphatetic that day. As for me, I could only tell myself to remember the opening line of my speech. Hopefully after a good convincing start, the rest would flow nicely. I was lucky number 6 (it’s lucky because it’s my number) so I waited agitatedly on the edge of my sit. During that agonising wait, I remembered something that my mentor had exasperatedly blurted out the day before: Fel, just think about the message of your speech. What is it that you want to share with them?

With that question in mind, I gradually felt calmer because I stopped looking at it as a competition. I started to think of them as a bunch of people who were excited to hear my story. So, when my name was called, I stepped on the stage with a purpose; to share a piece of my life. Honestly, I don’t know how well or badly I performed that day, but I do know that I’ve given my best and I had tremendous fun. It might sound weird, but I thoroughly enjoyed giving that speech. Probably it was because I knew my comrades from Division G were just metres away but I believe it was also due to the heartwarming response from the audience there. I was simply buoyed by their reaction that it made me deliver my speech with extra oomph.

The gratifying small moments during the convention continued to pour such that I was overwhelmed with bliss. I may not clinch the top spot and go on to the world championship, but that doesn’t bother me. Things like when a lady came over to thank me for touching her life with my story, when we had our night chats despite our heavy eyelids, or when we became expert duck hunters with magic power, are the ones that will always stay indelible in my heart. It is not an overstatement to say then, that I went to Miri with a bunch of friends, but I went home with my second family from Toastmasters.

^ MIRI Convention ^

We've got to say that this is the best convention we've ever attended. Although attending it also made us learnt the 'hard' way about how important to always show up early before the event started, as the order first come first serve really applied during the convention.

Two programs (apart of the contest itself) were simply unforgettable for all of us.

Since the opening ceremony, we were instanly captivated by very sincere, yet inspirational words from the pioneer of Malaysian Toastmasters, DTM Gerald Green (Papa Green). He spoke about our future vision and mission in Toastmasters. He reminded us the meaning of helping each other, being available and being true leaders through the organization.

Papa Gerald Green, Accredited Speaker, DTM delivering his key note "District 51 & 87 moving forward"

Then, we were entertained by a Plenary Session "Where do we go from here", moderated by DTM Dunstan Chan. How amazing to witness 6 of the most influential Toastmasters in D51 discussed the future D51 and D87. Although the way of answering from one panelist to another was very different, yet all of them gave such strong message within the answer. It truly showed how they worked in such synergy to bring D51 to its top position today. The Plenary session was so alive that we felt just like we were LIVE on TV ^^

Host Dunstan Chan, DTM at the Plenary Session

Plenary Session speakers from L-R: Gerald Green, AS, DTM | Datuk Adeline Leong, DTM | Ho Fong Ming, DTM | Sivanganam, DTM | Joseph Gomez, DTM | Ooi Poh Tin, DTM

Although this was the last convention we had with D51, we're glad to experience it.

All the best and until we meet again, someday, somewhere, somehow, our fellow D51 Toastmasters.
 
The memory was simply unforgettable, the program was enriching and the friendship will always be forever.

D51 Champions @ MIRI Convention

International Speech Contest

Champion 
Stephen Fernando "Special Edition"
PJ Hilton Toastmasters Club (Division C)

First Runner-Up

Shankar K "Let's Face It"

Penang Advanced Toastmasters Club (Division S)

Second Runner-Up

Bhavna Sutrisna Tirtadinata "Dream On & Fly Away"

Kebayoran Toastmasters Club (Division J)

From (L-R): Shankar K, Stephen Fernando, Bhavna Sutrisna Tirtadinata

Table Topic
Topic :
'People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care’

Champion
Asha Suresh Chand
Oracle Advanced Toastmasters Club (Division N)

First Runner-Up

G. Sivalingam

D'Utama Toastmasters Club (Division B)

Second Runner-Up

Selvaraj K.S. Maniam

Ipoh Toastmasters Club (Division S)

From (L-R): G.Silvalingam, Asha Suresh Chand, Selvaraj KS Maniam

Club's Meeting Information: STC and ATC Club Joint Meeting!

Dear Fellow Toastmasters and Guests,

Tomorrow, Surabaya Toastmasters Club will have a joint meeting with Academia Toastmasters Club which will be placed in:

Place:        JJ FM Radio
                Embong Gayam 27 - 29, SBY
Date:         Thursday, 3rd June 2010
Time:         6.30 PM - 9 PM

It is very special because it will be the first time we conduct our joint meeting with ATC. And, we won't have a meeting on June 9th. The next meeting for STC will be conduct on June 23rd in the same place which is "Resto Kemiri" on Jalan Kemiri. Ok, that's all. Stay tuned for the next update!

MoM 12 May: A Month of May

The theme for the meeting was “A Month of May” and was hosted by none other than our very own VP of Education, CC Rina. The meeting theme was centered around seasons and the fact that this month was a month of growth and new beginnings.


The table topics session, which was conducted by TM Helda, was very entertaining and had several eager participants, who were asked to give impromptu speeches on objects in small bottles. These ranged from peanuts to a ladies wrist watch.

For the prepared speech session the first speaker was our Division I Governor, DTM Arlan, who gave an educational session on how to give a speech. It was particularly useful considering how the opening of your speech paves the way for the rest of your talk.

The next speaker was our Area G3 governor, ACB ALB David, who was doing his Touching Story project, from the Advanced Storytelling manual. His speech was about a young girl who dared to dream a dream about overcoming the many difficulties in her life and making the world just a little bit better … and actually succeeded. He was evaluated by CC Billy, our VP of Membership.

The final presenter for the evening was the Division G International Speech winner and visiting Toastmaster, TM Fellysia, who was doing her Your Body Speaks project, from the Basic Manual. She shared about several defining moments and events in her life which made her into the person that she is today. She was evaluated by our club president, ACB Niken.

The position for best Table Topics speaker for the evening was shared between ACB ALB Martin and TM Andi. The best evaluator was ACB Niken. Finally, the person who won the most coveted award, the best prepared speaker of the evening, was TM Fellysia.

Overall, it was a fun and eventful meeting, not to mention we’ve got an enthusiastic new member on board: TM Andi

MoM 28 Apr: Enjoy Life

What a joyous meeting we had! This time we were exposed to many different and new foods, we never had previously, including Chicken Satay (^yummy^). The meeting theme was simple yet joyous – “Enjoy Life”. It really suited to all of us and helped us to remind ourselves about how we’ve lived our life. As the Toastmasters of the night, we had a cool laid back guy to lead the program, CC Rama Tidball.

The Table Topics session was led by CC Billy Djunaidi, who believes in “don’t think, just do it” motto. Although the motto sounded bit dangerous, but it was perfect with the impromptu talk session, especially to guest participants: Jensen, Andreas, Ferry, and Merry.

There were 3 Prepared Speech speakers. First, TM Ronald began with his BM#6 (Vocal Variety) project. Through his speech, he inspired everyone to believe that we all have hero potential in within. So regardless who we are, we are capable to help to make an impact in this very world. To conclude his speech, he sang a portion of Mariah Carey’s famous song: HERO

The second speaker was CC Niken, who talked on the inconvenient truth about some ‘convenient habits’ in public space. In her speech, she aimed to generate laughter by bringing the issue of cutting nails on train, ‘digging gold’ and indiscriminate fart. By completing this project, CC NIken now achieved a new title as Advanced Communicator Bronze.

The third speaker was ACB CL Martin. He delivered “Speak Off the Cuff” project, in which he had to talk for 5-7mins on 1 out of 5 topics that he was familiar with. What .made it more interesting was the exact topic he talked about was decided on the spot by his evaluator, DTM Arlan Setiawan. On this occasion, ACB CL Martin brought us back to his University year, where he started to gain interest with Japanese Culture.

On top of the prepared speech speaker, after quite some time, we finally had an educational session again. This time, the topic was “Creating the Best Climate” and it was delivered by our seasoned Toastmasters: ACG CL Boon. During the session, he shared many of his experience on how to keep the club’s environment great for everyone attending the meeting.

Before we closed the meeting this time, we had many great announcements:
• Having delivered an educational session in March, now ACB CL Martin has attained a new leadership title: Advanced Leader Bronze. So now, his full title is ACB ALB Martin Hendriadi
• As per our plan in the last 10 months, finally Surabaya Toastmasters (we) have achieved 10 DCP points and will get President Distinguished Club (the highest award for TM Club).Many thanks for everyone’s effort for making this happened and as per our promise, we will celebrate this by having rafting together on Waisak Day

To our surprise, we also had 2 special cakes on that day, prepared by our fellow Toastmasters to celebrate our achievement. (The Chocolate cake is deliiiicious ^^)

Best T/T: Jensen

Best Evaluator: CC Jessica

Best Speaker: ACB Niken