Map to Royal Sg Ujong Club - our Meeting Place

Here's the map to RSUC where PDTMC hold their meetings. Click on the flag to view details of our meetings.

View My RSUC in a larger map

Meeting #12 on 17th Dec 2013 at RSUC

The Xmas-themed meeting opened with a Christmas song by Robert Tan in his dual role as Acting President and TOE. There were a few reindeers with enough red elf caps plus the surprising appearance of Santa who dished out "sweets" (reward for a good year's work) to spice up the holiday mood.

General views of members and interested guests - Ashoka, Raghavan, Devadas, Kris, Yoges . . Lots of Christmas caps and reindeers around though without the red-noses.

Dr Subhassh as Table Topics Master gave mind-mining topics catching most respondees off-guard BUT in the TM way, all managed to answer to everyone's satisfaction. The good Dr claimed to have mined his topics from spiritual teachings which he thought would be in line with the festive occasion. The questions were too complex to record so the reader has to ask the Dr himself. TTE Stephen Francis evaluated on content and gestures adding his opinion in many cases.

The various role players are depicted in the various pictures shown below. Tan Lai Hock managed to influence the "aliens" enough to bag the best Table Topics Speaker.

Our own Santa

Tan Lai Hock (GE) and Robert Tan (TOE) at the Control Centre

Rosa Phua gave an informative, spirited and interesting account of the possible origins of Santa Claus and Christmas. It had to to do with the giving of gifts and the shift of the Dutch word Sinterklass (Sint Nicolas or Saint Nicholas) to Santa Claus. It seems the evolution of SC looks came from the Coca Cola advertisement and promotion image. Rosa was sooo effective she got her wish.

Sinterklaas - pic from Wikipedia

PD Toastmasters wishes its members, ex-members, guests, friends a Merry Christmas with the Best to come for the New Year. Please note the next meeting has been brought to the FIRST Tuesday i.e. 7th January 2014. HO! HO! HO!

Meeting #11 on 10th Dec 2013 at RSUC

Another well-attended meeting with 8 guests, a record? Our VPE, Robert Tan started off the meeting, welcoming our guests - Cheong, Kris, Nellie, Mahes, brother Yoges, Joel (from Hospital Tuanku Jaffar), Li Yin (MMC), Jia Lin (Shell Refinery, PD). The meeting was ably helmed by TOE Chandran.

Table Topics was all about COLOURS - devised by TTM Rosa Phua, questions were simple but difficult to answer. These ranged from pink cars, orange shoes, purple gown, blue lemonade, multi-coloured food, one-colour shirts (controlled), toxic food colouring, brown/black Santa and even choice of bedroom colour. TTE Shun gave encouraging pointers based on speaking style, content and was credited with a mesmerising voice.
All were handled well by the table topics speakers, proving the popularity of the mental exercise, eagerly looked forward to by many TMs. Some of these speakers were:

Only one prepared speech was delivered - Robert Tan (3rd round CC#3) on How to Save on Electricity Usage, focusing on 4 areas of cooling (air-con), food preservation (fridge), heating (ironing), lighting. Tan Ban Yeow made his maiden speech evaluation.

Margaret volunteered to provide some humour; Yeoh Lian Geok was the Language Evaluator while Tan Soo Guan rounded up the assessment of the meeting as the General Evaluator. Our Ah Counter was Lim Kheng Chew who managed to collect some additional fines for the kitty while Dilashaa reminded us of the time expended for each activity.

As there was only one prepared speech, only the award of Best Table Topics Speaker was presented - winner was Nageswary.

Best Table Topics Speaker - Nageswary B.

Meeting #10 on 26th Nov 2013 at RSUC

The club VPE, Robert Tan presided over the meeting in the absence of the President. It was a good turn-out with four guests (including Irene). The TOE, Stephen Francis, completely sold everyone the idea and need to join Toastmasters, engaging the audience with his story of his daughter's admiration (for daddy) and personal success story of his working career, thanks to skills developed through Toastmastering. I am sure the guests are also ready to sign up!
Young and enthusiastic Lim KC threw interesting and mind-labouring table topics like "What if you could live forever; If you only had 24 hours to live; Should media be Government controlled; Failing or never trying; Which bad habit to stop; Should smoking be banned; Who are the better teachers - men or ladies?" Keep up the trend of posing thinking questions!

 Tan Soo Guan gave a spirited roundup of the various table topics speakers; humour was provided by Indra R. Other roles taken up were: Language Evaluator (Kay Ku), General Evaluator (Chandran N), Ah Counter (Dilaasha), Timekeeper (Aarchanaa), Speech Evaluators (Indra R, Rosa Phua).

Only two prepared speeches were delivered, Robert Tan on "Safeguarding Your Bank Account" and Ong Guan Leong spoke on "Diabetes - the Malaysian Epidemic."
The meeting ended with the awards to the winners who were :

Best Table Topics Speaker - Tan Lai Hock

Best Prepared Speech - Robert Tan

Best Prepared Speech Evaluator - Rosa Phua

Meeting #9 on 12th November 2013 at RSUC

It was a meeting with a difference - post Deepavali celebration. Lights to dispel the darkness of evil and ignorance, muruku and cookies to munch on (quietly) during speeches plus fired chicken wings (courtesy of GT Singam).

We had 4 guests, Kana's son, Cheong, Kris (introduced by TM Yeoh LG) and Irene (promised to make come-back and introduce new friends - dare we hope?).

Table topics was through Diwali angpows, ably handled by Dilaasha (Shun was still traumatised by the presence of an uninvited 'admirer' at her house moments before coming to the meeting?). In keeping with the occasion, topics centred around festival food, greeting cards, celebrating, bringing joy to the less fortunate, good over evil. Our in-house master trainer, Stephen Francis in evaluating the topics speakers, pointed out the need (for most of us) to improve on modulation, adding in pauses, slowing down as necessary.

Only two prepared speeches were delivered, Shi Ying spoke on 'My Dream House' - what she wanted in terms of location, space and layout, neighbourhood amenities and services. Robert Tan inspired us by doing the CC Ice-breaker (FOR THE THIRD TIME), recounting tales of his early childhood, evoking sympathy for the hardship and challenges he faced. We now know Robert better for his sharing, thank you. And we hope to learn from his experience as he works through the CC manual.

The meeting ended with appreciative acknowledgements for the ladies (especially) in setting the mood for the night.

 TOE - Indra R

 Shi Ying on My Dream House

 Robert Tan - Early Childhood

 Award for President Distinguished Club for 2012/2013. From the Club President to the IPP Amy Siew

 Winner for Best Table Topic speaker and Best Speech Evaluator - Tan Lai Hock

 Best Prepared Speech - Shi Ying

Our Deepavali Gems

PDTMC Club Level Humorous Speech and Speech Evaluation Contest - 10 Sept 2013

10 September 2013, 8.00pm...an unexpectedly cool night at a time when Seremban was experiencing one of her hottest weather spells of the year. A slight drizzle earlier provided some relief from the debilitating atmosphere throughout the day. But inside the Sungei Ujong Club meeting hall, the temperature was rising. 5 contestants were about to take to the floor, to verbally slug it out.
Yup, the Personal Development Toastmasters Club was organizing its club-level Humorous Speech and Speech Evaluation contest!

The organizing committee were putting the last minute touches to the contest hall, when spectators - made up of existing members, some guests, and about 20 visiting members from ALAM Toastmasters Club - began filling up all available seats.

The contest itself lasted over an hour and a half. After the dust have settled, the respective winners of the event emerged:

2013/14 PDTMC Humorous Speech Contest:
Champion: Dr. Subhassh Rajoo
1st Runners-up: Robert Tan

2013/14 PDTMC Speech Evaluation Contest:
Champion: Stephen Fracis
1st Runners-up: Robert Tan

Congratulations to the winners, and also to all other contestants!
The winners will represent our club at the Area E4 contest.

As for the other contestants, it was important that they stepped up to the challenge of participating and preparing for the contest. The experience of speaking in front of a crowd, as well as experiencing the suspense in a competitive environment will surely make them better speakers.

The organizing team led Organizing Chair N Chandran also did a good job in making this event a success. The team this time was a blend of new and seasoned role-players. First-timers Dilaasha played the role of the Toastmaster of the Evening, Arrchana was the Sergeant-at-Arms, and Anand was one of the Time-keeper. It is hoped that this experience will prove invaluable to them too!

The club would also like to record its appreciation to Area Governor (AG) Eleanor Lisa for putting together a panel of judges. The AG herself was the chief judge, and she brought along 2 other members from T-Systems Toastmasters Club to be judges. She managed to secure the services of Toastmasters Ahmad, also of T-Systems Toastmasters Club, to be the test speaker during the Speech Evaluation Contest.

Do enjoy some of the pictures taken.

Regards,
Eu Chieh - President

TM Robert Tan 'advising' about the pitfalls of marriage

Dr. Subhassh sharing his share of hilarious experiences:

Some role players (from L-R): Organizing Chair N Chandran, 2nd Timer TM Anand, TM Tan Lai Hock preparing the certificates.

TM Amy Siew delivering her evaluation

TM Shun

TM Dr. Subhassh speaking again...

Eventual winner - TM Stephen Francis

TM Robert Tan taking to the podium again...

Getting certificates of participation from T.O.E TM Chandran

Test Speaker TM Ahmad getting his certificate of appreciation.

 T.O.E Dilaasha

 Organizing Chair N Chandran

Division Governor Vallie was one of the judges.

President Chua Eu Chieh closing the event

TM Ahmad of T-Systems with a unique start of his spech

Our visitors from T-Systems Toastmasters Club.