9.9.14 - A joyful mid-autumn meeting, of reunion and reminiscing the good old times

On 9^th September 2014, members and guests of Taman Indrahana Toastmasters Club turned up for the meeting in a warm manner, as everyone celebrated Mid-Autumn Festival – the theme of the meeting – together. The meeting room was decorated with lanterns with mooncakes served along with the refreshments.

The meeting started off with the opening address by our president, Ting Pei Lim, CC. Before she ended her speech, Pei Lim took out her ukulele and played 月亮代表我得心 “The Moon Represents My Heart” by the late Teresa Teng, with the audience started singing along. Technology came in handy when some members took out their smartphones and searched for the lyrics of the song.

Our President, Ting Pei Lim

With the audience warmed up for the meeting, Toastmaster of the Evening, Karen Sze Tho, CC took charge of the meeting.

TME, Karen Sze Tho

Leong Jee Peng, CL, our table topics master prepared topics related to our theme, such as mid-autumn festival and mooncake. Dr Devi, Xiao Wei, Josephine, and Francis took up the challenge and shared with us their experiences and thoughts on the topics. We learned that the Filipinos also celebrate the Mid Autumn Festival while the Hindus have another celebration on the same day.

Table Topics Master, Leong Jee Peng

Xiao Wei

  

Francis

Our first speaker for the assignment speech section was Josephine Lim, TM on her project #10 of the CC Manual. Entitled Mooncake Festival, Josephine explained the history of Mid-Autumn Festival in the context of a Chinese legend of Chang Er who ate the elixir to protect her husband Hou Yi, and ended up staying in the moon alone, forever. Josephine later shared her childhood memories during Mid-Autumn Festival, where all her cousins and relatives from all places will gather and celebrate the festival together. As years passed, everyone was busy with their own lives, and the gathering attracted lesser relatives to join. It was only until the passing of Josephine’s aunt that the relatives make it a must to come back home during Mid-Autumn Festival. Josephine completed her CC Manual by reminding the audience that time does not wait for anyone, and we are to appreciate every moment we have with our family, relatives, and friends.

Josephine Lim

Yeong Ai Lin, ACB, CL, kept the ball rolling as the second speaker by delivering her advanced manual speech: the Entertaining Speakers entitled “I Am Malala”. Lively and animated, Ai Lin shared the story of Malala Yousofzai, a nominee for Children’s World Prize 2013. At the young age of 12, Malala started to speak out for her rights, representing children, especially girls, who were unable to attend school under the ruling of the Tabilan. She was shot in the head by Taliban gunmen for her “crime’. The incident gained global attention, as people around the world signed petitions for education rights, supporting the brave young activist. Ai Lin’s speech was a reminder that a speech need not to be light-hearted and comical to be entertaining; a speech can be inspiring to captivate the audience.

Last but not least, Jade Lim, CC, CL, was our last speaker for the assigned speeches. Jade gave her advanced manual speech: Speaking to Inform entitled “Let’s Be Civil”. Jade delivered a speech on cyberbullying, and the negative consequences of commenting or sharing articles online without much consideration. Social media is a virtual platform for people to share and voice their thoughts to their desired audience. Unfortunately, many are unaware that cyberbullying occurs whenever an individual was negatively affected by other users who hit the Enter key after typing discourteous and offensive comments online. More than half of the children in Malaysia are exposed and influenced by a form of cyberbullying. Jade presented her speech with slideshows to strengthen the conveyance of her message to be a civilized individual – on and off Internet.  

The evaluation session was led by the General Evaluator, Andrew Tan, ACB, ALB, who is a vibrant and energetic speaker.

Andrew Tan

Congratulations to Dr. Devi, DTM, Yeong Ai Lin, ACB, CL, and Kay Wong, ACG, ALB, who won the Best Table Topis Speaker, Best Evaluator and Best Speaker of the evening respectively.

Dr. Devi

Yeong Ai Lin

Kay Wong

Our next meeting and guest night will be on 23^rd September 2014, 7.30P.M. Bring your family and friends, join us in another exciting meeting. See you there! =)