President 2012-13-elect

Term 2012-13 is coming. We are glad to announce that Sandy Chan is our President 2012-13-elect. In Term 2011-12 our members have been going through thick and thin together by sharing workloads in the club and Sandy is unquestionably one of us. We believe our club will continue flourishing under her leadership. We thank and congratulate Sandy.

The meeting on 7 May 12 was our last meeting at 2ifc. On one hand we missed the venue who had been with us for one and a half year on the other hand we looked forward to keeping pursuing advancement and enjoyment in public speaking in our new venue. The highlights of our farewell meeting to the office tower are as follows.

In the prepared speech session Alan Wong, one of our new members, broke the ice between the audience and himself by his CC Project 1. The ice breaker shared his background, hobby and belief of synergy of individual strengths in a team with us. Welcome to our club Alan. In a CC Project 10, Ai Ai Ong brought our club an inspirational speech about miracles. The lady explained how optimism and pessimism determined people’s miracles and gave us tips of transforming everything to miracles. Ai Ai, congratulations on your accomplishment in the CC Manual. In the best prepared speech of the evening, Nat Hix told us how different ways of treating people produced different results in his agent’s stories in a CC Project 6. The best prepared speech speaker in the meeting: Treat people in a way in which you want to be treated.

In the table topic session Asta Lee encouraged people to be confident of own decisions. The best table topic speaker at the night inspired the audience by sharing her view of a beautiful life. Andrew Yeung, the best evaluator in the evaluation session, demonstrated the importance of pauses throughout a speech. The gentleman also suggested the optimal speed for a presentation.

Clement Wong

President 2011-12

Hong Kong Toastmasters Club

“Humdrum” Lifestyle

People may be described as Koala if they love sleeping and always sleep. If you are active only after sunset, owl may be your code name. Do you hibernate? The theme of our meeting on 30 Apr 12 was Lifestyle. We have green lifestyle, digital lifestyle, vegetarian lifestyle and backpacker lifestyle etc. What is yours?

Shopping is unquestionably one of the most common lifestyles of many people. In the prepared speech session, Vanessa Lau gave us reminders about various kinds of decoys during shopping and advised the audience on some solutions to tackle the traps in her CC Project 6. In Alan Kwong’s CC Project 4, the gentleman explained the power of a small talk and demonstrated how sincere words could be effective to people, even enemy. In another CC Project 6, Jonathan Mok told the audience a story about Mr “Nowen”. The humorous “No one” speech by the best prepared speech speaker invited laughter to our venue and reminded parents about the importance of naming their children.

In the table topic session, Sergio Aguirre delivered an inspirational speech about a balanced lifestyle. The best table topic speaker shared his view in which money is meaningless without family , which is always his top priority.

In the evaluation session, Ai Ai Ong and Arthur Ting, who evaluated “No one” and the table topic session respectively, were our best evaluators in the evening.

At the night, Sandy Chan, our Miss Grammarian, introduced “Humdrum”, the word of the day, to us. The adjective was widely applied by our speakers, evaluators and facilitators throughout the meeting, which actually was converted to a “Humdrum” party. Everybody was linked by the word.

No matter what kind of lifestyle I think enjoyment is always the key. I believe human lifestyle should be a colorful combination of dining, resting, working and enjoying etc. I wish everyone an enjoyable lifestyle.

Clement Wong
President 2011-12
Hong Kong Toastmasters Club

Dear Fake President

Dear Fake President,

Although it was sad that I was unable to attend the meeting on 16 Apr 12 due to my examination, I was very glad that everybody enjoyed the meeting because of your role playing. Even as a member who did not join in the evening, I shared the energy and the humor when our members recalled the highlights. We thank you for igniting the meeting.

 The best prepared speech speaker in the evening: Sandy Chan

The best table topic speaker in the evening: Marcus Chu

The best evaluator in the evening: Ben Fung

Best wishes,

Clement Wong

True President 2011-12

Hong Kong Toastmasters Club

Favorite Cartoon Characters

I learn from a netizen that there is a human trap operated by a mouse. This trap traps people from kids to elderly throughout the year. The trap is called Disneyland. Why cartoon characters are so irresistible? I have no idea at the beginning. When I apply the requirements of a public speaker, I find the first question mark - many of them do not or cannot speak. Some of them only bark. Miffy is an example of being prohibited to talk. Eye contact? I do not know whether Winnie the Pooh is looking at me or not because his eyes are too small. Do they understand people? I doubt, since many of them are dogs, ducks or even unknown creatures. Finally, some clues appear. We know tons of quotes from world leaders but do you know the quotes from cartoon characters? Winnie the Pooh said: If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you. They melt people’s hearts. In our regular meeting on 2 Apr 12, although Favorite Cartoon Characters was the theme, the audience’s hearts were melt by our speakers’ deliveries. The highlights are as follows.

In the prepared speech session, Alan Kwong shared his tips of converting a negative workplace culture to a positive by appreciating others’ good qualities instead of focusing on people’s shortcomings in his CC Project 3. In another CC Project 3, Ernest Tang showed us how people valued the importance of family by telling some real stories in Chun Yun, one of the annual phenomena in Mainland China in which everyone strives for family reunion in hardship. Akash Karia, our guest speaker and the best prepared speech speaker in the meeting, gave us an inspirational speech about pursuing dreams over our limits and against nasty situations in reality. His commitment to helping the needy in public speaking inspired everyone.

In the table topic session, Catherina Choi suggested some methods of acquiring happiness from simple lifestyle rather than luxury. The guest was the best table topic speaker at the night.

In the evaluation session, Rita Tsui and Nat Hix, the representatives of both of our club and our Area G1 in the Table Topics Contest this year, were the best evaluators in the evening.

Last but not least, we thank the young and energetic Toastmasters of the Hong Kong PolyU Toastmasters Club (HKPolyUTC) for their participation and support and look forward to enjoying public speeches with them again.

My most favourite character is called Hypnos. I believe many people have never heard about him. Hypnos is a character in one of the final year projects in a graphic design exhibition of an art and design institute in Hong Kong. He is my most favorite because I am his father who creates him. I love drawing but it is hard for me to transform this interest to be my career in reality. But I have a dream that is challenging my creativity. Hypnos makes my dream comes true. Walt Disney said: If you can dream it, you can do it. I echoed: If you just like it, then you can do it. I think a dream can be defined simply. It is just about enjoyment for which no reason is needed. Peter Pan said: All you need is trust and a little bit of pixie dust.

Clement Wong
President 2011-12
Hong Kong Toastmasters Club

Fashion

Do you think a combination of black turtleneck sweater - old jeans - sport shoes is a good choice for a public speaker? I don’t think so. However, a gentleman who was attired in this manner every time when he presented some of the most influential IT devices on the planet on the stages attracted millions of people over the world. The gentleman was awarded the worst dressed executive in the region containing many world-class technology corporates by a men’s wear magazine for a period of time. Unfortunately, he was unable to defend the title last year. He was beaten by a more “fashionable” gentleman who usually wears elastic jeans and flip-flop in his office - the gentleman is the founder of one of the most popular social networking services at present. In terms of men’s wear, I have no idea whether you would agree that they are fashionable. However, in terms of their ideas, I have no doubt that you would agree they are two of the most fashionable. So, what’s your definition of “fashion”?

In our regular meeting on 19 Mar 12, our speakers showcased their “fashions” to us. In the prepared speech session, Ernest Mak, our Ice Breaker, shared his freedom-rich life style by introducing one of his backpacking trips to the audience. The backpacker also shared with us a humorous episode about his experience of being brought to the police station in a trip. In a CC Project 2, Steven Wong who introduced himself as a “qualified time waster” recommended some methods of spending time meaningfully. He also motivated us to be “volunteers” and create a meaningful life schedule. Louisa Tsang, the winner of the International Speech Contest at both of club level and area level, inspired the audience again by her winning speech. Louisa was the best prepared speech speaker in the evening.

In the table topic session, Sandy, the best table topic speaker of the night, brought her experience of being surrounded by “men in G2k” to and frankly shared the comfort from her designer’s handbag with us. The venue was fuelled by humor by the lady’s speech.

In the evaluation session, we enjoyed a comprehensive evaluation that included a lesson about how to breathe in order to make good voice. Thanked Joanne Chuk, our best evaluator in the meeting.

Last but not least, we would like to express our gratitude to Angela Zhang, the Lieutenant Governor Education & Training of District 85 2011-12, for being our General Evaluator and demonstrating a sophisticated evaluation to our club. We also thanked Sarah He, the Division I Governor of District 85 2011-12 and Ivy Cai, the Area L1 Governor of District 85 2011-12, for their participation and support.

How fashionable you are may not be equal to how fashionable your wear is or how fashionable the device you are using. It’s about own style - attitude to life. I believe people will not remember your designer’s suit or handbag but people will remember your speeches, ideas, insights and personality. Our audience would not forget who brought us the “Men in G2k ” and who reminded us there was an evaluator who “killed” our “baby” in the venue in the meeting. I think this is style and this is fashion.

Clement Wong
President 2011-12
Hong Kong Toastmasters Club

Lifelong Learning

We attend lessons in different forms at different stages throughout our life. In our club’s regular meeting on 5 Mar 12, we attended another lesson of learning by experiencing and sharing. Please enjoy the highlights:-

In the Prepared Speech Session, Jenny Lam gave us some tips about how to win in our life even being labeled as an underdog by igniting “Linsanity” in our venue in her CC Project 2. In another CC Project 2, Michael Hung shared some of his parenting tactics, which include partnering his wife in role playing of “good guy” and “bad guy”, with the audience. In a CC Project 3, Martin Wong’s sharing of his dating experience with making reference to the Ice Breaker of the CC Manual flooded our room with laughter. Martin was the Best Prepared Speech Speaker in the evening and his Buy-one-get-one-free punch line unquestionably won every audience’s applause.

In the Table Topic Session, Connie Hix introduced one of her proudest moments at which her heart was touched by her husband’s sincerity to us. In the Evaluation Session, Nat Hix humorously evaluated every table topic speaker and reminded us about getting rid of procrastinations in our life. Mr and Mrs Hix were the Best Evaluator and the Best Table Topic Speaker respectively at the night.

Our planet is kaleidoscopic nowadays. In order to cope with the velocity, lifelong learning is necessary instead of additional in many situations. Do you need to learn how to use Whatsapp in order to communicate with your kids? Although some lessons are hard, I believe that they are the ingredients of a wonderful life because we improve from problem solving and lesson learnt. Let’s enjoy the candies of learning from fascination and the punches of learning from our mistakes - treasure every second to learn.

The Best Prepared Speech Speaker : Martin Wong
The Best Table Topic Speaker : Connie Hix
The Best Evaluator : Nat Hix

Clement Wong
President of Hong Kong Toastmasters Club 2011-12

Results of Area G1 Contests

Congratulations to Louisa, Rita and Nat again! because they are the Winner of the International Speech Contest (Area Level), the Winner of the Table Topics Speech Contest (Area Level) and the 1st Runner-up of the Table Topics Speech Contest (Area Level) respectively in the Area G1 Contests conducted today. The ladies and the gentleman would advance to the Division Level. Cheers.

Louisa Tsang - The Winner of the International Speech Contest (Area G1)

(Left to right) The 2nd Runner-up - Carmen Li of Gammon Academy Toastmasters Club, The Winner - Louisa Tsang of Hong Kong Toastmasters Club, The Chief Judge - Manfred Leung and The 1st Runner-up - Sophia Wong of Graduates and Professionals (GAP) Toastmasters Club in the International Speech Contest (Area G1)

Rita Tsui - The Winner of the Table Topics Speech Contest (Area G1)

Nat Hix - The 1st Runner-up of the Table Topics Speech Contest (Area G1)
(Left to right) The 2nd Runner-up - Edison Tsui of Graduates and Professionals (GAP) Toastmasters Club, The Winner - Rita Tsui of Hong Kong Toastmasters Club, The 1st Runner-up - Nat Hix of Hong Kong Toastmasters Club and The Chief Judge - Manfred Leung in the Table Topics Speech Contest (Area G1)


If you have missed the chance of enjoying their speeches and would like to hunt another one, please mark "31 Mar 12(Sat) - International Speech Contest (Division G)" and "14 Apr 12(Sat) - Table Topics Speech Contest (Division G)" on your diary. The details of the Division Contests would be announced soon.

Clement Wong
President of Hong Kong Toastmasters Club 2011-12