Every year, Toastmasters International (a non-profit educational organisation for communication and leadership development) hold district conventions all over the world so that its 270,000 members from 13,000 clubs can congregate within their own districts to select representatives for the World Championship of Public Speaking contest to be held in the U.S.A.
The annual conference also assembles members to elect the incoming executive committees, as well as to learn public speaking and leadership skills beyond the context of their own clubs and areas.
10 Years Since KK Held District-Level Convention
This year, Kota Kinabalu will host the District 87 Toastmasters Annual Convention 2012 (KK2012), which will see the participation of more than 320 delegates from Brunei, Singapore, Indonesia and East Malaysia.
Held on 18th – 20th May 2012 (Friday – Sunday) at Promenade Hotel, the 3-day event is Kota Kinabalu’s fourth district-level convention, with the last one happening 10 years ago.
With a song in their hearts and dance to their step, the Kota Kinabalu Toastmasters Club have planned and organized a weekend of fun, fellowship and educational value.
Datuk Yee Moh Chai To Attend Opening Ceremony
Datuk Dr. Yee Moh Chai, Deputy Chief Minister of Sabah is expected to attend as the Guest of Honour for the event.
Datuk Yee has been a long time supporter of the KK Toastmasters Club and have previously also emphasized the importance of public speaking skills in the government sector in his past address at a Toastmasters event.
Keynote Speaker from the U.S.A. Arrived Yesterday
To pull delegates from all over the region, the organiser invited Toastmasters International past President and 2-time 1st runner-up for the World Championship of Public Speaking from the USA, Dr. Dilip Abayasekara to present his keynote this Saturday.
He will be presenting his keynote on “Your Toastmasters Journey – Stretch – Achieve – Build” on Saturday morning, and also run a workshop on how to “Unleash Your Personal Leadership Power” that same afternoon.
Workshops
In addition, the organiser planned a programme packed with compelling speakers from Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia to present to delegates in both the Mandarin and English tracks.
Speakers will include several Distinguished Toastmasters (DTM) and past District Governors (PDG). You can read about the programme and profiles here.
Talented Toastmasters To Perform Musical On Welcome Night
Moreover, entertaining shows are planned, including a sensational 20-minute original Grease-themed musical skit written by the Organising Chairperson, Ms. Jasmine Leong.
The charming skit will be performed during Welcome Night by KKTMC members. Yup, those guys don’t only learn how to do public speaking, they also sing and dance, as witnessed yesterday at their rehearsals. See for yourselves! FUN! FUN! FUN!
Highlights for the 3-Day Convention
- Keynote Speech and workshop by Dr. Dilip Abayasekara (USA), Toastmasters International Past President and twice 1st Runner-Up at World Championship of Public Speaking.
- Educational Sessions by 3 of our Past District Governors, Datuk Adeline Leong, DTM, Dunstan Chan, DTM and Li Yo Wei, DTM
- Mandarin Workshops by Jamesherd Wee, DTM, Desmond Wong, DTM, and Solomon Chen,ALB
Combined (English & Mandarin) Team-building Leadership Workshop - Shade of Blue themed glamourous Gala Awards Night on 19th May’12 (Sat)
- District level International Speech and Table Topics Contest on 20th May’ 12 (Sun)
The KK2012 organising committee would like to thank Sabah Tourism Board, MyCEB, Suria Capital, Sabah Energy Corp, Mega Sunwise, UMS, SriKom, Pharmex S/B (Swabplus), Kopi Cap Kuda, Sabah Tea, Education UK, IEC, Curtin University, Jari-Jari Spa, Ekspedisi Ikhlas, Sabah Credit Corporation, AXA Life, Alliance Bank, Wyeth (M) S/B, Promenade Hotel, Everlasting Bridal House, YYY Properties, Riverson Corp S/B, Ophelia Hearing Specialist, and KKMOI.COM for their sponsorships and support of the convention.
Educational Workshops are open to the public at RM100 per ticket. For more information on the convention and workshops, please visit our website at http://www.toastmasters-kk2012.com or contact registrations@toastmasters-kk2012.com
WHAT IS TOASTMASTERS?
Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organisation, and world leader in communication and leadership development. There are 270,000 members in 13,000 clubs worldwide where members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending meetings at their local club. There are 150 clubs in District 87.
