Putra Toastmaster Club Meeting - 3 Aug 09

I was late, and that surely is not a good toastmaster trait. Not that I didn’t want to leave early, but the boss held me up for what seemed to be an important meeting at 5pm (which later at 530 pm I was told was not happening).

Making my way to University Putra was not a big deal as I am quite familiar with the road leading up to UPM, but it’s more of finding my way INSIDE University Putra that troubled me. And as I have suspected, I lost my way and wander around asking just about anyone the location of Bilik Pengurusan Sains.

That’s the thing about universities in Malaysia à it’s HUGE. There is no logical way for you to walk from one faculty to the other unless you are thinking of shredding that extra fat off. Luckily VPE Dr Zaidan came to the rescue, and even waited at the front of the building to escort me in.

I felt slightly embarrassed going into the meeting room, when GE Prof Wan Zin was already in action. He even took the liberty to introduce me as the Area Governor for the club, “better late than never”. We exchanged smiles, and crack a few jokes as I introduced myself to the members.


The amazing fact about Putra Toastmaster Club is that they organize their meeting on a WEEKLY BASIS. Talking about sheer commitment there, and probably the main driver behind this is the Past Div Governor himself, Prof Wan. There was quite a good crowd about 12 or so of us, but the laughter and warmth felt like I was surrounded by double that no.

As one by one of the evaluators went to the front to give their comment and highlighted the speaker’s speech, I instantly felt at ease. But at times, I was feeling rather lost at some excerpts of the jokes made by the speaker. Oh well, it was my bad. I could have come earlier and listen to the speeches.

But I got my objectives done. Get to know the members, and seek representative for the coming Area P4 contest. Good job, Suhana!

And when I made my speech, I forgot to mention one interesting fact that people caught off later when I gave away my card. “Oh, our President Prof Sidek is your father?”. “Erkk.. no… Though Binti saya sama.. Hehe…”.

Overall, the bunch were a good crowd, and looking forward to see them again when I become the GE next week.

suhana sidik @ http://toastmistrez.blogspot.com/

Ps: Fingers crossed. Hopeful that the boss would let me go off earlier :D.