"CELEBRATING TOASTMASTERS" - 8 October 2012

Our Jakarta Toastmasters Club had its 33^rd Anniversary on 1 Oct 2012! Known for being the pioneer of Toastmasters in Indonesia, on 8 Oct 2012, we took the celebration to a higher level i.e. “CELEBRATING TOASTMASTERS!” As many as 41 attendees consisted of JTC members, visiting toastmasters, and guests loaded the PB Taxand Auditorium with such endless energy which successfully made last Monday meeting a “gallant” (word of the day) night!

To go with the celebration, the meeting was run with the fabulous duo, ACB/CL Imung Hikmah and ACG Henrietta A. Kristanto, as ToM (Toastmasters of the Meeting). Furthermore, JTC cannot call a meeting as celebration if we do not have our legend, our Lady Gaga...yes...DTM Harlina Indra was in the house! She served as the General Evaluator with the assistance from the Grammarian (TM Benazir Syahril), the Ballot Counter (TM Sri Ratnasari), the Timer (TM Arief Rasyad), and the “Ah”/WoD Counter (CC/CL Isyani Noviasellie from Sandoz Toastmasters Club).

It was not long for the audience to get surprised as the meeting was opened with the Toastdancers led by the spectacular ACB/ALB Samoati Siringoringo from Innovators Toastmasters Club!

left to right: The Toastdancers! CC/CL Sisca, ACB/ALB Attie, ACB/CL Imung. (photo by TM Kardinal)

Moving on to the prepared speech session, TM Syariful Alamsyah Lubis brought to us yet another inspirational speech entitled “Poison of Love” (Basic Manual #4). Through a Chinese folktale, TM Lubis reminded us of the fact that the only poison is in our mind. He also strengthened his message by quoting Martin Luther King Jr. that darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive our hate, only love can do that. TM Lubis was evaluated by CC Neeraj Khiani.

The second prepared speaker was our very own comedian, CC Bahtiar Manurung. He showed us that people do not call him comedian for nothing as he simply shook our stomach with his humorous speech entitled “I Love Him 100,000 Times” (Advance Manual #1). Inspired by his adorable son, Farel, he showed to us, the adults, that a powerful lesson can be retrieved from a little boy. CC Bahtiar was evaluated by TM Yenny Tanzino from British Toastmasters Club.

The third prepared speaker was CC Ivan Hadiwijaya with his winning speech “Mad about Mandarin”. He will represent Area I1 for the Division I Humorous Speech Contest held on 13 Oct 2012. He got invaluable evaluations and supports from everyone in the room including TM Sai Blackbyrn, Guest Fransisco, CC Ratu Gumelar from Essential Toastmasters Club.

The last prepared speaker was ACS/CL Ade Atmaja with her speech entitled “Hi There!” Well, instead, maybe we should put it this way: we thought that the last prepared speaker was supposed to be ACS/CL Ade because it appeared that she brought to us another surprise! The room was suddenly dark and she came into the room while bringing a birthday cake for ACG Etta who had her birthday on that very day as well!

left-right-up-down: ACS/CL Ade with her birthday surprise. ACG Etta accompanied by Daniel (apparently also a birthday boy!) blew out the candles and smiled widely.

The next session was the Table Topics Session. Our Travelling Toastmaster, CC/CL Valeriya Alimzhanova conducted the session energetically and soon attracted 4 people to deliver their impromptu speeches.

CC Ratu Gumelar from Essential Toastmasters Club: spoke upon the question, “Can you remember your first speech ever in Toastmasters?” CC Ratu straight away made the audience’s eyes wide open and their jaw drop as she skilfully performed fast-pace Indian dance movements! Apparently her ice-breaker speech told about her passion in dancing!  

TM Twino M. Iqbal from Diebold Toastmasters Club: spoke upon the question, “If you were a public speaker coach, what will be your advice to your students?” He brought us laughter as he answered confidently, “I would advise them to join Toastmasters!”

Guest Webri: spoke upon the question, “Have you ever experienced fear when you speak in front of people?” She told us that she has experienced fear when she speaks in front of people. However, she could not make us believe in her as she gave her impromptu speech smoothly!

Guest Daniel: spoke upon the question, “What is your favourite book you have read in your life?” This guest is the darling son of CC Valeriya! He adorably told us that he currently loves his encyclopaedia. 

left-right-up-down: CC Ratu, TM Twino, Guest Webri, Guest Daniel

Later on the ballot counter announced that CC Ratu was the Best Table Topic Speaker, TM Lubis was the Best Prepared Speaker, and TM Yenny was the Best Evaluator.

Last but not least was the most expected session of all, Dancing Session!! Our precious CC/CL Fathia Saripuspita led the mass to a Latin Dance. It was unbelievable and yet everyone proved that their great dancers themselves as they followed CC/CL Fathia dancing in sync only after several trials!

Shake! Shake!

That was a wrap. Once again, Happy Anniversary to Jakarta Toastmasters Club! And most importantly Happy Anniversary to All Toastmasters in Indonesia!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY ALL!

JTC Minutes of Meeting, 8 October 2012, prepared by Club Secretary 2012-2013, TM Bena.