KUCHING: Public health senior lecturer David K C Hii is now the new president of Connections Toastmasters Club (CTMC) here.
Hii and his executive committee members were installed by District 87 Area D1 director Lucy Ho Jia Yiing during the club’s installation ceremony cum 15th anniversary celebration held at the Sarawak Club here on Sunday night. Hii took over the post from his predecessor IT lecturer Nicholas Bong.
The club’s new exco members are Elias Hii (Vice President Education), Datuk Seri Charles Voon (Vice President Membership), Samuel Ng (Vice President Public Relations), Sheila Chung (Secretary), Chua Soon Ping (Treasurer) and Jorina Tay (Sergeant at Arms).
In his presidential address, Hii explained that the club grooms people to become better and effective communicators and leaders.
Hii revealed that he agreed with District 87 Club growth director (2019/2020) DTM Zilva Boaz from Jakarta, that ever since it was charted on August 24, 2004, Connections Toastmasters Club had become one of the leading clubs in the area, division and even district. CTMC was also a President’s Distinguished Club for over a decade .
“The strength of CTMC lies in its leaders and members. I hope that CTMC will continue to grow and succeed so that it can inspire others to move forward to take a lead. This is aligned with the club’s trademark — ‘where true leaders are made’,” he said.
For the first time in its history, the club, he added, had won a ‘Smedley Award’ ribbon, named in honour of Ralph Smedley, founder of Toastmasters International, for its membership recruitment.
Four months into the new term, the club has already achieved eight out of 10 goals under the Distinguished Club Programme.
Hii said the club has also started its mentor-mentee programme, recruited more than 10 new members and conducted an online video meeting with general evaluator Datuk Dr John Lau who was not within reach.
He also urged the club members to connect with the world through love — in line with the dinner theme, ‘Connecting the world through love’.
Past International President of Toastmasters International and an adviser of the club, Datuk Dr John Lau also spoke at the function.
He recalled that the club’s chartered was presented to International President (2004-2005) Jon Greiner at the 2004 August International Convention in the United States.
“That officially marked the birthday of the club,” he said.
Lau pointed out that the club had groomed many leaders including Ivy Lau as District 87 director, Esther Law, Thomas Teng and Stanley Gona as Division directors and many area governors.
He urged the club members to practise what they have learned at home and in workplaces and stressed that they must be extroverts.
He extended his personal appreciation to Connections Toastmasters Club for its
outstanding contribution in making Kuching a better place to live in.
Meanwhile, Vice President Membership Datuk Seri Charles Voon said he was proud to be a member of the club. He said the club had helped him to be more confident in public speaking and improved his English and leadership skills.
Among the distinguished guests at the dinner was District 87, Programme Quality director Allen Ang who flew in from Brunei Darussalam.
Besides the installation ceremony, other highlights of the grand dinner were the cutting
of the anniversary cake by the club leaders and a group photo-taking.
