District 51 Champion - Stephen Fernando...

Dear Toastmasters

A very good day from Reno, Nevada; 15 hours behind KL time or 19 hours by plane (excluding times for stopovers) from KLIA!

The 73rd Toastmasters International Convention is being held at Reno Hilton.

We have a great and exciting news for you!

Our District Champion, Stephen Fernando, was placed second in the Interdistrict Speech Contest that was held on 17th August 2004. There were 10 contestants in the Contest where all of the Districts outside of the USA and Canada took part. Out of the 76 Districts in the World, 14 are outside of the US and Canada.

Details of the results are as follows:

1st place :
Douglas Krugger - District 74 (South Africa)
Speech Title : "The real hero"

2nd place :
Stephen Fernando - District 51
Speech Title : "If at first you do not succeed"

3rd place :
Erick Rainey - District 71 (Britian and Ireland)
Speech Title : "Which dog do you stroke?"

The standards of the Contest were superior and it is indeed a fantastic achievement for Stephen and the District!

Talking about Contests, club and area contests are being held across the District. Please be reminded on the following points:

1. For International Speech Contest, a contestant must complete 6 or more C&L speeches;

2. The contestant must be a member of good standing; i.e. the member has paid the current due;

3. The club must be in good standing.

If you are in doubt whether a member or a club is in good standing, please contact Ms Debbie Horne of the WHQ for verification.

The above criteria apply from the Club level onwards. An example will illustrate this. If a member completed only 5 speeches won a club contest and also emerged as an Area Champion. he /she will be disqualified at the Division Contest as the contestant did not satisfy the requirement of completing 6 or more speeches at the time where he/she first took part at the Club Contest. Hence, Club Presidents, Area Governors, Division Governors & Contest Chairs please keep the Contest Rules in mind.

This is your LGET reporting from Reno, Nevada!


Low Yat Seow