Toastmasters see vital role in digital age

(From left) Khoo, Tay and Tan at the conference at Bayview George Town in Penang.

THE late Gerald Green is still fondly remembered by the Toastmasters.

Tribute was paid to him during the Toastmasters District 51’s 25th Semi-Annual Conference held at Bayview George Town in Farquhar Street, Penang.

District director Andrew Tan said Green was instrumental in bringing Toastmasters District 51 to Penang 30 years ago.

“We now have 140 clubs in northern and central Malaysia with over 3,000 members,” said Tan.

Green was Toastmasters International’s first and only accredited speaker outside the United States and Canada.

He passed away in September at the age of 78.

Tan said that with advances in technology, the organisation was now shifting away from public speaking to a more communicative platform to transfer ideas and information.

“The younger generation today communicate with their gadgets and other tools when presenting reports.

“However, they clam up during face-to-face interviews or public speaking.

“This is where the Toastmasters platform comes in.

“We are essential in helping these youths gain confidence,” added Tan.

Among the renowned speakers at the conference were Paisal Sae Lor from Thailand and Stephen Fernando from Malaysia.

Also present were Toastmasters International director Elise Tay and organising committee chairman Khoo Boo Yeang.