Great Trip of Hangzhou Toastmasters Convention, 2012

As more and more people join and become fellow members of our Greater China Toastmasters District 85, this term is the last chance for all of our fellow Toastmasters from all over the China district, North and South, to compete head to head within a local district convention.   From next term (2012-2013), the greater China Toastmasters district will become the North China district 85 and the new South China district 89, which Macau and Hong Kong will be part of from there on.

And maybe that is why, we have over 700 representative participants from toastmasters clubs of all over China, Macau and Hong Kong, came to this Toastmasters District 85 Convention 2012 in Hangzhou.   During the 3 days from the 11th May to the 13th May, amount the 70 or so Hong Kong Toastmasters members who joined the convention, over 10 of us fellow Oasisans were glad to be part of this historical event.

As you might know, our President, Mr. Steve Yu is busy taking care of his little new baby these while, we had to go without him this time.  Our Hangzhou Convention 2012 go team includes……Immediate Past President: Derek Wong, Treasurer: Edward Ng, VPM: Wilson Yau, SAA: Kit Ng, co-VPE: Jeff Chan, seasoned member and our mentor: Grace Cheung, Grace’s friend Caroline Li, highly potential new ex-com: Iris Lui, Raymond Lee, our contestant: Angela Kwok, who represented Division H to compete in Table Topic Contest, and your humble reporter, me.

It was an eye opening event with so many people from all over different parts of China, with people whom we can call fellow toastmasters, even though you have never known the people, or even never visited that part of China in your life.  I found that the convention being such a huge occasion, to be a good place to meet friends and to make friends from other clubs from Hong Kong, or just about from anywhere from China.  We were also glad to meet the toastmasters again from GEM, Elite, with whom, we Oasis had a joint meeting in Guangzhou in Oct, 2011.

Apart from attending the winning speeches and workshops from other divisions from China, one of the most valuable experiences in this convention was participating in the workshop hosted by Keynote Speaker, Mr. Dana LaMon.  Mr. LaMon lost his ability to see when he was four.  But in return, his conversation could convince people that he is not a handicap, but a man of "Yes, I can."  His speech is humorous yet powerful, and interestingly enough, his key point of the one speech that we attended was, “Life is too short to waste time in Toastmasters.” !?   (Want to know more?  Please wait for the DVD, LIVE in Hangzhou Convention 2012.)

Furthermore, one new experience was working in Credential Desk with other members from all over China.  You could see our team spirit from our picture below.  They were all so nice and helpful.

After the convention on Sunday, Oasisan Edward Ng organized a lunch for over 20 toastmasters from Hong Kong.   When we raised our glass for a toast before we dig in, we suddenly found that we were surrounded by fellow toastmasters all over the restaurant.   We laughed as we had a loud toast from a roomful of toastmasters, and that was some nice experiences I would say.  Oh yes, we 700 or so toastmasters helped and promoted the local economy of Hangzhou in these few days.

Where is the next destination of Fall Conference 2012 and Spring Conference 2013? Chengdu and Guangzhou.

Hope to see more Oasisans join the coming conventions.  Let’s explore more in this community.  Don’t miss it!


Betty LAW
Co-Vice President, Public Relation
Oasis Toastmasters Club (2011-2012)