This event was successfully held on March 15 at the Vistana Hotel Penang.  Participants started arriving from 4.20pm onwards and after registering themselves, had a nice time chatting in groups while enjoying cakes and coffee just outside Conference Room 2.

Guest speaker Dr. Yew Kam Keong from KL gave a highly stimulating and very interesting talk on the topic of Creative Thinking at 5pm followed by a lively question and answer session.  For those unfamiliar with him, Dr. Yew is an international reknown creativity speaker, trainer and consultant.  He was later presented with a watercolor print from Ms. Chuah Sim Swee, a Penang Mensan, as a token of appreciation. Special mention should be made that she finishes about one painting a year, and  loath to part with the original artwork, so we had a print made – Dr. Yew has a really rare print in his hands!

  Sim Swee presenting Dr. Yew with
  her artwork as token of appreciation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

After a short break, the AGM proper commenced upon confirming the quorum.  As usual, elections were cordial with several returned unopposed. The prevailing atmosphere was one of eagerness to volunteer countered with actual amount of time to spare for Mensa due to other commitments. The following Mensans were elected into office:

Malaysian Mensa Penang Branch Committee 2002

Chairman:  Mah Siew Keat (M/1362)
Vice- Chairman: Chin Siew Yen (M/1610)
Secretary:  Francis Pang (M/5363)
Asst. Secretary: Chuah Sim Swee (M/4247)
Treasurer:  Chua Lian Chooi (M/0349)

Committee Members:
   Sim Puei Chun (M/1081)
   Terence Ooi (M/1418)
   Teoh Poh Yew (M/5408)

Testing Officer: Dr. Ho Seng Hooi (M/0033)
Auditor:  Fintan Ooi Boon Lec (M/2835)

  (L-R) Front: Siew Yen, Siew Keat, Francis
            Back: Sim Swee, Poh Yew, Terence,
                      Lian Chooi, PC Sim, Fintan
 
 
 
 

Among the matters raised for discussion was the need to open a bank account for the Penang Branch and the need to retain the Penang office at Kompleks Masyarakat Penyayang.  Mr. Fintan Ooi, who was instrumental in helping to obtain the office space from the Kementerian Kebajikan, briefly explained the many procedures and paperwork involved, including interviews, which he and (then Chairman) Mrs. Andre Looi had to attend.  In all, the sentiment was to keep the office and raise funds from other activities.  The AGM ended after a short speech from the new Chairman.

Dinner started at 7.30pm and we had speeches from Mr. Yeoh Guan Aun, MINDS Penang Chairman and Mr. Lawrence Hie, our own Malaysian Mensa Chairman.  A lucky draw was held during the dinner with almost everyone winning something as many of the committee members declined to claim their prizes.

Banquet service was a little slow, perhaps due to the public holiday, but lively banter could be heard from every table and the time passed quickly enough. Soon it was 11.00pm but many were still reluctant to leave and continued chatting. The event finally ended at about 11.30pm.

  Lawrence and Jennifer
  with some Penang Mensans at the dinner.
 
 
 
 
 
 

As emcee and one of the organizers, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Lawrence Hie and Ms. Jennifer Chan for gracing the occassion with your presence.  A big thank you also for enabling Dr. Yew to present his talk to us here in the Northern region.  And last but not least, we would like to thank the members of Malaysian Invention and Design Society (MINDS) Penang Chapter for their unwavering support.

Report by: Chin Siew Yen (M/1610)
  Vice-Chairman (Penang Branch)

Pictures by: Francis Pang (M/5363)
  Secretary (Penang Branch)