It started when William invited me as guest. I came as evaluator and speaker, transferred my membership in February 2020. Today, I’m entrusted by members to as President for this term.
To be honest, this is not the best time for me to take up this role. I just left my corporate job, started my corporate training business. I have 3 very demanding young kids. My saving is dwindling rapidly. I hesitated when Calvin requested for membership renewal fees RM400+, which is worth more than 2 weeks of our grocery expenses.
Yet my heart whispered: "Take up the challenge." I trusted the members of this Club, for you all had helped me much in my Toastmasters journey. Yes, I believe we all can continue to help our friends here to succeed.
Our theme for this year is Grow and Blossom. Our goal for this term is very simple: Be Better than Yesterday. The execution is also very simple. Just improve 1% each time we deliver a speech or taking a role.
There is an unspoken sense of camaraderie among members. I experienced it first-hand with one of my most emotional speech: "It is tough to live in past." This the core strength of this club, its DNA. A friendly, warm, chill and safe space. As your new Captain, I’m committed to maintain and expand this unique culture - a safe space to grow and explore. I know I will be supported to safeguard our little sanctuary here. We can continue to do this, can’t we?
There are many great opportunities and potential in this Club. I fully understand the challenges of mentoring program last term. I witnessed and felt your effort, Claire and Jian Jun. I’m convinced the incoming exco team will continue your good work. Yes, we will.
I believe both mentors and mentees need to know how to help and how to ask for help. I'm committed to help every member to upgrade their skill sets and meeting their education goals. As such, I will bring in learning opportunities within and beyond Toastmaster community, with intention to help each of us here to grow further. Please, help yourself. Take the ownership. Allow others to help you. Because in here, Friends Helping Friends to Succeed.
At Club level, our KPI is DCP points. Perhaps you are also wondering like me. What's the point of getting Club points if our members are not growing personally? What's the point of getting the DCP points if it is at the expense of our club DNA? What's the point of getting new members, yet leaving our existing members burnt out, lose their drive to grow, or worse, emotionally scarred from our lofty pursuit of Distinguished Club title? If that's the case, there is no point in getting DCP points.
To me, our Club success would be deeper than this.
To me, if Le Anne win
the title of Miss Malaysia because of her wittiness she learned from Table
Topic here, that is success.
To me, if Kai find his
life passion because of clarity he gained here, that is success.
To me, if Vivian develop
her voice against injustice among children through the confidence she developed
here, that is success.
To me, if Brian get featured as the most eligible bachelor in Malaysia because of the opportunities he attained here, that is success.
Our Club performance should be measured by its members' success in life. By focusing to be a better person than yesterday, I believe, our DCP points will be more meaningful.
This Friendship plane have gone through 2 major crises in our history. I, as her new captain, have full confidence in her ability to navigate this storm and welcome the sunshine to come. With our camaraderie, more opportunities for members to grow; and clarity on meaning of success to us, we are off for a great start. Exco crew and passengers, fasten your seat belt. We are off for a fun and exciting adventure, a round trip orbiting the sun together.
For friends helping friends to succeed. Let’s grow and blossom together.
Thank you.
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