Yang berusaha Puan Pengelola Majlis, selaku Presiden Kelab Pidato EPF, Diana Md Ashar; Puan Pengerusi Majlis Hana Shazwin, Yang berbahagia En. Iwan Azlan Mokhtar, selaku Ketua Pegawai Sumber Manusia, Tuan Teoh Chun Ming selaku Pegarah Daerah Kelab Pidato 102, Tuan Srinivas selaku mantan Pegarah Daerah, pegawai-pegawai kanan Kelab Pidato Daerah 102, ahli-ahli Exco, Tan Sri, Puan Sri, Dato, Datin yang akan datang, tuan-tuan, puan-puan dan para hadirin sekalian. Assalammualaikum dan salam sejahtera.
Ingin merasa kuah berkari,
Datang ke majlis malam ini;
Rasaku riang tidak terperi,
Bersua muka dengan rakan di sini.
I still remember it was sometime around August when my “beloved” Division D Director called me: “Alan, I am going to park EPF TMC club under you.” “So, is it considered a new club?” I asked, thinking that I could have a new club chartered under me. “Nope. It will be considered as base club.” I thought I could get a free meal.
Throughout these period of time, the meetings were conducted online. The timing was intended to give convenience for the members. The challenge is to get external role players. We understand the challenges of corporate clubs. Nevertheless, the officers in District 102 gave the support to the very best of our ability.
As your Area Director, it is very heartening to witness tremendous growth among the club members. Yasmin Zeker, during the club contest, told me: “Alan, I feel anxious lahhh… I'm not humorous”. And she won second place in the Area level humorous speech contest. Come on, Yasmin, give yourself more credit. To add feather to the club achievement, Hana Shazwin, won the third place in recent Area level speech evaluation contest. Mind you, she was rubbing shoulders with past District finalists! Very strong contenders! I was deeply touched by Mdm President Diana’s speech. I heard it twice. Madam President, your courage won my deepest admiration. It was not easy to stand in front of public and share some of your deepest pain in life. How can I forget BK! Just one whatsapp, he took up the role as SAA for Area contest in less than 24 hour notice. All these, showed the passion of EPF TMC members to their personal growth, taking responsibilities and most important of all, discover and nurture their innate talents.
Our motto in Toastmasters is “Where Leaders are Made.” The key word: “Leaders, Made”. It is often thought Toastmasters is a place to practice public speaking. It is more than that. In business, it is often thought that cost of goods sold, salaries, wages and benefits are the highest cost recorded in financial statements. However, if we were to think deeper, the most expensive costs are not these. It is cost of decision-making, learning and communication. Allow me to explain.
We make hundreds of conscious decisions each day. As an entrepreneur, often, I have to make decisions that could impact survivability of my business. One right decision, our business shall thrive. One wrong decision, we die. Thus, making right decision is a critical skill as a leader.
Imagine this. Your boss given you a task. Upon completion of this task one of you will be promoted. But it is the first time that you are doing the task. What if you have some relatable experience before? What if you know how to learn effectively? You will stand a better chance, don’t you? The skill to learn is one of the most valuable skills today.
Communication. You saw the man or lady that you want to date. If you talk…. Hel.....looo…. My....name is Clement Chew. Do you think you stand a chance to get a date? Or if your boss asked: “Why should I promote you?” And you answered: “Because I am the best in the whole wide world.” Do you think you stand a chance to get the promotion?
This is what I see the real value of Toastmasters. We learn all these skills in a safe community environment. We learn how to deliver projects so that we can make better decisions. We learn how to learn, so that we can add value to the people around us, faster. We learn how to communicate, so that whatever we ask, we desire, can be given to us. In short, in Toastmasters, we are preparing ourselves so that when the opportunities arise, we can shoulder challenges, becoming a better person, eventually enjoying better quality of life. Therefore we are in Toastmasters.
Thus, to the Chief Human Resource Officer, Tuan Iwan, I implore you, to consider seriously and include Toastmasters community as one part of your strategic pillar to develop outstanding human capital to EPF, eventually our beloved country Malaysia. In the presence of senior District Officers of D102 Toastmasters, we are committed to give our full support to grow the club. To the EPF TMC Exco members, keep your fire burning. Have faith that this community of Toastmasters will help you to grow. To the future members, experiencing is believing. Join our meeting. My words are not doing justice to the benefits I received from Toastmasters.
It is my utmost privilege to be here in this blessed meeting tonight. By the authority of Toastmasters International vested in me, mandate given by Area D5 Council as Area Director, guided by values of Toastmasters International of Integrity, Respect, Service and Excellence, I look forward to grow together with EPF TMC members to become their very best self.
