L1P1 - Icebreaker - Second Half

The life expectancy of a Malaysian, male Chinese is 75.9 years old in 2021 – Department of Statistics, Malaysia. At my current biological age of 41, that means I am left with 35 years in this mortal realm.

 

11 March 1981, Wednesday night. I came to this world. My family background is rather, colorful. My biological father family were gangsters, drug abusers and alcoholic. My mother’s family was way smarter. They were loan sharks, suppliers of women and drugs. It is very comforting to know the intelligence of a child is inherited from mother.

 

I still remember that eventful night. He was drunk. For some strange reasons, his rage was triggered. Mirror was smashed into pieces, furniture were broken. My Mum was pinned down on the bed. He strangled her with towel. My Mum could not breath. He held a kitchen knife in his hand, ready to pierce into my Mum’s body. With all the might I had in my arm, I threw the heaviest lead hook punch of my life straight into his right cheek. He was grounded. Immediately I took the kitchen knife, pointing at him. “One step closer, I will kill you!” I commanded, with tears of fear in my eyes. He went away, and I quickly loosen the towel around my Mum’s neck. I was fourteen then.

 

This incident cast a long, dark shadows into my heart. Because of this, I caught in never-ending anger, insecurity and tried to get “fair and even” in life. I fought for the best in my life. But I contradicted with myself. I self-sabotaged my career advancement numerous times. I left it to chance. I gave up opportunities to raise my financial status. Instead, I gave excuses it is not worthwhile. Worse, at times, I hurt my own family and my intimate relationships emotionally, triggered by the ghost of my past. I competed with my father to be a better father than him. But worst of all, I got myself into cycle of self-pity. I felt I didn’t deserve the best, even I deserve it, simply because I didn’t receive it from my parents. I spend my first half of my life battling emotional trauma of my childhood.

 

On 18 March 2020, a total lockdown was announced. I was 39. Well into my second half.  I no longer had fixed income. Over 18 months, my savings were completely depleted. In time of crisis, this is when we could choose to be a better self or get tormented by the past. I began to feel, very tired. Tired of being tormented by the past. Tired of being unable to create a better future for myself and my family. Tired of being self-pity. Tired of self-sabotaging. I was very tired carrying the baggage of my past. My first half of my life was wasted battling my childhood emotional trauma.

I want a better future for myself in my second half. I want better opportunities for my family in my second half. I want my descendants to be prosperous, strong and courageous. And I made a choice to focus to design my life, business and family in my second half. Statistically speaking, I may have only 35 years on this earth. Why spend it dwelling in past while I can create a better future with it? Dear Alan Oh, 41 years is too much time wasted.

Over the past 8 months, I begin to make choices. I choose to live by choice, not by chance. I choose to make changes not excuses. I choose motivation over manipulation. I choose to excel not compete. I choose self-esteem, over self-pity. And when I choose and focus the better future for myself over the last 8 months, I begin to have foretaste of true success in my life. This will be second half of my life. And you, can have it too.  

 

Photo by Sven Kucinic on Unsplash

Maiden Speech as Area Director: Priorities in Toastmasters Journey

The Invisible Hand Theory by Adam Smith, Wealth of Nation, 1776. “People who intend only to seek their own benefit are led by Invisible Hand to serve public interest which was no part of their intention.”

I come into business of market research with the intention of making more money for myself and family. I was not so much about growing the industry. But my research work led to better practice among my clients to better serve the public. That’s a classic example of Invisible Hand theory in action.

   

When we ask our members, why you join Toastmasters, the typical answers are “I want to be a better leader” and “I want to learn to speak better.” My question is: For who? For what purpose? What do you gain out of by being better leader and public speaker?

In Toastmasters, we are guided by the motto “Where leaders are made”. Our values are Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence. Why do we uphold the motto and the values of Toastmasters? For who? For what purpose?

As I continue in my Toastmasters journey, I realized that I join this community for the purpose of having a better life. Because I experienced progress in life through Toastmasters, thus, I stay. I stay because I see the value of Toastmasters in my life.

Isn’t that the same for everyone? Some of us believe that by becoming a better leader in Toastmasters, we can get promotion in our job and, have a better life. Those who under our leadership benefited from our effectiveness. By becoming a better orator, we can communicate better to achieve our life objectives. People whom we communicated to can understand our message and acted for common benefits. Again, this is a classic example of Invisible Hand theory in action. We are driven by our self-interests when we join Toastmasters, yet people around us benefited from our growth.

I had the privilege of knowing a very successful businessman from Rotary Club. He is very passionate in Rotary activities, and he shared with me how he prioritises activities in his life:

• First: Self
• Second: Family
• Third: Business/Career
•  Fourth: Rotary

I think it is the same for our Toastmasters journey. Our personal well-being should be top priority, so that we can function effectively as individual. Family is the one who will accompany us in our life journey, they should be well taken care of. Our business/career is the one that affirms our value in society and providing for ourselves and family. 

Our participation in Toastmasters should support our personal growth, family well being and improve our livelihood in business/career.  It should not jeopardize our well-being, family relationship and development of our business/career. Remember, our ultimate purpose of joining Toastmasters is to towards betterment of our life.

I would like to end my speech with a specific message to Mr President. Under leadership handbook, there is a list of tasks that you need to perform. But the most important responsibility is to make quality decision for your personal growth so that you can serve better as Club President.  Make every single President speech count. Gain personal clarity, skills and emotional fitness. Inspire others to work with you. Adapting words of Apostle Paul to Timothy: "Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example as Leader in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in character." 1 Timothy 4:12

I look forward to opening up a new chapter of my Toastmasters journey with PJTMC. May we become light and blessing for others.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

L5P3: Thank You, My Lady

“Part of the journey is the end. Yet, a new chapter is waiting.”

Life is like a book. Some chapters are sad, some happy and some exciting. But if you never turn the page, you will never know what the next chapters holds. 

Tonight, I have 2 stories to share. These 2 stories I had never shared with anyone. 

The first story is about “The Women I Had Undressed.”

It all begins when I decided to write a romance genre speech with explicit erotica. Sex, religion and politics topics are frowned in Toastmasters community. I wanted to challenge that. Because following is not really my style.

But as I wrote my script, memories of my mother came back. 11 years ago, I had a misunderstanding with my mother after my wedding. It was a small amount of money, less than RM5k. That RM5k unfolded frustrating, emotionally draining family dramas of the past decades. It wasn’t my Mum’s fault, but I refused to listen to her. I did not spoke to her for the next 6 months. 6 months later, she passed away. The last time I saw her was at my wedding. I had no chance to say sorry and goodbye. Since then, I was laden with guilt and grief for the past 11 years. Every single time I delivered this speech, a part of me will sank.

Yet, I finally found peace at Division level contest. I reconciled with the fact that I could not turn back the clock, but I can honor my past by cherishing the present and creating better future. The present is the lady whom I undressed, who fought with her life to bring our 3 beautiful children to this world. I could never, ever match the sacrifice she made for our family.  I see my future in my daughter's eye. I strive to raise my standard as a father, so that the man who is going to undress my daughter will love, care, respect and raise her up more than I could be after my inevitable departure from this world.

The women I had undressed taught me how to love. Thank you, my Lady.

The second story is about “Professional pay”.

November 2021. I received a text from a beautiful, charming lady. “You came highly recommended. We would like to invite you to be our speech trainer.” To be honest, I was thinking, there weren’t much for me to gain as trainer. As much I loved to spend more time with her, saying “No” was my first choice then. 

The day came when I first met her in person. Definitely she was, and is more gorgeous than I saw in Zoom. We had lunch at Paradigm Mall. My first impression on her was “high and cold”, but when it comes to the club matters, she became warm and caring. That lady is none other than our Madam President, Coco Ooi. Bewitched by her beauty, I agreed to be the trainer for the club. 

Weeks passed. We scheduled for the second meet up to iron out the workshop details. It was rainy season and we met at a café in Bukit Jalil. We worked out the detailed plan, and I could see Madam President was very happy with the plan.

Here is the real story behind. I was broke. Totally broke. My house instalment was behind by 2 months. My credit card was maxed out. I was left with RM30 in my wallet. My bank account was almost empty. It was a series of bad decisions and bad timing that landed me into this situation. I was prepared to liquidate the education fund for my kids which I build for years. 

The café bill was about RM70. To save my pride and ego, I told Madam President.

“These are professional work. I think should demand for professional pay.”

Madam President was little taken aback. Her smile disappeared. She asked: “How much is your rate then?”

“My trainer rate is minimum RM 2,500 per day. Today, PJ TMC received special discount. You take up the bill today.”

Immediately her smile came back. “No problem at all!”. Madam President, I wanted to take up the bill that day. That was one of the lowest point in my life. I was totally broke, broken emotionally and spiritually as a father.

 

22 December 2021. The workshop was a success. The attendees were learning and enjoyed themselves. “Alan, the members learned much from you and truly enjoyed themselves tonight. Thank you,” Madam President said to me.

That simple "thank you" dawned something in my heart.  I heard a soft whisper, “Alan, you forgotten your gift. Why do you keep it?”

Indeed, months of tormenting lock downs had taken a serious toll on me. I forgotten my gift – demonic persuasiveness and commanding public speaking skills.

Since then, I channeled my gifts and skills with fiery passion. In barely 3 months’ time, we secured research projects from MRANTI and McDonalds. Never in my life I thought I could directly contribute to livelihood of at least 6 families and indirectly 40+ families.

All these happened because Madam President Coco Ooi, insisted to have me as the trainer for PJ TMC. She sparked positive change and opened a new chapter in my life. For that, I am utmost grateful. For this very reason, I accepted the invitation to be PJ TMC member, playing the role of messenger, to pay back our Madam President.

As a token of appreciation, I have bought a piece of land for our Madam President. By the virtue of having a piece of land in Scotland, under proclamation of Queen Elizabeth, hence forth and in perpetuity be known by style and title of Lady and shall hereafter be known as Lady Coco Ooi Phei Phei.

It is my sincere wish that, one day, not too far into future, I will attend Lady Coco’s  garden beach wedding to give a toast. I even had the ending line: “You lucky man, treat our Lady Coco well, else I will raise the whole Toastmasters community to hunt you down!”

 

To all the PJ TMC members, thank you so much for being such a wonderful audience. I hoped I added value to your Toastmasters journey. Thank you for helping me to reconcile with my past.

While I wished Lady Coco could continue as Madam President for another term, but I know she have a bigger plan for her life. I wish her all the very best in her future undertaking. Thank you, Lady Coco Ooi, for opening a new chapter in my life.

“Part of the journey is the end. Yet, a new chapter is waiting.”

By the authority vested in me as the appointed Messenger to PJ TMC, receive your blessings from Infinite Spirit. 

As we are at the sunset this chapter, let us be grateful for the journey we had together. Allow those wonderful memories and learning to settle into our mind and heart. As we are opening up a new chapter in our life, let those beautiful memories and learnings to become our source of strength, inspiration and encouragement to our life journey. May we become light and blessings for others.

AGM Speech: The Best Dating Platform

After almost 4 years in Toastmasters community, I came to conclusion that Toastmasters is the best dating platform in the market today. At least, you won’t be lied about their height and get “catfished” by fake person that never exist. Most important of all, you get to verify the gender of your preference. Not some Nigerian guys pretending to be pretty girls. Imagine Alan took Coco's Instagram photos to cheat-chat Gary for his money. 

If you are serious in dating scene, Toastmasters is the cheapest, best value for money and safe avenue for you to do so. Of course, you get a chance to meet and greet the ladies or gentlemen that you are interested in. Maybe with a few other subsequent meeting…. And if everything goes well, you may walk the aisle together with him/her.

But not many people understand the ultimate truth of dating. Sales is like dating. Getting our dream job is like dating. Even building our wealth is like dating. We can't woo/chase/hunt the dating candidate we wished for. 

WE CAN ONLY ATTRACT THEM. 

As the saying, birds of the same feathers flock together, the same principle applies to any relationship attraction. The good news is everyone can attract the candidate that they wished for. It could be tough, but absolutely worthwhile. That’s self-improvement. Then, self-exposure. In short, it is marketing. Toastmasters provides both opportunities for improvement and exposure.

I’m deeply grateful for Friendship TMC for giving me this opportunity to lead during the term of 2020-2021. I am even more grateful I am succeeded by Mdm President Tan Geok Ean, who is highly competent, always put me up for exposure (for that matter, sometimes good, sometimes bad). At times she would ask me:  “Alan, just use your charm to get it done.” Till today I do not know what she meant by “charm”, but I know I had to use my demon energy, at times, almost traded with the devil to achieve her request. With no reward.... Quite silly of me. 

I must acknowledge my position as IPP did give me advantage and opportunities that I never thought possible. I believed that President Geok Ean would agree with me. We all learn and grow by assuming roles and responsibilities. By merely rolling our sleeves and get things done, we get to learn parts of ourselves that we did not know or even existed. That gave us a direction and become a powerful resource in our professional and personal life. For example, I could be very persuasive with my demonic demeanor, but I had a huge room for improvement on project management. If this is learned in our professional settings, the price could be high for our future career advancement.

Being an IPP gave me unfair advantage in exposure. “You are Alan, President of FTMC, right?” That recognition had led me business opportunities to conduct market research, working together with the fellow Toastmasters. I was blessed with opportunities to experience from different perspectives, such as the research need of SME is very different from corporates that I dealt with before. Most importantly, I harvested friendships that I believed would last for life.

All these would not be possible if I decided to just be a member of Toastmasters. The real growth demands energy. It requires time, energy and commitment from those who wants it. The opportunity within Toastmasters community is vast. But there is one condition. We need to play the game. Because the prize you want is only for those who in the game. Make your decision, roll up your sleeves and run the race.

As your insanely handsome incoming Area Director, described by Madam President Geok Ean, you have my commitment to assist you in times of need, as we grow and maintain our beloved Friendship TMC. The game is fun, only when you are in the game.

Coming back to the dating scenario. Ladies, if you want to seek gentlemen with high EQ, listen to their speeches and see their actions while they are in club. Rolling up their sleeves and take up leadership role is definitely a plus sign.

Gentlemen, I always believed man should choose their lady who are more intelligent than ourselves. Because science have proven that intelligence is inherited from mothers. How do we know if the intelligence of the ladies? From the speeches and evaluations they gave, and their dedication to their club.

Indeed, Toastmasters is the best dating platform as it offers opportunity to witness a person’s character. No more “catfish” and fake profiles. While we all here to polish our communication skills, these communication skills meaningless without meaningful message. Meaningful messages come from character. Character is built by commitment to be a leader.

Character bestows real power to communication skills.

Photo by Shane Rounce on Unsplash

L4P2: An Hour of Your Time

 “Welcome Alan. Eva is ready.”

“Thank you, Captain Leong.”

Room 203. The door opened. A Malay lady at her 20s showed up. I must say Eva was decent looking, with a pair of bright, intense eyes.

“Alan? Come in. Don’t be shy,” Eva dragged me into her room.

 “RM300. Cash. Pay first.” I passed her the cash.

 “Nope. I am here for an interview. An hour of your time.”

“Interview? Common, all the guys here are for my body. Just clean yourself and we can get into actions.” She leaned her face on my left chest and swirled her fingers playfully on my right chest. She gave me that teasing, flirtatious look through her intense, bright eyes.  She begun to take off her clothes. I saw stretch marks on her waist.

“The washroom is over that side. You can take off your clothes and hang it at the door.”

I knew I had to maintain a respectful physical distance to build trust. I sat on the chair, and I told her in a serious tone, “I am here to know more about your profession as paid girl. Just an hour of your time for this interview.”

She was intrigued. “Ok, since you paid for it.  Can I smoke?”

“Sure.”

I took out my pen and my notebook. She looked at me with a curious eye.

“You are handsome. And kinda cute for your age.”

“Thank you. How long have you been working as paid girl?”

“7 years. Since 2014.”

“Anyone recommended you work here?”

“My boyfriend.” I throw a gaze of utter disbelief.

“Your boyfriend? You knew what you are going to do, but why?”

“I think I was stupid. My boyfriend needed some cash for his drug fix. I thought I loved him by giving him money, but I was wrong. So wrong. Worse, I had his child…..”

“Where is he now?”

“That jerk. He is in Bentong Prison for possessing drugs. Useless man.”

“How many kids you have?”

“2 kids. The eldest son is 7. The second daughter is 2. They are at shelter home. I visit them once a month.”

“Did you try to get a more ‘decent’ job?”

“I was paid pathetically as a part timer promoter. After I paid my rent, I couldn't even give proper meals to my kids. Nobody wanted to hire me. I left school at 16. I was pregnant then. My mum is down with breast cancer. She needs money to save her life. Now. ”

“Why don’t you get your own clients instead of working with Captain Leong?”

“The risks are too high. I’m better off to work with syndicates even though they took half of what you paid. I’m paid less, but the clients I received are screened through. The place is monitored. If I’m caught by law enforcers, it will be over.

If I work alone, I do not know which client will turn nasty. Some were jerks. They attacked us, we were raped and perform sexual acts we never consented. Sometimes, they even threatened to report us to law enforcers. Not single cent paid to us. It is way better to work with these syndicates.”

I fell into deep train of thoughts. We continued to conversation for 40 mins. I got to know her better as a person, rather than a meat for sexual gratification. Even though I disagree what she was doing, she deserved to be respected for the work she is doing. In Eva’s own words:  

“Alan, at the end of the day, we just want to be treated and respected as a worker.”

The existence of sex industry is deeply entrenched by social inequality. Most buyers of sex are men with money, and most sellers are women without. If Eva chooses to sell sex because she is poor, judged by society and can’t find a decent job to support her family, taking that option doesn’t change her socioeconomic status. It made it worse. They are among the most vulnerable group in our society.

Legalization is clearly the way to go. It is to give sex workers like Eva more legal protections, allowing them to resist abuse and report it authorities without fear of arrest. By legalizing prostitution, Eva can work together with her colleagues for safety, employers are accountable to state and Eva’s rights could be protected.

An hour with Eva showed me the irony of society. Irony is prostitution is created and denied. Both by society. It represents a moral, economic and social problem that cannot be solved juridically. To the very least, legalization can protect their rights and respect them as worker. People like Eva are part of our society. We may not agree with their choices, but we can choose to be compassionate, respectful and less judgemental.

 

An hour with Eva showed me the true meaning of respect and compassion.

PS: The names are pseudo name to protect their identity 

Photo by jens holm on Unsplash

 

 

ISTT 2022: The Women I Had Undressed

Undress. To take off one’s clothes. To be in the state of naked or only partially clothed. The women I had undressed taught me how to love.

May 2002, Hospital Sultanah Aminah, Johor Bahru. ICU ward.

“The heart bypass surgery was a great success. With 3 and half heart veins blocked, it was a miracle that she survived,” said the nurse.  

She looked tired, yet there was gaze of happiness in her eyes. I wiped her face and I undressed her. It was the first time in my life undress a lady.  I saw scars of abuse, torn by the man who supposed to protect her. Then I saw a vertical Caesarean scar. It was meant to bring a baby boy to this world. It is the testament of a mother’s ultimate sacrifice.

Stream of tears rolled down my cheeks. I could not resist but planted a kiss on her forehead.

“I am sorry Mum…. I am sorry.”

She smiled gently at me. “I am proud of you, my son.” For coming days, I took the role as a nurse. I learn to undress her pain, sadness and depression that tormented her for half of her life. I undressed my anger, disappointment, misunderstanding and selfishness as a son.  I learn to dress her with pride, joy and dignity as a mother.

 

The women I had undressed taught me how to love.

24 January 2013. 11am. Washroom. Ground floor of a terrace house.

“Those unsightly stretch marks. Broken sleeps. There is only perfect Mum. My baby is crying, but I can’t even give him my breastmilk. I am such a failing mother. I no longer feel attractive. I am just an old hag.”

For any first time Mum without much family support, it was overwhelming. She sat in the washroom, totally worn-out and her self-confidence was in valley of darkness.

I undressed her. For the first time in my life, I learn to truly appreciate a young mother’s body. Engorged painful breast, sagging muscles and uncontrollable weight gain can easily make any lady to doubt her own value.

I was totally heart broken. I planted a kiss on her forehead. “We can fix this, darling. Let’s do this together.” 2 months later after an imperfect and clumsy care by yours truly, I was extremely proud to witness she glowed back to her former beauty with her new identity as a mother.

I learn to undress her doubts, anxiety, and weariness as a new mother. I undress my toxic masculinity, social judgement as a “man” and fake masks to impress. I learn to dress her with my imperfect comfort, care, and calmness as a new father to build her confidence as a mother.

 

The women I had undressed taught me how to love.

2 days before Christmas, 2014. That was the day first time I saw her. She was completely naked. My burning desire drawn me close to her. She held my finger. I press my ears gently on her chest. Her heart was beating fast. I could smell her body scent. Intoxicating. I could not resist but planted a kiss on her forehead.

“Welcome my Princess, Hannah. The precious pearl of our family. You are my Princess because I am your father, the King.”

For the first time in my life, I learn to truly appreciate baby girl’s body. I learn to undress her in the same way that I would carefully open a magic box sealed by angel’s kiss. I undress the love I did not receive from my own father. I learn to dress her with inner peace and love as a father.

 

It was said when you undress a woman, you entered her subconscious kingdom, her scents, her secrets and her treasures. Gentlemen, cherish the women who had undressed for us, because they had gifted us their best treasures from their life. Protect the women whom we undressed, not because they are weak, but because they are utmost important to us. And they taught me to dress up as a better man in their life. 

The women I had undressed taught me how to love. 

I love you all x3000.

Photo by We-Vibe Toys on Unsplash

A Night at PJ Toastmasters Club - Closing Speech: Acceptance

 

A Night at PJ Toastmasters Club

28 April 2021

 

When our founder, Dr Ralph C. Smedley started the first Toastmasters Club in 1924, the admission was exclusive for young men. I find it utterly sexist. Why not allow the young ladies as members too? But after some thoughts, I realized his decision to set the club only for young men was extremely wise, even though it is not well accepted in today’s context.

 

The clue lies in official history narrative: “Smedley saw a need for the men in the community to learn how to speak, conduct meetings, plan programs and work on committees, and he wanted to help them.” It hinted that young men then were in “bad shape”. If the young men can’t lead, can’t speak and communicate well, how can they attract a decent wife? If these young men can’t get their spouses, that will be disastrous to human race. Plus, young men tend to have an inferiority complex. Dr Ralph did not want to embarrass them in front of ladies.  Thus, the decision of the club to be exclusive for young men. Wise decision indeed and being sexist appropriately.  Disclaimer: Please, those were my hypothetical deductive reasoning.

 

I’m honored and privileged to be PJ Toastmasters Club 250^th meeting. That means it has over 5 years of vibrant history. This club had delivered the Toastmasters meeting experience, so much more than what was written Club Leadership Handbook. Well done!  

 

I had a great conversation with your President, Shane Chooi, before coming to this meeting. I appreciate his courage, vulnerability and trust to share with me his challenges and personal vision of leading this wonderful club. That is the hallmark of a great leader – he cares.

 

We join Toastmasters because we are attracted and driven by its mission: Where leaders are made. We want to hone our leadership, communication and public speaking skills. At the same time people stay or leave Toastmasters Club, for that matter, any organization, driven by one single human emotional need: Acceptance. We stay in the Club as we feel accepted by the Club members. We leave the Club because we no longer feel accepted by the members. Acceptance is the main emotional driver behind the club membership.

 

To keep and grow our club memberships, our role as a leader, as the Exco team, is to make our members and potential members feel accepted when they are in our club. Ironically, in order to keep and attract new members, I realized I had a much deeper homework to do. That first step, as a leader, we need to accept ourselves. We need to learn to acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses, and leverage both to the best advantage for ourselves and club members. If we can’t even lead ourselves, speak constructively to ourselves, we will find ourselves in a difficult position to lead others. 

Make no doubt about this: There will be times we as leader doubt our own values. This is when we need support from our team members. Accept and appreciate that each of us in the team have our strengths and shortcomings. Demonstrate that value of acceptance. The club members will follow.

 

In my 10 months of serving as Exco team during this pandemic, I learn an important lesson: We can not unite our club members’ dreams, but we can unite them through a common goal. As Exco team, we need to understand what our members’ goals in life are, what do they want to achieve by joining us. Find out the reasons of your new member joining the club, find out why your club members kept their membership, find out the reasons of your ex-members leave the club – you may find the DNA aka as your unique club culture. Defining this culture will serve as a catalyst, a common goal to unite the club members.

 

I encourage you to define the culture of PJ Toastmasters Club. What makes you unique out of hundreds of clubs within Klang Valley alone. Why should they join you? What can you offer to your club members? Tell us, what do you stand for. Mold and built the club, bind it tight with sense of  acceptance among members. With this, the club can be strengthened, grow and attract new members who believe what you believe in.

 

I will describe PJ Toastmasters Club culture with 3 words: Innovative, Progressive and Fellowship. This is seen through innovative, professional solutions of having hybrid meetings. You have inspired MC Jo to follow your footsteps. Despite all challenges we faced, the club members still join the meeting in a spirit of fellowship. I find it very inspiring.

 

The well being of the club is the responsibility of all members. Exco have executive power to act on behalf of members for their well being. Yes, indeed, it takes courage to lead. You will be given hard lessons to learn more about yourself. You will be thrown into uncomfortable challenges and changes. But one thing for sure: It is worthwhile. Because by the end of tenure, you get to know yourself better, lead yourself better, speak to yourself better, and ultimately, accept yourself better for who you are. With that self-acceptance, you can be a better leader. That is when you bring positive impact to people around you.

 

I believe the first step of leadership is self-acceptance. I believe by setting our club unique culture right, we can grow together in a more meaningful manner for all members. I hope I added value to your club tonight. It is a great honor and privilege to be with PJ Toastmasters Club and I look forward for more memorable moments together at Area level.

 

Alan Oh

Your friendly friend from Friendship TMC