"Shape Ourselves...Shape The World"
For more pictures taken during the night, use the following website
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lioncitytoastmasters/
With the concluding of the LionCity Toastmasters Club Executive Committee 2006/2007, the rein has been handed over to the charge of new Club President, Ms Linn Loh and her team of members, forming the new Executive Committee of 2007/2008.
First off, here is a look at the LionCity Toastmasters Club Term 2007/2008 President, Ms Linn Loh and her maiden presidential speech...
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Good evening Immediate Past President, Goh Kheng Chuan, fellow toastmasters, guests, welcome to the first meeting for the new term 2007-8.
I consider it my privilege, my honour that you have entrusted the leadership role to me. To borrow Gordon Brown’s words, it is with humility and pride that I accept the role.
Let me first thank our Past President, Goh Kheng Chuan for taking Lion City to greater heights. Under his strong leadership, his tenacity, commitment, Lion City in the previous term clinched the President Distinguished Award. In other words, we achieved NINE goals out of TEN. With that, I would like to highlight the new executive committee that we’re going to maintain the achievement. I’m setting a new goal for this term - the club has to achieve 11 goals out of 10.
Today’s meeting marks a new beginning for the new exco to map out and implement new initiatives to meet our club’s demands and challenges.
Today’s meeting also signifies a time for the exco to review our systems, continue with some of our best practices and adopt the best practices of other clubs. In other words, I promise continuity as well changes. (what do I mean by best practices? For example, Diana has set up a blog which she manages it by herself. OR we will continue with the handbook that CK started, which KC modified it and now our exco will continue)
Today’s meeting is an opportunity for me to remind the new exco to justify the trust given to us, to justify our endeavours. Yes, we are here to serve but not to spoon feed our members, not to take over your duties and responsibilities as members, we are here to enable our members to improve your communication skill and be leaders of communication.
Today’s meeting spells a new chapter for our members to re-examine our speaking aspirations (why we are here), and if necessary, to re-define our speaking goals (what we want to achieve) and a new chance for us to be more resolute in achieving our goals.
Today’s meeting is an opportune time for me to share with you my vision for our club.
The theme for Toastmasters International this term is Shaping ourselves….Shaping the world. Before we can shape world, we’ve got to shape ourselves. How do I envision Lion City Club Members to shape ourselves?
What I envision
L – Leader
As Lion City Club Members, we are called to be LEADERS of Communication. By that I don’t mean a position in the exco. I don’t mean having titles behind your name. Communication is more than public speaking. Communication is about speaking and listening. To master the skill of communication is to be able to speak in a diverse social context. (that includes dating a girl or seducing a man or woman). 2 weeks ago, The Economist ran an article that said that people with better communication skills have better chances of getting married.
To develop our communication skills, the exco also decided that our monthly meetings and will be conducted in the toastmasters manner. That means, every exco member has to give her report in 5 minutes. So we’ll be more efficient and productive.
I – Influencer / Increase Lion City Members are also called to be influencers in our world. To influence our family, friends, colleagues, new people who come into our world, your sphere. However, before we can shape world’s opinions, attitude, we’ve got to check ours and determine if we need to change our attitude and world view.
I also stands for increase. Yes, we are called to increase, to fill, to populate the club. A minimum of members would be 8. I would like to see more guests signing up and staying on as members.
O – Overcomer
We are also called to be overcomers. This club offers us opportunities to overcome our inadequacies, fears and weakness. We can’t change the world unless we take pain to shape, transform our weakness to our strength and overcome our fears.
N - Noteworthy When we are Leaders of communication, an Influencer and an Overcomer, we are truly noteworthy members of Lion City Club. – The time starts now for us to work towards being those roles.
How can the Exco help us to Achieve our full potential?
A leader, an influencer and overcomer must be competent. We’ve a choice - stay or get out of our comfort zone. - accept or shy away from new challenges. Try a role that you have never done before. (Taking up office as President is stepping out of my comfort zone) Try something that you’ve done before but do it better than previous record. Just look at Augustine. Augustine did not rest in his laurels. Augustine completed his CTM in less than 10 months and it’s his 4th time. KC, Sanjeev also take up the challenge to be guest evaluators in other clubs. They made a choice to step up and take up new challenges.
Initiatives to Be Instructed / be Instructor & Increase our Value
The exco will introduce a few initiatives to raise our members speaking skills. One of which is the mentorship programme. I’m putting in place a mentor system for all new members. VPE is managing the programme but I’ll personally ensure and this programme kicks off successfully and efficiently.
This term, we’ll still invite guest evaluators so that we can learn from other club members. We’ll continue with our in-house educational segment. Seng Chuan is going to conduct a series of 20-30 mins education segment. I would also expect our club to invite other club speakers to instruct us in our educational segment. We’ll also hold 1 speech craft workshop for the public and our members. (I’m even thinking of a speech craft session entirely for women) I would like to introduce a 1.5-2 minute tutorial session where every member can be an instructor.
The exco will also open up opportunities to members to help out whenever their schedule permits or on an ad hoc manner. The task force will be spearheaded by the exco. But non-exco members are encouraged to join the task force. 1) maintenance of our blog . 2) Speech Craft sessions
Teachable In order to improve, we need a teachable heart. We need to be willing to work on positive and constructive feedback give to us. Teamwork, Trust – to cultivate teamwork spirit, I would appeal our members to affirmative and encouraging (that’s essential if you want to be a leader of communication). The Exco is also going to have our own bonding session called ladies nites. We’ll open up to other female members of the club (if you feel left out, please check if you wear a skirt)
YES! So if you step out of your Comfort Zone and step up to new Challenges, participate in our initiatives that will increase your value, be teachable and be part of the team, you will be shaping yourself as you work towards being a LEADER of Communication, an INFLUENCER, and an OVERCOMER. Then, YOU will be ready to shape your world!
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23rd July 2007