Dear Visiting Toastmasters, Members of TM @ Hope, and Guests
Thank you for attending our 2nd Anniversary cum AGM Chapter Meeting. In particular, I would like to express my appreciation to Michael Rodrigues DTM, Patrick Oei DTM, Lim Seh Leng DTM, John Sih DTM, Steven Choon ACS/ALB, John Tan ACB/CL, Saint Yi Htet CC/ALB, Albert Poon CC, Narvin Parwal ACS/ALB, HariKrishnan ACS/ALS, and Susie Song for gracing this special occasion. THANK YOU.
“District 80 Governor, Michael Rodriguez Distinguished Toastmaster, incoming District Governor, Patrick Oei DIstinguished Toastmaster, incoming and outgoing District Officers, Fellow Toastmasters, Ladies & Gentlemen
A blessed morning to one and all. It is indeed wonderful to meet up with all of you again on this beautiful morning. This chapter meeting is very special to me because, first and foremost, it is our 2nd Anniversary, and second, I am delivering my last speech as Club President of Toastmasters @ Hope.
Before I begin my speech proper, let us take this opportunity to welcome our latest new member, Eva Johannes, into our fold. (CLAP) We also welcome our non-toastmasters friend, Susie Song, to our 37th Chapter Meeting. (CLAP)
Ladies & Gentleman, one year ago, on 2nd July 2011, I delivered my inaugural President’s address. In my speech, I said that my vision for Toastmasters @ Hope is to create good experiences, good memories, and good relationships. To do that, we need to set a high standard in the way we conduct our chapter meetings regardless of whether we had only a handful of members or a room full of members like today. That we did.
I also quoted our District Governor, DTM Michael Rodrigues : “Clubs must set the bar high because that is the only way.” Unquote.
So I set the bar for Toastmasters @ Hope at the only place available for it – set the bar HIGH and challenged ourselves to go for President Distinguished Club – a seemingly impossible task considering the number of members we had then.
However, I strongly believe that if we aim at the moon, and know where we are aiming at, even if we missed it, we will surely land among the STARS. (PAUSE) And, we have indeed landed among the stars. With the completion of our P10 Project today, our 2-year old club, Toastmasters @ Hope has achieved SELECT PRESIDENT’S DISTINGUISHED CLUB status.
CONGRATULATIONS TO US ALL! (CLAP)
My friends, we are able to achieve Select Distinguished Club because ALL of you contributed in one way or another to this:
- Our first two CCs from Senthil Ananth and Melvyn Goh,
- Our CL, ACB, and ALB contributions from dual members,
- Our Exco members for attending the Division’s Club Officers trainings and for carrying out their responsibilities faithfully,
- And everyone of you incumbent members who chose to renew your membership, and very importantly, paid up your TI dues on time,
- Not forgetting our 13 new members, who have chosen to join Toastmasters @ Hope,
- As well as our visiting Toastmasters who supported and encouraged us by attending our chapter meetings ever so often this past one year.
Because of all of you, HOPE is truly alive, and as Club President, I recognize and acknowledge your contributions. (CLAP)
Ladies & Gentlemen, in this, my last President's opening address, what do I want to share with you, and what special word do I have for my successor and her team?
Just these words,”AIM HIGH AND NEVER GIVE UP!”
As I reminencse over these past twelve months, it came to my mind that our club had weathered some rough patches but came out stronger. Personally, this is also true for me and my Exco in our Toastmasters’ Leadership journey. It was a rough ride. However, in the face of difficulties and challenges, we perservered and were able to climb over the barbed wired wall of challenges and surmount the web of difficulties. This is only possible because we did not give up but supported, encouraged, and motivated each other. At the end of our club leadership’s journey, we look back with a sense of satisfaction, accomplishment, and pride in our club, TOASTMASTERS @ HOPE.
Thus, My Dear Members, in your Toastmasters’ journey, some of you, might find that your progress seem slow, and you are not making much leeway. Never Give Up! Your breakthrough might come in your next project speech, whereby you see a sudden jump – an exponential increase in your speech delivery’s standard. Do Not Give Up, for like the sun, which is always shining even if it is hidden behind the dark clouds, the moment, the clouds move out of its way or as it traverse the sky, the sun rays break forth once again, and it’s a dramatic sight. That's the same with some of your project speeches.
For the Competent Communicators among us, some of you might find it challenging to attain your next goal of Advanced Communicator Bronze. Never Give Up! Work on it one project at a time. Interspersed it with your second round of your CC just like what Competent Communicator, Michael Lau, and I did, and continue to sharpen your skills. Sooner or later, you will reach there, and while on this journey, enjoy the experience of mentoring the new members and also learning from them.
My message to the Incoming Club President and her EXCO team is this:
All eight of you are leaders of the Club. And by working together as a team, I strongly believe you will perform even better than this current team and bring our club to a greater height. Stretch yourselves and you will be pleasantly surprised – Go for President’s Distinguished Club.
Finally, I will leave all of you with this, “Be the best that you can be and make a difference.”
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT , YOUR ENCOURAGEMENT, AND YOUR FRIENDSHIP.
It has been my PLEASURE to serve you!
Toastmaster of the Day"
Warmest Regards,
Catherine Goh
Toastmasters @ Hope
D80-Area A4 Charter 1464586
Sharpen your Thinking, Listening, and Speaking Skills
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