31 May 2024
Article published by: wxie
Date of publication: 31 May 2024
Dear Fellow members, Distinguished guests,
Good Afternoon.
Toastmasters International is an educational organization. Some of you come to improve your English. Some of you come to get tips for public speaking. Some of you come to become leaders.
What’s your purpose in Toastmasters, Victor?
I was nervous. Standing on the stage, starred by so many sparkling eyes, I could not hardly make the good use of the 60 seconds. That was my first time in a Toastmasters meeting. I was looking for a place to practice my public speaking skill, cheap.
I was awkward. When there was club officer election but no candidate. I grabbed the chance and sticked on to the basics - club meetings, moments of the truth. Our club thrives.
I was excited. When newly elected Division N director came to me, and asked if I would like to run for an Area Director.
What’s your opinion?
Public speaking to leadship?
Let’s retrospect a little bit.
People join Toastmasters for various reason. For me, I have always longed for public speaking to convey and spread some exciting ideas I encounter during my life journey. By chance, I was recommended to Toastmasters as a public speaking learning organization. I joined Toastmasters soon after I attended a few meetings.
The best thing I like about Toastmasters is its encouraging environment and great learning experience.
From Toastmasters, I have really improved my public speaking skills, and I grow from an awkward talker in the club to a confident speak in division. I really enjoy the change and personal growth. Besides, I have made many good individuals along the way and we are good friends now. Friendship and the sense of community spirit are my rewards, too.
In Toastmasters, there is the highest level of educational achievement called DTM – Distinguished Toastmasters award. I have my plan to achieve DTM, and serving as a district leader is one of the requirements. I believe as an Area Director, I will extend my leadership practice in a bigger platform – from club to area, and work with more excellent Toastmasters to develop my network and potential. I think it a fun and richly rewarding role. It is a way to contribute back to the organization that I benefit.
Isn’t it fair?
Here is my plan.
If I get appointed as an Area Director, I would like to do the following three things as the most: 1. establish clear, concise and complete communication channel in and between clubs. For example, an area newsletter. 2. Visit the clubs more than minimum, and fill in roles whenever needed. 3. Organize Area Speech Contest.
I think have some weapons. The 3 most valuable strength for me are: 1. I am willing to learn new things. I will learn form past Area Directors and other Area Directors to do the job better. 2. I am diligent person. When I set the goal, I am determined to take the challenge to do it to the best of my ability. 3. I am good at delegation. It is a useful tool to encourage and engage people work together.
Of course there will be challenges, for example, conflicts between team members.
I think conflicts are normal in a team. It means people are willing to communicate. We just need to find a common ground to move forward. The important step is to find out why there are conflicts using communicate. It can be private and relaxed talk, and it can also be a group brainstorm. After we have the reason, we will know how to deal with it. We can either delegate or exchange positions to see what is our best interest. There is no silver bullet, the key is communicate and be integrity.
Dear fellow toastmasters, do you still remember the four values of Toastmasters? Integrity, Respect, Service and Excellence. Here we have a fifth value from the mentor program - what is it? Care! Yes, care.
To care means when we tell people Toastmasters is good, and people join, we should take care of them. We are all here and we should all care.
I run for an Area Director. I embrace it, and I won’t regret it.
Thank you.
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