Life passion

Toastmasters taught me many things I did not learn from school.

When I was working for a Multinational European firm, I benefited most as a
Asian , the ability to speak up when needed.

Later in life when I begin to command more respect and have climbed to the
higher rungs of the corporate ladder, I gained from Toastmasters the ability
to set goals, make actions plans, and deal with people, including the
difficult ones.

Toastmasters is all about communication. Communication means we have to
interact with more than one human being. Communication skills are best
learned by working in a team. So I have always put emphasis on working
in a team even when sometimes working alone seems the easier way out. And I
continuously create opportunities for team work, sub committees, joint
meetings, conventions, and of late, the Joint Installation Dinner.

After 30 years of continuous membership, I make Toastmasters my passion,
my way of life.

Kluang Toastmasters Club 20th Aniversary

20th June 2009

It was a night of nostalgia for me.

30 years ago I was introduced to Toastmasters by Ismail Noor from
Kuala Lumpur. Unable to find a Toastmasters club in Penang I formed a
club in my own office in 1980. This club still exists today as the
Butterworth Toastmasters Club.

Kluang Club recalled many of their charter members for this 20th
Anniversary. I was seated amongst them at the VIP table. Many spoke
of their sweet memories about the formative years of the club.

Good to build emotional stakes in the club........the club stay
stronger year after year.


E T Lee DTM
Once a Toastmaster , always a Toastmaster.

Followers Vs Leaders

I learned something while helping to organize the Joint Installation.

There are two types of people; the Follower and the Leader.

Typically followers wait for instructions. They usually ask :
What should I do next?
Then ?
How do you want me do it ?

The Leaders , on the other hand ask:
What do you want me to do?
What is my mission?
What should I achieve?

Followers have many questions after getting an answer to the innitial question.

Leaders ask THEMSELVES the following question : Did I achieve what I set out to do?

Followers wait for recognition before willing to proceed to the next task.

Leaders are spurred on by the achievements they have made.

So are you a leader or a follower?

Did you come to Toastmasters to learn to be a leader, or a follower?

E T Lee, DTM

Joint Installation 2009

Come July , it is season for installations again !
This year a total of 8 to 11 clubs in Johor Bahru decided to hold a Joint Installation Dinner. We are joining hands to

* create an opportunity to organize a gala Toastmaster gathering even in face of a severe economic downturn. Otherwise each club will risk a dismal turnout if they choose to organize such a dinner on their own.
* to showcase Toastmasters to our family, friends and potential members.....to share our Toastmasters experience
* To create another event where members can learn to work in a team. Toastmasters is about communication and communication is best learned in team work.