Taichi fan Dance

I have been involved with this Taichi Group for years. Some of you might remember my speech at the Division A Speech Contest last year where I spoke about lessons from Taichi. This video clip was taken at the recent joint Installation Dinner of 8 Toastmasters Club in Johor Bahru.

Joint Installation 2009

Joint Installation
Date : 11th July 2009
Venue: Austin Hill, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Participating Clubs: 8
Attendance : 220 pax
The great performance on Saturday night prove the followings are correct

• That Toastmasters train only "LEADERS"....we do not waste time training followers or "Supervisors" who cannot push performance to a higher level
• That all toastmasters are leaders. ........once given a fixed time slot and 100% control of that time slot,will perform their best.......spurred on only by our total subscription to the Toastmaster Core Values R,I,S,E ....where E is for dedication to Excellence
• That Toastmasters meetings can start on time and end on time, no matter...... how many clubs , how many strangers ( some of you were working with your co-worker for the first time , right?) are involved.
  
• That Toastmasters learn best in team work and moments of enjoyment.......as Dr Ralph Smedley rightly put it.
• That Toastmasters who reach out to test their skills in Communication, like taking part in this Joint Installation Dinner for 8 clubs, are handsomely rewarded...... every time.

Toastmasters clubs in Johor Bahru has come a long way. From a humble singular Johor Bahru Toastmasters club , the number of clubs has mushroomed. When I took over as the Division Governor, I had a vision. I called it vision 2020. That means 20 clubs with minimum 20 members each. That vision is now fast becoming a reality. We are at the verge of being able to form a independent division here in Johor Bahru.

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.

Now is the time

Now is the Time !
We often speak of big plans. New year resolutions……Mow the garden grass…..Prepare the next Toastmasters assignment……
Very often these plans do not turn into actions. Resolutions were not worked upon….the garden is turning into a secondary jungle and you are still stagnant at the same assignment .
We all have wish list.
We want to be a better communicator. When that is not achieved.. ….. we add that in next year’s wish list.
We want to be a distinguished Toastmaster. When that is not achieved…. We add to the list again.
We want this, we want that. Eventually our list become that long….
Have we ever pause for a moment and take actions on those nice plans we have made.
Now is the time, we all take stock of what we are passionate about and make things happen.
Why is it so difficult for us to put our feet down and say the magic words NOW IS THE TIME, NOW IS THE TIME to get things done?
How often do you tell yourself that : “I want to be a good speaker” So when will you be a one?
Now is the time! Now is the time you make you plans come true.
How many time you told yourself : “ I want to be a Distinguished Toastmaster ! ”
Now is the time! Now is the time you should start working on the manuals, fulfill all the criteria for certification as a Distinguished Toastmaster.
By starting to work on it I mean get on with your next planned step .
So when is the right time to get on with your next project? Next meeting? Tomorrow? After this contest?
Now is the time! Now is the time you are youngest in your entire life. Yesterday is a goner. Tomorrow may not come. Or tomorrow the same circumstances may not exist. So now is the time you are youngest , strongest, healthiest and most passionate about what you want get done.
You probably think: we have a lot things to do. We cannot simply say NOW IS THE TIME to everything that come across our mind ? I agree that we will go berserk trying do everything at the same time.
I would like to leave you with a simple test to guide you on what you should do next.
Are you passionate about that item on your wish list ?
If the answer is yes, Now is the time to get on it.
Ladies and gentlemen…….when is the right time to do something you passionate about ?
Now is the time!