I’ve just finished the book “The Traveller’s Gift” by Andy Andrews. It’s an Excellent book! It’s written in an easy-to-read story-telling format and it contains jewels of wisdom. We are always seeking success and there are numerous books written on this topic. The author shares the 7 decisions that determine personal success :

1. The buck stops here. I am responsible for my past and my future.
2. I will seek wisdom. I will be a servant to others.
3. I am a person of action. I seize this moment. I choose now.
4. I have a decided heart. My destiny is assured.
5. Today I choose to be happy. I am the possessor of a grateful spirit.
6. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself.
7. I will persist without exception. I am a person of great faith.

These 7 decisions can apply to all facets of our lives. Does this apply to Toastmasters? Absolutely!

1. The buck stops here. I am responsible for my past and my future.
   My progress in my public speaking and communication skills are strictly my responsibility. Stop blaming others or your circumstances.
2. I will seek wisdom. I will be a servant to others.
   As Toastmasters, we give constructive feedback to fellow Toastmasters. The new members are assigned mentors who can help them in their journey. There are many others we can seek advice from. I learn new things and new ways of using knowledge at every Toastmaster meeting. From Project Speeches to Language Evaluation, there are always new knowledge acquired. As to being a servant to others. My personal belief is that it is more blessed to give than to receive. As a mentor, I am always very proud when my proteges attain their Competent Communicator status. It’s as though my own child has grown and I’m just proud of her achievements.
3. I am a person of action. I seize this moment. I choose now.
   For the term 2008/2009, I came forward to serve as Area D3 Governor. I commit to help and coach the clubs under my care to achieve their goals.
4. I have a decided heart. My destiny is assured.
   I am definitely committed to the Toastmasters Movement. As I have benefitted, I seek to help others in their Toastmasters Journey. I have been blessed with assignments to share with students and parents on communication skills. Most assuredly, we will all improve in our communication skills and there will be better understanding.
5. Today I choose to be happy. I am the possessor of a grateful spirit.
   Come what may, I choose to be happy and grateful for what I have. I have been blessed with many gifts and how I must account for how I had used these gifts. Do I bury them? Am I complacent? The last thing I want is to be unteachable because that would mean the end of my progress.
6. I will greet this day with a forgiving spirit. I will forgive myself.
   Unforgiveness is like “cancer”, it eats into you. It will never affect the other person whom you are angry with. Very often, we cannot forgive others and even ourselves for making “stupid” mistakes. What is important is to forgive and move on.
7. I will persist without exception. I am a person of great faith.
   I have great faith that as each and every member persist in improving their public speaking and communication skills, they will achieve the goals they set out to achieve and the Club will likewise achieve it’s goals and the Area and the District.

I’m exhilarated (pronounced “Ig – z larated) to embark on my journey as the Area Governor for the term 2008/2009. I know that it will definitely be a year of GROWTH and SELF-DISCOVERY!

Jenny Au, the incoming President, was meticulous in her preparation. She had the “golden” name-tags of all officers prepared, together with all the officers’ manuals put in a folder. Familiar with the duties of the exco officers, I decided to proceed with the ceremony without notes. This time, I struggled with pinning the name-tags. I was really not nimble with my hands. Thank God, everything went smoothly.

Aziz Mustajab, DTM came up to me at the end of the meeting and congratulated me on the installation ceremony. He commented that it was really dignified and well conducted. This really made my day!

My contest speech at the International Speech Contest was “Slam That Door” where I shared the power of words. Words can destroy us! Words can also build us up! As toastmasters, we know the power of words and we are always mindful that when we give feedback, we must be constructive and encouraging.

As such, I decided to delegate the responsibility of briefing each exco member to the incoming President. Hence, I installed the entire exco altogether and asked for their pledge together.

What a terrible mistake I made! I’ve received feedback that no one knows who is taking on what roles! I’ve done a great disservice to CPA Australia’s new exco. So Sooorrry!

From one extreme to the other. Looks like it is safer to err on the much trodden path. I will conduct future exco installation on a solemn note. Enough of experimenting…

However, I am thankful for the support and encouragement of all present. It’s not about the mistakes we make, it’s about what we learnt from our mistakes that matter. There is this saying, “Fear is a poor chisel with which to carve our tomorrow.” Never allow fear of making mistakes stop us from trying!

The new President, Teresa, shared that she left the Toastmasters Movement for four years and because of the constant reminders from Kong Pak Fee, she decided to return. Now, she is holding the helm at CPA Australia Toastmasters Club. This clearly shows that the Club truly makes members matter.

Quoting Teresa, never give up on your dreams! I look forward to working with your team and your Club to reach for your dreams!

This is my first experience as the installing officer. Excited as I was, I pored through the Area Leadership Handbook for guidance on how to conduct the installation ceremony.

From my memories, the installation ceremony is a solemn ceremony. Before that, I discharged the current exco of their duties. They had done well to lead Nee Soon South Toastmasters Club to achieve President’s Distinguished Club status.

Then, I installed the new exco officers one by one. I followed the script word-for-word. To me, it was “painfully” boring. Then, I called upon all members to take their pledge to stand by the new exco. There were few members present. Most of them are guests and visitors. I was thankful that the ceremony was completed without any hiccups!

Charanjit, the new President, saved the night with his inaugural speech. He quoted Mahatma Gandhi, “The true beauty of a country lies in the warmth of the people.” Charanjit said, “The true beauty of a Club lies in the warmth and love of the members.”

True to his words, members of Nee Soon South Toastmasters Club exude warmth and two of the visitors commented that they were so comfortable that they would sign up as members.

Thank you, Nee Soon South Toastmasters Club, for giving me this opportunity to share this moment with you, to install the new exco and to work closely with you throughout the year to reach greater heights! I’m confident that under Charanjit’s leadership, Nee Soon South Toastmasters Club will once again achieve President’s Distinguished Club for the term 2008/2009.