a word from the president

President's Address - 11 June 2009

2009-06-15T19:42:00.000-07:00

Be The Change.

Wow! How quickly a year has come to past! I am honestly thankful for this last opportunity to address all of you as your President. But, I'm equally thankful for the opportunity to pass on the gavel to your next President on June 27.

The last year has been an immense journey for me. Admittedly, all my strengths bode well for me but all my weaknesses were brutally, brutally exposed. If there ever was the need for an accelerated course on growing up, I strongly recommend running for President of D'Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club.

But seriously, in happiness and occasional unhappiness, I was struck by wonderment that I have not had in a long time. I tried to share with you lessons but found myself teaching me a thing or two. And for that, I have to thank you.

Fellow Toastmasters:

In the last year, I talked about self-actualization using Po, the Kung Fu Panda as an example; I talked about auto-suggestion, using Bonnie in my demonstration; I explored the power of knowledge and ability; I expounded on our innate gifts and I spent a lot of time on love. Love for yourself, love for your neighbour.

All those themes contribute to the grander scheme of things - my theme for the year - Be The Change - which culminated with my own journey of how I embraced the theme and how I benefitted from it substantially.

But I never once talked about what being the change means. Allow me the honour to do that today.

Be The Change, in a nutshell:

Take positive steps to work towards achieving what you always wanted to achieve. Be the "Po" - realize your dream(s). The learning is in the "secret" of believing in yourself.
Reinforce that dream - by using the power of auto-suggestion, as our mind is extremely powerful.
Equip yourself - with knowledge & skill for with knowledge comes power; and with power comes achievement.
Believe in yourself. We come back full circle to you. And the only way to achieve this is by loving yourself. Imperfections and all. Because, until you learn to love and accept yourself as you are, nothing can come to fruition.

I take leave by reiterating the cliche, the only thing constant in the world is change. As we prepare for another exciting year under the new Executive Committee, let us welcome the new change and changes that will come our way. Let us put behind being reactive and start being proactive. Not only in Toastmasters, but also in our work and in our personal lives. Fellow Toastmasters, my final wish for you: Be The Change or be changed.

Best regards,

Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008 / 2009

Premier Advanced Joint Meeting Opening Address - 23 May 2009

2009-05-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

“COMMIT to be YOUR BEST.. and YOU SHALL BE” - this is your theme for the year.

It was 2 a.m. and I found myself grappling with the theme. I couldn’t tell if it was encouraging me to be my best or to be the best. A very thin line separates the two, but the outcome of each can be so drastically different.

Many of us commit to be our best. The question is, what is your best? In essence, each time we set our “best”, we essentially construct a ceiling. And we find comfort when we achieve that mark. I did my best, we proudly tell ourselves. After a while, it becomes second nature for us to seek refuge in this “ceiling”, rarely allowing ourselves a challenge to go beyond. We did our best mah, most of us would say!

One day, my boss asked me, “What do you mean this is your best?” She had seen beyond my self-imposed ceiling. She threw my work back at me. I struggled to do better. I had to write an essay and thought I had come up with brilliant prose. I proudly showed it to her, anticipating a broad smile and a congratulatory pat on my back. I had committed to do my best and I really had, by my definition. But to her, it was mediocre. After 3 to 4 attempts I finally produced the work that met her standards. Two days later, I re-read both my work scripts. Only then, I realized what best meant. (Obviously, it was the revised script.)

I had always had it in me – the capability of doing and achieving more. Everyone does. And we will, if we allowed ourselves to dig deeper within us – into our reservoir of resources. As I begin to observe the hallmark of what best meant, I had to acknowledge that I do not use even half of my capability – so how can my efforts ever be my best? I don’t want to be another talented failure!

This calls to mind a French novelist, Jean Giraudoux who said, “Only the mediocre are always at their best.” Now that I am conscious of it, I take great pains, have a burning desire and am committed to go beyond my best – to continually break the ceiling that I set for myself – and become the best. I have done it and I will continue doing it – bettering my best – because that is what I am capable of. We are all capable of doing better than our best. And when you have, I tell you, it is so incredibly gratifying.

At 3.30 a.m. I finally figured it out. Premier Advanced Toastmasters Club is not child’s play. The success of Premier Advanced Toastmasters Club is testimony of your commitment to be your best – settling for nothing but the best – and paving the way for many to follow. Commit to be your best, and you shall be. The best.

Best regards,

Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009

22 May 2009 - President's Statement @ AGM

2009-05-23T08:05:00.000-07:00

Dear honourable members:

On 30 May 2008, I announced my theme for the term – Be The Change. On 2 August 2008, during my Installation speech, I promised to provide you the platform, support, encouragement and mentorship, with the hope that the ready infrastructure will help you achieve your goals. I reckoned that if I kept my promises, the aspiration to achieve President’s Distinguished Club would be realized seamlessly and we would produce champions of the world.

I am happy to announce that we are on track to be President’s Distinguished and although we did not quite have a champion of the world, we reached the District level of competition.

In greater detail, we started off the year on a marvelous note. Meetings were packed and funds kept rolling in. Meetings and contests attendances recorded an average head count of 25 per meeting. Financially, by the end of the first quarter, we had raised enough money for the whole term.

For the financial year under review, the Club recorded an increase in turnover of 240.5% year-on-year, thanks to Speechcraft progams with Western Digital Malaysia, Project Management Professionals and Shell Cyberjaya as well as our Youth Leadership Program.

We revived the Table Topics session at our meetings although this was occasionally sacrificed when we had more project speakers. We strived to go back to the grassroots of Toastmasters – quality speeches and constructive feedback. I believe we achieved both. This is justified by our ability to attract nine new members to date, six of whom are actively pursuing their education and leadership tracks.

Further to that, since we invoked Article III Item 1(b) of our Club Constitution and Bylaws, we have welcomed seven new Toastmasters. Of the seven, one has already obtained his Competent Communicator award, while three more are on track to achieve theirs.

The Club blog continues to be a hit. In only its second year, the blog recorded 2,000 visitors to the site. I personally think this is a truly remarkable achievement on the part of VPE Foong Weng Tuck who has gone beyond to learn a new skill and update the blog contents regularly. Congratulations to him!

Admittedly, I have no regrets during this term. While it was not perfect, my own learning and personal growth has made it worth my while. Indeed, I myself became the change. I shall look back on the year 2008 / 2009 with gratefulness, contentment and joy. I thank all on the Executive Committee for your patience, guidance and care for me on this journey, and to all who have contributed to the Club in one way or another. This chapter closes, but a new and exciting one awaits all of us. Take care, and all the best!

"Be The Change"

Best regards,

Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009

Call for Annual General Meeting

2009-05-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

Dear respected D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters,

Thank you for confirming your attendance at D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club’s Annual General Meeting!

On 30 May 2008, we all convened at the Ming Room in Bangsar Shopping Complex to celebrate the term that was, and to usher in a new term. From my memory, it was a remarkable event. In two days, we will again convene to do the same, albeit with a different group of people, yet all with the same heart. I look forward to Friday evening with great anticipation.

And a heavy heart. D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club’s Annual General Meeting will mark the inevitable end of my service as your President. I must say, it was an accelerated learning curve for me. At the Installation dinner last August, I said in my speech that I foresaw a bumpy road. I was right. But I sincerely thank God and all who have helped me shave an inch or two off the top of the bumps and make this journey a memorable one.

Please allow me the privilege of thanking you personally on Friday at our 12th Annual General Meeting. 28 members have confirmed their attendance. It will be a great honour for me to have you, and I look forward to seeing you there! For your convenience,

AGM Details

Date: 22 May 2009 (Fri)
Time: 7.00 pm (dinner followed by AGM)
Venue: Oriental Pavilion, Level 1, Jaya 33
Dress Code: Office attire

N.B.: Dinner will be a sit-down affair, serving Chinese food. If you have a special dietary requirement (e.g. vegetarian/vegan, diabetic, etc.), please inform me by Thursday, 21 May 2009 so I may make necessary arrangements.

Thank you & good day!

Best regards,

Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009

President's Address - 14 May 2009

2009-05-14T18:37:00.000-07:00

When I started out with the theme for this year, “Be The Change”, little did I realize that it was meant for me. It was easy to set the theme for D’Utama Advanced but at the back of my mind, I knew change is a difficult and daunting task. Personally, I often chose the road mostly taken; I ran away from change, such as the time I turned down the opportunity to interview with a multi-national company because I was comfortable at my present, albeit small, company. To justify my decision, I had a suitcase full of excuses. Fantastic boss, work close to home, no traffic jam, etc, etc, etc. It became clear – it was easier to set the theme than it was for me to adopt it.

You see, everyday I was already moving at a certain speed. I was very activity-based. I was taking Mandarin, ballroom dancing, piano lessons, I was actively involved in Toastmasters, visiting other clubs and what naught. The thought of stopping everything seemed impossible. What would I do then? I just couldn’t bring myself to pause, to make a change. Just the thought of change felt like I had to climb a mountain or swim across oceans and mind you, I don’t know how to swim.

But each month as I prepared my speeches and presented them, it impacted me. Somehow or other, I’ve become more positive, more attentive and more attuned to myself. I’ve matured and now I know what I want. And that’s when it became easy to stop, to pause. What happened was that I unconsciously began to acknowledge and recognize that I needed to change. In the end, I found that didn’t have to go across oceans, I didn’t have to scale heights; although, I literally did that by flying to Singapore and Australia to attend various courses.

In the end, the steps became easier. And the goal, clearer. In the last year, I have quit all my activities other than Toastmasters to focus on the next chapter in my life. I plan to undertake a course in Digital Storytelling, which is nothing new but also not very well-known. To equip myself, I took a course in Adobe Photoshop and attended a Digital Storytelling workshop in March. I got myself a Macintosh computer and am applying to do my Masters in Digital Storytelling.

The point I am trying to make is that, contrary to popular belief the changes I made were not anything drastic. It was about me taking that first step – a BOLD step – I want to change – I want something better for my life. Have you ever said that to yourself? You can too! And instead of just talk, which is easier said than done, this is proof of that first step I took…

Ladies & gentlemen, my first digital story:

[video presentation - to view, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZPQCPXqgu0]

I reiterate the last two lines from my digital story - today, I no longer wait; I cannot wait; because time will not wait for me.

Best regards,

Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009

President's Address - 9 Apr 2009

2009-04-10T07:46:00.000-07:00

A Colourful World! When Chee Wah proposed this theme, I thought to myself, how do I relate that to my opening address? Turns out, it wasn’t very hard. Because everywhere I looked, I saw different colours. In the colours, I saw different hues. Can anyone say with absolute certainty that you are the exact same colour as me? I won’t be surprised if you end up asking which part of me am I talking about? Even I am not made up of only one colour.

Then, when I look deeper, in the underlying layers of each person, I see even more colour. The red of passion and anger; the blue of calm and serenity; the green of harmony and sometimes, envy; and the yellow of joy, happiness and excitement.

And that’s the beauty of this world – we are all different. Not only in colour. But in personality, beliefs, strengths and weaknesses. We are all individuals. Flawed, imperfect. And sometimes we forget that, focusing so much attention on our flaws, we neglect our strengths.

[video presentation – visit http://yasminthefilmmaker.blogspot.com/2009/04/film-we-made-recently-commissioned-by.html]

Again, that’s the beauty of this world. Flawed. Imperfect. Yet, perfect. In the eyes of all those who love you.

Best regards,

Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009

President's Address - 12 Feb 2009

2009-02-13T07:24:00.000-08:00

I am a "failure". At the age of 30, I don’t have the things I coveted as a child. I’m not happily married to a wonderful man, I don’t live in a cottage-like house, and I don’t drive a sexy sports car.

I blamed my mother for her nagging; I blamed my father for his contentedness; I blamed my brothers for being smarter than me; I blamed God for giving me the worst traits of man – laziness, average intelligence, poor figure. I blamed everything and everyone else for my own shortcomings.

But looking back, who chose to watch TV instead of study? Who chose not to exercise? Who chose to give up the opportunity of a higher paying job? Who? Let me share with you a story.

During the legend King Arthur’s time, he had an advisor, the wise wizard called Merlin. His wisdom annoyed two young princes who decided they were going to challenge him. They ran to the tree by the stream, and caught a little bird in their hands. They were going to ask Merlin if the bird in their hands was alive or dead. If he answered alive, they would crush it to death. If he answered dead, they would let it go free. They were confident their plan was foolproof. They ran up to Merlin and mockingly, asked him, “Merlin! Merlin! Is the bird in our hands dead or alive?” Bending down, he gently replied, “My children, the life and death of this little bird is in your hands.” The life and death of this little bird is in your hands.

Our lives are in our own hands. What happens, and what doesn’t happen for us, is the result of our own doing. If I had studied instead of watch TV, I could’ve got straight As. If I had exercised instead of eat 24/7, I wouldn’t be this fat. If I had switched jobs four years ago when I had the chance, I would be making double my current salary.

I don’t know how you feel about your own life. I don’t know where you stand. But I do know I don’t want to be a "failure" anymore. I am the choreographer of my own life. You are the choreographer of your own life. Let us, be the change.

Best regards,

Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009

President's Address - 8 Jan 2009

2009-01-09T07:11:00.000-08:00

This recent Saturday, my uncle invited my family for dinner just behind my house. So after eating, we all went back to my place. As always, my uncle started telling us his stories. And we love listening to him. He’s so animated and so entertaining! We really get into his stories ourselves.

My uncle enjoys going to the flea market near Petaling Street in the early hours of the morning. One day, he saw this man coming out of a taxi with pots of bonsai. Different shapes, different sizes. Beautiful pots. But for some reason or other, the man sold the plants at only RM9 per pot.

The man had one particularly persistent buyer who swiftly picked up the pots of bonsais, paid the right amount and hurried off to the other end of the same street. And lo and behold, guess what he was doing?! The buyer was re-selling the bonsais he just bought for RM9 each at RM100 each. And the beauty of this story is that people were buying them from him!

Ladies and gentlemen, my initial reaction was that this was the joke of the year. After settling down, and giving the first man the benefit of the doubt, I’m sure for reasons of his own, RM9 per pot was good enough for him. I wish I was there to interview him for answers.

But let’s take a look at the second man. Undoubtedly, he saw something of value. On top of that, he must be a pretty good salesman because he obviously capitalized on his ability to market and sell. The two qualities - knowledge and ability to sell - put together became a potent combination. His knowledge equaled ten-folds in revenue.

This calls to mind the saying of an American entrepreneur, Robert Schuller. He said, “High achievers spot rich opportunities swiftly, make big decisions quickly and move into action immediately.”

Think about it - there are 20, 30 of us here today from different backgrounds, with different expertise. If all of us pooled our resources together, we would be a force to be reckoned with. Just that would seal DU Advanced's position as the best darn Club in the Klang Valley and propel us forward towards meeting the mission of Toastmasters International and the Club.

Let’s be the change in this new year 2009.

Best regards,

Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009

President's Address - 11 Sep 2008

2008-09-11T18:05:00.000-07:00

Date: 11 September 2008 (Thu)
Time: 7.40pm
Venue: Rm 1.08 KDU College

Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome to D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club!

The other day I was having tea with my 13-year-old niece when she suddenly started jumping excitedly in her seat. “Debbie jie jie, Debbie jie jie, let me tell you a story.” Before I could say anything, she began,

“One day, a teacher asked her students to list their ideas about the modern Seven Wonders of the World. There were some disagreements, but the following got the most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids
2. Taj Mahal
3. Grand Canyon
4. Panama Canal
5. Empire State Building
6. St. Peter's Basilica, and
7. China's Great Wall.

While collecting the votes, the teacher noted that one quiet student did not turn in her paper. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.

The girl answered her teacher, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."

The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help."

The girl hesitated, and then she read out loud, "I think the Seven Wonders of the World are:
1. to touch
2. to taste
3. to see
4. to hear
5. to feel
6. to laugh, and
7. to love."

To be honest, that was not the first time I’d heard this story. Today may not be the first time you are hearing this story. It’s all over the Internet. Think about it though - we are always looking for, we’re always in awe of the biggest, the tallest, the longest, the oldest structure to remind us of greatness. But we forget the greatest wonder of the world – US. For without us, there would not be great structures.

Let us start each day reminding ourselves that we have the best gifts bestowed upon us – the gift of warmth, the gift of sight, the gift of sound, the gift of emotions, the gift of love – it is only when we appreciate our wonders can we then be able to share and touch the lives of others. Love ourselves and enjoy our gifts! Be the change!

Thank you.

Best regards,

Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009

Humorous Speech & Evaluation Contest

2008-08-28T22:53:00.000-07:00

Opening Address

A contest is defined as a competition; as a struggle for superiority, or victory between rivals. Today, D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters compete.

Good luck to the men and women who dream of victory in today’s contest and have moved one step closer to realizing that dream through the spirit of competition. As Leon J Suenes said, “Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.”

Let the contest begin!

Closing Address

There may be winners. There may be losers. But Steve Young, a former San Francisco 49er quarterback said, “The principle is competing against yourself. It’s about self improvement, about being better than you were the day before.” And I like to think we all are.

Thank you again to the contestants, role players, organizers and last but not least, the audience who have each contributed, albeit in a minor way, to the major success that is this evening. I hope to see all of you again at our next meeting on 11 September 2008. Drive safely. Thank you and good night!

Best regards,

Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009

President's Address - 14 Aug 2008

2008-08-14T18:01:00.000-07:00

Date: 14 August 2008 (Thu)
Time: 7.40pm
Venue: Rm 1.08 KDU College

Good evening ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome to D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club!

Today I am going to do things a little differently. I am going to begin with a demonstration. May I have a volunteer?

[Demonstration on self-affirmation. Sorry you can’t view it!]

You saw it for yourself. The power of self affirmation, which is a subset of autosuggestion. Negativity breeds negativity. Likewise, positivity breeds positivity.

And we can employ this method for anything in any way, at any time. It doesn’t have to be only for the big things in life. Even simple things in life, such as driving. How many of us here drive? Driving comes very naturally, doesn’t it? You get in the car, turn the ignition, engage the gear and you’re off. Very methodical. Very simple.

Not at all. I had my driver’s license for ten years. But never used it. I was afraid. I was fortunate that I have a good friend. She was patient enough to teach me how to drive again. And in her Mercedes at that!

When I finally had enough to courage to drive alone again, I would go to work in my car, Madison. Maddy and I cruised the streets of PJ together. One day, my friend asked me why I always took the longer route home. I was afraid. To cross the busy junction behind my house.

One day, I woke up and told myself I was going to cross that busy junction. I told myself “I can do it.” I didn’t. The next day I told myself again, “I can do it.” Twice. I didn’t. I must have said it a million times to myself before today. And now, I really can.

Self affirmation. Autosuggestion. If there’s anything to learn, I think it’s important for us to make self talk an everyday activity for ourselves. It worked for me. It can for you too.

Thank you.

Best regards,

Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009

Installation Dinner Speech

2008-08-03T07:44:00.000-07:00

Date: 2 August 2008 (Sat)
Time: 7.00 pm
Venue: Royale Bintang, The Curve

Good evening ladies and gentlemen.

On behalf of the committee, I would like to record thanks to the organizing chair, Lee Wei Seong, for his gallant effort tonight. It is probably the first event in the last year that he has organized. Without my help. Also, thanks to his carefully chosen organizing committee, specially invited guests, representatives from other respected Toastmasters Clubs, and most of all, to D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters for gracing this event with your presence.

I received an SMS this morning from a fellow member who missed the last meeting and is not present this evening. It read, “Have fun at installation dinner tonight. The work begins tomorrow. Hahaha.” I sent out this reply, “Hahaha, the work began a month ago actually.”

The executive committee is privileged to be selected to run this term. Thank you for the honour and confidence in us to take you through your TM journey in 2008 / 2009. We are here to meet your goals and needs, to be competitive, and to be in the company of other like-minded Toastmasters.

Ladies & Gentlemen,

I personally had a wonderful term as VPE last year with many fond memories I’d like to share. But I am not here to talk about the past. Let’s talk about the future.

I foresee a bumpy road. And I am sure as we move along on this journey, there will be butterflies in the stomach. Yet, the anxieties, many as they come, will make our journey towards becoming better and greater communicators one worth travelling.

Collectively, the EXCO, we want very much to be able to be there, to provide you the platform, the support, the encouragement, the mentorship. It is a privilege for us to be there for you. Indeed, our job is to create the opportunity for you to meet your goals every step of the way.

I learned in the last term not to have lofty goals. So this year, I am going to say - it’s not about being President’s Distinguished Club or champion of the world. We do not promise you great things. But we are determinedly realistic about our desire to help you take one step forward from last term towards achieving your goal. And hopefully, along the way, we do become President’s Distinguished and champion of the world. As my boss always tells me, “It’s not the winning that matters. It’s the process of getting there that makes a difference.” We want to see you "Be The Change", which coincidentally is the club's theme for the year.

Division B Governor, DTM Zaharah Ibrahim said earlier in her address that she once visited a DU Advanced meeting, but she didn't have the courage to join the club. I tell you honestly, Zaharah, "I'm glad I did!"

Thank you and good night.

Best regards,

Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009

President's Address - 10 Jul 2008

2008-07-11T08:43:00.000-07:00

Date: 10 July 2008 (Thu)
Time: 7.40pm
Venue: Rm 1.08 KDU College

Good evening ladies and gentlemen.

Let us all take a moment to close our eyes. Focus on your breathing.

Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. Once again, breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. One last time. Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out. Keep your eyes closed. And keep breathing.

The room is brightly lit. The murmurs are anticipatory. Your name is called out and you step forward. Suddenly, silence. A deafening silence fills the room. All eyes are on you. You look around but the spotlights are blinding. Your blood rushes through your veins. The adrenaline kicks in. You open your mouth but nothing comes out. You start to sweat. Still, nothing comes out of your mouth. Your humiliation index increases. You want to crawl out of your skin now.

Suddenly you are shaken so violently your eyes open. It was only a dream. And one that will remain a dream because today you are here. Today, you have made a commitment to improve, to make a difference. Today, you want to Be The Change. And for that simple reason, I congratulate you!

Welcome each and everyone of you to D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club’s first meeting for the 2008/2009 term! I have not been officially installed but as President elect, and on behalf of DU Advanced Toastmasters, I extend nothing but the warmest greetings to our honoured guests. It is a pleasure for me to be hosting you and I hope your choice to visit us today pays dividends.

Be The Change.

I took my parents and my good friend’s mom to watch Kung Fu Panda two weeks ago. I loved it so much, I took another friend the following week. Po is a panda. He works in the noodle restaurant owned by his father. He is large and clumsy but dreams of becoming a kung fu master. His father wants him to take over the noodle business.

By a twist of fate, Po finds himself in the position of the Dragon Warrior, the one chosen to defeat the evil Tai Lung, to the disdain of five more worthy kung fu exponents and the respected kung fu master named Shifu. Po tolerated their obvious contempt for him because he dreamt of becoming more than the failure he thought he was.

Ladies and gentlemen what started out to be a night of entertaining my parents and aunty, ended up being an affirmation of what we as Toastmasters try to inculcate in ourselves and others. Belief in yourself. We can want change so badly, but if we do not embrace change, we will never change. And change begins when we make a commitment to ourselves and our brethren.

With that, I would like to invite all DU Advanced Toastmasters to rise and join me in reaffirming our pledge to D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club.

“I, [state your own name]_, in the presence of my fellow members of D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club, make this firm obligation
to attend meetings regularly and prepare fully for each assignment,
to apply myself to the program outlined in the Toastmasters manuals,
to participate actively in club activities,
to evaluate others in a positive, constructive manner,
to build open, friendly relationships with my fellow members, and
to bring other new members into the Club so that they can also gain the benefits of Toastmasters.

We, D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club, pledge to support each other in our quest for self-development, to provide each other with positive, helpful evaluations, to maintain a friendly, supportive atmosphere, to give each other opportunities to help others, and to make ours and each others’ Toastmasters memberships a rewarding and fulfilling experience.”

Thank you.

Best regards,

Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009

Goodbye 2007/2008; Hello 2008/2009

2008-07-01T18:41:00.000-07:00

Dear D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters & Friends of DU Advanced,

It was with a heavy heart that I relinquished my position as Vice President Education. I couldn’t bear to pass the next meeting’s agenda to the outgoing President, Lee Wei Seong who will be TME at the next meeting. But in life, learning to move on is an important lesson everyone must learn. The only condition perhaps, is that the move is one for greener pastures, be it on a personal level, in your career, your family life. Or anything for that matter.

Reflecting on the past year, I have grown in confidence, in faith and most importantly, in hope. For myself. And, for mankind. I joined DU Advanced at a very low point in my life. Life was a chore. Impossible was my favourite word. Then things took a turn. Impossible began shedding its prefix “im-”. I witnessed change. I embraced change. I became change. Albeit just five degrees of it. At a time.

I look forward to the coming term with great anticipation and excitement. In the last term, we focused on rebuilding – improving our meetings in terms of attendance and offerings. We stuck closely to our Club’s vision of being a Resource Center for Information and an exemplary Center for Leadership. This year we seek to further enhance our reputation as a Center for Communication Growth. This is a mammoth task though, and one the Exco cannot do alone. We need YOU!

TEAMWORK

The next season, when you see the geese migrating, going to a warmer place, to sort the winter... Pay attention that they fly in a “V” formation. Maybe you will be interested in knowing why they do it this way...
By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock increases the flight efficiency by 71%, compared to just one bird flying alone.

Lesson 1:
Sharing the same direction and working as a team, get us to the destination quicker and easier. By helping ourselves, the accomplishments are greater!.
When a goose leaves the formation…
He feels the resistance of the air and the difficulties of flying alone....
Then, he quickly comes back to the formation to take advantage of the flock’s power in front of him ..

Lesson 2:
By staying in tune and united beside those who are going in the same direction, the effort will be less. It will be easier and pleasing to reach the goals, everyone will be inclined to accept and give help.
When the leader goose gets tired of flying...
He goes to the end of the “V” formation. While another goose takes the lead.

Lesson 3:
To share the leadership,
There must be mutual respect between us all the time...
Sharing the hardest problems and tasks…
Gathering our abilities and combining our faculties, talents and resources….
The geese flying on a “V” formation, they quack to encourage to the ones in the front. In that way, they keep the same speed.

Lesson 4:
When there is courage and encouragement, the progress is greater…
A timely word of encouragement, always motivates, helps and strengthens…It produces the best of benefits...
When a goose gets sick, is injured or gets tired and he must leave the formation...
Other geese leave the formation too, and they fly with him to help him out and protect him. They remain with him until he dies or he is able to fly again. They reach their bevy or they just make another “V” formation.

Lesson 5:
Let’s stay beside each other no matter what the differences.
Specially in times of difficulty and great challenges..
If we bond together and support each other…If we make true the spirit of teamwork…Regardless of our differences, we can rise to meet our challenge.
If we understand the real value of friendship…
If we are aware of the feeling of sharing…
Life will be easierAnd the passing of years More fulfillingMy friendsLet’s learn from this teamwork story of the geese!!!
(http://www.inspiring-quotes-and-stories.com/geese.html)

Be The Change

Best regards,

Deborah Hoe, CTM
President 2008/2009
D’Utama Advanced Toastmasters Club
http://www.duadvanced.blogspot.com/
duadvanced@gmail.com