The Culmination of a Dream

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Running for International Director

I joined Toastmasters in 1996 with one simple goal — to find a place where I can continue to learn and stay connected with society. I still remember how excited and joyful I felt during my first few months as a Toastmaster. I simply could not wait to spread the good news to people around me about this life changing program.

Like every one of us, my Toastmasters journey started with a speech. What’s different was that it lead to me getting pushed out of the safety of the nest of my mother club and learning to fly by chartering a new club in my hometown, Pingtung City, having only just completed my C2! With support and encouragement from senior members, I successfully accomplished the mission. Just last month it was my pleasure to be part of that club as we celebrated the 20^th anniversary of a healthy and robust club which has also gone on to sponsor new clubs of its own.

It is the support network, the teamwork, and the team-spirit of the Toastmasters which deeply inspires and motivates me. As I learn, gain, and grow from every challenge offered along the journey of being a Toastmaster, I thrive on being able to create and provide opportunities for fellow Toastmasters to experience what I have experienced and to see them benefit from the experience. Whether it is facilitating, or witnessing the development, improvement, and achievement of my fellow members, nothing is more satisfying than that.

Yet another thing I really love about the Toastmasters organization is its community service programs. I teamed up with fellow Toastmasters and started to do Youth Leadership Program from 2004 for senior high students, and shared Speechcraft from 2010 for those who seek improvement in Communication and leadership skills. The changes in our youth from being shy and afraid of public speaking in the beginning to their transformation into “Youth Leaders” after a mere 8 sessions of training was inspiring. Observing the process of how they became more confident with improved communication skills, and ready to face their future challenges is extremely rewarding.

The Toastmasters community service programs and its results are inspiring. We not only get to serve the younger generation and general public and to contribute to our society, we get to review, revise, and refine what we have already learned.

In actuality, Toastmasters members are not the only ones that change and transform. Our organization has been changing and transforming as well. In my 20-year Toastmasters journey, I have observed our organization moving forward with better educational program in order to better meet members’ need and build stronger membership rolls. I believe with the 3 goals of our Strategic Plan 2015 – Club Excellence; Member Achievement; Awareness, Engagement and Participation, together we can make the envisioned future of our organization a reality.

My Toastmasters journey has been a fruitful one. I've found many life mentors during this supportive and positive learning experience. My original goal of self-improvement and community involvement has already been met, but the learning is ongoing and reaching a new plateau only leads to setting new goals to move even higher, to serve the community even better. I still can't wait to spread the good news of what Toastmasters has to offer to people around me. Dr. Smedley said: “Here we are, with tremendous opportunity before us. I challenge you to get to work to bring us up to a higher level of service. Let us share with others the benefits we have gained for ourselves.” I am ready to commit and contribute my time, my experiences, my skills, and my passion to serve our organization, and, most important of all, YOU, my fellow Toastmasters!