As the end of 2008 is approaching, it is time to reflect on our last one year as to what achievements and mistakes we have made, and learn from them so that we can be more effective in pursuing another exciting and challenging 2009.
Personally, I found that 2008 was a great year for me as I made many new friends locally through the Metropolitan Toastmasters Club that I have joined as a chartered member, being a founding member. I have also been elected to serve as a committee member in the executive council. At my current age of 57, I am the oldest member of the club and my fellow members help me feel younger by interacting with them. It has indeed been an interesting and rewarding experience. In the seven months that I have been involved, I embarked on a journey to earn my Competent Communicator Award. To become one, I have to make ten speeches which are really interesting.
Although I have been making many speeches in my social and business life, I still find that there are new things to learn about speech crafting and delivery. I have also set my goal to achieve the Distinguished Toastmaster Award within three years of my membership with MBTC. I know it is not easy, but without a goal, I will never attain it. With one, I can be sure that I will be making small steps toward its attainment. And it is more interesting and fun too since it pose a personal challenge for me.
During the last 12 months, I have also accidentally been elected into the executive council of the Malaysian Association of Professional Speakers where I have been a member for slightly more than a year. Another platform for sharng and learning.
I found that as I advance in age, I find more need to share and learn and these two organizations provide me with exciting and like-minded people that complement my journeys toward becoming a better human-being.
Of course, my involvement with Lions Clubs International through my membership with the 36 year old Lions Club of KL North continues to be the main focus of my life. As a Past District Governor, I have been appointed to serve as the Multiple district Chairperson for Leadership Development with responsibility for identifying, planning and organising training programs for our members in Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore.
My first challenge shortly after taking office was to organize the Regional Lions Leaders Institute for more than 60 Lions leaders from these three countries. I acted as the co-ordinator with a highly effective and hardworking Organising Chairperson, DG Sim Boon Chuan, the current District Governor whose duties cover the whole of Sarawak and Sabah.The Seminar involved 5 days of highly interactive delivery methodologies which had all of us, the participants and the facilitators, actively involved in each others' learning and sharing processes. Our reward was the satisfaction of being informed by the participants that they found the various topics and activities benefited them very much and that we should continue to provide such sessions in the future.
Despite of all the above activities which are very time consuming, I managed to find time to facilitate and lecture in Kuala Lumpur, Miri, and Jakarta to earn some pocket money. At the same time, also providing consultancy services to two commercial organizations - one a manufacturing outfit and another, an educational institution. As 2008 closes, I found myself embarking on another two challenges - to help two separate organizations grow their membership and studentship respectively. Wow, looks like 2009 will be another exciting year!
Challenging? Sure! Rewarding? Most rewarding! When people are tough, situations soften! cheers to another great year!
