SIBU: Five Toastmasters clubs here recently held a joint installation ceremony to appoint their respective committees for the new term spanning 2023-2024.
The participating clubs include Swan City Toastmasters Club, Rainbow Toastmasters Club, Rejang Toastmasters Club, The Best Toastmasters Club, and Dream Chasers Toastmasters Club.
In his speech, the club’s founder Dr Clement Chen Tzeh Chung reflected on the journey of Toastmastering and the growth of members as communicators and leaders.
He said through the years, among the clubs, a long list of events, namely youth leadership camps, installations, speech contests, speech craft workshops, motivational talks, joint Christmas dinners, district conventions and countless social gatherings big and small, had been organised or facilitated.
Wong (second row, seventh from left), Dr Chen (on his left) with the clubs’ committees after the joint installation ceremony.
He noted that the clubs have also produced many outstanding speakers and among them quite a list of speech champions who had reached the world contest level.
All these memorable moments, he stated, are remembered most fondly by many members.
“I certainly remember why I started this journey of toastmastering. I was at the start of my career and there would be situations when I needed to present myself on stage. Too often, I was reluctant to accept invitations to give talks as stage fright had been the persistent stumbling block.
“Hence, I was all too overjoyed when I first learned about Sibu Toastmasters Club. I immediately joined as a member and was determined to conquer my stage fright by doing projects diligently.
“However, the story did not end there because along the decades of my toastmasters journey, my leadership skills were sharpened in addition to my communication skills.
“I also feel great fulfillment in helping other members to become better speakers and leaders,” he enthused.
Dr Chen emphasised the importance of overcoming stage fright and the fulfillment derived from helping others improve their speaking and leadership skills. The event’s theme, “Remember Why We Started. Why did you join the club,” encouraged members to recall their initial motivations and stay focused on their core goals.
Bawang Assan assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, the guest of honor, congratulated the clubs on their milestones, including Swan City Toastmasters Club’s 20th anniversary, Rainbow Toastmasters Club’s 10th anniversary, Rejang Toastmasters Club’s 8th anniversary, The Best Toastmasters Club’s 5th anniversary, and Dream Chasers Toastmasters Club’s 2nd anniversary.
Touching on the event’s theme, he pointed out that it is a reminder that sometimes when life gets difficult, people either give up, or when life gets too easy, people become idle.
“Before we embark on any life journey or challenge, we need to have mission. A mission means an attainable goal. When you join a marathon, your mission will be to finish within a certain time limit.
“When you start a business, your mission is to make your business profitable. When you join Toastmasters Club, your mission is to be a better communicator and a better leader.
“Sometimes when it comes to achieving your goals, probably mission may not be sufficient to fuel you to achieve your goal. This is where purpose comes in.
“Your purpose to join Toastmasters maybe so that you make a better sales presentation in your work place, and win the heart of your clients.
“Purpose will be the fuel that drives you, and make life more meaningful for you,” Wong pointed out.
