Being a Part of the Community

The following was my opening address at the AIA Toastmasters Club’s chapter meeting, on the 04^th February 2021. 

District and club officers, members, guests.  My fellow Toastmasters.  Welcome to AIA Toastmasters. 

Tonight, I am proud to state that AIA Toastmasters has 10 DCP.  The Distinguished Club Programme was established by Toastmasters International as a general measure of club success.  Each year the Distinguished Club Program recognises club achievements in education, membership growth, club leadership and club communication.  This measure is not the whole of what makes a club successful, but it does reflect the activities that required for success.  Since its inception, this club has always achieved 10 points. 

This achievement is a testament to the dedication of the Executive Committee, the work of the members, and the support of the wider Toastmasters community.  We are great because others have helped us to be great.  As such, it is incumbent upon us to give back, to elevate, to celebrate the successes of Toastmasters everywhere.  Greatness is not a fortress in the mountain.  Greatness is to walk among the community, to be part of it, and to celebrate it. 

I have always emphasises that for us, in District 80, we are only as strong as our weakest clubs.  That is why we emphasise, here at AIA Toastmasters, club visits by our members.  We send out our members to hold appointments in other clubs, to conduct workshops and programmes, to take up roles in the District at every level.  This is part of our education as Toastmasters. 

In that same vein, we have a tradition of inviting the best Toastmasters to take up appointments in our club so that we can also learn from them, and build on their example, an exchange of ideas and best practices so that we continue to inculcate that culture of excellence.  We must be generous with our knowledge, and humble in our learning.  That is what this club is about. 

Over to you, Toastmaster of the Day.