Division G Achiever’s Day Speech as Division Director Elect

The following is the text of the speech I gave at the Toastmasters District 80, Division G, Achievers Day, held on the 06^th June, in my capacity as Division Director Elect.

I would like to thank the organisers, the movers and shakers of the Division, who made this event happen.  Among the current Division Council, I would like to commend the following people for stepping up: Murugappan Dhanabal, from Area Director, G2; to Assistant Division Director, Programme Quality, G; and Tejasvene Ramesh, from Manager, Administration; to Area Director, G2.

Murugappan has proven himself, by stepping up, and organising three contests for the Division, including chairing the Division contest.  I am confident, as the incoming Assistant Division Director, Programme Quality, we will continue to gain from what he has learned.  I see him as a future leader at District level, not just at Division.  He quiet, unassuming, but brutally efficient.

Tejasvene is not just our Manager, Administration, this term.  She is also the pillar of her club, TLCS Bilingual TMC.  She is so ubiquitous that visiting Toastmasters, all of us, were certain she was the Vice-President, Education.  She is the Vice-President, Education for this incoming term, and Murugappan’s replacement as Area Director, G2.  They are most fortunate.

Tony Lim Tong Lee has presided over, what is arguably, one of the most challenging terms as Division Director.  He had personal challenges in his life.  He had to contend with the Covid-19 pandemic, and the deficiency of District leadership.  This is a testament to his resilience.  I look forward to learning from him, as our Immediate Past Division Director, and reservoir of wisdom on the incoming Division Council

Eric Tan Shi Wei is the foundation of AIA Toastmasters, the pillar of Division G, and the anchor of the District.  He is the paragon Toastmaster, the epitome of effective communication, the servant leader of servant leaders.  He should be the next District Director.  I am happy to have him as our Trainer, Executive Development to provide true leadership development.

Wekie Tay has been with the Division from its very inception.  He is the thread that binds us all, from the very first Division Director to the present.  He has kindly agreed to continued as our Division Advisor.  We hope to learn from his vast experience.

We celebrate that we have thrived, despite the complications of the last few months.  But now, we look to the next term, and the challenges ahead.  We are on the cusp of a post-pandemic world, and there has been much done behind the scenes.  The incoming Division Council met on the 22^nd May.  We have the dates for our COT1, 11^th July; COT2, 09^th January 2021; and Achiever’s Day, 12^th June 2021.

Even as we are here, the final preparations for the COT are being put in place.  We started training our Area Directors for the new term in May, and they are ready.  The Division road map and strategic plan was issued the day after I was confirmed as Division Director Elect, and the Division Council was confirmed that week, including submission of officer release forms.  We have put in place our proposed training programme, mentorship programme, workshops, and even club charter programme.  We are ready for war, and the moment that countdown starts on the 01^st of July, the real work begins.

I look forward to your support.  I look forward to your goodwill.  I look forward in continuing this journey of realisation with each and every one of you.  We will bring this Division to the next level, and set an example for the District.  We will end the new term with our heads held high, knowing we took on a challenge, and left a legacy.  I hope for it to be our collective victory.