Division G COT II Summary of Programme

On the 09^th January 2021, District 80 Division G held its COT II.  The attendance peaked at just under 140, and at the closing address, we still had almost a hundred members present.  I am pleased with the efforts of the organising team in putting together a professional, a relevant, and an efficient programme.  This programme would not be the success it is without the support of the clubs of District 80, not just Division G, and the wider Toastmaster community, who have attended from all over the world. 

The entirety of the Division G Council can be rightly proud of their work, but special acknowledgement should be given to Naveen Giri as the chair, Margrette Lo Foong Quan as the Co-Chair, and to Ng Kin Foong (our very own District 80 Triple Champion), and Wekie Tay – both also presenters, for putting together the programme.  We acknowledge the work of Dex Yuen Kin Wai, Tejasvene Ramesh, Meenakshi Chidambaram, Tony Lim Tong Lee, Sivanesan K. Murugayan, and Eric Tan Shi We.  We are grateful to Edward Tate, World Champion of Public Speaking 2000, for taking the time to share with us the ethic, the drive, and the means to be an effective speaker and leader.  We also acknowledge the tremendous help of Director, Division E, Muhammad Nurhakim bin Mohamed Yusop as Zoom Master; and Yip Li Xian, as timer. 

Based on our session, some of the themes we covered is to the idea that we are resilient in the face of challenges, that we are here to perform the utmost to create programmes and clubs we can be proud of, and that we do this, as a Division.  Division G will not be judged by how strong our biggest clubs are, but how well we have helped the least amongst us to be better than they were yesterday.  All of us must rise together. 

Based on feedback and ideas from the breakout session, Division G has in place a programme for clubs to train members to be language evaluators, which is a 20-minute workshop that can fit into any chapter meeting programme.  At the request of clubs, the Division Council will deploy a trainer to conduct it. 

One of the suggestions is for clubs to work together to cover the challenges of absent Executive Committee, or scarce resources.  Since meetings are largely online, this is feasible, with minimal adjustments.  Joint meetings are encouraged to foster relationships, and inject some sense of excitement into chapter meetings.  This also affords an opportunity for clubs to learn best practices from each other. 

Another suggestion is for clubs to consider conducting joint recruitment programmes, based on geographic proximity.  Division G has a recruitment template we can provide, which clubs can then adjust according to their needs.  This joint programme has been observed to have been successfully implemented by Frontier Toastmasters, Gek Poh Ville Toastmasters, Jurong Green English Toastmasters, and Yuhua Toastmasters.  I expect the Area Directors to advise them through their respective Area Councils. 

Finally, at the request of clubs, Division G will deploy trainers to advise clubs on objection handling when it comes turning interest into membership, which is a challenge for many clubs.  Objection handling is a salesmanship skill that can be taught. The Area Directors or the club Executive Committees themselves can initiate the programme, and Division G will deploy the trainers from AIA Toastmasters, since the club has an internal programme specific for this. 

With this, we look forward to a strong end to the term.  There are no doubt challenges, but this is the crucible of leadership.  Great leaders can only be created in an environment of hardship and turmoil.  Out of this, will come stronger clubs and members.  Not one step back.