South Horizons (SH) Spirit
From time to time, I get invitations from other clubs to join their clubs. But, I always say no.
My reason is I want to complete my DTM qualification with no other clubs attached to me. Just South Horizons.
Once South Horizons, will always be South Horizons.
I want to prove to myself and others that being with just South Horizons is sufficient. We don’t need other clubs, including advanced clubs. Only participate in SH is enough.
Last month, we chartered the Mabuhay Toastmasters Club, and I’m one of the members. And, maybe by the end of this year, I will join three more clubs. Hmmm. Where’s the motto of just SH alone?
Let me answer that by sharing my TM journey -
1. I joined Toastmasters 5 years ago because of FEAR. Fear of losing my job.
I’m a Certified Public Accountant in the Philippines that landed me a job in Bermuda Island. But, it came to the point that I almost lost my job. I was redundant. I applied to different companies in different countries, and I got the same response… NO. Because your CPA qualification is not recognized in our country. Your CPA is for the Philippines only.
I became hungry for titles. International titles…
I studied CMA or Certified Management Accountant for two years. I nailed it.
Then, I targeted the Competent Communicator (CC) qualification. That was my reason why I joined TM. Just to get the CC title. My plan then was to leave Toastmasters and gain another qualification.
What’s your reason why you joined Toastmasters? To improve your communication skills, to have fun, or to meet new friends. Every time you feel like not going to our meetings, remind yourself of your reason why you joined TM.
2. I got my Competent Communicator qualification, became so comfortable in public speaking that I apply in our community in the Philippines. Even at work that led to my promotion.
I managed a project that involves communication with different parties — department heads, managers, offshore and onshore partners.
I was assigned to India for five months from November 2015 to February 2016. In these five months, I didn’t attend the Toastmasters meeting. It was okay. I missed my Toastmasters friends but not the meetings. Maybe I’m done with Toastmasters, I thought.
I returned to Hong Kong. The Vice President of Education invited me to join the meeting and be the evaluator. I was bored that night, so I said sure, why not.
The speaker was a new joiner. A typical CC 1 — soft-spoken, not confident, trembling…. Exactly like me when I delivered my CC 1.
That night, I made a decision that I will continue my Toastmasters journey. Not for myself anymore but for my fellow SH members. I remembered those days that PH and I were looking for advanced speakers to join our meetings. It was always me and PH. How can we learn?
I thought if advanced speakers won’t come to the meetings anymore, what will happen to the new members. How will they learn?
Why are you still in Toastmasters? Why are you keep coming back to SH? Every time you feel like not going to our meetings, remind yourself why you renewed your SH membership.
3. I am addressed as an advanced speaker. Nothing special, but just because I finished some advanced manuals. Then, I became qualified to join advanced clubs. I got more and more invitations. But, I still said no. Because once SH, will always be SH.
I became Area K2 Director. Well, I wanted it because it’s one of the requirements for DTM. You see, I still aim for titles and, at the same time helping SH new members. This is one thing to keep in mind, you want to help others but don’t waste the opportunity to get qualifications too.
Okay. Let me continue. As Area Director, I saw the need of the community. I saw the scarcity of the resources — Youth Leadership coordinators, Workshop speakers, passionate Toastmasters that are selflessly serving others. Hmmm. These are SH Toastmasters!
I felt the need to spread the SH spirit. The spirit of supporting each other. The spirit of sharing. The spirit of learning in a fun environment.
I started visiting clubs to show them the SH spirit. The clapping… the smiling faces… like a family.
I assist building clubs with the SH spirit in mind. I went the extra mile…
Let me ask you… What extra mile will you contribute to TM by the end of this year? How about visiting a new club. Visiting Mabuhay? Or, how about helping in the contests?
Just a few projects away, I will complete my Distinguished Toastmasters journey, and you may wonder who will be the recipient of this education award if I am a member of a few clubs… Yeah? South Horizons!
