A Toastmaster President’s Farewell Speech

Leadership by example, these are the keywords of a president. For the past year I have done my best to emulate these words. It wasn’t always easy. There were times when I didn’t feel like attending meetings, when I’d get frustrated with members who promised something but didn’t deliver or when I just didn’t feel like being a leader. But in the past year, I’ve learned that leaders couldn’t be ruled by their emotions. Otherwise, the club would suffer.

According to leadership expert John Maxwell, if you can’t carry the ball you won’t lead the team. There were times during my term when I wasn’t sure if what I was doing was right. But I realized that this was normal. No one starts out in something knowing everything about it. You figure it out as you go along. In a way, leading Iligan TMC has helped me find myself. And I have my mentors, the club officers and club members to thank for that. I could never have done it without them.

Being the president of Iligan TMC has taught me so many things. But if I could sum it up in four words it would be vision, attitude, generosity and commitment.

Vision. You achieve only what you can see. Good leaders create a vision and place them continually in front of the members. In my case, I didn’t have to create one. Toastmasters International did that for me. Yes. I’m talking about the Distinguished Club Program. A compelling vision gives your club direction.

Attitude. More specifically, a positive attitude. What you believe, you can achieve. A positive attitude is extremely contagious. I’ve observed that if leaders exhibit a positive attitude the members catch that and the club becomes a constructive environment that fosters growth.

Generosity. It is the job of a leader to give more than they take for the essence of leadership is in putting others first. I observed this first-hand with ACB Nene Legaspi. I noticed how she would always praise and give credit to other people rather than receive it herself. I have tried to emulate this in my own club and I am amazed at how people seem to bloom and grow right before my eyes with just a few words of praise. 

Commitment. People won’t follow uncommitted leaders. I’ve observed that if you want people to follow you, don’t tell them what to do. Show them.

Being the president of Iligan TMC has been an amazing journey. But if I could name one thing that has been instrumental to the club’s success it is teamwork. Without the support of the members of Iligan TMC and the rest of Division F none of this would be possible.

Leading such an incredible club has been a great honor for me. And I want to thank Iligan TMC for trusting me to fill this important position.

As my term ends, I promise to continue to support and serve the club in any way possible.

To the incoming set of officers, I know that with your commitment and ability, this coming year will be even better for Iligan TMC.

To the next president, ACB Mark Grageda, I trust that you will be able to lead the club well. With your skill and superb leadership I know that you will surpass all that the club has achieved in the past year and carve out a new milestone this year.

This has been a great year for Iligan Toastmasters Club. But I know that we can be better. I believe that we are only a fraction of what we can be. Of what we should be. Of what we are meant to be.

In our club, WE BREED CHAMPIONS.

Iligan Toastmasters, let’s continue soaring high!

Alessandra Victoria D. Zeta, ACB

Immediate Past President, Iligan Toastmasters Club (2010-2011)

Champion, Evaluation Speech Contest, Discon 2011

Answer This

Last Sunday, we at Iligan Toastmasters Club celebrated our Christmas party at Fontina. It was one heck of a party. There was group dancing, games and of course a talent portion. I had no idea toastmasters had such talent! One member played classical guitar, another played the violin, someone belted out a song number and another member performed as a human beat box. Talent is truly meant to be shared.

There were several new members who delivered their ice breaker speeches. It may have been their first speech as a toastmaster but it amazed me how confident they were in delivering it. Yes, I could see that they were a bit nervous (that is totally normal). You cannot imagine how nerve racking it is to give your first speech (unless you’re a toastmaster). I went through the same experience. But they all pulled through gracefully.

Out of all the speeches I heard that day, one jumped out to me. And it was because the speaker asked a very poignant question:

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

That question got me thinking.

What about you? What would you do?

Hit “POST COMMENT” at the bottom and answer it. It might seem like a lot of work but you will find that it will clear your head.

Come on. Don’t be lazy :) Do it NOW. You’ll be amazed. 

Speakers are Leaders

There is no doubt about it. If you want to succeed in anything – most especially in business- you need to be a good speaker. May it be in America or elsewhere. Speakers are leaders. Most often, leadership roles do not go to the most intelligent or the most skillful workers. They go to the man who knows how to communicate best. I have seen this to be true in almost everywhere I go. The most effective leaders I know are good communicators. They know what to say, how to say, and when to say it.

Contrary to popular belief, good speakers are not born. They are MADE. There is only one way to improve in anything. And that is to practice, practice and practice. Really, there is no other way. This is especially true when it comes to public speaking. The more you speak in front, the easier it seems to become. You might even find that you actually enjoy it. This was my experience. It was my mom who convinced me to join Toastmasters. Toastmasters International is an international, non-profit public speaking organization that can help you improve your leadership and communication skills. Now ever since I read RichDad, PoorDad back in high school I always knew I wanted to be a businesswoman-an entrepreneur. And if wanted to be successful in business I needed to become a good speaker. That is what motivated me to join Iligan Toastmasters club.

The first time I spoke in front, I trembled with fear. My thoughts were in a jumble and I did not know what to say. Now that experience would have traumatized most people. But that only made me all the more determined not to give up. I was determined to become a good speaker and nothing could stop me. And so I joined Toastmasters. Fast forward, 1 and a half years later. Now I have become club president of Iligan Toastmasters and the experience has been wonderful. Now I am more confident. Now I relish and enjoy speaking in front of a crowd. I have not only improved as a speaker, I have also improved as a leader as well. How could I not when as president I had to lead the club. I know that what I am learning now in Toastmasters I can use someday when I finally decide to go into business and put up my own company. As John Maxwell often said, “Everything rises and falls on leadership. And leadership rises and falls on communication.”