President's Inaugural Address
2004-2005

Theme for the year: Look - Listen & Learn - Think Talk - Speech & Teach

As the State of the Nation address, this would be our State of the Club address, of our beloved club in which we listen and talk.

In this speech the Strategic Measurables will be outlined. The Operative / Technical aspects about who does what and how well will be dealt with in July, during a discussion on the DCP goals.

Imminent & Immediate Past President, Lt. Gov. Education Elize van Rensburg, Area Governor, club members, visitors and guests:

It is now three years since I joined this club, and was inducted by Adrian Spruyt, after which I delivered my C&L 1 Ice Breaker.

I have included “teach” in my theme for the year. Although teaching is an old phrase, it suits the profile of Toastmasters and makes a point.

Look - Listen 'n' Learn
Think
Talk - Speech 'n' Teach

You get and you give, and by giving you get
Giving begets getting - like love begets love
In cycles of growth...
You know of the five senses: Well, sight to a small extent helps us in Toastmasters, but it is in listening that we learn the most.

Now talking is not a sense: It is an acquired skill, a social one, derived from listening and growing up.

I outgrew the skill of speaking as a teenager. In obtaining a job as a young adult, the last thought in my head was to learn public speaking. Eventually I landed in a corporate environment, where the intimidation on that ladder is often unbearable.

I joined Toastmasters to regain the faculty speaking in public, and am doing so in the company of my Forum Friends!

It was Helen Keller who said: "Alone you can do so little, but together we can do so much!" This brings me to the essence of this club: the synergy of Toastmasters, a buddy system if you wish, where we lend an ear and speak, and in turn we learn and empower others to speak.

These aural and oral aspects are only realised in the club context - and in committee meetings.

What will I as President do differently to what was done last year? - I'll tell you: Nothing!!!

But allow me some comments on our strengths and weaknesses:
As every VPE will tell you, it is not easy to create a programme with minor changes in the last throes, having to push certain members to take part, to cajole, remind and coerce others, only sometimes to be dropped at the last instance. We experience that - even in Forum; but fortunately this is not the norm.

Some years ago this club had a dearth of new members, coupled with some attrition, with the result that today we find a very short queue of members willing to serve as club officers; this could also be a sign of the times.

There is however a queue of speech makers, surely a good sign for the medium term.

Is the club "top heavy" with too many longer-serving members? I think this is a peculiar aspect and characteristic, rather an asset of this club.

Regarding the new Executive Committee: We have a balanced team with diverse skills and talents, from which we expect many beneficial inputs. And of course we'll continue as in the past to enable each member of Exco and the club to learn to do new things, to do things better, and to grow...

I look ahead to the prospect with keen anticipation!

Regarding other facets that we’ll strive for:

Networking within the club, and outside the club too, across other clubs, within Area and Division, to contribute to Division and District 74 affairs;
Although multi-cultural in the Western sense, we have too little exposure to African culture - we could strive for more Diversity, which really brings variety and richness;
The fact that we are male-only gives a certain male strength, but you miss the creativity of half the population;
DCP goals are performance guidelines, not brownie points, and powerful tools to make a lot of programme items fall in place, not at the cost of, but balanced with fun while learning, without losing the formality and dignity of our meetings.
My grateful thanks to the past Exco, especially for Uwe's relentless drive, his excellent work in topping up the club coffers, tidying the trophies, upgrading the website and spearheading the Sunter evening, which are but some of the highlights of his term.

I remain thankful for the support of the club members. But especially I am grateful for the Resource of Jan-Hendrik Grobler and Tony van der Watt, who on a fast turnaround always gave such good advice, often independently offering similar guidelines within which to formulate decisions.

Then the Buffaloes - a phenomenon of Forum, formulated at the 600th meeting, and a great support source for the club. I refer here to the tremendous commitment, coaching and encouragement in their selfless mentoring role, given to newcomers and older members alike. Perhaps we could squeeze even more DCP goals out of this group!

May I also become a resource to others as we learn from and teach each other. I envisage that from 2006 I too may well wish to serve where the need is, as Sgt or as a VPM or VPPRO, fields outside our usual framework of reference (chairman, secretary or treasurer).

Forum friends and members, my Goal & Focus remain, to facilitate a club environment, to enable worthy LISTENING and SPEAKING for OUR SAKES, which is only possible in this, our social context.

Herewith I submit myself for the next term, to this chain of office, to induce some inspiration - in an environment of good speeches and company.

As I concluded my first C&L speech, I thank you for this privilege of taking part in our club events and programmes, additionally now with a chain of office and lapel badge or two extra.