| Region
President's Acceptance Speech
It was very hard writing this speech
before I knew if I would be president again or not. I felt that I
needed to be prepared, just in case.
Last time I was
president of the region, I had a year to prepare. This time I made the
decision to stand in March, just two short months ago. Since then, I
haven’t been able to do much planning because, officially, I couldn’t do
anything until I was elected. Between now and the start of the new term
in August, I will be very busy fitting a year’s planning into just over
two months.
I have been most
fortunate to have been a member of Blacktown City Communicators. The
members of that club have instilled in me a great sense of service to
others. That tradition continues with three of our seven members
serving as elected officers at council and region levels in the coming
term. During all my time on region boards in the past, I have served
with another member of my own club. This time, when I approached the
club members with a view of standing for region president again, I
received their full support and encouragement. Thank you.
Feeling capable
of serving at higher levels is a matter of training. That training
starts a club level but is further developed at council, region and
international levels.
We have all
reaped the benefits of Powertalk training. Those of us here are
convinced that to achieve phenomenal results we need to step out of our
comfort zones. We also know that the more we are willing to put in the
more we will learn. We will restrict our learning opportunities if we
attend club meetings only. To take full advantage of Powertalk training
we need to attend council, region and international meetings whenever
possible.
We often forget
that this is a training organisation. We don’t have to know it all to
stand for office at any level. We just have to be willing to learn.
Each term that I spent on the region board I learnt so much. I expect
the same to be true this term. If I had waited to stand for the region
board until I felt that I knew enough I still wouldn’t be standing here
today having been installed as president for the second time.
As a region we
need to address the issue of not enough members putting their hands up
to serve at council and region in particular. If each club in the region
developed one of their members to seek office at council or region there
would be an abundance of officers. We may even have an election or
two. If your club is not currently doing this you need to ask why. By
neglecting to challenge and develop members’ skills the club is
restricting the development of its members.
When
international president Mary Marshall was installed last year in
Brisbane, she chose as her theme Renew and Revive. Mary also asked that
all presidents at all levels incorporate her theme in their own. I have
chosen to continue this next term. The theme will be Renew and Revive –
building for the future.
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