A lot has happened since 1 July when the new term began for District 80! What I have personally witnessed as participant at your Clubs, Installations, and COTs (as far as Div T in Thailand) has been truly inspirational. Your efforts, hospitality, and open communication have reaffirmed my conviction that we are a District proud of our history, and greatly aware of what our members can achieve in the year ahead. Thank you very much for focusing on excellence as your goal, and for making sharing success the path towards that destination. 

This is a good time to remember our FOCUS OF THE MONTH. Our August-September focus is two-fold. Firstly, we are actively involved in membership building. The Smedley Award is open for prizes for recruiting five new, dual, or reinstated members. Secondly, our Area Governors are visiting clubs and discussing their DCP goals and plans. Many Area Governors have already sent in their reports. Keep up the good work!

I'd like to share with you some updates regarding several key events that have occurred, and to highlight key issues that involve our District. 

I. TI Annual Convention (Toronto, 24-27^th August) 

1.1 District Officers Training: This was a wonderful learning opportunity for those of us who attended. LGM Michael Wee, LGET Poh Kim Siong, and I were privileged to be in the District Officers Training conducted by International President Dilip Abayasekara, International Directors, and Executive Director Donna Groh. The information sharing with the Top Three leaders from 14 other districts was another excellent learning session in itself. 

1.2 Excellence Awards: For being a Distinguished District in 2004-05, the Top Three Officers of last year received Excellence Leadership Awards. These 2004-05 Officers were: District Governor Gea Ban Peng, Lt Governor Education & Training Khong Chooi Peng, and Lt Governor Marketing Poh Kim Siong. 

The District's commendable achievement could not have been possible without the members who, in achieving their personal goals, contributed to the good performance of District 80.  

1.3 Dues Increase: Despite the feedback from several districts and individuals about concerns and implications of increasing dues, the motion was carried with 9,735 to 2,919 votes. This is mainly because a vast majority of Toastmasters all over the world believe that the movement remains the best value for personal development of communication and leadership. At our District 80 Ex-Co meeting on 24 Sep, we shall actively explore ways of managing this increase for all our Divisions.

As of October 1, 2005, the following fee changes (in USD) will be in effect:

Charter Fee: $125
New-Member Fee: $20
Dues: $27, payable every six months
This will affect clubs chartering on or after October 1, 2005  

1.4 What Other Implications are there? 

a. Division Budgets: Technically, since the annual grant / budget for Districts will be increased as a result, this should translate into a larger budget available for use by Divisions for their clubs. However, we will only be able to know the amount after TI WHQ gives us the exact information. 

b. Other Questions: The IT WHQ website has detailed replies to many FAQs including those below. Go to the following: 

    https://www.toastmasters.org/fupload/media/DuesIncreaseFAQ.pdf 

    Answers are given to FAQs such as: 

• What happens if my members have already paid for both April and October in April 2005?

• What about renewals?

• Do we have to change Club bylaws? 

• Who do I contact if I need other clarifications? 

II. ACHIEVEMENT OF EXCELLENCE & SHARING SUCCESS 

2.1 World Championship of Public Speaking. In the Inter-District Speech Contest A, our own Donald Yee, came in as the First Runner-Up. Douglas Kruger who won the Inter-District title last year was placed first again.Donald's performance received a huge round of applause from the appreciative audience.    

    The newly crowned World Champion is Lance Miller who delivered a speech that left no doubt that he was the champ.  

    I have ordered a copy of the speech contests, and will ensure that our members get to watch and learn from these extraordinary champions. 

2.2 Impetus 80 and District Directory. I'd to record our thanks to DPRO Lin Ming who was determined to publish our newsletter Impetus 80 in time for the TI Annual Convention. That she succeeded was due to her many hours of hard work throughout sleep-deprived nights. The newsletter received very high praise and admiration from the WHQ leaders, International Directors, and other District Leaders. Copies have been distributed to all our clubs, and we are sure you find it excellent too. 

    Our District Directory's early completion is due largely to District Secretary Susan Wong's tenacity and dedication to duty. Our deep gratitude and appreciation go to Susan and her small team comprising Gurmit Singh, Devi Koperum, and Stephanus Daniel. We also thank Chay Wen Liang for the beautiful cover designs. Copies of the directory will be distributed in the next few days.

2.3 District 80 Hall of Fame    

    This is under construction at the moment by our Webmasters. We feel   that it is a great idea to honour our members whose hard work and focus on excellence have contributed to our District's performance. Watch out for this on our website!

2.4 Donald Yee's Workshop! 

    We are really pleased to announce that Donald Yee has agreed to conduct a workshop for our Singaporean members sometime in November. There is much we can learn from him and his international experience. Those of us who have heard Donald are deeply impressed with his tremendous sense of humour, great timing, mastery of language, and audience-rapport building skills. Watch out for details regarding this success-sharing event! 

    Other plans to share success strategies are being discussed. This will result in having some of our talented members and trainers proactively conducting workshops for other Divisions outside their own countries.

III. WELCOME TO OUR DISTRICT 80 FAMILY! 

    We warmly welcome the following newly-chartered and in-the-pipeline clubs! Congratulations to the Charter members, Club Ex-Cos, sponsors, and mentors. Our very best wishes for the exciting, learning and enriching journey ahead! 

• Stock Exchange of Thailand TMC 

•  Foothills TMC, Singapore

• United College TMC, Hong Kong  

At the Annual Convention in Toronto, Dilip Abayasekara, International President 2005-06, said that he is expecting great things from us because "District 80 has a tradition of doing things really well." He is looking forward to celebrating our successes in Washington DC next year.  

With your continued effort and dedication, I know we will have good reasons to celebrate.