by Butch Syyap Division N Director.
First of all, let me mention that before joining this year’s District Council as Division N’s Director, I had previously experienced the same role some 20+ years ago… yes, that long ago. I was then Division B’s Governor from 1999 to 2000. Don’t ask me if I remember things back then. It has been a long while. Let me, instead, share my experience with this year’s team.
Suffice it to say that most Division contests were done, and the Run-offs were about to happen. This was where I first talked to then-PQD Jot, who thanked me for joining the incoming team. Score one for the welcome wagon.
My first real experience working with the council was via the monthly District Council Zoom meeting, the one attended by both the incoming and outgoing council a turnover meeting.
It was a cordial, polite meeting. Everyone on the new team was eager to start. As I scanned their faces, I wondered who these other Toastmasters were. I did not join the DisCon in Davao last year – as it wasn’t exactly planned, and I still had two food businesses to oversee. Still, during the convention, I’m sure it was mentioned that I would be taking on the role of Division N Director, and I was getting messages from friends asking me if the talk was true. I was, after all, not officially part of the endorsed lineup of candidates - nor was I evn part of Dvision N. My candidacy announcement did come from the left field.
At Great Speakers are Made TMC – one of my first club visits as Division N director
Meanwhile, I was already involved in Division-led activities. A soft introduction to my being the next Director for Division N. You see, agreeing to be Division N’s Director happened a bit late in the nominations and qualifying rounds—that in itself can be another topic… for another time. I knew Director Dan Agapay of H, as we both worked ogether when he was an Area Director. Then there’s Director Victor Esguerra, the incoming Division B director, and whether he admits it or not, Victor and I were contemporaries in Div B.
I was also familiar with PQD Remy because I was one of the people who interviewed her for her candidacy for CGD two years back. The rest, I did not know. Direks Sucit, Jot, and the others were blanks. I had to rely on second-hand information about them (a.k.a. comments – or gossip, from whom I considered highly reliable sources) 😀
. I needed to get to know them, of course – Director Jonathan Miclat (for example) and I needed to coordinate the transfer of CITIBANK Toastmasters from Division L to Division N. All this had to happen while I was also busy getting familiar with the relatively new topography of Division N, which in itself underwent some streamlning.
So, what was my first impression of them? Direk Jot was enthusiastic! He projected an eagerness to get things going, and each District meeting came with an agenda we were to fill out – which helped us decide what to discuss.
The team’s first real working session was, of course, the highly educational and enjoyable team-building events leading up to the District Turnover in Cebu. I was impressed by what seemed to be an organized district planning session, where I witnessed how each Division Director exhibited a passion for serving their respective divisions while learning about each other. Oh, and we did let certain inhibitions down – and we did it without imbibing alcohol. Imagine that.
Direk Remy was, as always, the epitome of the Energizer Bunny – eager, happy, and loud! Direk Sucit was cordial and approachable, and although she looked strong, she always had a friendly and happy demeanor. I was beginning to appreciate my colleagues. We even sang ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ by Journey, and found out some talents were worth keeping and others, worth sharing.
The succeeding monthly meetings always came with an agenda and template – we did not have to wonder what to report – everything was pointed out, given specific timetable concerns - just fill up the template.
These were our marching orders – but they never felt like ‘orders that needed to be done’ – things were approached from a ‘strengthening the Division and the members’ perspective. Once in a while, we would have a Division meeting with the PQD or CGD to align plans with District programs.
All these pointed to a Leadership team that knew what they were doing – and informing us of our role in what needed to be done.
Then there was the Club Officer’s Training – I was lucky to be chosen by District Trainer Law to be one of the speakers, and I eagerly covered the definition of roles for each Club officer – getting some boost from my recent experiences.
We worked closely with our Area Directors to promote attendance to both COTs rounds one and two. In round two, the Division Directors actively participated in a forum – sharing our experiences. I can safely say that this year was not your ordinary training style where so many seasoned Toastmasters felt compelled to attend with little room for growth. Kudos to the District Training team headed by Director Lawrence Co for coming up with the parallel paths to take – one for new Toastmasters and another for seasoned and grizzly Toastmasters.
We were also tasked with celebrating the Toastmasters Centennial, so we had activities and fellowship to make the year special. What was not formally known, however, was all the times we communicated with our counterpart Division Directors for differing reasons—exploring joint projects, induction suggestions, area and division contests, and even having a separate group chat to compare notes. All these culminated in a night of partying in Makati! As we supported and helped each other, the bonds grew stronger, and the District’s motto of Charge to Victory became a given for any activity we did.
Anything we would do was to strengthen the District. I could hardly count on one hand the times we had disagreements – but even then, we showed that we handled our discussions with Integrity, Respect, Service, and Excellence. We walked the talk. This was highly evident when we were asked to participate in discussions for the District’s realignment. All in all – this is an experience I will cherish as we transition to a new set of leaders.
I would like to thank my fellow Division Directors, the District team—with special mention to Nicee, who has always been supportive—and, of course, our District Trio for showing the servant leadership traits we all should emulate. I thank everyone for the trust they have given us and sincerely hope we were able to lead Year 2024-2025 successfully. Even if we are done, we will surely keep in touch with each other. Our bonds have grown stronger from this year of shared experiences and challenges.
A council that’s all smiles. Proud camaraderie.
BTW, I cannot end without mentioning the perks and stuff we, ahem, earned: the Division Director pin – which I proudly wear in any Toastmasters activities a nameplate for more formal gatherings, and a necessary prop to help me when I mingle around and meet with others. a Charge to Victory cap for protection against the hot sun. A Centennial t-shirt, a Division Director dog tag, and a vest. And we may still get another shirt, based on rumors.
Serving as a District leader does have its perks.
On another personal note, this experience forced me to up my fashion wardrobe – I’m ever grateful to Shien for making clothes available in my size. 😀 The fiesta mood in the Turnover was wonderful, and I expect a repeat of the fun during our PASIGARBO DisCon – except now we… the team, will enjoy it more as we cap a wonderful working year that was.
