Valedictory speech Kent Lucero

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them,” a quote from the biggest dreamer in the world, Mr. Walt Disney.

Good evening. Last year, I asked my fellow Lakwatseros to take a risk with me during my inaugural address.

I asked you all to risk potential heartbreak and disappointment. I asked you to DREAM. I shared to you all a vision of a club that focuses on DEDICATION, RESPECT, EDUCATION, ATTITUDE, and MOTIVATION. It is only by prioritizing these things can we truly bring the dream of a President’s Distinguished Club into reality. My clubmates, here we are at the end of our 2015 adventure standing proud as we achieved the President’s Distinguished Club status. Congratulations to us all!

We were able to accomplish this feat though a combination of team effort and having a solid foundation behind us. Let me thank the following people:

Our club founders, DTMs Melanie and Wilson Ng. Your undying support is what motivates us to do more during our meetings. The thought that you both are behind us every step of the way is what gives us courage to go all out during club contests. Without your support, the

Lakwatsa Toastmasters Club (TMC) dream will simply remain that… nothing more but a dream.

Our mother club, Taipan Toastmasters Club. When the going got tough we always went back to the two core values that you have instilled in us back when we were still starting out. One is PERSISTENCE – to never cancel meetings. Two is DEDICATION – to perform our duties to the best of our abilities and to ensure that we take every action as a learning opportunity.

Our Founding President, Julie Lim, CC. By serving as an officer under your term, I saw the challenges that came your way as a president back when our club was still at its infancy. It was simply through your sheer will and determination that we now enjoy the calm and stable club Lakwatsa TMC. The fact that you were able to realize your dream of a stable club amidst the chaos is what keeps me going when challenges came my way.

Our immediate past president, Diza-Rose Kysia Ong, ACB ALB. It is in your term that we members started believing in the dream of pursuing a club status. I remembered during EXECOM meetings that we started using the word “Doable” a lot. But things were not as “Doable” if not for your effective brand of Leadership by Example. You have motivated us to aim for more than just mediocrity.

The executive committee members for 2015. Last October, when I was called to our company’s headquarters in California, I almost had an anxiety attack. Not because I was afraid of the work there. I‘ve been to the HQ before and I already have my routine. I panicked because I did not know what would happen to the plans for our club with me gone for six months. Can we still meet the target dates? Who will rally the troops here, with me thousands of miles away?

But all those worries were for not, as the remaining EXECOM, with the guidance of our IPP, bonded together and maintained the course towards our dream.

An example would be my VP-Ed (CC CL Chris). You went above and beyond your duties when you served as my primary liaison to our members. Another example would be my VPMembership (TM Romel). He kept a steady and calculated pace when doing the recruitment of members.

I would like to thank the incumbent members who chose to renew their memberships. You all are the life blood of this club. All of you keep us members of the EXECOM motivated. Motivated to serve you to the best of our abilities. NO EXCUSES.

What words do I have for my successor and his team? Just these two words: DREAM BIGGER. We are fortunate enough to be part of Division I. We are practically surrounded by talented clubs. It would be a shame if we let these opportunities go to waste.

For our incoming 2016 Executive Committee, start dreaming for bigger things for our club and then work hard in making that dream a reality. However, in your rush for that goal, make sure to keep the “Lakwatsero Teamwork” alive. Pursue that dream as a single cohesive unit. Dream not for yourself but for those that rely upon you for leadership. Do it for our members.

To my successor and his EXECOM, Lakwatsa TMC relies on all eight of you to stand together as one. It is only when you are united that I believe you can surpass those that were lucky enough to hold that post in the past. Don’t be afraid to push yourselves and be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.

I leave you with my own personal quote: “The chance to be mediocre in life is plentiful but the chance to be awesome is rare. Whether we be lost to the sea of mediocrity or be remembered as great by our peers is entirely up to us.” THANK YOU. It has been an honor to serve you!