(Written by Yolanda)

 Back from the exciting meeting last night, can you still feel the happiness flowing in your heart?

I still remember everything in that meeting, and want to share some points for your to recall:

 1. Imagination: helps you to Make A Difference

Thanks Cecilia for her inspiring topic and story on how she obtain native American. Have you notice her word: I always imagine I'm a native American speaker, and speak in the same tone...

You know what, that's the same principle of the famous NLP therapy in psychology! NLP is one technique in psychology that helps millions of people became what they want, and helped my boss became a charming, successful - women killer. ;-) I only read the Chap.1, and one of the basic idea  is, you imagine the better you, in detail, and feel it, then, come closer to it. By repeating this, you'll behave more and more like the better you.

And do you know why some evaluator can evaluate without scripts? Practice is one reason, and the other reason is (shared by Alex Cheng): imagine how you'll deliver your evaluation, imagine from the beginning till the end. Then you can come to stage confidently!

2.Our new members will be star in future!

Our new member Linda, is already proficient on stage. She looked more relaxed, and showed the inner humor.

Our newest member Queenie, started her TM journey successfully. She prepared her role well within 2 day. As a famous saying, 1 good start = 1/2 Success.

Let's wish them a splendid future!

3. Old members, the stage is still yours!

There're two old members who didn't show up came to this meeting.

Lorraine is back, with more beautiful look, more smartness and more naughty. ;-)

Crystal is back, with more energy, more impromptu skills and more humour.

See, if you come back, you'll feel the stage is still yours! You'll get further and further, as you won't stop.

So, other long-time-no-see members, 我们喊你回家吃饭！

4. Distinguished guests makes our wall shining (蓬荜生辉)

We have several distinguished guests, who makes our meeting even more colorful. They are: Keith (DTM), Larry (LC's friend), May (Yolanda's friend), David, Porsche and her friend Nina.

Thanks all members for helping bring guests! To bring a new guest, not only can add one credit to your CL, but also, makes our club famous and make you feel fulfilled.

As a new president in probation, From now on, I'll write feedback after meeting. I'll put a short joke or riddle in my mail, so that you'll always get more value my feedback mail.

Sorry for the delay this time, because I had defended myself against my dirty roommate's dirty cat for a long time.

Riddle of this week: I went to finance girl to claim 2900 yuan for my business travel. I said:"Just give me 3000 yuan, and I'll return 100 yuan to you." Then the finance girl burst into laugh. Did I said anything wrong?

(the answer is hided somewhere in this mail.)

It's been two weeks since I've seen many of your faces.   It feels good to be back. 
I try to be as honest as I can with my feelings.  After being in Hangzhou, and then returning, I want to share with you some of my thoughts.

1. There is nothing more exciting than to celebrate the achievement of a fellow CHICer.  congratulations Gale for getting your CC.  Getting a CC is easy for me, but I know it's a big challenge for you, and even bigger for Jessie (coming up next).  So, from the bottom of my heart, I am so happy for you.  I think, well, I hope, that all CHICers share the same feeling.  I realize that celebrating others' success doesn't come natural for everyone: it was difficult for me to connect with people in this way.  So I'm glad that being in CHIC has opened my heart to rejoice for others.  I hope that this joy can grow stronger in my heart.  I hope that CHICers can always find ways to rejoice and delight in others.  That will make the club strong for years to come.

2. Spending time with one another is essential to build deep relationships. Just like we did in Hangzhou.  I understand that some CHICers have many commitments on weekends, and may not attend our weekend outings, such as the one coming up this Saturday.  While I understand, I am also certain that you would be missing out on the basis of the mutually supportive environment.  The time we spend is how we understand and feel comfortable with one another.  It's how we have conflicts and then resolve them and grow as a result.  One day a month of the weekend outing is a small investment of your time, that pay big dividends.  Please remember.

3. Taking on challenges is a necessity, not an option.  Sometimes I am too lenient on myself, and become complacent with where I am.  I often realize that a friendly motivation from friends would have helped me take a bigger step forward, get me out of the mud.  Sometimes I ask, am I doing a favor for you, when you tell me, "I can't do it", and I quickly comply to your wishes?  Or would I be a better friend (and leader) to bring out better effort from you, to help you become the best you can be?  Sometimes I still struggle to balance the decision, to push my friends, or to give them the freedom of choice.   At the meeting this week, we saw that Ninan and Dancy took on the Toastmaster and GE role for the first time.  Even though they initially wanted an easier way out, to wait until they're ready, Gale pushed them, and as a result, they ended the meeting stronger and wiser.  What kind of friend would you choose to be?

4. At the Hangzhou Conference, Dana Lamont, the keynote speaker, emphasized the point that a valuable learning in Toastmasters is when we give more than we take.  At our excom meetings, many officers often ask the question, how can CHIC remain sustainable after I leave?  Well, first, I must say, for the meetings that I have been absent, all of you did more than fine bringing in the CHIC spirit.  I'm not that worried.  The core leaders are here to take it to the next step.  Though I realize more than ever, beyond being Creative, Humorous and Imaginative, there is one value, one action, one behavior, that if everyone can follow, will sustain CHIC no matter who is the President.  If everyone can give more than they take, the club will prosper.  Toastmaster clubs in Beijing will prosper.  I was delighted when George said that despite his work commitments, he want to do more to help the officers next term.  Derek was also enthusiastic about taking more leadership roles.  And LC, and Ninan, etc.  Even if you cannot take a leader role at CHIC, I want you to ask yourself:  When you're at the meeting or at an outing, in what ways are you giving more than you take? 

You are the best.  As division governor next year, I will count on all of you to make the club stronger, and help other clubs grow, and build new clubs.  You have the spirit and the experience.   CHIC is really the big brother in our division.  Let's begin to act like a big brother.

Hubert Lin, President of CHIC Toastmasters club of Beijing

没想到，今天人气旺盛，听众都坐到最后一排了。 两年前建立CHIC的时候，也曾经有这个愿景，但是一直不知道什么时候会实现，而且不知道如何贿赂才能实现。 幸好我们是靠大家的努力，激情和毅力才有了今天。希望今后，大家不会忘了你们现有的激情，而且也能意识到它是多么的稀有珍贵。

说起激情，就需要从Cecelia 下笔。你很久没好好的讲，现在开始磨刀了。PPT倒是挺有创意的，介绍角色也很突出。就可惜开场白没说到你个人的经历。 就只有自己的故事才能和这么八卦的听众有所共鸣。  我还特欣赏我们的王计时员。 你的声音真厚，好听极了！ 不多作演讲就浪费了你的优势了。 这半年来的新会员都特有激情。看看Ninan 连续几次上台讲，Rita在我旁边照相录影。  今天George 回来了，让我们一起帮着煽动他的激情吧！

Michael也算是半老会员了。讲的也很激动，似乎把Andrew吓着了。但是，我还觉得挺好的。 我们都是未成型的钻石。 开始肯定凹凸不平，尖角不齐。如果不细看，就觉得怎么看都看不上眼。 但是好好的练习，并且练习演讲的好习惯，就是磨成钻石的过程。会越来越成个样儿的。 大家要坚持，不要觉得做得不满意就灰心。 知道哪里不好，就改进，然后再做一次，是吧？

今天我们大开眼界，更深地认识了“Hold得住” Tim.  大家学学他的创意，他那副有范儿的打扮和作风。  你们都有范儿。 去找它。 释放它。 给CHIC添加色彩。 给自己画出一个灿烂的生活。

虽然各位的evaluation都有些进步，但是我希望总体的水平能尽速提高。三月份肯定得做个Evaluation 培训。 知道么？有价值又有鼓励性的evaluation是一个最好的TM礼物。一流的评委远胜演讲高手。 我知道，大家进TM的时候，都是想提高演讲技巧。 但是我们可以并需要稍微调整目标。 因为一旦领悟到evaluation的技巧，那就意味着知道怎么做一个好的演讲。

最后有关于欢迎嘉宾： 大家还需要加强。 如果我看你闲着，我会直接鼓励你去和guest聊。 但是，我希望大家都能主动的照顾他们，别让任何一位感到被忽略了。 切记切记。 我们之所以来CHIC，目的就是要成为一个充满爱的人。 那让我们学习如何真心的，用一个好奇好客好友的态度对待每一位。 我还在初学阶段

别嫌我啰嗦哦。我就多说几句，多说几次。 你们一旦记在心里，就不需要我了。 那就是平稳状态了。  大家为那个目标加油哦。

Today, we pretty much have a full house.  It’s amazing.  Two years ago, when CHIC was founded, I envisioned this day.  I just didn’t know when, and how we’re going to bribe people.  But I’m glad we did it through everyone’s efforts and passion.  So, please don’t forget your passion, and appreciate that this passion is hard to come by.

Speaking of passion, let’s start with our Toastmaster Cecelia.  You haven’t spoken for a while, so this is just clearing off the rust.  I love your PPT, and the creative way you introduced the roles.  I only wished you could have added your personal story in the opening.  That’s the only way to build the connection with a nosey audience.  I also loved our Timer Wang…and your sexy deep voice.  That means you have to continue to speak, otherwise it would be a waste of your talents.  Actually, our recent new members are all full of passion.  Our greeter Ninan has taken roles at every meeting; Rita was helping out with pictures and video today.  And George finally returned.  We now must work together to help him rediscover his passion.

Michael can be considered a senior member, I suppose.  Today, he spoke passionately…to a point that he scared his evaluator Andrew.  But I thought it was a good job.  Actually, we are all diamonds in the rough.  We began with rough edges.  Superficially, we don’t have much to look at.  But it is through our practice that refines our edges.  We will become a shiny diamond.  So, hang in there.  Don’t give up when you felt you were terrible on stage.  Just make the correction and re-do the speech.  Right?

Today, we saw a deeper Tim.  We can all learn from his creativity, and his chic ways.  You all have your own style.  Discover it.  Free it.  And you’ll give CHIC more colors.  And you’ll paint a vibrant life for yourself.

Although I feel that everyone’s evaluation skills has improved, I really want to see our overall level jump a few notches.  So, we must have an evaluation training in March.  Do you see that presenting a valuable and encouraging evaluation is the best gift? (That’s why it’s called a present).  A first class evaluator trumps a great speaker anyday.  I know that when we began our TM journey, we all wanted to be a better speaker.  But we must change our goal, because when we understand how to give a truly deep evaluation, then we have already known the secrets to a great speech.

Finally, about greeting our guests.  There is still room for improvement.  If I see you talking with members, or just by yourself, I will nudge you to talk to guests.  But I hope all of us can proactively do so, and not let any guest feel they’ve been neglected.  The reason we’re with CHIC is because we want to become a person who’s filled with love.  Then, let’s learn how to use our sincerity to treat everyone with curiosity, hospitality, and friendliness.  I have only begun to learn.

Yes, I’m nagging a bit.  But only for a bit longer, a few more times.  Once you have internalized these messages and the vision, then you won’t need my nagging anymore.  The club will be self-sustaining.  That is our goal.  To be Hubert-less.

Hubert Lin, President of CHIC Toastmasters Club of Beijing

好久没有参加周三例会了。 这次回来也慢慢找到感觉了。 如果缺氧，再大的火也会熄灭的。 还好，有大家帮我把激情再次煽动起来。

这次我也不多说。 总结一句我我最近闭关多天觉悟到的想法。 追求并不在于把事情做得最完美，而是尽力而为。 我们无论有什么缺点，都是有爱惜之处。我一直希望大家能做得越来越好。 然而之前如果看见哪里有不足之地，就会觉得失望，会有一个‘怎么可以对不起大家’的感觉。 年级大了，快40了，也该看开一点了。 我现在最关心的就是希望大家能从心底找到热情，然后让你的热情推动你来行动。 无论是做一个简单的ah counter, timer, 还是准备你的演讲，还是做Toastmaster/GE。 即使你没有一个会议角色，你永远是一位鼓励别人又热烈欢迎guest的会员。 周会之外，你更可以做些别的贡献。  重点在于，不要浪费了你的热情。 因为缺氧了，它就会灭了。 一个没有热情的心是一个很黑暗，很孤独，很悲观的心。 亲身经历。

所以，我要鼓励我们的老会员，回来再次投入。 不要被日常工作学习拴住。 即使再忙，它也需要透透气。 觉得参与的机会不多么？ Excom 可以给你做特殊的安排。 请和我直接联系：）

好了。本来还不多说，结果说了那么多。 关于周三的会议，我就言简意赅的描述几句。 Yi：准备的比我想象的还好。 请你下次尽量说得再大声，咬字再清楚一点。作为主持人，需要更佳的介绍每一个角色。 但是比第一次进步很多了。 因为你的底子比较浅，你需要多下点功夫。 我们大家都鼓励你。  加油。 Liuxia：第一次作GE很具有挑战性。你对自己的评估很准。自己多做几次Evaluator，就知道如何更好地去评估其他的evaluator.  觉得你可以再多给一些建议。 但，我知道这也是和经验有关的。 总之，多参加会议，多做角色，就能提升GE的功力。 下次安排一个evaluator培训，也会有电用。没有别的捷径的。 Rita的破冰演讲最让我惊讶。你讲的真的超出我的期望。 请你以后继续带给我们惊喜。 喜欢你讲故事的风格。  Xiuhua 其实说得已经很职业了。每次要讲，都能讲得很顺。建议你尝试一些新的表达方式，避免把自己约束在一个舒适带。 我知道这是我们trainer常犯的职业病。 所以，下次给自己更大的挑战，追求创新。 希望我们的老将们也能采取这个建议。 舒适带不全是因为你对听众太熟。  别的角色我就不多说，但是你们都知道我对你们的认可。

还有，我们今天集体批过了两位新的会员，Celia and Wang。 我个人很赞赏他们的热情。 让我们大家一起鼓励他们，带着他们走这条发现自我的路。 让我们一起维持他们的热情，不让它由熄灭的机会。

最后，我想再次得要求今后的每一位Toastmaster 和GE, 尽责的计划，鼓励，带领你的团队。  不是简单的工作，但是你能学到很多。  其实，无论什么角色，你的投资永远决定你的回报。  切记。

还有，我写中文是因为我需要练习。  你们都有机会练英文，也给我个机会学汉语吧。

周末愉快。

It’s been a while since I attended our weekly meeting.  You know what I found?  Here’s a metaphor:  Even the brightest fire will die without oxygen.  So thanks to you for giving the spark again.

I’ll make it short this time, since I have to write in two languages.  These few days I had closed myself off from the outside world.  And I have seen the light.  I have realized that the end isn’t just about making it perfect, but about trying our best.  No matter what flaws we have, how much we failed, how imperfect we are, we are still worthy to be loved.

I have always hoped that everyone will achieve higher.  But before, when I saw shortcomings, I took it more personally, feeling that someone has to be blamed: either blame myself, or blame others.  Now that I’m turning 40, it’s time that I live more generously.  What is more important to me now is that you find your own passion, and let your passion direct your actions to self improvement, help others, and build the club.  Do your best to be even an ah-counter, or timer, or something more difficult such as a prepared speaker, or even a Toastmaster or GE.  Even if you don’t have a role, let your passion guide you to encourage other members and welcome our guests.   Even outside our weekly meetings, you can find ways to contribute.  The point is, don’t let your passion go to waste.  Don’t let it die because you’re stagnant.  Life without passion can be very dark and gloomy.   So, I want to encourage our senior members who haven’t been involved much lately:  come back and rekindle your fire.  Don’t be bogged down by your daily job and school work.  Your passion can always use a bit of oxygen.

Anyways, some comment about the meeting.  Yi as the Toastmaster prepared better than I thought.  You can speak louder and enunciate more clearly, though.  And as the host, you need to put more effort preparing and practicing how to introduce each role.  But overall, you have improved significantly compared to your first time as TM.  Because you’re starting a bit behind compared to others, I am asking you to put in more effort.  We’re all cheering for you.  Liu Xia: as the first time GE, I’m not surprised that you found it challenging.  Your self-evaluation is on the nose.  How can you improve?  There are no shortcuts.  You need to take more evaluator roles in order to learn how to evaluate evaluators.  It’s all about building up your experience through more roles and observations.  Perhaps, with Evaluation as the next training topic, it will also be helpful.  Good luck.  Rita: you surprised me with your Ice Breaker.  I totally enjoyed your story-telling style.  Pls continue to surprise all of us.  Xiu Hua:  You’re a very professional speaker already.  It’s very possible that you don’t find the basic speeches that challenging.  For us professional trainers, this can be a problem of being stuck in our comfort zone.  Perhaps you can try to develop new ways to express your ideas.  Be creative about how to use the stage, props, gestures, voice, to enhance the impact on the audience.  Challenge yourself to be creative.  I hope all of our veteran members can take this advice.  Being in a comfort zone isn’t just about feeling too comfortable with the audience.  For all the other roles that I didn’t mention:  well, you know that I fondly and positively of you.

Also, today we voted to approve Wang and Celia to join us.  I really appreciate their passion, as they have attended most of our meetings and outings in the past month or two.  Let’s all encourage them, take them on this CHIC journey of self-discovery, and work together to ensure that their fire will never be snuffed out.

Finally, I want request that all future TM and GE to do your best to plan, encourage, and lead your team.  These aren’t easy roles, but you will learn so much from it.  But just like any other roles, you reap what you sow.

Have a good weekend.   See you next week.

Hubert Lin, President of CHIC Toastmasters, the CHICest club in Bejing