President’s Message
2011-12 Theme: Passion • Purpose • Progress
It is an honour to be elected as President of Asia Professional Speakers Singapore. I joined APSS five years ago because I’ve been passionate about speaking since starting my teaching and training career in Singapore in 1983. I have gained so much from attending APSS meetings, and also from networking and developing great friendships. I’ve learned even more since becoming involved in the Exco, on which I have served for the last two years. The great thing is that when I became more involved in APSS, I felt even more benefit and gained so much more. I also became even more passionate about the possibilities that exist when we nurture our network and share.
In my training and speaking work, I am passionate about helping people to see the rewards they can gain through improving communication skills and building better relationships. I feel the same about APSS, and am proud that I’ve become a part of the friendly, spirited, sharing community that our association has become.
I’m also glad that I’ve taken the opportunities to get involved in the international speaking community. Our affiliation to the Global Speakers Federation has enabled me to build friendships and networks with so many fantastic speakers who are doing so much to share their knowledge, their experience and their passion to help others to improve their skills and increase their business. I strongly urge all members to make it a goal to attend at least one international conference this year. The lifelong friends you make, the lessons you learn, and just the experience of spending time together with so many authentic colleagues is a life-changing experience.
At the first new Exco meeting recently, it was great to see so much energy in the group. Everyone is full of ideas for how we can help APSS and its members to grow. We have the passion and the drive. We are all keen to work hard, and we intend to have fun while working together, learning, networking, sharing, and building our careers, and APSS, together.
We have lots of plans for the next 12 months, including:
- developing our fabulous new website
- compiling a great new monthly newsletter
- organising more members only lunches and networking evenings
- co-ordinating mastermind groups for members
- designing a speaker accreditation programme
- gaining more exposure for APSS through social networks
- increasing awareness and brand recognition of APSS in the local community
- encouraging advertising on our website and newsletter
- introducing a membership privileges programme
- encouraging sponsorship for our main annual events
- improving and increasing membership benefits
- growing our membership
- cultivating the spirit of sharing within APSS
If we are to grow and develop APSS, it will not just be up to the Exco. I encourage every member to step up too. Get involved where you can, offer help where you can, make suggestions about potential collaborations, keep your eyes and ears open for sponsorship opportunities. In particular, I hope you will reach out to more prospective members, show them the value of attending APSS meetings and joining the warm, friendly, spirited and sharing community that is APSS.
To use the words of Cavett Robert, founder of NSA (National Speakers Association of USA), let’s share the “pie”, and let’s make it bigger and better together!
Our theme for 2011 is Passion • Purpose • Progress. Let's all show our passion for our association, for our profession, our network, our work, our participants, our colleagues, our families, for everything we do. Let's be persistent in our purpose, our drive, our enthusiasm, our determination and dedication. When we do all this with 100% commitment, we will progress because in everything we do there will be great possibilities and potential - for growth, for improvement, for advancement, and for even greater success.
Here’s to our success in the coming year. Let’s all make it a year of great Passion, Purpose and Progress!
Shirley Taylor
President, 2011-12
Asia Professional Speakers - Singapore
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