District 35 Platinum Year: Remember, Rejoice, Recommit

Celebrating Milestones, Making Quality Decisions to Endure the Tough Times and Playing the Long Game

Belated Happy New Year District 35! We are half-way through our Platinum Anniversary Year, and we continue to Remember, Rejoice and Recommit to our vision for the year.

Remember

In February 2023, I celebrated two milestones events that made me reflect deeply about Toastmasters. The first was my 10^th Anniversary at UWM—on Valentine’s Day (February 14, 2023) I was honored to be among over 700 employees who received the Length of Service Award for being at UWM for 10 years. That was a heartwarming moment for me, especially when I recalled that only a few years earlier, my position at UWM was in serious jeopardy. Long story short, applying Toastmasters communication and leadership skills was a big part of why I not only saved my job, but continued to thrive and contribute to the mission and vision of the University. Ten years is the longest I have ever worked in a single organization.

The second milestone event concerns my Dad, whose legal practice, J.K. Kibicho & Company Advocates celebrated 50 years on February 22, 2023. Nearly nine years after my Dad passed on, his legacy continues and the practice is thriving under the leadership of his son—my brother. This was an important moment for our family as we celebrated the life of my Dad, and recalled that there were several years when it was uncertain whether my Dad’s practice would survive. It would not be the only one, as other law firms had closed shop and not survived the tough times.

My Dad was a politician and sought public office since 1992. It was the highest honor of his life to be the Member of Parliament (the equivalent of a US Senator) for Ndia Constituency in Kirinyaga District, Kenya from 1997 to 2002. When Dad became an MP, his practice suffered greatly, and he lost a lot of clients. It was so bad that he had to get money out of his pocket to make payroll. Those were tough times for our family.

However, my Dad NEVER GAVE UP on either pursuing his dream of being a politician (he was a candidate in every election until he died in 2014) or his legal practice. Fortunately, my brother went to law school and passed his bar exam which allowed him to join Dad’s law firm. My brother not only revived the Law firm, but under his leadership and Dad’s goodwill caused Dad’s legal practice to thrive and prosper. Because of Dad’s vision, his hard work and sacrifice is bearing fruit, and we now have the opportunity to pass on his legacy to his grandchildren and generations to follow.

The reason I am sharing this with you is because I see a parallel to our District 35. Seventy years ago, visionaries came together and mapped out a new District 35. Today we have an opportunity to not only ensure that our District survives, but that it thrives. I would like to draw some lessons from my Dad’s life that have really informed me.

Lessons from my Dad’s Story

First, be mindful of legacy. Since I was his oldest child, my Dad wanted me to be a lawyer and take over his practice. However, I was more interested in pursuing other dreams. Fortunately, my brother had the same dream as Dad and agreed to put on his shoes. My brother has done a phenomenal job carrying on Dad’s legacy.

Second, never make permanent decisions based on temporary conditions. As the late Dr. Robert Schuller often said and my Dad would wholeheartedly agree with, Tough Times Don’t Last, Tough People Do. My Dad endured several political setbacks (he won only one of 5 elections he competed in) that could have sunk him financially and psychologically. But he always found a way to rebound because he was filled with great hope. He kept the ship going economically and held on to the law firm even when it would have been easier to give up and close shop.

To learn more about J.K. Kibicho & Company Advocates and Dad’s amazing story, here is a Link.

My fellow Toastmasters, we continue to face the aftermath of the Covid 19 pandemic. Many clubs are struggling to rebuild and re-engage the members who left their clubs during the pandemic and have not returned. It will take a while for things to return to normal.

What would my Dad say to do? I know he would say, “Hold on and do not let go. The tough times will soon pass.” In the fullness of time, many will have reason to re-engage in Toastmasters.

The question is: “Will they find our clubs still meeting?” I am asking that you make a quality decision to be one of the pillars of your club. You decide that you will hold ship during the rocky times, and form part of the welcoming Committee that meets those returning to Toastmasters at the door.

Rejoice: In the News!

***Our very own Toast on Tap Toastmasters Club—the largest Toastmasters club currently with 67 members—last year’s District 35 Corporate Recognition Award recipient was featured in the February 2023 Toastmasters Magazine. Click the link to read their inspiring story.