Let us Talk Episode 4

Passion to Serve: An Interview with

District Governor Alex Ginete, DTM

 

Interviewed by: Saleh Al Khamiyasi

 The ever smiling Alex is at ease with himself. He takes life one slice after another but he insists on doing today’s work today. Alex Ginete was born and bred in the southernmost of Philippines’ main island, approximately 700 kilometers from Manila. He grew up in that small village where everyone knows everyone and nearly all elders we call uncles and aunties. He is a civil engineer and an IT professional working as an IT Business analyst for Bahrain Petroleum company over 20 years. He is married to a very supportive wife, Frances; and together, we were blessed with three children, 2 grownup girls Ayla and Yanna and a middle-school boy Alexei Delon. Amongst other accolades as a community leader, in December 2000, He was conferred the prestigious Philippine's Presidential Award (Banaag Award) for exemplary service to the Filipino community in Bahrain. His innate passion to serve inculcated that urge for extending his hands to people of all ages and to any member of the community of nations because he  loves to serve.

 

DTM Alex Ginete
District Governor, District 20

 

“Let us Talk” contacted our District Governor for District 20 DTM Alex Ginete to send an inspiring message to our toastmasters in Division D. He in turn welcomed the initiative and with an open heart and true love to serve shared excellent words of wisdom. These inspiring messages should find its ways to our clubs and areas to reap its outcomes. Our conversation with the Ace of District 20 went like a natural spring. The following lines highlight the direction of our conversation with our leader par excellence DTM Alex Ginete:

·         The thought that “I was doing something right” further encouraged me to continue on to vie for Lt. Governor Marketing, Lt. Governor Education and Training and now as District Governor positions.

·         Leaders are not born—they are made. Others may argue, but it is a fact.

·         Toastmasters provide the opportunity to make leaders. It is not a fiction but an unambiguous and unquestionable realism.

·         Toastmasters provide the stage to become better persons in all facets, the primary component of bringing out the best and become leaders.

·         Leaders should be arbitrators, negotiators and peacemakers, able to collaborate and conciliate and take on to win-win situations.

·         If there is a will, there is a way. The will and the way have to be time-bound. In order to accomplish a task, we must first embrace the responsibility and complete the task in the most appropriate and timely manner.

·         We should commit to do the utmost to improve the delivery to the club members, better train club officers and build stronger clubs—that will provide greater benefits to the members.

 

When and why did you join Toastmasters?

I joined Toastmasters as a charter president of the Filipino Club Toastmasters in Bahrain, chartered May 2000. Primarily for my personal benefit; secondary, I believed then that I was obliged to extend the perceived benefit to my fellow countrymen. 

 

How did you deal with stage fright/ hesitation/ the inner voice of quitting in the initial stage? 
The fear and inadequacy in public speaking has always been within me. I discovered this in my early professional career and was well aware of the lack of skills in spoken English and the courage to communicate effectively. Therefore, the first opportunity to hone myself through Toastmasters is a long awaited break. Quitting was never in the plate. 

 

What changes has toastmasters introduced in your life (personal/Professional) to make you carry on?

The change within has always been all-inclusive, encompassing and definitely holistic. I was so stupefied that besides what I originally perceived as a harvest of honing my communications skills, I started to aim to be a ‘better person’. More compassionate, more caring to people and understandably respectful of every person of color and creed. I started to listen to what people are trying to tell. 

 After one year of productive Toastmastering I had my biggest benefit. On the occasion delivering my Competent Toastmaster (CTM) 10th speech, entitled “I am stubbed!”, I stopped my 2-packs a day nasty habit. I quit smoking. Nearly twelve years to today, I have not puffed a single cigarette—thanks to Toastmasters and my friends.

Since then, the personal benefits came in many-folds. And in the process, I vowed to share these to all as far I could reach out.

Leadership roles you have served in and Lessons learned out of it?

After completion of CTM, I thought that was it. I never elaborated myself into the leadership roles above the club presidency. In fact, I refrained from accepting other roles, as I was also pre-occupied (so I thought) with other community responsibilities. 

 On the incessant invitation of a friend, DTM Fe Gutierrez, I eventually joined the Bahrain Advanced Toastmasters---and I never looked back since. I re-started as VP-PR which gave me the chance to further my creative skills while promoting the club, then rose to

VP Education and later on started to expose myself to the area and division activities. It was then, I believe, when then District Governor Philip D’Mello was looking for a District Treasurer, someone dropped my name. As I always do---I said “yes”. And this started my further exposure to the district leadership, and was so inspired by the many leaders and senior toastmasters I met.

 The successful service as a district treasurer paved the way to better understanding that there are a lot more to explore beyond the club. Before long, I was elected as area governor, then division governors----of which I received the Area Governor of the year and Division Governor of the year awards.

 The thought that “I was doing something right” further encouraged me to continue on to vie for Lt. Governor Marketing, Lt. Governor Education and Training and now as District Governor positions.

 

Toastmasters being where leaders are made can you elaborate on that? 
Leaders are not born—they are made. Others may argue, but it is a fact. There are numerous ways and circumstances that make one a leader. There are circumstantial, others by necessity and some are plainly being in the right time and the right place. 

However, the most number of leaders we see today are made. They aspired, planned, equipped, committed and sacrificed themselves and given the opportunity, eventually made it happen through doing-by-learning and learning-by-doing. Toastmasters provide the opportunity to make leaders. It is not a fiction but an unambiguous and unquestionable realism. Toastmasters provides the stage to become better persons in all facets, the primary component of bringing out the best and become leaders.

 What is your expectation from Division D?

Division D has a very high growth potential. Over the last two years, I have personally witnessed the growth of new breed of leaders ready to take on responsibilities and tasks. These are the necessary ingredient for expansion of outreach which will generate more clubs and new members. I can foresee that in two years, Division D will breach the 50-Clubs threshold, ripe for another division in Oman. 

I would like to be there when it happens.

What would be the advice you will give our Division Governor to accomplish his mission with grand success?

Focus, focus, focus! 

For a division governor to accomplish with high marks, focus is the key. Focus on the division goals, focus on members, focus on people and resources are a necessity.

Most leaders’ shortcomings I have seen are when they become personally involved in ‘firefighting’ and ‘conflict resolution’. Leaders should be arbitrators, negotiators and peacemakers, able to collaborate and conciliate and take on to win-win situations.

Keeping focus on the district mission and the division goals are the division governor’s primary tool to success.

LET's DO TODAY's WORK TODAY!" what do say to those who says it is not possible?

If there is a will, there is a way. The will and the way have to be time-bound. In order to accomplish a task, we must first embrace the responsibility and complete the task in the most appropriate and timely manner. 

It is always possible to do tasks timely. There are many ways.

At a very early age I have personally experienced that much of my shortcomings are due to inability to to do things aptly and timely. Somehow, there is always that “voice” within telling me---“this can be done later, or tomorrow”. Then, time has passed and task not accomplished, then I missed the opportunity and its rewards. The “tomorrow habit” is always predominant in every person---simply because it’s convenient.

One day, I woke up---and committed to promote “doing today’s work today!” In the process, I started to lessen the burdens of my daily tasks and improved my performance impressively.

To the others who say it is not possible: It is possible. Do it.

What is your vision as a District Governor and how is this vision being cascaded down to the Various Divisions and Club?

Zero Club loss. Over the years we added a real good number of clubs in the district. But along with this, are clubs closing down. Although the difference is still considerable, there are good efforts thrown because we lose the clubs.

We should commit to do the utmost to improve the delivery to the club members, better train club officers and build stronger clubs—that will provide greater benefits to the members. This requires a real dedication from the club officers, are governors and division governors.

When we improve the club benefits delivery, we are assured that the club will remain.

Last word?

On a soft note I would like to stress that opportunities are abound. It is for our taking. Go on, take that chance and say “Yes!”. Let me wrap up by extending my greetings to each member in Division D and wish them a very rewarding experience and I am sure it will. If it can work for others why cannot work for you. This is a question that you should consistently remind yourselves with.