Pathways' Lessons Learned is definitely one project not to be missed. Often, we are so thrilled with our own success stories that we do not have time to do self-reflections or gather information from other perspectives. To me, the best form of learning is through feedback.
We had great success with our recent Gift of Sight Medical outreach in Nepal. We did 1032 cataract eye surgeries to benefit the people in Hetauda region; 100 km southwest of Kathmandu. Although the distance does not appear very far, the journey by road can take anywhere from 3 to 8 hours due to difficult terrains.
Since I am Chef de Mission, Gift of Sight Medical Outreach in Bandung later this year, I called for the Lessons Learned (post-mortem) meeting on 7 January 2018 @Big Street Restaurant so that we could learn from our experiences in Nepal. Such Lessons Learned session involves reflection, analysis, discussion and gives everyone an opportunity to contribute their unique perspective.
The agenda was divided into 3 parts for further deliberation, namely, Phase 1: Fundraising Efforts, Phase 2: Public Relations Publicity and finally, Phase 3: Actual Medical Outreach. This was not a "witch hunt" or "blame game" but a genuine desire to learn from our experiences so that we could improve and do things differently the next time. I facilitated the session.
Using the whiteboard, each phase was divided into "WWW" ("What Went Well") and "DID" ("Do It Differently"). In the former, we would do more of that while, the latter, we would review and rethink the next time we meet with similar situations. As seen in the above chart, there were plenty of areas we could do better!
Nevertheless, we are extremely happy with the overall results. We had made a difference to the lives of Nepalese who had the eye surgeries. The profile of Rotary Eclub of 3310 was also enhanced in the process. In total, we raised close to S$120K in donations to make this possible. Special thanks to all the donors and volunteers in our Gift of Sight Nepal 2017 project!
Chew Ban Seng DTM
We had great success with our recent Gift of Sight Medical outreach in Nepal. We did 1032 cataract eye surgeries to benefit the people in Hetauda region; 100 km southwest of Kathmandu. Although the distance does not appear very far, the journey by road can take anywhere from 3 to 8 hours due to difficult terrains.
Since I am Chef de Mission, Gift of Sight Medical Outreach in Bandung later this year, I called for the Lessons Learned (post-mortem) meeting on 7 January 2018 @Big Street Restaurant so that we could learn from our experiences in Nepal. Such Lessons Learned session involves reflection, analysis, discussion and gives everyone an opportunity to contribute their unique perspective.
The agenda was divided into 3 parts for further deliberation, namely, Phase 1: Fundraising Efforts, Phase 2: Public Relations Publicity and finally, Phase 3: Actual Medical Outreach. This was not a "witch hunt" or "blame game" but a genuine desire to learn from our experiences so that we could improve and do things differently the next time. I facilitated the session.
Using the whiteboard, each phase was divided into "WWW" ("What Went Well") and "DID" ("Do It Differently"). In the former, we would do more of that while, the latter, we would review and rethink the next time we meet with similar situations. As seen in the above chart, there were plenty of areas we could do better!
Nevertheless, we are extremely happy with the overall results. We had made a difference to the lives of Nepalese who had the eye surgeries. The profile of Rotary Eclub of 3310 was also enhanced in the process. In total, we raised close to S$120K in donations to make this possible. Special thanks to all the donors and volunteers in our Gift of Sight Nepal 2017 project!
Chew Ban Seng DTM
Past District Governor
Hello BS Chew, (I hope this is the correct way to address you)
ReplyDeleteThank you for recording your experiences of working with the Toastmasters Pathways program. As our district will begin to implement this program shortly, it has been of great interest and encouragement to read your posts about your experience and thoughts about the program.
Your comments about your experiences with Pathways have been very enlightening especially as you have completed two DTM awards in the traditional program.
Congratulations on completing two paths in the past 7 months and in planning to achieve your next DTM in Pathways in the next month or so. That alone is remarkable, but I can see you are a man on a mission.
Thank you for sharing your experiences to date. It is very encouraging for us as we will soon be starting the Pathways program in our district.
Wishing you all the best and lots of love and laughter.
Sincerely,
Fred Jones, DTM
Goldstream Toastmasters
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Thanks Fred for the kind words. You can share this blog with your members.
DeleteIndeed I have learned a great deal more (and faster) with Pathways. You can see that I am enjoying myself.
This 3rd DTM will be from the new Pathways educational route. Fyi the earlier two DTMs were from CTM/ATM to current CC/AC.
BS ("Big Shot")
Hi, happy to note for two things in this article:
ReplyDeleteFollow up on what can be learned from the accomplished mission to the blind that the Rotary club did in Nepal , and secondly that there are a wider spectrum of readers to your blog when you had the blog shared out in this Pathways channel: be it in Toastmasters Mentoring Program or Pathways Discussion forum , Official International members group, other than your own district . ...well done !
Looking forward to reading and learning more from you. Thank you BS Chew, DTM
Lynda, we need to share the good news. Don't be selfish and keep to yourself.
DeleteBe magnanimous instead. Pathways is the best thing that has happened to Toastmasters!! 😘
Truly said , thank you.
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