ITMA (Information Technology Management Association) was founded in March 28, 1998 when the Data Processing Management Association of Singapore (DPMA) merged with the Singapore Information Management Chapter of the Singapore Computer Society. The combined entity establishes ITMA as the defacto professional association that represents IT management in Singapore.

The affairs of ITMA are managed by an Executive Council comprising a President, two Vice-presidents, a Secretary, a Treasurer and council members. Election of the Executive Council takes place every year in March. Members of the Executive Council are usually senior IT management from leading companies in Singapore.

Why are communication skills so important to IT managers?

According to a study published in a widely read IT publication, many competent IT managers were not progressing in their careers not because of insufficient knowledge but because they were unable to express their ideas effectively to their peers and in the boardroom.

Most IT Departments no longer work as a back room function reporting to the CFO. Due to the transforming nature of IT, most IT departments have a CIO who reports directly to the CEO. Communication skill is now seen as a vital skill needed by many CIO or IT managers as their role in organisations is becoming increasingly strategic. They find that besides being able to come up with ideas and solutions, they also need the skills to effectively sell their ideas and solutions to their peers and customers.

What is ITMA Toastmasters Club and how did it begin?

The idea of forming a Toastmasters Club for ITMA members was conceived by the ITMA Executive Council in February 2002. It was felt that a lack of effective public speaking and communication skills was hampering the career progression of many Chief Information Officers and IT managers in Singapore.

To address the problem, a Toastmasters Club where public speaking skills are taught and practiced can be formed and supported by ITMA. With guidance from Distinguished Toastmasters Kan Kin Fung and Andrew Chen and support from members of the local Toastmasters community, the first ITMA Toastmasters meeting was held in May 2002. Since then, ITMA Toastmasters Club had conducted regular monthly meetings on the 3rd Monday of the month.

What are the joining fees payable?

The Information Technology Management Association (ITMA) Toastmasters Club is intended to be financially self-supporting and funded mainly by the subscription fees of its members. It is a not-for-profit, non-political and non-religious group in ITMA whose mission is to help its members improve their public speaking and leadership skills in a conducive environment.

The new membership fee is currently set at $210 for ITMA members and $220 for non-ITMA members for membership that start in April. This amount is inclusive of a one-time registration and joining fees of US$20 and a monthly subscription fee of US$4.50 per month, payable to Toastmasters International USA. Members will also receive a New Member’s Starter Kit and an excellent monthly magazine Toastmaster directly from Toastmasters International.

New members who join the club after April 2006 will pay the following joining fees according to Table 1. Regardless of month joined, all memberships will expire on 31 March 2007 and can be renewed by paying an annual renewal fee by mid February 2007.

The fees collected are used to pay compulsory membership fees to Toastmasters International USA, rent the meeting facilities, and provide refreshments, printed materials and awards for the regular monthly meetings. As the fees collected do not cover the full cost of running the Toastmasters Club, ITMA provides an annual subsidy to the club to cover the shortfall.

Table 1. First-time membership fees for new ITMA toastmasters according to the month of joining

How much do I have to pay to renew my membership?

Our membership cycle is from 1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007 in order to synchronise with the financial cycle of Toastmasters International USA. Therefore, all memberships will expire on 31 March 2007 and have to be renewed by 15 February 2007.

A reminder email or letter will be sent to all Toastmasters Club members in early February 2007. An annual membership renewal fee of $150 for both ITMA members and non-ITMA members will have to be paid to the Treasurer by 15 February 2007.

How do I join the ITMA Toastmasters Club?

All ITMA members are invited to join the club to shape up their communication skills. Although the ITMA Toastmasters Club was conceived for ITMA members, it also welcomes IT professionals who are non-ITMA members, to join the club.

You may wish to download a copy of the Toastmasters Club application form from ITMA’s website or request for a copy from Vice-President (Membership) C.Arunkumar at arun.chinna@gmail.com.