Dear Leaders & Members,
各位親愛的幹部與會員

Through communication with our International Director and Region Advisor as well as meeting with staffs from the World Headquarters at the International Convention, we got a better understanding of this issue. So here I’d like to elaborate a little about the increment of the annual fee.
有關年費調漲一事，透過與國際理事和區域顧問的溝通以及世界總會的會議，我們有了較清楚地瞭解。以下是我們得到的回應。

The last time we had an increment on annual fee was from US$36 to US$54 in 2005. What’s different was that in 2005, each club had the right to vote on this issue. The increment was passed with a majority vote. However, together with the increment, there was a second part stating that the Board of Directors attained the right to make any necessary adjustment in the future. This was passed also.
上一次將年費由36美元調高為54美元是在2005年。不同的是當時每一個分會針對這件事情都有投票權。投票結果，調高年費在多數贊成下通過。然而，當時綁在一起表決的後半段文字敘述，是把調整年費的權責從此交由國際理事會視時機適度調整。這部份也同時通過了。

That is why this time we are simply “informed” of the decision made by the Board of Directors to increase the annual fee from US$54 to US$72.
這就是為什麼這次，我們只是「被告知」國際理事會通過將年費由54美元調高為72美元。

We all know that everything has become pricy in that past few years. Honestly speaking, an US$18 increment over the past 6 years is not that terrible. If you convert it into our currency, it is about NT$500 a year, meaning that if we can save NT$1.5 a day, we will be able to afford the increment.
我們都知道這幾年來物價飛漲。坦白說六年來年費調漲18美元其實也還好，換算成新台幣大約是500元，也就是說只要我們一天省下1.5元左右就可以支付調漲的部份了。

I know some members thought the letter regarding the increment of annual fee sent from Pat Johnson and Dan Rex on Aug. 3 it was not convincing enough. The World Headquarters also understand that there has been serious discussion and resistance toward this issue among members all over the world. Therefore, the World Headquarters is also working very hard to meet and satisfy members’ need.
我瞭解有些會員認為世界總會宣佈調漲消息的那封信不足以讓人信服，世界總會也知道全世界各地的會員對這一決定，有熱烈的討論與抗拒。因此世界總會也更努力來滿足會員們的需求。

Currently there are 273,895 members, 13,398 clubs in 116 countries around the world. The number of employees at the WHQ is 104. This means that for these 104 staffs, each would have to serve an average of 2634 members and 129 clubs. Personally, I think this is quite a workload. But they do understand their responsibility. From my recent contact with the WHQ, I found that they have enhanced their efficiency. Most of the time, I get response within 24 hours. They also understand that Toastmasters International is truly a globalized international organization. So from Oct. 3, the service hour will be extended from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. (PST) so that members at different time zones around the world can reach someone at the WHQ easily.
目前全世界共有273895位會員、13398個分會分佈在116個國家。世界總會目前有104位職員，也就是說平均一位職員要為2634位會員以及129個分會提供服務。我個人認為這是蠻大的工作量。不過他們很清楚自己的責任。從我最近與世界總會的聯繫中，往往24小時內就得到回應的情形看來，我發現他們的效率提高了。他們也瞭解國際演講會真的是一個全球性的國際組織，所以從10月3日起，他們延長上班時間為太平洋標準時間的早上6點到晚上7點，好讓分佈在不同時區的會員們都能夠很容易的與世界總會的職員們聯絡上。對我們來說，從我們的晚上9點到隔天早上的10點，是世界總會的職員們上班的時間，在這段時間內我們都可以和世界總會聯絡上。

The WHQ website has been undergoing tremendous revision and upgrade in the past couple years. We all know that it is expensive to maintain the website. Our WHQ website is now more user-friendly. More information is on the website now. What’s even better is that there is more digital content on the website. Members can place order and receive the file through email instantly without spending any money on purchasing and shipping. Members can then download, save, and print out for use right away. In fact, this is how I obtained the speech contest rulebook, winner certificates and related material as well as judge ballot for Humorous Speech Contest and Evaluation Contest that I uploaded to the Yahoo eGroup. This is just one of the benefits we get with our membership. And there will be more and more digital content put on the website for members to utilize.
世界總會的網站這幾年也陸續進行更新與改進，而網站的維護是不便宜的。世界總會的網站現在更方便使用，也增加了很多資訊。更棒的是數位檔案更多了，讓會員們可以訂購並且立即透過電子郵件收到檔案，不需要花費任何金錢在購買以及運費上。會員們收到電子檔案後可以下載、儲存、並且立刻列印出來使用。我前幾天上傳到雅虎網路社群那些最新版本的演講比賽規則、優勝者獎狀及相關表格以及幽默演講比賽與講評比賽的裁判評分表，就是透過這樣的方式取得的。這只是身為會員所得到的福利其中的一項，世界總會表示將來網站上會有更多的電子檔案資訊供會員使用。

If you’d like to know more about the WHQ, please go to: http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/MembersFunctionalCategories/AboutTI/World-Headquarters.aspx.
如果您想進一步瞭解世界總會，請點選下列網址：http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/MembersFunctionalCategories/AboutTI/World-Headquarters.aspx.

We also suggested to WHQ to make the WHQ website a multi-language one so that our members from Non-English clubs can get access and handle business easily. Unfortunately, I have to say the possibility is low at this moment. As for translation issue, the WHQ agrees to authorize our District Translation Committee to translate all the educational as well as promotional materials as long as the list of priority is submitted and agreed by both sides.
我們也向世界總會建議是否可以讓網站有多種語言的選擇，好讓非英語會的會員們能更容易上網以及處理會務，可惜的是這件事短期內沒有辦法實現。至於翻譯一事，總會同意授權我們的翻譯委員會進行各類教育手冊與資料的翻譯，只要翻譯委員會將優先順序排定，送世界總會核准即可。

Toastmasters International is an organization with a history of more than 80 years focusing on education. There are more than 270 pages in The Governing Documents of Toastmasters International. The documents clearly define Bylaws as well as Policies and Protocol of this organization. With the mission and the core values – integrity, dedication to excellence, service to members, respect for the individual, I am confident that everyone in this big family, including staffs at the WHQ, is doing their best to make things better.
國際演講會是一個有超過80年歷史、專注於教育的組織，其管理規章超過270頁。規章內詳細規範組織章程及政策與條約。這麼詳細的一本管理規章再加上國際演講會「正直」、「追求卓越」、「服務會員」、「尊重個人」的核心價值，我深信這個大家庭裡的每一位成員，包括世界總會的職員，都是全心全意要把事情做得更好的。

Once again, allow me to encourage everyone to be an active member and learner so that your membership fee is not wasted.
請讓我再次鼓勵大家成為積極又主動的會員與學習者，讓您的年費充分發揮價值。

Sincerely,

Grace Shih 施惠芳 謹上
District Governor 2011-12 總會長