The Newsletter of Manama Toastmasters Club - JAN 2018
Let’s Speak More Where leaders are made
Executive Committee - Jan to Jun 2018
From the Presidents’ Desk
Dear Leaders,
Kishan Kumar President
The theme of the term is “Let’s Speak More!” Amongst the several goals of the term, we have one goal which is relatively simple, yes simple but only if we all pledge to achieve the goal, to speak more – I do not mean delivering speeches – to speak more to each other. Either in person or on the phone. In Toastmasters we communicate with each other for a reason - either we are talking to persuade someone to take up an assignment, mentor mentee conversations about a speech a meeting role etc. in all these voice conversations i.e. actually speaking to each other makes a difference as opposed to Whatsapp chat or e-mails. A voice conversation has several benefits over chatting:
commitment of attention
sincerity and intentions
tone of voice
expression of feelings
Online conversations allow you to present tone of voice, emotions and sarcasm. However, we cannot generalize how individuals interpret. At the end of the day, how we interpret someone is based on how well we know them. We often read a text message in someone’s voice because of how well we know them. Tone of voice and emotions can be displayed online. But the ability to understand these are usually linked to one’s intellectual and emotional intelligence. This can lead to misunderstandings. Emoticons don't work that well because a lot of real life signalling is involuntary which makes it more reliable. Face to face you can see when a word that you say raises the level of tension in the person that you are interacting with and use that feedback to target your approach. When discussing in real life, we take the person we are discussing with much more into account. What are their emotional needs and how we have to fulfil them. Our founder Dr Ralph C Smedley started the Toastmasters movement in 1924 when, let aside WhatsApp, there was no Internet, with the goal of improving communication skills. Speaking to each other is an important part of this goal. Let us continue to striving to achieve this goal. Let’s Speak More!”
Message from the Editor Fellow Toastmasters, Happy New Year 2018.
Prashanth Gudibande VP-Public Relations
It gives me immense pleasure to address you all through our club’s newsletter Horizon for Jan
2018. As Vice President – Public Relations, my role involves in promoting the club activities through Social Media and through our website along with managing the newsletter – Horizon. It is a responsibility bestowed on me through the coveted position of VP-Public Relations. It is an honor to handle this role and I hope that I can do justice. I hope to contribute with utmost sincerity and dedication. Through your valuable suggestions, guidance and whatsoever little personal experience I have, this could definitely turn out to be one of the prestigious accomplishment for me.
I would request all the members’ suggestions, guidance, direction and I hope you all will hand hold me throughout this journey during the term. It is said that writing is easier than speaking. Yes, I also acknowledge the same yet, most of us joined Toastmasters to accomplish the other one – to be better speakers. That is really a challenge for most and we all have made the right decision to join Toastmasters. The theme of the term – “Let’s Speak More” is very apt. At the same time I would encourage all the members to showcase their writing skills. The platform is readily available through Horizon and I hope you all will utilize this opportunity to support me to accomplish my goal for the term – 6 Horizon editions during the term. “Let’s Speak more” and “Let’s Write more”. Keep writing and I will keep publishing. Be prepared to read and write and Speak more.
Prashanth Gudibande VP-Public Relations - Jan to June 2018
From Free to Fee Tips on how to become a paid professional Speaker
Ed Tate, 2000 World Champion of Public Speaking writes for Horizon Republished article - from Horizon July 2007 edition
You’ve been told– at work, school, or church – that you are a good speaker. Perhaps you are a Toastmaster who constantly wins the best speaker award at your local club. You’ve got a story to tell, an insight to share, or perhaps you just sat in an audience and said to yourself “I can do that!” Regardless of your motivation, you’ve decided to take it to the next level. You want to take your speaking from FREE to FEE. Tip #1: Get Clear on your vision and your goals. Before your begin your quest to fame and fortune, answer the following five questions:
Question #1: Why are you in this business? To make money, serve other people, improve their condition?
Question #2: What do you have to say? What is your message? What impact are you trying to make?
Question #3: Who is the audience for this message? Who will listen to this message? Who is this targeted for? Is it accountants? Is it auto mechanics? Who is the audience?
Question #4: Will they pay money for this message? You can have a great message, but if people will not pay money for that message, it’s time to find another message.
Question #5: What makes you unique? A common mistake that new speakers make in this business is that they present other people’s material. And sometimes they present it as their own. Eventually, they will be exposed and, it will be very embarrassing. Besides, meeting planners & speakers bureaus, the buyers who hire professional speakers, have heard those stories before. What they are looking for is fresh ideas and talent. Tell your own stories. Discover your own uniqueness.
So those are the five questions you need to answer before you commit to becoming a professional public speaker.
From Free to Fee by Ed Tate (continued) Tip #2: Moonlight & Speak for Free. Continue to practice. Speak for the Rotary. Speak for Toastmasters. Anyplace and everyplace that people will allow you to speak. Speak evenings, weekends, and on vacation days. Experiment in front of “non-paying” audiences. Do not experiment in front of a paying audience. Keep speaking until you are good. And how do you know if you are good? People will start asking you, “How much do you charge?”
Tip #3: Don’t Quit Your Day Job. I was told, when I first got into this business, if you what to be taken seriously – speak full time. This is great advice, if you are a household name. But for the rest of us, it is prudent to maintain cash flow. You don’t have to be the proverbial ‘starving artist’ to pursue your passion. There are peaks and valleys in this business; in the beginning, more valleys. Only consider leaving your day job, if your speaking income far exceeds your present income. Tip #4: Stash Lots of Cash. If you choose to ignore tip #3, be prepared to go one year without a booking or a paycheck. Better still; be prepared to go two years without a check or any type of income. Be prepared to purchase memberships (such as the National Speakers Association), additional training, attend conferences, purchase office equipment and brochures. Don’t forget your video demo ($300 - $5,000). These are only a few things to consider. Once again, stash lots of cash. Tip #5: Don’t spend a lot of money on marketing materials. At least not initially. As professional speaker Larry Wingit says, “Implement now and Perfect Later.” Don’t spend a lot of time and energy trying to develop the perfect business card, letterhead, or logo. It will change. Have your e-mail address and website on everything. Make it easy for people to contact you. Many printing companies have business card & stationary starter kits ($500+). You can hire a graphics artist for about $500. After you are established, then make the appropriate investments.
From Free to Fee by Ed Tate (continued) Tip #6: Invest in your future and get coaching. I could have made faster progress in my career if I knew the difference between an investment and an expense. I though that I could figure this business out on my own, I did not need any help. To pay for help, well that was an expense. Author & professional speaker Mary LoVerde (www.maryloverde.com) started in the speaking business at about the same time, 10 years ago. She knew the difference between an investment and an expense. At the beginning of here career, she invested heavily. She contacted the best in the business and purchased a day of their time. She invested thousands and thousands of dollars. Today, the results speak (double entandra intended) for themselves. She is the author of three best selling books: Stop Screaming at the Microwave, Touching Tomorrow, and I Used to Have a Handle on Life but It Broke. .She has been on the Oprah Winfrey show four times and ABC Evening News with Peter Jennings. Mary has reached millions of readers through her articles in prominent magazines and newspapers, from the Wall Street Journal to Family Circle. Understand the difference between an investment and expense now? These are just a few tips on taking your speaking business from free to fee.* Using the principles he teaches today, Ed Tate became the 2000 World Champion of Public Speaking. Out of 175,000 members of Toastmasters International, Ed won the coveted 2000 World Championship of Public Speaking—Toastmasters’ highest award. This internationally known keynote speaker has earned a reputation as the “speaker who energizes, educates, and entertains.” He has spoken professionally in 46 states and 12 countries, and on 5 continents. As an author, Ed co-wrote the book Motivational Selling – Advice on Selling Effectively, Staying Motivated and Being a Peak Sales Producer. He’s also contributed to Stories Trainers Tell and The Seven Strategies of Master Presenters. Additionally, Ed co-produced the 6-CD audio album Speaking Secrets of the Champions. As a former executive, Ed’s success in business spans over two decades. For fourteen years, as a National Account Executive, Ed sold over $500 million in products and services. He co-created two business units that produced over $1.25billion in revenues. For nine years, he owned his company, Ed Tate & Associates, LLC – a professional development firm that provides Keynote, Endnote presentations & workshops on Leadership, Executive Communication Skills, Coping with Change, Teambuilding and Sales Presentation Skills *These ideas and many more come from the audiotape program: From Free to Fee: How to become a Paid Professional Speaker. For more information on how to purchase this program visit www.EdTate.com
Meeting 2643 - First Meeting of New Year 2018 held on 06-JAN-2018 Word of the day - “PROACTIVE” The Master of Ceremonies TM Bharath Iyengar took the floor and was assisted by: - TM Kevinn Harris as Ah Counter - TM Jeena Ann John as Timer - TM Muna Al Alaiwi as Table Topics Master - DTM Claire Cosgrove as Jokes Master
- TM Sheela Pai as General Evaluator
TMOD Bharath Iyengar
Speaker TM Mohamed Saleem
Presidential Address TM Kishan Kumar
Awardees of the evening
Best Speaker
Joke Master DTM Claire Cosgrove
Rashid Maymoon
Best Evaluator
Best Table Topic Commentator
Best Role Player
Imtiaz Ahmed
Guest Mohamed Shareef
Claire Cosgrove
Meeting 2644 - Installation Ceremony - 13-JAN-2018 Manama Toastmasters installed it’s new officers. The event was held at the Bahrain Conference Center, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Diplomatic Area. 33 members and 6 guests made their presence to this event with the new Excom taking the charge. Outgoing President TM Sheela Pai handed over the baton to Incoming President TM Kishan Kumar and wished all the new Executive Committee a successful term ahead from Jan to June 2018. TM Roshan Vaghjee presented the VP-Educations’ report highlighting the achievements of the club during the term July to Dec 2017, while other officers gave their report during their brief speech.
Outgoing Sergeant at Arms TM Bharath Iyengar begins the meeting
Outgoing President— TM Sheela Pai’s Presidential address
The Enthusiastic Audience Total of 33 members attended the installation ceremony
TMOD—Shubhashree S takes over the meeting
Outgoing VP—Education TM Roshan Vaghjee’s Report
Meeting 2644
Installation Ceremony— 13th Jan 2018 “Toastmasters for the Month” July to Dec 2017 were awarded July—TM Todd Dinwiddie August—TM Azza Al Bakai September—TM Bharath I & TM Todd October—TM Shruthi Premanand
November—TM Cini Joseph December—TM Zeinab Khalil “Toastmaster of the Term” TM Rashid Maymoon
New Executive Committee - from Right to Left TM Yasir Iqbal, TM Khalid Amin, TM Zeinab Khalil, TM Prashanth Gudibande TM Mohamed Saleem, TM Bilquis Khan, TM Kishan Kumar
Area 1 Director Rashid Maymoon inducting the new Excom
Handing over the Officers Pins to the new Excom by past Excom members
Meeting 2644
Installation Ceremony— 13th Jan 2018
Presidential Address TM Kishan Kumar The Theme for the term - Let’s Speak More”
Guest Speaker—Mohamed Shukri Motivational Speech with title “The Door”
Awards for the contest winners - term July to Dec 2017 TALL TALE CONTEST 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place
: TM Khalid Amin : TM Chris Noronha : DTM Kishore Babu
TABLE TOPICS CONTEST 1st Place 2nd Place 3rd Place
: TM Biljana Davceva : DTM Claire Cosgrove : TM Shubhashree S
HUMOROUS SPEECH CONTEST 1st Place : TM Khalid Amin 2nd Place : DTM Kishore Babu 3rd Place : TM Mohamed Saleem
Meeting 2644
Installation Ceremony— 13th Jan 2018
President Kishan Kumar honoring Outgoing President TM Sheela Pai
Fun Session By TM Guraz Wankadia
Honoring the Guest Speaker Mohamed Shukri
Evergreen smile of Area 1 Director TM Rashid Maymoon
Humorous Speech—The Dentist By TM Zakaria Suleiman
Mementos to the outgoing Excom
VP Membership TM Bilquis Khan
Secretary TM Raja Chandra
VP Education TM Roshan Vaghjee
Treasurer TM Prashanth Gudibande
VP Public Relations TM Mohamed Saleem
Sergeant at Arms TM Bharath Iyengar
Meeting No. 2645 - 20-JAN-2018 Word of the day— “Copper Bottomed” The Master of Ceremonies TM Anup Sudhakaran took the floor and was assisted by: - TM Raja Chandra as Grammarian - TM Athavan Palayandi as Ah Counter - TM Sheela Pai as Timer - TM Zeinab Khalil as Table Topics Master
- DTM Claire Cosgrove as Fun Master - TM Ameena Nathani as General Evaluator
Grammarian TM Raja Chandra
Speech Evaluator DTM Ratindarnath
Presidential Address
“Holidays are a Drag” Speaker
Best Speaker
Best Evaluator
Best Table Topic Commentator
Best Role Player
Tosin
Imtiaz Ahmed
Yasir Iqbal
Athavan P
Meeting 2646 - Evaluation Contest, 27 JAN 2018 Manama Toastmasters organized the Evaluation Contest the year on Saturday, 27th Jan 2018 as meeting 2646. The event was held at Bahrain Conference Center, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Diplomatic Area, Bahrain. The event was attended by 25 members and 8 guests which included 3 guest judges and 1 test speaker President TM Kishan Kumar introduced Evaluation Contest Chair TM Muna Al Alawi
Contest Chair TM Muna Alawi commenced the proceedings by announcing the procedures and rules of the contest. TM Masood Shah - Test Speaker with speech title “We all Wear Masks” TM Rashid Maymoon — Chief Judge for the contest The Contestants 1. TM Athavan Palaniyandi 2. DTM Claire Cosgrove
3. DTM Ratindernath 4. TM Roshan Vaghjee 5. TM Ameena Nathani 6. TM Mohamed Saleem 7. TM Tanaji Omer 8. TM Khalid Amin 9. TM Shubhashree Srinivasan 10. TM Tosin Arowojolu
Contest Chair TM Muna Ali Alaiwi Contest Winners 1st Place - TM Roshan Vaghjee 2nd Place - DTM Claire Cosgrove
3rd Place - TM Shubhashree Sundaram
Meeting 2646 - Evaluation Contest, 27 JAN 2018
In the photo from left to right - TM Kishan Kumar, TM Shubhashree S, DTM Claire Cosgrove, TM Roshan Vaghjee, TM Rashid Maymoon, TM Muna Alaiwi
All successful events require support from various role players. The Evaluation Contest was assisted by Timers, Tally Counters. Below is the group photo of contestants and role players
Media Coverage and other significant events
The Officers of the new Executive Committee - Manama Toastmasters attended the Club Officers Training held on Friday, 5th Jan 2017 at Ibn Al Hytham Islamic School , Al Maqsha, Bahrain
Other members of Manama Toastmasters Club during the Club Officers Training
The installation ceremony was covered by the local media house - Gulf Daily News and the photograph of the new Executive Committee was published on 14th Jan 2018 publication
About Us Manama Toastmasters Club was founded in the year 1964 & prides itself as the ‘mother’ of all Toastmaster clubs in Bahrain & the Middle East region. We have a vast & diverse membership of over 57 members representing more than 13 different countries making it a truly multinational, multiracial & multicultural club of men & women of all age groups, with eclectic interests & backgrounds. Executive Committee: Jan – June 2018
Sitting from left to right: VP Education Bilquis Khan, President Kishan Kumar Area 1 Director Rashid Maymoon Treasurer Khalid Ameen Standing from left to right: Sergeant at Arms Yasir Iqbal Secretary Zeinab Khalil, VP Public Relations Prashanth Gudibande VP Membership Mohamed Saleem We meet every Saturday at 7:00 p.m. for 2 hours, at the Crowne Plaza, Bahrain Conference Center. Guests are welcome to attend & discover for themselves the benefits of being a Toastmaster. Please visit our website www.manamatoastmasters.org or our Facebook page www.facebook.com/manama.toastmasters/ to keep updated about our club & its activities.