ISSUE 2
JANUARY 2014
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER TOASTMASTERS CLUB-4066, AREA-9, DIVISION-H, DISTRICT-20
TOGETHER WE SMILE!!
ISSUE 2 JANUARY 2014 CLUB-4066, AREA-9, DIVISION-H, DISTRICT-20
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER TOASTMASTERS CLUB
Join NMC Corporate Chapter to “learn in moments of enjoyment”. Experience the exciting, enjoyable, and inviting atmosphere. Every member has a chance to learn, grow, achieve, and have fun!
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER WE MEET ALTERNATE SATURDAYS AT NMC SPECIALTY HOSPITAL BUILDING, ELECTRA STREET, ABU DHABI 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm http://nmc.toastmastersclubs.org/
WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
From Archives The most important meeting a Toastmaster will have occasion to conduct is the weekly club meeting. Productive meetings don’t just happen. When I asked one Toastmaster what she expected from club meetings, she replied, “Something which is meaningful to me. In other words, I want to broaden my speaking skills and have fun while I’m doing it.” Every Toastmaster has a right to expect this from attending his or her club meeting. Do we succeed in this endeavor? There is an old saying, “The onlooker sees most of the game.” The general evaluator is our “onlooker,” evaluating each meeting in great detail. Too often we listen alternatively to the speakers and evaluators but rarely act on any of the valid points raised in their critiques. Perhaps this happens because we seldom create checklists of the points raised, so by the time we are in charge of the next meeting we are doomed to repeat our mistakes. The secret of successful club meetings lies in preparation. It must be adequate, detailed and purposeful. The more energy you put into preparation, the more outstanding the meeting. You need to create your plan and keep track of numerous details. This can be achieved by motivating those who have agreed to participate in your agenda. Challenge them – get excited about your creation and put 100 percent of yourself into making the meeting the finest you’ve ever chaired. As the chairman, you have to orchestrate your meeting as if you were a conductor. Everyone should be aware of your meeting goals. Paint the big picture you see, clearly and colorfully. The more the participants know, the more they’ll realize that every part of the agenda is important. Motivate your players so they see what you want them to achieve and prepare them to accept the importance of preparation – even for what they perceive as a minor role. Now your team is primed, motivated and raring to go. Make your motto “Everyone gives! Everyone gains!” This way the team wins and the club wins. The day before the proposed meeting, telephone everyone listed on the schedule and give them a short booster speech. If you talk too long, the motivational element you have worked so hard to get across will drain away like bath water when the plug has been pulled. Keep it brief and upbeat. Finally, as chairman, relax, be comfortable and remember to be flexible. Start promptly; audiences hate to wait. Catch their interest at the outset and let the meeting unfold just as you planned. VIEWPOINT by JOHN F. NOONAN, DTM, International President 1989-1990 (Reprinted from the TOASTMASTER Magazine MAY, 1990)
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NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
WORDS OF THIS
QUARTER
SEDULOUS (sɛdjʊləs) adjective showing dedication and diligence. eg: "he watched himself with the most sedulous care" synonyms : diligent, careful, meticulous, thorough. PLACID (plasɪd) adjective not easily upset or excited eg: “a placid, contented man" synonyms : even-tempered, calm, equable, tranquil. VALIANT (valɪənt) adjective
possessing or showing courage or determination eg: “she made a valiant effort to hold her anger in check" synonyms : brave, fearless, courageous, valorous, plucky, intrepid, heroic, confident. COGENT (kəʊdʒ(ə)nt) adjective clear, logical, and convincing eg: “they put forward cogent arguments for British membership" synonyms : convincing, compelling, strong, forceful, powerful, potent, weighty. AMICABLE (amɪkəb(ə)l) adjective characterized by friendliness and absence of discord eg: “an amicable settlement of the dispute" synonyms : friendly, good-natured, cordial, polite, easy, brotherly, fraternal, harmonious, cooperative. RIGOROUS (rɪg(ə)rəs) adjective Extremely thorough and careful eg: “the rigorous testing of consumer products" synonyms : meticulous, punctilious, conscientious, careful, diligent, attentive, scrupulous, painstaking, exact, precise, accurate.
Transform with Toastmasters Simple, Straight-forward, Sincere – if we can add one more S to the list, it will be the never fading Smile on TM Dipti Sugandh’s face. Having completed one year in Toastmasters, TM Dipti has gained confidence and leadership skills which has prepared her to take up higher professional challenges in life. With a Masters of Engineering in Food Biotechnology from Institute of Chemical Technology (UDCT) and 2 years of valuable experience as Food technologist at IFFCO group of companies, Sharjah, TM Dipti has opened up her mind for better career prospectus so as to utilize the leadership and organizing skill acquired through Toastmasters Educational program.
“Our past prepares us to meet the challenges of the future” – Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, Founder, Toastmasters International
Success of Club /Area /Division /District is based on the leadership. Successful leadership is based on doing assigned duties excellently and treating others with utmost respect. Follow Toastmasters’ core values RISE (Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence) CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 31
GET MAXIMUM BENEFIT FROM
Upcoming events to watch out for
DIVISION H CONTEST:-
peech contests are a Toastmasters tradition. Each year thousands of Toastmasters compete in the Humorous, Evaluation, Tall Tales, Table Topics and International speech contests. Competition begins with club contest and winners continue competing through the area, division and district levels. The International competition has two additional levels – semi-final and international. Benefits of speech contests include:• Participants gain speaking experience. • Contests provide an opportunity for members to meet their personal and professional goals. • Members of the audience observe proficient speakers. • Audience members learn about a variety of topics. • As speakers progress, they grow beyond their clubs. • Those who organize and conduct the contests practice serving in leadership roles and on teams. • Awareness of Toastmasters spreads in the community.
As all Area Contest will be completed in March, Division Contest will be held as part of Division H Conference scheduled on 11th April, 2014 at GASCO Auditorium.
The benefits of speech contests extend to the participants, audience, and those conducting the contests. Don’t miss this great learning experience!!
Meeting 275 276 277 278 279 280
Date 11 Jan, 2014 25 Jan, 2014 8 Feb, 2014 22 Feb, 2014 8 Mar, 2014 22 Mar, 2014
CONTEST DATES •
CLUB CONTEST:All the four contests will be conducted on a single day 2:00 pm till 6:00pm at the regular meeting venue NMC Specialty Hospital Basement conference Hall, on 22nd February 2014.
•
AREA 9 CONTEST:Area 9 Contest will be held in the month of March – tentative date 7th March 2014. Venue – Al Rimal Club, Opposite to Mushrif Mall, Airport Road, Abu Dhabi.
•
S
CONTESTS -
HALL OF FAME Meeting
Date
269 270 271 272 273 274
19 Oct, 2013 02 Nov, 2013 16 Nov, 2013 30 Nov, 2013 14 Dec, 2013 28 Dec, 2013
30
Best Speaker
Best Evaluator
Best Table Topics
Manish Bahirwani Dipti Sugandh Deepa Shetty Deepa Shetty Mahmoud Akl Mumtaz Hussain
Dr. Katrak Merezban Robert Shingare Deekshith Sunil Kottarathil Manmohan Sreedhar Dr. Katrak Merezban
Salim Sayyid Vinai Kumar Maurya Manish Bahirwani Hana Abdul Hafiz Dr. Vidya Shetty
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
January 2014, Issue 2 Quarterly Newsletter of NMC Corporate Chapter Toastmasters Club
CLUB OFFICERS 2013-2014 President VP Education VP Membership VP PR Secretary Treasurer Sergeant At Arms Imm. Past President
: : : : : : : :
Sunil Kottarathil Manish Bahirwani Aakant Taurani Dipti Sugandh Purvi Mehta Deepa Shetty Vishak Balakrishnan Ramesh Taurani
contents 2
From Archives
4
District Governor’s Message
5 6 7 10 12 16 21 26 30
22-23 Club Achievements
articles
REGULAR CLUB MEETINGS
CLUB
Editorial
18-20 Distinguished Clubs – Myths & Facts
14
8
The Extra Degree
About Toastmasters Newsletter Feedback New Members Be the Voice District Council
24 Taking a Back Seat
You Can’t Talk About It Moments Captured Upcoming Events
28 Bitter Chocolate
CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014
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From the Desk of
the district governor
D
ear leaders and members. Let me take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year!
As we embark on the year 2014, let us take a moment to think about our goals and action for the next six months in the NMC Corporate Chapters. It is a club whose leaders and members are driven to make sure that the club will be at its strongest. I would like to emphasize on three key points that could bring any Toastmasters club to greater heights.
Vicky Ferrer Mustafa, DTM, MDC, CIPT
District 20 Governor
• Appreciate wisdom. Let us seek the help of mentors as they possess something you might not have which is experience. Until today, I still depend on Toastmasters more senior to me for their advice and suggestions. Nothing can ever go wrong. They have committed mistakes and have undergone failures which they could share with us. In that way we can avoid the paths that we should not tread. • Set your goals for the next six months. Have you written a plan on how you will achieve your educational goals (for example)? Are you determined to achieve them by all means? Did you make a declaration to the others in your club about your intentions? When I want to achieve a goal, I like to announce it –in that way, the Toastmasters around me could encourage me and follow up on me. I cannot make excuses to back out as I have committed in “public”.
“Let us be committed and focused in what we plan to achieve” 4
• Enjoy what you are doing. I have been a Toastmaster from 1998. I learn from each meeting I attend until today. I have a wealth of speeches that I can adapt in to my life. Honing the communication and leadership skills help us to become a better person. We become a more positive person. That is why I love attending Toastmasters meetings. I congratulate the Editor and the other team members of Corporate Voice. I have read the previous newsletter. Well done-it has very useful information that any Toastmaster should know about. All the best!
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
must never touch them. We go through our work, our motions of the day, and yet that niggling thought is there, somewhere, at the back of our minds. The memory soon fades until we read the next case in the newspapers. Child abuse is the most terrible crime perpetrated on one of the most vulnerable sections of society. The statistics in India are very grim. A 2007 landmark report by the Indian Government found that 53 % of children have suffered some form of sexual abuse. 53 percentage!!! That is an astonishingly high number. But remember, these statistics have been derived from victims who have come forth to admit that they have been abused. There are many who are silent and are ashamed to disclose their secret. All right; agreed that Child Sexual Abuse is an evil practice. But why talk of it when these are acts restricted to perverts or dirty old men? Why talk of it when it is perpetrated only by poor and illiterate people? Why talk of this, when such things do not happen within our families? Because, all these are wrong beliefs. Because you need to know, especially if you are a concerned parent, that this can happen to anyone! Experts tell us that 60% of perpetrators are known to the victims; for example – babysitters, neighbors and family friends. 30% of perpetrators are family members. Only 10% are complete strangers to the child. Sad to say, strangers are rarely the problem. Child abuse is not uncommon in the “perfect” family. Most sex offenders are “nice” people that you already know. It is because of this very reason, that the victims is confused when the abuse takes place. That confusion leads to silence and later shame or guilt. In their innocence, they believe that they are “bad”. Children may fear punishment and be puzzled about how they can betray someone who is part of their family or social circle. Child sexual abuse can lead to severe psychological trauma leading to behavioral and other problems for the rest of their lives. It can prevent the victim from having normal healthy
prevent the victim from having normal healthy relationships. It is very clear that prevention is much better than cure when it comes to child abuse. • First things first. Good communication between the parent and child is the most important step in protecting a child against sexual abuse. You might feel uncomfortable talking about it with your children, but the best way is to talk in a straight forward, matter of fact, way. • Tell your child that he is special and important. That his body is his own. Teach your children the difference between a good touch and a bad touch. He has a right over his own body and he has the right to say NO! Do not force your kids to hug or kiss others. • Establish a comfortable and free atmosphere at home. Your child should be encouraged to come and talk to you about anything and everything. • Sex education is important. In India, sex education still remains a taboo topic. Oh yes! We have the second highest population in the world and we don’t know how we did it!! Parents resist sex education as they think their kids will turn out naughty! We need to shake off this blanket of secrecy. • As parents, we cannot be alert enough. We must be sensitive to any behavioral changes in our children. Encourage your child to talk to you and keep telling her that she can come to you with any problem and that you always, ALWAYS believe her! Children are like rosebuds, extremely delicate and innocent. As parents, we must play our most important role, the role of protecting them, so that they may blossom into secure, stable and successful adults.
CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 29
From the Desk of
the editor
A
s NMC Corporate Chapter celebrated its 12th anniversary on 13th December, 2014, we have many factors that make us proud. Most significant being a sustainable growth the chapter has achieved, by making the club base strong. For the fourth consecutive year, the club has reached Presidents Distinguished Status. This year the achievement is all the more special, as we reached a perfect 10 within the first six months itself. What a matter of pride it is for us, then, this newsletter is being released in such a context. We share with you some simple tips on how to achieve this coveted status (page 18).
BITTER CHOCOLATE A
family in Calcutta orders a crate of mineral water. Nine year old Nisha opens the door. The delivery boy molests the girl and runs away. Bitter chocolate – this is the title of Pinki Virani’s book on child sexual abuse. This is a topic that evokes a lot of feelings within us. We feel extreme rage at those who commit this crime. We feel helpless, when we know we cannot wipe out the memory of this terrible act from that little victims mind.
TM Deepa Shetty
28
Everyday, we open the newspapers and read about a little child victimized somewhere. Our breakfast does a flip flop in our stomach. The tea curdles in our belly as anger runs through our veins. We go and look at our sleeping children, stroke their hair and pray that such evil
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
We wanted to make this newsletter filled with useful information for all. So, you may notice that with each news / article, many tips are given that can be beneficial to members and clubs in general. The news on our District Council meeting (Page 16) is meant to increase awareness among members. While we welcome our new members to the club (Page 10), it is an opportunity to learn more on the various types of memberships. While we share our achievements proudly (Page 22), you will see the newsletter filled with variety of articles ranging from controversial problems the society facing (Page 28) shared by TM Deepa Shetty, to many motivational tips shared by our members (Page 8, 14 & 24). As the club has already achieved set goals for the year, the new year will see the club getting more focused on members’ needs. Let us continue smiling together as new faces join us on a regular basis. TOGETHER WE SMILE… together we spread smiles..
Sunil Kottarathil, DTM Editor, Publisher – “Corporate Voice”
CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014
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NEWSLETTER RELEASE
Toastmasters International Mission We empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.
District Mission
Club Mission
We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence.
We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.
Toastmasters International Values
INTEGRITY RESPECT SERVICE EXCELLENCE
Toastmasters International Envisioned Future To be the first-choice provider of dynamic, high-value, experiential communication and leadership skills development.
A Toastmaster’s Promise As a member of Toastmasters International and my club, I promise To attend club meetings regularly To prepare all of my speech and leadership projects to the best of my ability, basing them on projects in the Competent Communication, Advanced Communication, or Competent Leadership manuals To prepare for and fulfill meeting assignments To provide fellow members with helpful, constructive evaluations To help the club maintain the positive, friendly environment necessary for all members to learn and grow To serve my club as an officer when called upon to do so To treat my fellow club members and our guests with respect and courtesy To bring guests to club meetings so they can see the benefits Toastmasters membership offers To adhere to the guidelines and rules for all Toastmasters education and recognition programs To maintain honest and highly ethical standards during the conduct of all Toastmasters activities
CLUB OFFICER TRAINING
“The program is the laboratory process, the educational method, the training school, the stock in the trade of the Toastmasters club. Since it is so important, it should be given primary attention.” – Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, Founder, Toastmasters International.
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CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 27
CLUB REGULAR MEETING
NEWSLETTER feedback As NMC Corporate Chapter celebrate its 12th anniversary, it is a proud moment for all members that our first issue of Newsletter this year CORPORATE VOICE grabbed attention from toastmasters all over the world. Though the online release was delayed till 12th December, and publicity to outside world given only through facebook pages and club website, within two weeks, more than 1000 members read the newsletter online. Responses received from club members and online readers were very encouraging.
The primary functions of this newsletter are to educate, motivate, and inform our readers. It sets the tone for the club mission of providing a “mutually supportive and positive learning environment.” Therefore, we include specific tips for helping members achieve their goals and become better speakers and leaders. Our newsletter will reflect current club news, lead viewers to the club’s website, and promote the club, as well as offer inspiration and tips to members. The club newsletter is designed with variety of information to help non-toastmasters understand the magic of Toastmasters. This newsletter is a tool for building a sense of pride and responsibility in being a member of a world-class organization, strengthening our club’s community.
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NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014
7
empty
YOUR cup
A
n expert or a beginner? – if anybody is given a choice to become an expert or a beginner, definitely everybody would love to be an expert. Who would want to be a beginner? – Nobody! 15 years or more of education, along with work, life and emotional experience is equal to an Expert! How many times have we seen children arguing and screaming at each other one minute and playing nicely, the best of buddies, the next? They can drop one moment's mental state and move on to the next with little carry-over. This is something we lose when we get older. By the time we reach adulthood we are so full of stuff that we don't even notice it's there. We might consider ourselves to be open minded, but in fact everything we learn is filtered through many assumptions and then classified to fit into the knowledge we already possess. Imagine if we could deal with all the negatives situations the same like children. Wouldn’t that be amazing?
TM Hana Abdul Hafiz
8
It is said that coaching a child is much easier than couching an adult. I can relate to it because my trainer had a tough time teaching me to swim recently. A similar story amazed me when I was reading a book last week, which narrated an inspiring story, briefed below:
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
Whether rich or poor; American, Afghan or Indian; we all have the same emotions deep within us - to protect the family, educate our children, provide for healthcare, to be free to walk the streets in safety, to have time for oneself, to contribute to the good of the world and to leave one’s mark, however small, on history. I tried making a mark too, but did not succeed. During my school days, in my dance lessons, a friend of mine was always given more preference than me and I could not digest it. As being the youngest in the family, I was used to getting all the attention. I did everything to be the apple of my teacher’s eyes - like practicing all the steps at home to perfection, paying the fees on time and reaching on time for the classes, unlike many others - but all in vain. It kind of depressed me, but unwilling to give up, I continued with my efforts. I realised I was building a barrier around me. I started regaining the power of accepting reality. Then, for once, I stopped seeking attention and started enjoying my dance classes. But it was overwhelming when my teacher sent for me and asked me to participate in the program. I felt you would get all that you deserve, but patience was the key. When it came to professional life, having worked for an established well known school and then moving on to a new school gave me the opportunity to lead and establish the primary section. As an enthusiastic new comer, I wanted
section. As an enthusiastic new comer, I wanted to use all the skills that I learned from my previous experience, not realising that it did not go well with some of the seniors. Then, in one of the meetings, my supervisor told me that we were not there to implement what we had done before or learnt elsewhere, but to have our own system. I realised it was time for me to take the back seat and to patiently try and get my work done rather than satisfy my ego by being noticed. But one place I benefitted from this was after my marriage, where I did not try to prove a point and till date, I am reaping the benefits. There are so many people who are unable to take a back seat in any subject. They demand to be consulted before any decisions are made. They demand to be glorified and welcomed at every meeting. To sustain their beliefs, some can go to the extent of humiliating others under any banner or guise, whether it is religion, country or justice. But it does not help. People may do it, but when it does not come from the heart, it is of no value. To cut the long story short, my dear friends, there is no place for narcissism in today’s social world. God-consciousness is the permanent cure for egomania. When one realises the infinite greatness and glory of God, where is the room for self-pride?
CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 25
TAKING A BACKSEAT
S
ome people are compulsive exhibitionists. You can find them almost anywhere; they would do anything to get noticed. At a wedding, they want to be the bride and at a funeral, the corpse! Alas, if only they would learn to take a back seat and look at the image they are portraying!!! History has witnessed some great personalities who yearned for name and fame. It is amazing to go through certain instances that show us the extent of ME in certain people. Julius Caesar, who was an incorrigible egoist, was kidnapped when he was a child. He was held for a ransom of 11,000 gold pieces. Horrified, he exhorted his captors to raise the ransom amount to 2, 50,000 gold pieces so as to preserve his prestige! William Shakespeare said: “Praises are my wages.” The American writer Mark Twain said: “I can live an entire week on compliments alone.” More recently, musician Elton John said: “Even if I had only a single finger left, I would play the piano to be loved.”
TM Purvi Mehta
24
It is said that a famous boxer once refused to tie his seat-belt in the plane. “Superman doesn’t need a belt,” he resisted. Tying his belt for him, the airhostess replied: “Superman doesn’t need a plane either.”
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
Once a professor came to master Zen to learn the basics of Martial Arts. He had plenty of knowledge and experience to draw upon. But each time the master tried to explain something new to the professor, the professor kept trying to hold it up against his own notions of the way the world is and how it should be and he was unable to see the lessons in what the master was trying to teach him. Finally, the master poured a full serving of tea into his own cup and into the cup of the professor. Then he told the professor that he wanted to give him some of the tea from his own cup. He began pouring tea from his cup into the professor’s cup, but his cup was already full, and all the tea from the master's cup spilled out over the cup onto the surface below. The professor said, "Master, you can't pour anything into my cup until I empty it to make room for what you are trying to give me", and the master replied "Yes, I know. And I can't give you any new thoughts or ideas or perspectives on life's lessons until you clear out some thoughts that are already packed in your mind to make room for what I have to teach you." Then, the master paused for a brief moment, looked at the professor’s eyes and said: “If you truly seek learning, then first empty your cup!” The professor pondered for a moment with a look of absolute confusion. Then a look of enlightenment came over him, followed by a smile, and a look of interest. The master started to explain again, and this time the student saw what the master was trying to say.
Empty your cup, so that more knowledge can go in! Learning never stops. Every person might be good in his own specialty but it doesn’t mean that he or she knows everything. In martial arts practice, cultivating an open mind, is called emptying the cup, that is, meeting every moment and being filled by it, rather than remaining closed and filling the moment from our own side. The need for an empty cup, an open mind is the basis for everything. Yet, in so many of our lives when we try to learn something new, we try to put things on top of things, never removing the true barriers or leaving behind the behaviors that don’t work for us. A common example of how we put things on top of things is bringing our past into the present moment and for that matter the future. We base our actions on the past, holding people as well as ourselves to a behavior or way of being that might no longer be present. You might say to yourself things like: “I will never be able to write without making mistakes” or you might think that your boss will always treat you unfairly just because he has done so in the past. I understand that we sometimes use the past to predict the future or make decisions in the present, but be careful not to use it as a way to limit you or corner people. I believe it’s really about emptying the cup, wiping the blackboard clean, and starting over if you want to change course and find your true meaning. Its everyday process, and if you ask me what I carry with me every day, it’s my cup which I empty everyday!
CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014
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DISTRICT 20 RECOGNITION 2013-14
NEW MEMBERS
CLUB FAST TRACK COMMUNICATOR AWARD
TM Mohanraj RK
District 20 has introduced many recognition to encourage members and clubs for their achievement. As clubs work towards their DCP goals and other TI recognized rewards, these additional recognitions are inspiration to go for an extra mile. Among the education awards announced by D20 LGET, one is the “Club Fast Track Communicator Award” for uploading 4 CCs with TI by 31st December, 2013. Award includes a ribbon for the club banner and certificates for the members who achieved CC as well as the VPE for encouraging the members to reach their goals.
TM Dr. Vidya Shetty
TM Chinmoy Ghosh, TM Deepa Shetty, TM Mumtaz Hussain and TM Ajit S Nair made NMC Corporate Chapter proud by completing their CC and securing the award for the club. THE DOUBLE 4 ACHIEVER AWARD The Award is for clubs uploading minimum of 4 CCs and 4 ACs or 4 CCs and 4 CLs/ ALs by January 5, 2014. Award includes a trophy for the Club President & VPE for encouraging the members to reach their goals. Focusing on members education progress ensured NMC Corporate Chapter securing the “Double 4 Achiever Award” from District 20. TM Vernon Federico
TM Chandrashekar PS
THE CLUB DCP ACHIEVER AWARD
New members are those joining toastmasters for the first time. Some of the members may have attended club meetings earlier as guests, but not officially registered. Some may be seeing the toastmasters club meeting for the first time. NMC Corporate Chapter encourages a guest to attend couple of meetings and start participating in meeting roles before deciding to join the club. TM Ganesh Ullal
TM Vaishnavi VP
NMC Corporate Chapter secured the Club DCP Achiever Award by achieving 6 out of 10 DCP points. Though the deadline was Dec 31, the club reached the goal as early as Sept 2013. Award includes a Ribbon for the Club banner and Certificates for all members & Trophy for VPE for encouraging the members to reach their goals. THE PERFECT 10 CLUB ACHIEVER AWARD The Award is for clubs achieving 10 DCP points by April 15, 2014. Award includes a Ribbon for the Club banner and Certificates for all members and a trophy for the Club VPE for encouraging the members to reach their goals. With a clear Club Success Plan, NMC Corporate Chapter reached a perfect 10 status on DCP goals within the first half of toastmasters year itself. CLUB SUPER 7 COT AWARD
NEW MEMBERS BRING FLOW OF FRESH NEW IDEAS AND PERSONALITIES. DUAL MEMBERS BRING EXPERIENCE, ADVANCE SPEECHES AND LEADERSHIP.
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NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
NMC Corporate Chapter ensures proper training of all the club officers and share valuable tips to make their tenure most rewarding. For getting all seven club officers trained in the month of June-Aug 2013 and Dec-Feb 2014, NMC Corporate Chapter ensured the Super 7 COT Award announced by District 20 which includes a Ribbon for the Club banner and Certificates for club officers.
CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 23
TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION 2013-14 NMC Corporate Chapter completed all DCP goals in the first half of current toastmasters year itself, becoming the first club in the Division to achieve Presidents Distinguished Status. This is the fourth time in a row, NMC Corporate Chapter achieves this status. Distinguished Club Program is considered as a tool to measure club success. Achieving a perfect 10 shows the club success in all areas – education, membership and administration. Active participation by members in toastmasters educational program along with meticulous planning is the key success factor.
DUAL MEMBERS Dual members are those who join a Club when already registered at another Club, or more than one other Club, and continue their other membership/s. The same international fees are payable for them as any other member, as World Headquarters (WHQ) do not give a discount for multi-membership. It is important to avoid creating a duplicate Customer ID for the dual member, while registering online. The member can be found in the system by searching for his or her Last Name and Email Address or Last Name and Customer ID.
REINSTATED MEMBERS
EDUCATION AWARDS COMMUNICATION NMC Corporate Chapter meeting # 274 dated 28th December 2014 witnessed special moments as two members TM Mumtaz Hussain and TM Ajit S Nair completed their 10th speech project in Competent Communication Manual to achieve CC (Competent Communicator) title. TM Deepa Shetty completed her CC during meeting #272 by winning Best Speaker award for third time in a row. Sunil Kottarathil, DTM completed his AC Manual - Speeches By Management to earn ACB title for the second time.
EDUCATION AWARDS LEADERSHIP Learning is a continuous process for everyone. In Toastmasters, as members actively participate in club meetings and take up challenging roles, leadership skills get refined and they reap the benefits. Having completed all requirements for a second CL and ALB award, TM Dr. Katrak Merezban earned those awards by December 2013, after three years of registering his last ALB. Members are encouraged to work towards multiple educational awards before they even complete the first one. Learn through fun!!
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NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
TM Sujith Vijayamohan
TM Hana Abdul Hafiz
Reinstated members are those who rejoin Toastmasters International after a break. They can pick up on the educational program where they left off, even if previously at another club. To re-instate a member, it is important to get the member’s Last Name and Email Address or Last Name and Customer ID. If the system does not recognize the information you provide, get an alternative email address or name spelling from the member. Any error in spelling / e-mail id entered during initial registration can result in not finding a match. As a last choice proceed with a new member entry.
TRANSFER MEMBERS A Transfer Member is one who has transferred from another club, but does not pay club dues in the new club until the following duesrenewal period. A transfer member must fill out a Membership Application. Be sure to check the box next to Transfer from club number /name and fill in the information for the club, the member is transferring from. Submit the completed application to Toastmasters International World Headquarters through a club officer. Transfer members cannot be added online. TM CN Sreejith, President of Petrofac Toastmasters Club, Sharjah (club #1811210), was kind enough to provide all details and release TM Vinai Kumar Maurya to get transferred to NMC Corporate Chapter.
TM Vinai Kumar Maurya
It is recommended to download club membership roster every April /October and file with club library. Club will always be able to re-instate a member easily, even after a long break in membership. CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 11
You Can’t Talk About That!
M
embers often hear "through the grapevine" that speeches concerning politics, religion and sex are forbidden by Toastmasters International because “such controversial subjects are not appropriate.” This is not true. Toastmasters International does not prohibit any speech topic, content or language. Toastmasters International recognizes that club members may learn much about the world around them from listening to others’ speeches on a variety of subjects. This variety can add interest to club meetings and stimulate thoughts and ideas. For these reasons, Toastmasters International does not place restrictions on topics, content or language in any speech.
I
t took me a lot of follow up coupled with a lot of contacts in Abu Dhabi and deliberation to decide on which Chapter of Toastmasters could I enrol in. Being a new immigrant to Abu Dhabi and with very few contacts, it was quite a task to get the right inputs. My final saviour was Mr. Ravi Rai, who promptly shared not only the links to Toastmasters but also connected me to President Sunil. I must at this juncture, pause and make a mention of the swiftness with which President Sunil hastened to get me to come in as a guest on the 28th of December, 2013 to NMC Corporate Chapter Toastmasters club. He made me feel comfortable and wanted. This, I was sure, was the beginning of a new sojourn in my life.
With trepidation I walked in to the basement hall and heard TM Deekshith initiating the procedures of the day and thereafter there was not a minute of digression from the proceedings of the day. For a new comer, all complexities of the proceedings of Toastmasters could be enigmatic, but this was solved with the agenda for the day that was clearly spelt out and helped one navigate through the same. The delivery of speeches was not only inspiring for a spectator, but the ease and the comfort that all the members of the audience gave the speaker is what one goads the novice speaker learner I guess. The ambience, the warmth extended by all members and the clarity of tasks urged me to join Toastmasters and NMC Toastmasters in particular. I am glad I am here and I am glad I am with Toastmasters!!!!
12
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
TM Dr. Vidya Shetty Chief Academic Officer (CAO), Bright Riders School, Abu Dhabi
Toastmasters International also recognizes that a club comprises a diverse group of people and recommends that members be mindful of this diversity, using good taste and sensitivity when selecting speech topics, content and language. While Toastmasters International has no organizational restrictions along these lines, each individual club does have the right to limit speech subjects, content and/or language, with the consensus of its members. Club leaders should guide their members on how to observe good taste and sensitivity in the context of that particular club. In order to respect the culture and to avoid being offensive to members, most of the clubs in the middle east, request members to refrain from the three taboo topics (politics, religion and sex). SAA advices the members and guests of these club policies while calling the meeting to order.
CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 21
TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE:Imagine this situation - The newly elected club officers team decides to conduct a special speakathon meeting in a membership drive campaign during mid of July. There are 6 speakers – Four of them giving their CC-10 project speech and 2 of them giving their last AC project. After the successful open house meeting, eight guests join the club!! That will complete requirement for the first 8 out of 10 DCP goals (as early as by mid of July!!!).
TM Vinai Kumar Maurya Planning Engineer, Technip, Abu Dhabi
TRAINING & ADMINISTRATION GOALS:Last two DCP goals are relatively easy to achieve, if club officers follow the basic club administration. As soon as club officers are (s)elected, the list can be uploaded with TI system online to achieve half a DCP point. Ensuring the October dues renewal for minimum eight members in September will ensure the other half DCP point.
I
n fact, public speaking had always felt more like a nightmare for me. The story begins six months ago. In a fleeting moment of confidence, I had decided to visit the local Toastmasters club as a guest. I sat there in a room with about 20 others, listening in awe to the great speeches being presented. While I was busy making myself feel inadequate, the Toastmaster announced that he would like all guests to come on the stage and share their feeling about the Toastmasters Club meeting. I was feeling very much nervous while going to stage because I never addressed a group of people before. It was my first experience. Somehow, I managed to face the audience and spooke for few seconds. A few weeks later, I was about to deliver my 'Ice Breaker' speech – the first prepared speech where a new member introduces himself to the club. This was my experience, delivering a speech in front of a group of people. Before going on stage, I was bumbling stammer, at the same time thinking about entering the Toastmasters arena of eloquence. But something inside me said, I needed to do this. Somehow, I gained courage and delivered my ‘Ice Breaker’ speech. It came out extremely well. I got prize and constructive recommendations from the others, and I knew in my heart I had opened, ever so slightly, the doorway to something new.
Club officers training is an important element. Though each club has their own way to make their officers acquainted with the club business, District sponsored club officer training is an effective way to widen the knowledge and learn best practices from other clubs in the Area / Division.
- Plan ahead to achieve each of them by earliest possible date
- Plan to achieve by first meeting in July - Plan to achieve by first meeting in July
- Plan to achieve by first meeting in July or latest as part of SMEDLEY Award
Members are our voice -
HEAR IT!!!
- Plan to achieve by first meeting in July - Plan to achieve by first meeting in July
- Plan to achieve by December
- Plan to achieve by first meeting in July - Plan to achieve by first meeting in July - Plan to achieve by October first week
Ensure no meeting is cancelled. Minimize club expenses. Circulate e-mails on meeting details even to drop out (non-regular) members.
20
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
Single most effective way of publicising toastmasters program is “word of mouth”. Tell others what you’ve learned, what you’ve gained and what a great organisation it is – then bring them along some day and show them first hand. NMC Corporate Chapter focus on members’ development by encouraging them to take up various assignments. CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 13
The Extra Degree t 2110 F, water is hot. At 212º, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And steam can power a locomotive. It's that ONE Extra Degree that makes the entire difference - Mc Anderson.
A
The concept is simple and profound: At 211º F temperature, water is hot. At 212º, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And steam can power a train or an engine. The one extra degree makes a huge difference when applied in our personal life or our professional life. A true fact and law of nature. The perfect metaphor that has influenced my life to a great extent! A simple truth that if you have not put in the 212 Degree, then you have not done it from your heart. I have applied this concept most often in my role as HR, L&D Professional. It is my goal to have more people understand this analogy. •
TM Mumtaz Hussain
14
Over the week end while walking by from corniche to the car park, I witnessed how an Audi spotted in the free right signal to give way to an old couple. As human being if we go the extra mile to help another human being, what a better place we would make this world to live in. If each one could give one extra degree each week, it would mean 52 moments of kindness each year.
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
Myth : It is difficult to achieve Presidents Distinguished Status for a Club. Reality : The journey towards Presidents Distinguished Status is filled with fun and is a great learning experience, with lot of area for improving creative leadership.
of projects – varying from CC1 to CC10 and different AC projects. As members keep progressing with enthusiasm towards their next educational award, FOUR CCs and TWO ACs become an easy task to achieve. By promoting leadership track and encouraging members to take up various roles defined in Competent Leadership manual is a great way to ensure sustainable club growth. While members will find progressing on CL track through regular club meeting roles, it is the CL projects 6, 8, 9 and 10 that are most beneficial for members to develop their leadership skills. The outside meeting roles defined under these projects are highly beneficial for club growth. The club can plan at least a member taking up a role from these projects every month. Special functions including Membership and PR campaigns will inject new life to the club. Each club officer shall be encouraged to conduct at least two educational sessions during their term in the office. This way, while an officer is still progressing on his CL track, he would have already completed requirements for his ALB Award.
TWO MEMBERSHIP GOALS:For many clubs, membership is an area of concern. Getting new members onboard and retaining existing members by keeping up the enthusiasm is a herculean task for many. However, by ensuring certain basic factors, the club can easily get over this trauma. VP-PR can play a major role in this regard – by letting the world know about the club. An up-to-date website with meeting details (venue, time etc) and contact number of club representative is a minimum requirement. It is better to give contact number / e-mail id of an experienced member in club website, to ensure immediate response to enquiries / clarifications. By holding well-run, enjoyable and beneficial meetings with few guests every meeting, a club can ensure regular flow of new members. In case the number of guests expected is more than five, it is better to change the meeting format into an Open House so as to ensure maximum attention is given to the guests. Ensure to keep few sets of “Guest Kits” readily available at every meeting. Lift the quality bar of the club – guests will happily turn into members. Meet their educational needs – they will stay with the club.
Myth : It takes the whole year for a club to be Distinguished. Reality : With proper planning, a club can be Presidents Distinguished as early as first week of October. CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 19
•
Break myths and achieve perfect 10
D
istinguished Club Program is a tool to measure club success. To be Distinguished or higher is one of the basic goals for a club to mark its overall success in identified areas. Many clubs find it difficult to achieve Distinguished status, mainly due to lack of proper planning.
“The best way to predict your future is to create it” management guru Peter F. Drucker. Planning is the key word. Planning is a continuous process. As commonly believed, planning for club DCP doesn’t start only during the first Excom meeting when the club success plan is discussed, it just continues. Let us examine the goals and work out an optimum plan. SIX EDUCATION GOALS:-
TM Sunil Kottarathil
18
How my husband makes that extra degree effort to spend a little time over the week day with our children, even after a long day at work. Of course he does the extra degree for me as well however I always ask for more. Because he is my best friend and love of my life.
•
Toastmaster like Mr. Sunil, Mr. Taurani and many similar toastmasters have used the 212 culture of going beyond their frame work and to create great speakers and leaders on this panel. I AM A PRODUCT OF THEIR EXTRA DEGREE WORK!!!
•
As a team player if we go the extra mile to touch people’s life by just giving them an ear or understanding their situation, we can make outstanding results.
I heard this story in a team building program:Once a US president went out to see the situation of the city. Somewhere a group of soldiers was trying to lift a large branch of tree from their way. The Army Officer in charge was standing by their side instructing them to work harder, but they were unable to move it. A stranger was riding on his horse and he observed what was going on. He said to the officer in charge – “If you help them they will be able to move it. Why don’t you help them?”
Effective mentoring, encouragement and continuous follow-up with members are the key factors in achieving educational goals in the club. A member needs to be reminded occasionally on his benefits from the club. He should be encouraged to take maximum benefit of the toastmasters program for his own development. Automatically, he will complete his projects and the club will also be benefited with the DCP goals.
The Officer replied – “That is not my job, I am the leader! It is their work, they should do it.”
A visionary VP Education will not only focus on current years DCP goals, but also will plan ahead for continuous educational award completion by members. In a healthy club, each meeting is filled with various levels of projects – varying from CC1 to CC10 and different AC
This additional strength helped them to move the log. After moving it, the stranger mounted his horse and said to the officer– “Next time you
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
The stranger did not hesitate a moment, immediately he dismounted from his horse, and helped the group of the soldiers to move that log.
need to move some heavy thing and you need a help, call for the Commander-in Chief” and went away his way. It was then that the men realized that the stranger was none other than George Washington – the first President of the United States, the commander in chief of the army. •
•
My leader knows that Company do not succeed, but people do!! My leader has always taken time to appreciate, guide, mentor for which I feel, even if I reciprocate in a thousand ways will fall short for his goodness and greatness. As an employer of an organization imagine the impact if each employee would believe in the 212 culture and effect of that one extra degree.
True happiness improves the bottom line yours and your companies. Don’t believe me? Research at Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania has shown that U.S corporation with the happiest employees have a financial performance notably better than lower ranked companies. Why is this? Common sense might offer hints, people who are treated well an extra degree, function better - according to folks like happiness experts Alexander Kjerulf. The one thing that stands between a person and what they want in life is the will to try it, faith to believe and to go the extra mile; it is a way to achieve results beyond our wildest expectations. We all can apply the “extra degree” in our everyday life. Let’s make a commitment to give one “extra degree” through act of service to a co-worker, family member, or the valued people around us each week. Whatever role we play and whatever is our goal or belief, WE SHOULD BELIEVE IN GOING FOR THE EXTRA MILE!
CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 15
District 20 council
Photo courtesy : TM Manmohan Sreedhar
T
he District Council - which includes district leaders, club presidents, and vice presidents education - serves as the administrative governing body of the district, operating with powers delegated to the district council by the Board of Directors of Toastmasters International. The district council conducts all business of the district, assumes responsibility for the payment of all debts incurred in the presentation of district council meetings and other district functions, and does not assess or impose any financial obligation on any club or member of a club.
The district council holds at least two regular meetings during each year. One of the required meetings is held between March15 and June 1. The other required meeting is held as soon as practical after the Toastmasters International Annual Business Meeting, but no later than December 1. Both of the regular meetings are held in conjunction with a district conference. Even so, notice of any regular meeting is sent in writing to all district council members at least four weeks in advance. Include the dates of the council meetings and conferences on the district website and in communications to club and district leaders during the year. District committee chairs and others whose participation the council requires may attend. Members attending the district conference who are not voting members of the council or their proxies may attend but do not participate in council deliberations. Both meetings include educational programs or sessions in their schedule for all district council members attending.
16
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
First District 20 Council meeting was held on 25th October, 2013 at Dubai Men’s College, Dubai. CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 17
District 20 council
Photo courtesy : TM Manmohan Sreedhar
T
he District Council - which includes district leaders, club presidents, and vice presidents education - serves as the administrative governing body of the district, operating with powers delegated to the district council by the Board of Directors of Toastmasters International. The district council conducts all business of the district, assumes responsibility for the payment of all debts incurred in the presentation of district council meetings and other district functions, and does not assess or impose any financial obligation on any club or member of a club.
The district council holds at least two regular meetings during each year. One of the required meetings is held between March15 and June 1. The other required meeting is held as soon as practical after the Toastmasters International Annual Business Meeting, but no later than December 1. Both of the regular meetings are held in conjunction with a district conference. Even so, notice of any regular meeting is sent in writing to all district council members at least four weeks in advance. Include the dates of the council meetings and conferences on the district website and in communications to club and district leaders during the year. District committee chairs and others whose participation the council requires may attend. Members attending the district conference who are not voting members of the council or their proxies may attend but do not participate in council deliberations. Both meetings include educational programs or sessions in their schedule for all district council members attending.
16
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
First District 20 Council meeting was held on 25th October, 2013 at Dubai Men’s College, Dubai. CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 17
•
Break myths and achieve perfect 10
D
istinguished Club Program is a tool to measure club success. To be Distinguished or higher is one of the basic goals for a club to mark its overall success in identified areas. Many clubs find it difficult to achieve Distinguished status, mainly due to lack of proper planning.
“The best way to predict your future is to create it” management guru Peter F. Drucker. Planning is the key word. Planning is a continuous process. As commonly believed, planning for club DCP doesn’t start only during the first Excom meeting when the club success plan is discussed, it just continues. Let us examine the goals and work out an optimum plan. SIX EDUCATION GOALS:-
TM Sunil Kottarathil
18
How my husband makes that extra degree effort to spend a little time over the week day with our children, even after a long day at work. Of course he does the extra degree for me as well however I always ask for more. Because he is my best friend and love of my life.
•
Toastmaster like Mr. Sunil, Mr. Taurani and many similar toastmasters have used the 212 culture of going beyond their frame work and to create great speakers and leaders on this panel. I AM A PRODUCT OF THEIR EXTRA DEGREE WORK!!!
•
As a team player if we go the extra mile to touch people’s life by just giving them an ear or understanding their situation, we can make outstanding results.
I heard this story in a team building program:Once a US president went out to see the situation of the city. Somewhere a group of soldiers was trying to lift a large branch of tree from their way. The Army Officer in charge was standing by their side instructing them to work harder, but they were unable to move it. A stranger was riding on his horse and he observed what was going on. He said to the officer in charge – “If you help them they will be able to move it. Why don’t you help them?”
Effective mentoring, encouragement and continuous follow-up with members are the key factors in achieving educational goals in the club. A member needs to be reminded occasionally on his benefits from the club. He should be encouraged to take maximum benefit of the toastmasters program for his own development. Automatically, he will complete his projects and the club will also be benefited with the DCP goals.
The Officer replied – “That is not my job, I am the leader! It is their work, they should do it.”
A visionary VP Education will not only focus on current years DCP goals, but also will plan ahead for continuous educational award completion by members. In a healthy club, each meeting is filled with various levels of projects – varying from CC1 to CC10 and different AC
This additional strength helped them to move the log. After moving it, the stranger mounted his horse and said to the officer– “Next time you
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
The stranger did not hesitate a moment, immediately he dismounted from his horse, and helped the group of the soldiers to move that log.
need to move some heavy thing and you need a help, call for the Commander-in Chief” and went away his way. It was then that the men realized that the stranger was none other than George Washington – the first President of the United States, the commander in chief of the army. •
•
My leader knows that Company do not succeed, but people do!! My leader has always taken time to appreciate, guide, mentor for which I feel, even if I reciprocate in a thousand ways will fall short for his goodness and greatness. As an employer of an organization imagine the impact if each employee would believe in the 212 culture and effect of that one extra degree.
True happiness improves the bottom line yours and your companies. Don’t believe me? Research at Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania has shown that U.S corporation with the happiest employees have a financial performance notably better than lower ranked companies. Why is this? Common sense might offer hints, people who are treated well an extra degree, function better - according to folks like happiness experts Alexander Kjerulf. The one thing that stands between a person and what they want in life is the will to try it, faith to believe and to go the extra mile; it is a way to achieve results beyond our wildest expectations. We all can apply the “extra degree” in our everyday life. Let’s make a commitment to give one “extra degree” through act of service to a co-worker, family member, or the valued people around us each week. Whatever role we play and whatever is our goal or belief, WE SHOULD BELIEVE IN GOING FOR THE EXTRA MILE!
CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 15
The Extra Degree t 2110 F, water is hot. At 212º, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And steam can power a locomotive. It's that ONE Extra Degree that makes the entire difference - Mc Anderson.
A
The concept is simple and profound: At 211º F temperature, water is hot. At 212º, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And steam can power a train or an engine. The one extra degree makes a huge difference when applied in our personal life or our professional life. A true fact and law of nature. The perfect metaphor that has influenced my life to a great extent! A simple truth that if you have not put in the 212 Degree, then you have not done it from your heart. I have applied this concept most often in my role as HR, L&D Professional. It is my goal to have more people understand this analogy. •
TM Mumtaz Hussain
14
Over the week end while walking by from corniche to the car park, I witnessed how an Audi spotted in the free right signal to give way to an old couple. As human being if we go the extra mile to help another human being, what a better place we would make this world to live in. If each one could give one extra degree each week, it would mean 52 moments of kindness each year.
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
Myth : It is difficult to achieve Presidents Distinguished Status for a Club. Reality : The journey towards Presidents Distinguished Status is filled with fun and is a great learning experience, with lot of area for improving creative leadership.
of projects – varying from CC1 to CC10 and different AC projects. As members keep progressing with enthusiasm towards their next educational award, FOUR CCs and TWO ACs become an easy task to achieve. By promoting leadership track and encouraging members to take up various roles defined in Competent Leadership manual is a great way to ensure sustainable club growth. While members will find progressing on CL track through regular club meeting roles, it is the CL projects 6, 8, 9 and 10 that are most beneficial for members to develop their leadership skills. The outside meeting roles defined under these projects are highly beneficial for club growth. The club can plan at least a member taking up a role from these projects every month. Special functions including Membership and PR campaigns will inject new life to the club. Each club officer shall be encouraged to conduct at least two educational sessions during their term in the office. This way, while an officer is still progressing on his CL track, he would have already completed requirements for his ALB Award.
TWO MEMBERSHIP GOALS:For many clubs, membership is an area of concern. Getting new members onboard and retaining existing members by keeping up the enthusiasm is a herculean task for many. However, by ensuring certain basic factors, the club can easily get over this trauma. VP-PR can play a major role in this regard – by letting the world know about the club. An up-to-date website with meeting details (venue, time etc) and contact number of club representative is a minimum requirement. It is better to give contact number / e-mail id of an experienced member in club website, to ensure immediate response to enquiries / clarifications. By holding well-run, enjoyable and beneficial meetings with few guests every meeting, a club can ensure regular flow of new members. In case the number of guests expected is more than five, it is better to change the meeting format into an Open House so as to ensure maximum attention is given to the guests. Ensure to keep few sets of “Guest Kits” readily available at every meeting. Lift the quality bar of the club – guests will happily turn into members. Meet their educational needs – they will stay with the club.
Myth : It takes the whole year for a club to be Distinguished. Reality : With proper planning, a club can be Presidents Distinguished as early as first week of October. CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 19
TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE:Imagine this situation - The newly elected club officers team decides to conduct a special speakathon meeting in a membership drive campaign during mid of July. There are 6 speakers – Four of them giving their CC-10 project speech and 2 of them giving their last AC project. After the successful open house meeting, eight guests join the club!! That will complete requirement for the first 8 out of 10 DCP goals (as early as by mid of July!!!).
TM Vinai Kumar Maurya Planning Engineer, Technip, Abu Dhabi
TRAINING & ADMINISTRATION GOALS:Last two DCP goals are relatively easy to achieve, if club officers follow the basic club administration. As soon as club officers are (s)elected, the list can be uploaded with TI system online to achieve half a DCP point. Ensuring the October dues renewal for minimum eight members in September will ensure the other half DCP point.
I
n fact, public speaking had always felt more like a nightmare for me. The story begins six months ago. In a fleeting moment of confidence, I had decided to visit the local Toastmasters club as a guest. I sat there in a room with about 20 others, listening in awe to the great speeches being presented. While I was busy making myself feel inadequate, the Toastmaster announced that he would like all guests to come on the stage and share their feeling about the Toastmasters Club meeting. I was feeling very much nervous while going to stage because I never addressed a group of people before. It was my first experience. Somehow, I managed to face the audience and spooke for few seconds. A few weeks later, I was about to deliver my 'Ice Breaker' speech – the first prepared speech where a new member introduces himself to the club. This was my experience, delivering a speech in front of a group of people. Before going on stage, I was bumbling stammer, at the same time thinking about entering the Toastmasters arena of eloquence. But something inside me said, I needed to do this. Somehow, I gained courage and delivered my ‘Ice Breaker’ speech. It came out extremely well. I got prize and constructive recommendations from the others, and I knew in my heart I had opened, ever so slightly, the doorway to something new.
Club officers training is an important element. Though each club has their own way to make their officers acquainted with the club business, District sponsored club officer training is an effective way to widen the knowledge and learn best practices from other clubs in the Area / Division.
- Plan ahead to achieve each of them by earliest possible date
- Plan to achieve by first meeting in July - Plan to achieve by first meeting in July
- Plan to achieve by first meeting in July or latest as part of SMEDLEY Award
Members are our voice -
HEAR IT!!!
- Plan to achieve by first meeting in July - Plan to achieve by first meeting in July
- Plan to achieve by December
- Plan to achieve by first meeting in July - Plan to achieve by first meeting in July - Plan to achieve by October first week
Ensure no meeting is cancelled. Minimize club expenses. Circulate e-mails on meeting details even to drop out (non-regular) members.
20
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
Single most effective way of publicising toastmasters program is “word of mouth”. Tell others what you’ve learned, what you’ve gained and what a great organisation it is – then bring them along some day and show them first hand. NMC Corporate Chapter focus on members’ development by encouraging them to take up various assignments. CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 13
You Can’t Talk About That!
M
embers often hear "through the grapevine" that speeches concerning politics, religion and sex are forbidden by Toastmasters International because “such controversial subjects are not appropriate.” This is not true. Toastmasters International does not prohibit any speech topic, content or language. Toastmasters International recognizes that club members may learn much about the world around them from listening to others’ speeches on a variety of subjects. This variety can add interest to club meetings and stimulate thoughts and ideas. For these reasons, Toastmasters International does not place restrictions on topics, content or language in any speech.
I
t took me a lot of follow up coupled with a lot of contacts in Abu Dhabi and deliberation to decide on which Chapter of Toastmasters could I enrol in. Being a new immigrant to Abu Dhabi and with very few contacts, it was quite a task to get the right inputs. My final saviour was Mr. Ravi Rai, who promptly shared not only the links to Toastmasters but also connected me to President Sunil. I must at this juncture, pause and make a mention of the swiftness with which President Sunil hastened to get me to come in as a guest on the 28th of December, 2013 to NMC Corporate Chapter Toastmasters club. He made me feel comfortable and wanted. This, I was sure, was the beginning of a new sojourn in my life.
With trepidation I walked in to the basement hall and heard TM Deekshith initiating the procedures of the day and thereafter there was not a minute of digression from the proceedings of the day. For a new comer, all complexities of the proceedings of Toastmasters could be enigmatic, but this was solved with the agenda for the day that was clearly spelt out and helped one navigate through the same. The delivery of speeches was not only inspiring for a spectator, but the ease and the comfort that all the members of the audience gave the speaker is what one goads the novice speaker learner I guess. The ambience, the warmth extended by all members and the clarity of tasks urged me to join Toastmasters and NMC Toastmasters in particular. I am glad I am here and I am glad I am with Toastmasters!!!!
12
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
TM Dr. Vidya Shetty Chief Academic Officer (CAO), Bright Riders School, Abu Dhabi
Toastmasters International also recognizes that a club comprises a diverse group of people and recommends that members be mindful of this diversity, using good taste and sensitivity when selecting speech topics, content and language. While Toastmasters International has no organizational restrictions along these lines, each individual club does have the right to limit speech subjects, content and/or language, with the consensus of its members. Club leaders should guide their members on how to observe good taste and sensitivity in the context of that particular club. In order to respect the culture and to avoid being offensive to members, most of the clubs in the middle east, request members to refrain from the three taboo topics (politics, religion and sex). SAA advices the members and guests of these club policies while calling the meeting to order.
CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 21
TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION 2013-14 NMC Corporate Chapter completed all DCP goals in the first half of current toastmasters year itself, becoming the first club in the Division to achieve Presidents Distinguished Status. This is the fourth time in a row, NMC Corporate Chapter achieves this status. Distinguished Club Program is considered as a tool to measure club success. Achieving a perfect 10 shows the club success in all areas – education, membership and administration. Active participation by members in toastmasters educational program along with meticulous planning is the key success factor.
DUAL MEMBERS Dual members are those who join a Club when already registered at another Club, or more than one other Club, and continue their other membership/s. The same international fees are payable for them as any other member, as World Headquarters (WHQ) do not give a discount for multi-membership. It is important to avoid creating a duplicate Customer ID for the dual member, while registering online. The member can be found in the system by searching for his or her Last Name and Email Address or Last Name and Customer ID.
REINSTATED MEMBERS
EDUCATION AWARDS COMMUNICATION NMC Corporate Chapter meeting # 274 dated 28th December 2014 witnessed special moments as two members TM Mumtaz Hussain and TM Ajit S Nair completed their 10th speech project in Competent Communication Manual to achieve CC (Competent Communicator) title. TM Deepa Shetty completed her CC during meeting #272 by winning Best Speaker award for third time in a row. Sunil Kottarathil, DTM completed his AC Manual - Speeches By Management to earn ACB title for the second time.
EDUCATION AWARDS LEADERSHIP Learning is a continuous process for everyone. In Toastmasters, as members actively participate in club meetings and take up challenging roles, leadership skills get refined and they reap the benefits. Having completed all requirements for a second CL and ALB award, TM Dr. Katrak Merezban earned those awards by December 2013, after three years of registering his last ALB. Members are encouraged to work towards multiple educational awards before they even complete the first one. Learn through fun!!
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NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
TM Sujith Vijayamohan
TM Hana Abdul Hafiz
Reinstated members are those who rejoin Toastmasters International after a break. They can pick up on the educational program where they left off, even if previously at another club. To re-instate a member, it is important to get the member’s Last Name and Email Address or Last Name and Customer ID. If the system does not recognize the information you provide, get an alternative email address or name spelling from the member. Any error in spelling / e-mail id entered during initial registration can result in not finding a match. As a last choice proceed with a new member entry.
TRANSFER MEMBERS A Transfer Member is one who has transferred from another club, but does not pay club dues in the new club until the following duesrenewal period. A transfer member must fill out a Membership Application. Be sure to check the box next to Transfer from club number /name and fill in the information for the club, the member is transferring from. Submit the completed application to Toastmasters International World Headquarters through a club officer. Transfer members cannot be added online. TM CN Sreejith, President of Petrofac Toastmasters Club, Sharjah (club #1811210), was kind enough to provide all details and release TM Vinai Kumar Maurya to get transferred to NMC Corporate Chapter.
TM Vinai Kumar Maurya
It is recommended to download club membership roster every April /October and file with club library. Club will always be able to re-instate a member easily, even after a long break in membership. CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 11
DISTRICT 20 RECOGNITION 2013-14
NEW MEMBERS
CLUB FAST TRACK COMMUNICATOR AWARD
TM Mohanraj RK
District 20 has introduced many recognition to encourage members and clubs for their achievement. As clubs work towards their DCP goals and other TI recognized rewards, these additional recognitions are inspiration to go for an extra mile. Among the education awards announced by D20 LGET, one is the “Club Fast Track Communicator Award” for uploading 4 CCs with TI by 31st December, 2013. Award includes a ribbon for the club banner and certificates for the members who achieved CC as well as the VPE for encouraging the members to reach their goals.
TM Dr. Vidya Shetty
TM Chinmoy Ghosh, TM Deepa Shetty, TM Mumtaz Hussain and TM Ajit S Nair made NMC Corporate Chapter proud by completing their CC and securing the award for the club. THE DOUBLE 4 ACHIEVER AWARD The Award is for clubs uploading minimum of 4 CCs and 4 ACs or 4 CCs and 4 CLs/ ALs by January 5, 2014. Award includes a trophy for the Club President & VPE for encouraging the members to reach their goals. Focusing on members education progress ensured NMC Corporate Chapter securing the “Double 4 Achiever Award” from District 20. TM Vernon Federico
TM Chandrashekar PS
THE CLUB DCP ACHIEVER AWARD
New members are those joining toastmasters for the first time. Some of the members may have attended club meetings earlier as guests, but not officially registered. Some may be seeing the toastmasters club meeting for the first time. NMC Corporate Chapter encourages a guest to attend couple of meetings and start participating in meeting roles before deciding to join the club. TM Ganesh Ullal
TM Vaishnavi VP
NMC Corporate Chapter secured the Club DCP Achiever Award by achieving 6 out of 10 DCP points. Though the deadline was Dec 31, the club reached the goal as early as Sept 2013. Award includes a Ribbon for the Club banner and Certificates for all members & Trophy for VPE for encouraging the members to reach their goals. THE PERFECT 10 CLUB ACHIEVER AWARD The Award is for clubs achieving 10 DCP points by April 15, 2014. Award includes a Ribbon for the Club banner and Certificates for all members and a trophy for the Club VPE for encouraging the members to reach their goals. With a clear Club Success Plan, NMC Corporate Chapter reached a perfect 10 status on DCP goals within the first half of toastmasters year itself. CLUB SUPER 7 COT AWARD
NEW MEMBERS BRING FLOW OF FRESH NEW IDEAS AND PERSONALITIES. DUAL MEMBERS BRING EXPERIENCE, ADVANCE SPEECHES AND LEADERSHIP.
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NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
NMC Corporate Chapter ensures proper training of all the club officers and share valuable tips to make their tenure most rewarding. For getting all seven club officers trained in the month of June-Aug 2013 and Dec-Feb 2014, NMC Corporate Chapter ensured the Super 7 COT Award announced by District 20 which includes a Ribbon for the Club banner and Certificates for club officers.
CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 23
TAKING A BACKSEAT
S
ome people are compulsive exhibitionists. You can find them almost anywhere; they would do anything to get noticed. At a wedding, they want to be the bride and at a funeral, the corpse! Alas, if only they would learn to take a back seat and look at the image they are portraying!!! History has witnessed some great personalities who yearned for name and fame. It is amazing to go through certain instances that show us the extent of ME in certain people. Julius Caesar, who was an incorrigible egoist, was kidnapped when he was a child. He was held for a ransom of 11,000 gold pieces. Horrified, he exhorted his captors to raise the ransom amount to 2, 50,000 gold pieces so as to preserve his prestige! William Shakespeare said: “Praises are my wages.” The American writer Mark Twain said: “I can live an entire week on compliments alone.” More recently, musician Elton John said: “Even if I had only a single finger left, I would play the piano to be loved.”
TM Purvi Mehta
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It is said that a famous boxer once refused to tie his seat-belt in the plane. “Superman doesn’t need a belt,” he resisted. Tying his belt for him, the airhostess replied: “Superman doesn’t need a plane either.”
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
Once a professor came to master Zen to learn the basics of Martial Arts. He had plenty of knowledge and experience to draw upon. But each time the master tried to explain something new to the professor, the professor kept trying to hold it up against his own notions of the way the world is and how it should be and he was unable to see the lessons in what the master was trying to teach him. Finally, the master poured a full serving of tea into his own cup and into the cup of the professor. Then he told the professor that he wanted to give him some of the tea from his own cup. He began pouring tea from his cup into the professor’s cup, but his cup was already full, and all the tea from the master's cup spilled out over the cup onto the surface below. The professor said, "Master, you can't pour anything into my cup until I empty it to make room for what you are trying to give me", and the master replied "Yes, I know. And I can't give you any new thoughts or ideas or perspectives on life's lessons until you clear out some thoughts that are already packed in your mind to make room for what I have to teach you." Then, the master paused for a brief moment, looked at the professor’s eyes and said: “If you truly seek learning, then first empty your cup!” The professor pondered for a moment with a look of absolute confusion. Then a look of enlightenment came over him, followed by a smile, and a look of interest. The master started to explain again, and this time the student saw what the master was trying to say.
Empty your cup, so that more knowledge can go in! Learning never stops. Every person might be good in his own specialty but it doesn’t mean that he or she knows everything. In martial arts practice, cultivating an open mind, is called emptying the cup, that is, meeting every moment and being filled by it, rather than remaining closed and filling the moment from our own side. The need for an empty cup, an open mind is the basis for everything. Yet, in so many of our lives when we try to learn something new, we try to put things on top of things, never removing the true barriers or leaving behind the behaviors that don’t work for us. A common example of how we put things on top of things is bringing our past into the present moment and for that matter the future. We base our actions on the past, holding people as well as ourselves to a behavior or way of being that might no longer be present. You might say to yourself things like: “I will never be able to write without making mistakes” or you might think that your boss will always treat you unfairly just because he has done so in the past. I understand that we sometimes use the past to predict the future or make decisions in the present, but be careful not to use it as a way to limit you or corner people. I believe it’s really about emptying the cup, wiping the blackboard clean, and starting over if you want to change course and find your true meaning. Its everyday process, and if you ask me what I carry with me every day, it’s my cup which I empty everyday!
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empty
YOUR cup
A
n expert or a beginner? – if anybody is given a choice to become an expert or a beginner, definitely everybody would love to be an expert. Who would want to be a beginner? – Nobody! 15 years or more of education, along with work, life and emotional experience is equal to an Expert! How many times have we seen children arguing and screaming at each other one minute and playing nicely, the best of buddies, the next? They can drop one moment's mental state and move on to the next with little carry-over. This is something we lose when we get older. By the time we reach adulthood we are so full of stuff that we don't even notice it's there. We might consider ourselves to be open minded, but in fact everything we learn is filtered through many assumptions and then classified to fit into the knowledge we already possess. Imagine if we could deal with all the negatives situations the same like children. Wouldn’t that be amazing?
TM Hana Abdul Hafiz
8
It is said that coaching a child is much easier than couching an adult. I can relate to it because my trainer had a tough time teaching me to swim recently. A similar story amazed me when I was reading a book last week, which narrated an inspiring story, briefed below:
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
Whether rich or poor; American, Afghan or Indian; we all have the same emotions deep within us - to protect the family, educate our children, provide for healthcare, to be free to walk the streets in safety, to have time for oneself, to contribute to the good of the world and to leave one’s mark, however small, on history. I tried making a mark too, but did not succeed. During my school days, in my dance lessons, a friend of mine was always given more preference than me and I could not digest it. As being the youngest in the family, I was used to getting all the attention. I did everything to be the apple of my teacher’s eyes - like practicing all the steps at home to perfection, paying the fees on time and reaching on time for the classes, unlike many others - but all in vain. It kind of depressed me, but unwilling to give up, I continued with my efforts. I realised I was building a barrier around me. I started regaining the power of accepting reality. Then, for once, I stopped seeking attention and started enjoying my dance classes. But it was overwhelming when my teacher sent for me and asked me to participate in the program. I felt you would get all that you deserve, but patience was the key. When it came to professional life, having worked for an established well known school and then moving on to a new school gave me the opportunity to lead and establish the primary section. As an enthusiastic new comer, I wanted
section. As an enthusiastic new comer, I wanted to use all the skills that I learned from my previous experience, not realising that it did not go well with some of the seniors. Then, in one of the meetings, my supervisor told me that we were not there to implement what we had done before or learnt elsewhere, but to have our own system. I realised it was time for me to take the back seat and to patiently try and get my work done rather than satisfy my ego by being noticed. But one place I benefitted from this was after my marriage, where I did not try to prove a point and till date, I am reaping the benefits. There are so many people who are unable to take a back seat in any subject. They demand to be consulted before any decisions are made. They demand to be glorified and welcomed at every meeting. To sustain their beliefs, some can go to the extent of humiliating others under any banner or guise, whether it is religion, country or justice. But it does not help. People may do it, but when it does not come from the heart, it is of no value. To cut the long story short, my dear friends, there is no place for narcissism in today’s social world. God-consciousness is the permanent cure for egomania. When one realises the infinite greatness and glory of God, where is the room for self-pride?
CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 25
CLUB REGULAR MEETING
NEWSLETTER feedback As NMC Corporate Chapter celebrate its 12th anniversary, it is a proud moment for all members that our first issue of Newsletter this year CORPORATE VOICE grabbed attention from toastmasters all over the world. Though the online release was delayed till 12th December, and publicity to outside world given only through facebook pages and club website, within two weeks, more than 1000 members read the newsletter online. Responses received from club members and online readers were very encouraging.
The primary functions of this newsletter are to educate, motivate, and inform our readers. It sets the tone for the club mission of providing a “mutually supportive and positive learning environment.” Therefore, we include specific tips for helping members achieve their goals and become better speakers and leaders. Our newsletter will reflect current club news, lead viewers to the club’s website, and promote the club, as well as offer inspiration and tips to members. The club newsletter is designed with variety of information to help non-toastmasters understand the magic of Toastmasters. This newsletter is a tool for building a sense of pride and responsibility in being a member of a world-class organization, strengthening our club’s community.
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CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014
7
NEWSLETTER RELEASE
Toastmasters International Mission We empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.
District Mission
Club Mission
We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence.
We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.
Toastmasters International Values
INTEGRITY RESPECT SERVICE EXCELLENCE
Toastmasters International Envisioned Future To be the first-choice provider of dynamic, high-value, experiential communication and leadership skills development.
A Toastmaster’s Promise As a member of Toastmasters International and my club, I promise To attend club meetings regularly To prepare all of my speech and leadership projects to the best of my ability, basing them on projects in the Competent Communication, Advanced Communication, or Competent Leadership manuals To prepare for and fulfill meeting assignments To provide fellow members with helpful, constructive evaluations To help the club maintain the positive, friendly environment necessary for all members to learn and grow To serve my club as an officer when called upon to do so To treat my fellow club members and our guests with respect and courtesy To bring guests to club meetings so they can see the benefits Toastmasters membership offers To adhere to the guidelines and rules for all Toastmasters education and recognition programs To maintain honest and highly ethical standards during the conduct of all Toastmasters activities
CLUB OFFICER TRAINING
“The program is the laboratory process, the educational method, the training school, the stock in the trade of the Toastmasters club. Since it is so important, it should be given primary attention.” – Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, Founder, Toastmasters International.
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CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 27
From the Desk of
the editor
A
s NMC Corporate Chapter celebrated its 12th anniversary on 13th December, 2014, we have many factors that make us proud. Most significant being a sustainable growth the chapter has achieved, by making the club base strong. For the fourth consecutive year, the club has reached Presidents Distinguished Status. This year the achievement is all the more special, as we reached a perfect 10 within the first six months itself. What a matter of pride it is for us, then, this newsletter is being released in such a context. We share with you some simple tips on how to achieve this coveted status (page 18).
BITTER CHOCOLATE A
family in Calcutta orders a crate of mineral water. Nine year old Nisha opens the door. The delivery boy molests the girl and runs away. Bitter chocolate – this is the title of Pinki Virani’s book on child sexual abuse. This is a topic that evokes a lot of feelings within us. We feel extreme rage at those who commit this crime. We feel helpless, when we know we cannot wipe out the memory of this terrible act from that little victims mind.
TM Deepa Shetty
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Everyday, we open the newspapers and read about a little child victimized somewhere. Our breakfast does a flip flop in our stomach. The tea curdles in our belly as anger runs through our veins. We go and look at our sleeping children, stroke their hair and pray that such evil
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
We wanted to make this newsletter filled with useful information for all. So, you may notice that with each news / article, many tips are given that can be beneficial to members and clubs in general. The news on our District Council meeting (Page 16) is meant to increase awareness among members. While we welcome our new members to the club (Page 10), it is an opportunity to learn more on the various types of memberships. While we share our achievements proudly (Page 22), you will see the newsletter filled with variety of articles ranging from controversial problems the society facing (Page 28) shared by TM Deepa Shetty, to many motivational tips shared by our members (Page 8, 14 & 24). As the club has already achieved set goals for the year, the new year will see the club getting more focused on members’ needs. Let us continue smiling together as new faces join us on a regular basis. TOGETHER WE SMILE… together we spread smiles..
Sunil Kottarathil, DTM Editor, Publisher – “Corporate Voice”
CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014
5
From the Desk of
the district governor
D
ear leaders and members. Let me take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year!
As we embark on the year 2014, let us take a moment to think about our goals and action for the next six months in the NMC Corporate Chapters. It is a club whose leaders and members are driven to make sure that the club will be at its strongest. I would like to emphasize on three key points that could bring any Toastmasters club to greater heights.
Vicky Ferrer Mustafa, DTM, MDC, CIPT
District 20 Governor
• Appreciate wisdom. Let us seek the help of mentors as they possess something you might not have which is experience. Until today, I still depend on Toastmasters more senior to me for their advice and suggestions. Nothing can ever go wrong. They have committed mistakes and have undergone failures which they could share with us. In that way we can avoid the paths that we should not tread. • Set your goals for the next six months. Have you written a plan on how you will achieve your educational goals (for example)? Are you determined to achieve them by all means? Did you make a declaration to the others in your club about your intentions? When I want to achieve a goal, I like to announce it –in that way, the Toastmasters around me could encourage me and follow up on me. I cannot make excuses to back out as I have committed in “public”.
“Let us be committed and focused in what we plan to achieve” 4
• Enjoy what you are doing. I have been a Toastmaster from 1998. I learn from each meeting I attend until today. I have a wealth of speeches that I can adapt in to my life. Honing the communication and leadership skills help us to become a better person. We become a more positive person. That is why I love attending Toastmasters meetings. I congratulate the Editor and the other team members of Corporate Voice. I have read the previous newsletter. Well done-it has very useful information that any Toastmaster should know about. All the best!
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
must never touch them. We go through our work, our motions of the day, and yet that niggling thought is there, somewhere, at the back of our minds. The memory soon fades until we read the next case in the newspapers. Child abuse is the most terrible crime perpetrated on one of the most vulnerable sections of society. The statistics in India are very grim. A 2007 landmark report by the Indian Government found that 53 % of children have suffered some form of sexual abuse. 53 percentage!!! That is an astonishingly high number. But remember, these statistics have been derived from victims who have come forth to admit that they have been abused. There are many who are silent and are ashamed to disclose their secret. All right; agreed that Child Sexual Abuse is an evil practice. But why talk of it when these are acts restricted to perverts or dirty old men? Why talk of it when it is perpetrated only by poor and illiterate people? Why talk of this, when such things do not happen within our families? Because, all these are wrong beliefs. Because you need to know, especially if you are a concerned parent, that this can happen to anyone! Experts tell us that 60% of perpetrators are known to the victims; for example – babysitters, neighbors and family friends. 30% of perpetrators are family members. Only 10% are complete strangers to the child. Sad to say, strangers are rarely the problem. Child abuse is not uncommon in the “perfect” family. Most sex offenders are “nice” people that you already know. It is because of this very reason, that the victims is confused when the abuse takes place. That confusion leads to silence and later shame or guilt. In their innocence, they believe that they are “bad”. Children may fear punishment and be puzzled about how they can betray someone who is part of their family or social circle. Child sexual abuse can lead to severe psychological trauma leading to behavioral and other problems for the rest of their lives. It can prevent the victim from having normal healthy
prevent the victim from having normal healthy relationships. It is very clear that prevention is much better than cure when it comes to child abuse. • First things first. Good communication between the parent and child is the most important step in protecting a child against sexual abuse. You might feel uncomfortable talking about it with your children, but the best way is to talk in a straight forward, matter of fact, way. • Tell your child that he is special and important. That his body is his own. Teach your children the difference between a good touch and a bad touch. He has a right over his own body and he has the right to say NO! Do not force your kids to hug or kiss others. • Establish a comfortable and free atmosphere at home. Your child should be encouraged to come and talk to you about anything and everything. • Sex education is important. In India, sex education still remains a taboo topic. Oh yes! We have the second highest population in the world and we don’t know how we did it!! Parents resist sex education as they think their kids will turn out naughty! We need to shake off this blanket of secrecy. • As parents, we cannot be alert enough. We must be sensitive to any behavioral changes in our children. Encourage your child to talk to you and keep telling her that she can come to you with any problem and that you always, ALWAYS believe her! Children are like rosebuds, extremely delicate and innocent. As parents, we must play our most important role, the role of protecting them, so that they may blossom into secure, stable and successful adults.
CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 29
GET MAXIMUM BENEFIT FROM
Upcoming events to watch out for
DIVISION H CONTEST:-
peech contests are a Toastmasters tradition. Each year thousands of Toastmasters compete in the Humorous, Evaluation, Tall Tales, Table Topics and International speech contests. Competition begins with club contest and winners continue competing through the area, division and district levels. The International competition has two additional levels – semi-final and international. Benefits of speech contests include:• Participants gain speaking experience. • Contests provide an opportunity for members to meet their personal and professional goals. • Members of the audience observe proficient speakers. • Audience members learn about a variety of topics. • As speakers progress, they grow beyond their clubs. • Those who organize and conduct the contests practice serving in leadership roles and on teams. • Awareness of Toastmasters spreads in the community.
As all Area Contest will be completed in March, Division Contest will be held as part of Division H Conference scheduled on 11th April, 2014 at GASCO Auditorium.
The benefits of speech contests extend to the participants, audience, and those conducting the contests. Don’t miss this great learning experience!!
Meeting 275 276 277 278 279 280
Date 11 Jan, 2014 25 Jan, 2014 8 Feb, 2014 22 Feb, 2014 8 Mar, 2014 22 Mar, 2014
CONTEST DATES •
CLUB CONTEST:All the four contests will be conducted on a single day 2:00 pm till 6:00pm at the regular meeting venue NMC Specialty Hospital Basement conference Hall, on 22nd February 2014.
•
AREA 9 CONTEST:Area 9 Contest will be held in the month of March – tentative date 7th March 2014. Venue – Al Rimal Club, Opposite to Mushrif Mall, Airport Road, Abu Dhabi.
•
S
CONTESTS -
HALL OF FAME Meeting
Date
269 270 271 272 273 274
19 Oct, 2013 02 Nov, 2013 16 Nov, 2013 30 Nov, 2013 14 Dec, 2013 28 Dec, 2013
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Best Speaker
Best Evaluator
Best Table Topics
Manish Bahirwani Dipti Sugandh Deepa Shetty Deepa Shetty Mahmoud Akl Mumtaz Hussain
Dr. Katrak Merezban Robert Shingare Deekshith Sunil Kottarathil Manmohan Sreedhar Dr. Katrak Merezban
Salim Sayyid Vinai Kumar Maurya Manish Bahirwani Hana Abdul Hafiz Dr. Vidya Shetty
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
January 2014, Issue 2 Quarterly Newsletter of NMC Corporate Chapter Toastmasters Club
CLUB OFFICERS 2013-2014 President VP Education VP Membership VP PR Secretary Treasurer Sergeant At Arms Imm. Past President
: : : : : : : :
Sunil Kottarathil Manish Bahirwani Aakant Taurani Dipti Sugandh Purvi Mehta Deepa Shetty Vishak Balakrishnan Ramesh Taurani
contents 2
From Archives
4
District Governor’s Message
5 6 7 10 12 16 21 26 30
22-23 Club Achievements
articles
REGULAR CLUB MEETINGS
CLUB
Editorial
18-20 Distinguished Clubs – Myths & Facts
14
8
The Extra Degree
About Toastmasters Newsletter Feedback New Members Be the Voice District Council
24 Taking a Back Seat
You Can’t Talk About It Moments Captured Upcoming Events
28 Bitter Chocolate
CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014
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From Archives The most important meeting a Toastmaster will have occasion to conduct is the weekly club meeting. Productive meetings don’t just happen. When I asked one Toastmaster what she expected from club meetings, she replied, “Something which is meaningful to me. In other words, I want to broaden my speaking skills and have fun while I’m doing it.” Every Toastmaster has a right to expect this from attending his or her club meeting. Do we succeed in this endeavor? There is an old saying, “The onlooker sees most of the game.” The general evaluator is our “onlooker,” evaluating each meeting in great detail. Too often we listen alternatively to the speakers and evaluators but rarely act on any of the valid points raised in their critiques. Perhaps this happens because we seldom create checklists of the points raised, so by the time we are in charge of the next meeting we are doomed to repeat our mistakes. The secret of successful club meetings lies in preparation. It must be adequate, detailed and purposeful. The more energy you put into preparation, the more outstanding the meeting. You need to create your plan and keep track of numerous details. This can be achieved by motivating those who have agreed to participate in your agenda. Challenge them – get excited about your creation and put 100 percent of yourself into making the meeting the finest you’ve ever chaired. As the chairman, you have to orchestrate your meeting as if you were a conductor. Everyone should be aware of your meeting goals. Paint the big picture you see, clearly and colorfully. The more the participants know, the more they’ll realize that every part of the agenda is important. Motivate your players so they see what you want them to achieve and prepare them to accept the importance of preparation – even for what they perceive as a minor role. Now your team is primed, motivated and raring to go. Make your motto “Everyone gives! Everyone gains!” This way the team wins and the club wins. The day before the proposed meeting, telephone everyone listed on the schedule and give them a short booster speech. If you talk too long, the motivational element you have worked so hard to get across will drain away like bath water when the plug has been pulled. Keep it brief and upbeat. Finally, as chairman, relax, be comfortable and remember to be flexible. Start promptly; audiences hate to wait. Catch their interest at the outset and let the meeting unfold just as you planned. VIEWPOINT by JOHN F. NOONAN, DTM, International President 1989-1990 (Reprinted from the TOASTMASTER Magazine MAY, 1990)
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NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER - WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
WORDS OF THIS
QUARTER
SEDULOUS (sɛdjʊləs) adjective showing dedication and diligence. eg: "he watched himself with the most sedulous care" synonyms : diligent, careful, meticulous, thorough. PLACID (plasɪd) adjective not easily upset or excited eg: “a placid, contented man" synonyms : even-tempered, calm, equable, tranquil. VALIANT (valɪənt) adjective
possessing or showing courage or determination eg: “she made a valiant effort to hold her anger in check" synonyms : brave, fearless, courageous, valorous, plucky, intrepid, heroic, confident. COGENT (kəʊdʒ(ə)nt) adjective clear, logical, and convincing eg: “they put forward cogent arguments for British membership" synonyms : convincing, compelling, strong, forceful, powerful, potent, weighty. AMICABLE (amɪkəb(ə)l) adjective characterized by friendliness and absence of discord eg: “an amicable settlement of the dispute" synonyms : friendly, good-natured, cordial, polite, easy, brotherly, fraternal, harmonious, cooperative. RIGOROUS (rɪg(ə)rəs) adjective Extremely thorough and careful eg: “the rigorous testing of consumer products" synonyms : meticulous, punctilious, conscientious, careful, diligent, attentive, scrupulous, painstaking, exact, precise, accurate.
Transform with Toastmasters Simple, Straight-forward, Sincere – if we can add one more S to the list, it will be the never fading Smile on TM Dipti Sugandh’s face. Having completed one year in Toastmasters, TM Dipti has gained confidence and leadership skills which has prepared her to take up higher professional challenges in life. With a Masters of Engineering in Food Biotechnology from Institute of Chemical Technology (UDCT) and 2 years of valuable experience as Food technologist at IFFCO group of companies, Sharjah, TM Dipti has opened up her mind for better career prospectus so as to utilize the leadership and organizing skill acquired through Toastmasters Educational program.
“Our past prepares us to meet the challenges of the future” – Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, Founder, Toastmasters International
Success of Club /Area /Division /District is based on the leadership. Successful leadership is based on doing assigned duties excellently and treating others with utmost respect. Follow Toastmasters’ core values RISE (Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence) CORPORATE VOICE JANUARY 2014 31
ISSUE 2
JANUARY 2014
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER TOASTMASTERS CLUB-4066, AREA-9, DIVISION-H, DISTRICT-20
TOGETHER WE SMILE!!
ISSUE 2 JANUARY 2014 CLUB-4066, AREA-9, DIVISION-H, DISTRICT-20
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER TOASTMASTERS CLUB
Join NMC Corporate Chapter to “learn in moments of enjoyment”. Experience the exciting, enjoyable, and inviting atmosphere. Every member has a chance to learn, grow, achieve, and have fun!
NMC CORPORATE CHAPTER WE MEET ALTERNATE SATURDAYS AT NMC SPECIALTY HOSPITAL BUILDING, ELECTRA STREET, ABU DHABI 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm http://nmc.toastmastersclubs.org/
WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE