Communicate 98 Feb 2021 Edition

DISTRICT 98 PRESENTS

COMMUNICATE 98 COMMUNICATE.COLLABRATE.CELEBRATE DISTRICT 98

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nriching xperiences

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DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TEAM 2020-21

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In This Issue

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04 District Director’s Address 12 Member Speaks 05 PR Address 06Editor’s Address

14 The Headlines Bulletin 20 Clubs’ Milestone

07 Cross District Connect

22 Meet the Team

09 Growth 11 Eloquence 2021

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District Director’s Address

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#MyWhy

t’s time to contemplate between growing yourself by investing in Toastmasters or finding an excuse to consider it again in the future.

I have been through this stage many a time.

The only thing I do is look at the purpose I wrote when I joined Toastmasters and continue to write down what I still need to achieve from this platform. Of other things, my top two reasons to be here with you and serve you.

Curriculum: Since the launch of Pathways, we have positioned ourselves as the leading organization catering to communication and leadership. The paths are with a purpose that resonates with your goals and can be proudly mentioned on the resume. It helps you master the skill required in the real world and, to an extent, solves challenge around not having a mentor. I have finished two paths with implementation on projects at work, and the results have been outstanding. In this new normal of the online medium, no other organization can beat what we have.

in all aspects of life. This obviously will not happen if you don’t step out of your club.

The reason for you may be different. I believe what is essential is that gradually you are growing with the organization. In a recent survey we conducted, we got to know that 65% of our members have joined through word of mouth. It talks about the positive impact these members see by staying active and participating in the program that encouraged them to bring others. All said and People: What a fantastic group of people done, hurdles will be there, how we handle selflessly help others grow and go beyond them makes all the difference. The future can the extra mile without expecting anything in only be filled with regret if we don’t act now. return. I feel lucky to make a network of people who are accomplished in their field and are I want to let you know that we are here for influencers. Just a call away for anything I you. Your Area Director, Division Director, Top need advice on. They not only care for you in 7 and TRIO are just a call away if you doubt Toastmasters but ensures that you succeed renewing your membership.

Niteash Agarwaal, DTM District Director

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PR Address

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The inevitable lows and highs

hat kind of person are you in the mornings? The grumpy or calm ones who gradually get charged to start the day or the coo-ers who are perpetually energised.

I belong to the second category - people of this kind wake up with this whole new level of energy and its hard to say that they just got out of their beds. While we are, usually and seemingly, the “always-excited” types, our energy and motivation do tend to go down.

And this can happen to anyone in any endeavour of life - be it personal life, professional life or any passion that you pursue additionally. I guess only once you hit a low in life, you appreciate the beauty of crescendos. the offline setup, which has subsequently translated into a dip in enthusiasm. Over the I joined Toastmasters with several aspirations last few weeks, I have heard from many of us and in these four and a half years so far, I have even contemplating to renew due to this dip. had my set of highs and lows. From forgetting my speech on stage to winning at least one While it’s okay to rationalise, but we should contest at the area level for three consecutive not forget the core reason for which we seasons; from fearing to even be someone’s joined Toastmasters. When we started, we mentor to applying for your PRM - the journey essentially embarked on the journey of selfhas been rather wavy. improvement and whenever the thought of discontinuing crosses our mind, we should A phenomenon that commonly occurs always ask ourselves that are we there yet when you are in a low phase is that you start where we wanted to see ourselves. questioning everything, including why you are even in it. The trend of online meetings has Think of all those highs and the beautiful stretched longer than any of us anticipated moments you lived in this journey and renew and it has led to a lot of us deeply missing to continue living all those.

Aishwarya Vijay Public Relations Manager

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Editor’s Address

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Extraordinary Experiences

reetings fellow and future Toastmasters,

I have attended Eloquence, our annual district conference every year since 2018. I always saw the opening flag march and had never thought that I would be a part of it someday, but this year as the Chief Newsletter Editor, I will get to be a part of it. This edition we complete publishing eight Newsletters, and thus my power-packed team and I met to understand and decode the challenges we have faced so far, and how we can overcome them the way ahead.

This edition is a mixed bag filled with extraordinary experiences, where we have Mark LaVergne, DTM, International Director 1996-98 and District-level Table Topics Champion sharing tips with us on cracking Table Topics.

It is the month of love and the only thing that comes to my mind at this point is the immense love and gratitude I feel towards the D98 Newsletter. Since day one I have been made feel so welcome, not to mention the family-like bond everyone has formed. It has been a euphoric experience so far and I have been lucky enough to come across some truly beautiful write-ups by both experienced and new toastmasters! Witnessing and being actively involved in shaping the newsletter and receiving positive feedback from lovely readers like yourself is truly rewarding.

We have an amazing history and growth of a club being shared and some phenomenol members and guests’ experiences. The season of renewals and contests is back, and we have exciting and interesting events lined ahead.

We have a few important announcements, so do not forget to check the Headlines Bulletin.

Pinky Bahroos Chief Newsletter Editor

Know your Editor

Muskan Asher Newsletter Editor

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Cross District Connect

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Five Tips for Table Topics Success

t’s easy to identify a “conversationalist.”

They speak with ease with anyone, about anything. They listen graciously to others but, when pressed, are able to “speak their mind” on every imaginable topic with fluency and calm. Our Toastmasters training in Table Topics can help us to become self-assured and thoughtful in conversation. Competing in a Table Topics Contest will accelerate that process of growth.

As a former District Champion in Table Topics for the metropolitan New York and New Jersey region of the U.S., I have been asked to share simple tips for success with Table Topics. Here 2. “Trust Yourself.” When a Table Topics are five: question is tossed at you, embrace it, don’t evade it. Focus and incline your entire 1. “Know Your Mind.” People who speak being – body, intellect and spirit – toward comfortably on any topic draw on hours of that question. Take a couple of seconds to self-reflection on every topic. As a prospective absorb its meaning while drawing a breath.

Table Topics Contestant, compose a list of Then decide immediately your stance on typical questions that you’ve heard at club the question. Don’t sit on the fence, rather meetings. Comb the internet for popular move in a clear direction. Begin with a simple Table Topic and speech topic listings that have statement expressed with confidence, then been posted. Monitor the news for topical follow that with another verbal step forward. concerns. Use your imagination to draw up Trust that you will find your footing with each additional likely questions. Once your list subsequent step taken and each sentence of possible questions reaches 50 or 100 in spoken. number, systematically ponder each question.

Take notes on your imagined responses to 3. “A Mustard Tree Begins with a Tiny each question. As you travel to work, exercise Seed.” Build your two-minute Table Topics or do household chores, let your mind travel response on the first idea that comes to mind. back to your list of questions and continue to Don’t reject that initial thought with the hope develop thoughtful responses to each. that a bigger or better idea will come along;

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Cross District Connect

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that kind of second-guessing can lead to paralysis and indecision on public display.

Dive in” and express that initial thought with unabashed confidence. From that initial thought, trust your mind as it “free associates” with subsequent and related thoughts. After all, if you diligently practised the step number one (“Know Your Mind”), you will have a deep well of previously developed ideas to draw upon. As new thoughts and connections gush upwards, your overall Table Topics response will take shape. The tiny seed of an initial thought will bloom into something wonderful.

topic until they first know how much you care.

5. “Two, Three or Six.” Use the “pro versus con” structure to organize your thoughts: Explain the two sides to the question and then conclude with your opinion (“After weighing these considerations, I firmly believe …”). The “rule of three” is another popular structural approach: “My happiest holiday was in Nepal, and here are the three reasons why.” Finally, there are the “six honest serving men” of Kipling’s description: Who, What, When, Why, Where, How. “What was my favorite holiday? Why did I go there? How did 4. “Your Life Is Your Material.” Illustrate your I travel? Where did I stay? Whom did I meet?” main point, if possible, with facts and incidents drawn from news accounts and from history Our beloved Founder, Dr. Ralph Smedley, and science. Still, the most compelling source once said, “The well-balanced, intelligent of the material is likely your direct experience speaker is the natural leader in any group of life. Is there a personal story or incident that of which they are a part.” Putting strenuous can illustrate the main point you are trying effort into Table Topics training has the to convey? If so, use it. Be relatable. Talk with potential to make us into “well-balanced, your audience, as a friend – not to them, as an intelligent speakers.” These five tips might not authority. A heartfelt response is often more only help you win a Table Topics Competition, effective than a cerebral reply. An audience but may they also help you become “the doesn’t care how much you know about a natural leader in any group.” All The Best!

Mark LaVergne, DTM 1996-98 International Director President, Club #8685, Queens Best Toastmasters, District 119 Member, Club #1, Smedley Chapter One Toastmasters, Founder’s District

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Life and Times at TCS Maitree Toastmasters Club

joined the TCS Maitree Toastmasters Club in May 2019. It was fascinating to learn that the club is one of the oldest in District 98.

It filled me with pride. I checked with some of the members of the current and recent past executive committee members who were still in the club, to shed some light on the early days of the club. Sadly, it did not get me very far.

Thus, I donned my Sherlock hat, spoke to more than 30 members and ex-members, and started connecting the dots. The club was established on 2nd June 2004 and this meant that I had to connect with members who were associated with the club 17 years back. As a member of the executive committee, I did have access to the email ids of the past executive committee members.

I sent broadcast emails, in the hope that at least a few would respond and it worked!

-2008) Jayesh Anandpara was appointed as the Area Governor. Jayesh helped to charter and mentor the third club: Bombay Toastmasters Club (chartered February 2008).

Some members of this club, particularly charter member Arvind Nair and Brillian SK, The idea for the formation of the club began spreading the benefits of Toastmasters began in 2003 in September as a part of to various corporates. Soon, they were able to a drive to equip employees with better charter some corporate and community clubs. communication skills. Apparently, someone there had visited a Toastmasters club in Back in TCS, Jayesh Anandpara was the USA. Managers came together and required to go on an onsite assignment. He chartered the club. There were a few clubs in introduced Anurag Sinha to Toastmasters.

Bangalore and Chennai but none in Mumbai. Anurag immediately fell in love with the concept and started aggressively promoting TCS as an organization has many offices Toastmasters in the organisation. Arvind across Mumbai. Meetings were held at Nair, who continues to offer guidance to the some of the locations. In February 2007, the club, helped conduct a demo meeting. Soon second club: Mumbai Toastmasters Club, was a session to introduce Toastmasters became chartered. The then Club President (2005 a part of the new employee induction with

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HR promoting Toastmasters - TCS clubs opened across locations in India. One of the most interesting facts was that the track of the meeting numbers of earlier meetings was not kept. With the assumption of a meeting per month, a meeting number was arrived at.

On December 26, 2020, the club held its 675th meeting.

Over years, the club and its members have played an important role in conducting Club Officers Training Programs, Area and Division Contests. Enthusiastic club members honed their leadership skills by being convenors and taking on various supportive roles. This was hugely possible because of the assistance received from TCS Maitree (one of the HR departments). In April 2019, the auditorium on the 15th floor of Olympus was the venue for the Mumbai Division Conference, which was possible through the efforts of our member Toastmaster Sai Kumar.

In February 2020, when physical meetings were suspended due to the pandemic, the members took it as a challenge to explore the various available possibilities of holding a meeting online. Through their unstinted support and the dry runs, their efforts bore fruit. TCS Maitree Toastmasters Club was the pioneer club in the District to conduct the Table Topics and International Speech contests online. This led to them extending their support to hold the first virtual District 98

Conference – Eloquence 2020.The club prides itself on having produced communicators who have won the Division and District Contests and contributed leaders who have served at Area, Division and District levels, some like Chinmaya Dave without receiving official credit from Toastmasters.

The club itself has been a part of various districts since its inception. In 2008 it was part of District 82, in 2011 it became a part of District 41 and when District 98 was formed in 2015 with Brillian as the first District Director.

The club became a part of this newly formed district, holding the distinction of being its oldest club.

As I spoke to various people who have been part of the club during its inception and later on – one stark reality emerged – it was not an easy task to sustain the club. Even today a new club needs a lot of nurturing and nourishing – just imagine doing these in times when Toastmasters was not at all widespread. Today we are privileged because we have so many dedicated Toastmasters ready to help us - but those were tough times. Let’s take this opportunity to salute the people who took out time from their busy lives to promote Toastmasters – so we may continue to reap the benefits of their hard work. Thanks to Anurag, Arvind and Brillian, among many others for your contribution to our club – TCS Maitree Toastmasters Club.

Tuba Mansoor

TCS Maitree Toastmasters Club, S4

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Eloquence 2021

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Eloquent Eloquence

Eloquence- District 98 Annual Conference.

Introducing the Committee’s that are a part of Eloquence 2021.

1. Event Management 2. Public Relations 3. Marketing and Registration 4. Sponsorship 5. Entertainment 6. Tech Revealing the theme for EloquenceTo finalize the theme for Eloquence, the team went through 50 plus suggestions and finalized

‘Redefining Experience’ as the theme.

Several fun activities, games and entertainment to be witnessed on our social media along with lots of prizes. So stay tuned on our social media handles!

Social media links • Facebook: eloquence.d98 • Instagram: d98.eloquence Conference Dates:

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Member Speaks

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Cherished Moments

I believe that the journey of thousand miles starts with a single step. My ice-breaker session was the most cherished moment of my Toastmasters journey so far. It reminded me of my whole life and my forgotten memories. It taught me that learning can happen at any stage of life.

In Toastmasters, I learnt to fly with words and express my thoughts. It provided me with a wide stage rock.

- Abha Raithatha, RG Orators Club, J2 I will cherish the tenure I served as a VPE in my club-RG Doyens. In my first meeting, I gave my ice-breaker speech. I was surrounded by unknown faces, and now, I feel so proud and privileged to be the VPE of the club. All the unfamiliar faces have turned into friends like families.

Toastmasters has not only made me learn leadership skills but also blessed me with beautiful people. Each meeting has been a memorable one.

- Rani Choudhary, RG DOYENS, A3 I got the chance to be one of the Masters of Ceremonies at an award night. The trust the organizers had kept in me pushed me to do an admirable job. I wrote the script by watching eminent speakers. It was in progress till the last minute. Finally, when everyone praised my script and poetry that I had clubbed, I was overwhelmed with joy. While delivering it, I was enjoying myself. It was the first time that I did something without the fear of failing.

- Sabiha Syed, TCS Maitree Synergy Park Toastmasters Club, H2 I joined my Toastmasters club in February 2020; and in June 2020, I became the Vice President of Membership of my club. I was able to add more than five new members to the club. I was recognized by Toastmasters International for it. In January 2021, I become Vice President of Education of the club. People say there is a drastic change in me in the last one year. My self confidence has boosted, public speaking skills and leadership skills have improved. I say the credit of this goes to Toastmasters.

- Saurabh J Gandhi, Bibvewadi Toastmasters Club, D2

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Member Speaks

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Why Renew ?

Hearing from leaders is one thing that makes me continue my learning and renewal. Leaders face challenges and how they overcome those motivate me a lot to take my best version out. Playing different roles in the club is helping me in Toastmasters and in my professional and personal work.

- Sirisha Pammi, Oracle Hyderabad Toastmaster Club, G1

At Toastmasters, I get to meet my kind of people who help me polish my skills and bring out the best in me. Toastmasters gives me opportunities to challenge myself as a speaker and a leader.

-Tanvi Chanekar, Ana Fonte Toastmasters Club, W2 Being a Toastmaster, I get to network with people in different parts of the country. During online meetings, I can communicate with people across the globe! Now that meetings are moving towards offline, hybrid, it’s enchanting and delightful to be a part of this community again. I would definitely renew this time to develop my skills furthermore and to listen to those euphonious speeches.

- Dibya Kumari, Hitam Toastmasters club, G4

Guest Speaks As a visiting Toastmaster from another district, I am thoroughly impressed by the way DTMC runs their meetings. I felt warmly welcomed and included throughout every meeting. I have attended five to six meetings so far. Meetings always start on time, are professionally run and are fun. This club embodies the core values of Toastmasters International, envisioned by Dr Ralph Smedley. I feel fortunate to have found DTMC online.

- Arun Chaudhari [ Attended: Deccan Toastmasters Club ]

Toastmasters Club of Baroda is a dynamic community. They have an infectious enthusiasm. Always disciplined and persevering. The efforts of all are laudable. I had a wonderful experience and wish this community more success and accolades. Kudos...keep it up!

- Andrew Shephard [ Attended: Toastmasters Club of Baroda ]

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The Headlines Bulletin

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The Headlines Bulletin

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DISTRICT 98 New Clubs in District 98

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Distinguished Toastmaster Patient, persistent and passionate are the adjectives that best describe the below achievers.

Congratulations Distinguished Toastmasters and all the best for the new beginnings.

Raghunadha Sarikonda Raju, Toastmasters For Hyderabad Entrepreneurs, E4.

Avaanticka Narayan, Santacruse Speakers Toastmasters Club, S5.

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The Headlines Bulletin

Beyond Toastmasters To help us learn something new, District 98 crossed the barriers and built the bridges to host the best of the speakers.

Thus happened the birth of the initiative Beyond Toastmasters.

The Power of One Every language has a power - the power to communicate, and with the aim to experience that, came the District 98 initiative - The Power of One.

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The Headlines Bulletin

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Hall of Fame (2020-21)

Award: Talk Up Toastmasters Award Here’s what club needs to do: To add 5 new, dual or reinstated members between 1st Feb and 31st March 2021.

And Win: • TI Recognition ( Ribbon for club + 10% discount on all orders placed within TI store ) • Club Ribbon Pack • Promotional Pen to VP Membership

Division Contests Dates • Div A - 11th Apr • Div J - 18th Apr • Div BCDEFGHNOPSW 24th & 25th Apr

Travelling Toastmasters Saw the first sunlight of the year 2021 from the peak.

Ankit Dasgupta, DTM

Speakers Community Toastmasters Club, M5 Location: Kedarkantha peak, in Uttarakhand. Picture taken on 1st January, 2021.

Height: 12,500 ft above sea level

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The Headlines Bulletin

Glimpses of District Officers Training Program at Jaipur, Rajasthan

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The Headlines Bulletin

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Divisions BMS - Gurukul 30 people were part of the cohort. Nine theoretical sessions.

Now they’ll proceed to three months of practical training.

Divisions BMS - Table Topics Playground Five sessions conducted. One TT master + One expert evaluator for each session + 10+ attempted a topic in each session.

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Clubs’ Milestone

Meeting# - 100 Feb -7 Aundh Toastmasters Club,C3

Meeting# - 51 Feb -14 Goregaon speakers community Toastmasters Club, B3

Meeting# - 626 Feb -20 Toastmasters Club of Pune, P1

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Clubs’ Milestone

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Club Anniversaries Years Area 14 13 13 9 7 5 4 3 3 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1

S 02 B 01 P 01 G 02 O 04 M 02 J 01 A 05 G 03 D 05 C 05 N 03 D 01 M 02 C 03 E 03 D 05 N 01 A 03 O 02 H 01 M 01

Club Name Mumbai Bombay Toastmasters Club of Pune Virtusa Hyderabad Toastmasters Club of BMC Software RIL Diamond City TCS Kalpak Toastmasters Club USP Orators BNYMellon - Magarpatta JCB Pune BRIO Expedition Toastmasters Pune Expedition Toastmasters Mumbai Aundh ANURAG E3 Ecolab Loyal Gwalior Toastmasters Club of BMC Software Customer Success TechnipFMC Speakathon Kalwa

Date 20-Feb 1-Feb 15-Feb 29-Feb 21-Feb 4-Feb 24-Feb 15-Feb 18-Feb 28-Feb 1-Feb 2-Feb 2-Feb 4-Feb 10-Feb 20-Feb 1-Feb 4-Feb 18-Feb 24-Feb 25-Feb 26-Feb

HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS

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Meet the Team

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AISHWARYA VIJAY PR MANAGER

PINKY BAHROOS CHIEF NEWSLETTER EDITOR

DESIGNERS

ANUP WAGH

SATHVIK VEMUNURI

ABILASH M G

EDITORS

PRAJWAL CHOUDHARY

JUHI DHRUVA

MUSKAAN ASHER

NAMRATA SHAH

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