Final Ace Toastmasters Club Newsletter - July - December 2023 Edition by Digital Ratz

Newsletter

EDITION JULY - DECEMBER 2023

ACE SPEAKERS TOASTMASTERS CLUB

SPEAK-A-THON A Speakathon is a dynamic and engaging Toastmasters event where club members showcase their communication and leadership skills through a series of captivating speeches.

DEBATE COMPETITION At ACE Toastmasters Club, we haven’t been indifferent to this trend. The idea to organize a debate originated in one of our meetings - but what would be the topic?

GROW WITH TOASTMASTERS Toastmasters is the ultimate catalyst for personal growth. In this dynamic community, participants develop stellar communication and leadership skills. Through engaging meetings and supportive environments, members conquer public speaking fears, enhance their articulation, and cultivate effective leadership abilities.

MESSAGE FROM 2023 PRESIDENT Our meetings have been a hub of inspiration and encouragement, providing a platform for members to refine their communication and leadership skills. Six months of mandate and we have done our first ever Intra club debate contest, first ever In-person club contest, Speakathon with eight beautiful speeches, amazing evening with district officials in Hotel Palm and our end of year party with a completely different concept of bringing fun, bonding, and laughter together at Strike city, Bagatelle. Each of the event has spoken volume about the caliber of each ex-com member in their meticulous planning and time management as well our bonding together.

TM MEDHA GUJADHUR 2023 PRESIDENT

Dear Esteemed Toastmasters and Guests, Happy New Year! As we embark on this promising year filled with opportunities for growth, learning, and camaraderie, I am honored to extend my warmest greetings to each one of you. As we step into a new chapter, it's an exciting time for our Toastmasters Club. Reflecting on the achievements and memories we shared in the past year; I am proud of the dedication and enthusiasm that defines our club. It's the spirit of collaboration, support, and the continuous pursuit of excellence that makes our Toastmasters family truly exceptional.

Medha Gujadhur Club President

In the spirit of our Toastmasters International theme, let's continue to "Grow with Toastmasters." Whether you're a seasoned member or a newcomer, there's always room to develop and refine your abilities. As we look ahead, I am confident that our club will achieve new heights. Let's foster an atmosphere of encouragement, positivity, and mutual respect. Together, we will make 2024 a year filled with personal and collective triumphs. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to all the members of our Toastmasters Club. I am excited to serve as your President and to witness the remarkable journey that lies ahead for each one of us. Here's to a year of growth, empowerment, and countless moments of triumph! Warm regards, Medha Gujadhur Club President

Here's to a year of growth, empowerment, and countless moments of triumph!

Executive club (Ex-com) Members Messages

TO BE HONEST I TOOK THE ROLE OF VPE, WITH NO CLUE WHAT’S WAITING FOR ME.

TM KRISHNA DESAI, VPE In the last year mandate, I was encouraged to take up the role of I was secretary and I learnt quite a lot of things, so I decided to venture little more and took the courage of accepting the role of VPE and the role took me by surprise. Though it’s just halfway through our mandate I can say I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my role. It’s the most challenging role I’ve ever played until now the number of skills I learnt within these 6 months is totally worth the time and effort I’ve put into it. This role is teaching me every day a new skill. My leadership skills, management skills, event management skills and IT skills which I dreaded the most is getting better every day. I feel more confident now. I have understood VPE is one of the most demanding roles in a toastmaster’s club. My gratitude goes to the whole executive team, they have been a great support in all my endeavors. I am extremely happy to be a part of this dynamic team.

When I was asked to be the Vice President Membership (VPM) of Ace Speakers Toastmasters Club, I was reluctant, simply because I am not too fond of phone calls or chat. I have usually been the ‘mean business’ and ‘come to the point’ type of persona. Having to reach out to someone, explaining and asking them to join the club was quite an ordeal.

TM NEENA SEWOO VPM

My initial resistance evaporated when I realized how my role is important to help someone to take the first step towards growth and personal development. As VPM, I am responsible to welcome guests and convert them into members when they are ready.

At the first point of contact with guests, I help them feel welcome and provide them with information they need to join. I am developing interpersonal skills which helps me to interact with a wide array of people hailing from diverse sectors and background. Overall, it has been an enriching journey so far!

Serving as a Vice President Public Relations of ASTC has helped me to grow and develop many skills to cater for the demands of the different projects initiated by the club. This needed commitment, dedication, and hard work. Thanks a ton, to all those who encouraged me to embark on this new adventure and helped me to overcome all the challenges. Communication

within

the

club

and

outside

needs

planning, promoting, and developing strategies for brands have been priorities for me. Regular posts on social media as well as our linked in page for ASTC has increased the awareness about toastmaster’s club amongst people. We are also planning to have our own YouTube channel for ASTC. May the Club, under this Ex-com 2023-2024 led by our dynamic team continue to grow and achieve greater

TM KESHAN BOKHOORY VPPR

success ahead.

TM RASHMI RATHI SECRETARY Being a secretary in a Ace Speakers Toastmasters club comes with its unique set of challenges. I was the SAA in the previous Executive committee of 2023-2024. It has been a learning journey where I have learned to keep up with detailed and accurate minutes of the meetings which were quite fast paced. Being the secretary also requires great time management as you need to send updated minutes of each club meeting and ExCom meeting by the following week. So, one must know how to juggle personal commitments and professional commitments well. As a secretary of the club, you are also responsible for membership records and many important documents of the club. In the beginning, I found it quite challenging. I wouldn’t say I am perfect at it now, but I am slowly getting a hang of it and perform my role with much ease. Thanks to the supporting ex-com team who is there to help me and guide me into this new role of mine.

We are over halfway through our term, and I am honored to be a member of this year's leadership team, led by our energetic and passionate President, TM Medha Gujadhur. As a Treasurer, it is my obligation to guarantee that the club's finances are sound, and our members pay their Toastmaster International and club dues on time. Aside from managing the club's finances, I attempted a new method this year to raise funds for a few club

TM RAJ DOMUN, TREASURER

events through sponsorship and games, to minimize any financial impact on the club and its members. This new formula has shown to be effective thus far; we will continue to perfect it in the latter part of our mandate.

The willingness to learn and adapt got me to join Toastmasters Club to sharpen my skills and be more empowered on my personal and entrepreneurial journey. I have always dreamt of becoming a 'Lisa Nichols' through Storytelling and motivating the masses, a strong reason for joining an international platform for Public Speaking. When I was elected Sergeant -At - Arms, I had no clue of the Role and Responsibilities which I had to perform during meetings and events. I found my role very challenging and required a lot of my leadership skills and patience. I am thankful to all the support given by our EX-COM Team. I am very proud to be a member of ACE Speakers Toastmasters Club and part of a very supportive and enthusiastic EXCOM Team. I wish our ACE Members and EXCOM Team a Happy 2024 and may WE grow to Greater Heights!! 'Learning Never Exhausts the Mind’

Cheers

TM KARUNA PURI SAA

Toastmasters Magic My vision for the club is that Ace becomes the best Toastmasters club in Mauritius and in District 74. We are a united team where the bonding between members is really unique. We are a family, where each member support each other in each other’s Toastmasters journey.

TM SAROJINI NAIDOO IPP 2023 -2024

Six months down the lane, and our club is doing wonders, having achieved 5 DCP points already and counting 8 new members and more joining. As Immediate past President, IPP, I have been there to guide and support the Excom Team and I must admit I am very proud of my team consisting of hard working and dedicated members whose priority is to take our dear club to greater heights!

Thus, Ace offers such a supportive platform where members become more confident, more assertive, and they are able to stand strong before an audience and speak. They become better versions of themselves and they are able to stand up for themselves in their personal and professional life. This is the power of Toastmasters and the power of Ace Speakers Toastmasters Club. I feel so proud to belong to the Ace family and the Toastmasters fraternity. I encourage all to join us and experience the magic.

Awarded by district officials

s! New BegakeinrsnToainstmgast ers club

Chartering of ACE Spe 5/03/2019

eatedly sending Toastmasters international was rep of the out signals of the impending change l program to the traditional toastmaster’s educationa was in a state of new digital version of pathways! I and submit the absolute panic! If I didn’t complete ld have to repeat last criteria for my DTM status, I wou the entire procedure all over again! tus was assured should I charter a club, my DTM sta , becoming a immediately, should I sponsor a club did not have as DTM would take 6 months, which I e! 30thJune 2019 was the cut-off dat

COMFORT ZONE, I PUSHING MYSELF OUT OF MY W? I DIDN’T KNOW! HO WAS DETERMINED TO DO IT! mbers to charter a I needed a minimum of 20 me club!

DTM DHANU RAJWANI

With the help of DTM Neelu we organized a demo toastmasters session in February, 2019. The demo session was a huge success, we had approximately 25 people signing up that day. most of the people paid their membership fees on the same day. Our happiness knew no bounds. DTM Bob Ward, a godsent, was a pillar of strength and support for us. DTM Bob completed all the formalities for us. We were all set! The name of our club was spot on for us.

A ART of C COMMUNICATING E EFFECTIVELY Ace speakers’ toastmasters club (ASTC) was chartered on 5th March 2019. From that day onwards, ASTC has been growing at an exponential pace.

Let’s all Keep growing. Keep glowing!

TM Satish

ACE TOASTMASTERS CLUB

My Name is Satish Kumar having B-tech in Electrical Engineering and Member of Institute of Engineering and Technology, Power Engineers UK, and Project Management Institute US. By Profession I am currently working as Senior Contracts Manager at Mauritius, Seychelles and previously in India with over 20 successful Electrical projects. I have recently joined Ace toastmasters club, key reasons were that I want to improve my communication skills and while in public, meet new people and forge new friendships, make some good memories amongst good company.

At Ace Toastmasters club, my mentor as well as other club members is coaching me to gain knowledge in different contents used in public speaking, problem-solving, group development and management, presentation. I am yet to decide on my pathways but I am sure it is going to be a good learning journey. I sincerely feel that joining a toastmasters club is a great way to improve your personality at the same time learning life skills e.g.:- public speaking and leadership skills while networking with new people from diverse backgrounds.

Tm Srirupa

HAPPINESS

HAPPINESS STARTS WITH YOU

Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions- Dalai Lama Fellow readers altogether we will explore a timeless truth, a profound wisdom that happiness is not something we find externally, but rather, it is a state of being that resides within each of us. It is a concept that has captivated the minds of philosophers, poets, and thinkers for centuries. Today, we embark on a journey to unravel the depths of this understanding and to explore the boundless reservoir of happiness that resides within us all.

Happiness starts with you and ends with you. You don’t have to chase it, or climb a thousand stairs, or to learn the rocket science to experience it. While many people try to look for happiness through their wealth, career, money and success and feel surprised not experience the happiness even when having a penthouse, overlooking the London eye next to houses of Parliament and earning seven figures per annum. It is our inner feelings that create happiness along with how we interpret the events of life.

Tm Christopher

EMPOWER AND ENERGIZE

SALSA OR BACHATA

I like what Tony Robbins does for a living: He helps people become successful and he is paid for it. What better job is there in this world? This is what got me curious about toastmasters: I believe this could be a way to hone my public speaking skills. I am somewhat of a believer in the universe conspiring to show you the right path for you at a certain point in time. Hence, I chose the club which I had been able to ‘visit’, whom the members I had encountered at the very first meeting had left quite an impression on me and were very keen on giving me some guidance and took time to understand where I was coming from

Another activity which has become quite the passion over time is partnered Latin dance – Namely Salsa and bachata. Any form of body movement is a way to reconnect with your body and practice mindfulness, but partnered dance enables you to connect with another human being. For the leader it is the time to assert his direction but also be attentive to how the follower reacts. For the follower it is the time to let go of wanting to control but also get attuned to what the leader is trying to express. This a beautiful way to interact socially as well as express ourselves.

Tm Reena

ACE SPEAKERS TOASTMASTERS CLUB When I first came to Ace Family, I was amazed by the people surrounding me. They all were very kind, polite and close to each other. I saw the speakers walking up to the stage and giving their speech confidently amongst audiences. I met them and instantly decided to join ASTC in June23. ACE SPEAKERS TOASTMASTERS CLUB is an excellent learning platform to providing great support and positive environment. I feel with each role I am choosing in each meeting I am being empowered to develop my elf-confidence and personal growth. My first speech which in toastmaster’s language is an ice breaker speech was “New Year New Stitches”. Raised pulse, trembling hands and rapid breathing were few symptoms which I had when I was giving my speech in front of all those supportive members. After giving my speech, I couldn’t imagine I can do it. My anxiety of public speaking was almost gone and that made me take another role for the next meeting which was to be a “TMOD”- Toastmaster of the day.

1st Role as a Toastmaster of the Day – 05 August 2023. Title: “A Picture Worth a Thousand of words” I challenged myself to my capabilities and felt very delighted after being able to do the role effectively. I learnt how to structure my presentation as per theme of the day and how to be truly engaged with the audience. My second speech was “Just a Matter of Determination “ which I gave on 16 September 2023 with more confidence and better pauses. I am determined to be a better speaker and improve my communication skills amongst my fellow toastmasters with their valuable support and mentoring skills.

Dtm Jeeana

THE ENCOUNTER The speech entitled: “The Encounter” remains till now my favorite 2023 pathways project delivered in Ace Speakers Toastmasters Club. The Speaker relates that during the March 2021 lens period, on a cloudy, drizzling Sunday morning, 3 hours before the official complete lock down was announced, she went on a pilgrimage trip, visiting certain churches, from Bambous to Baie du Cap by bus. She met near the Bambous Church, a refined mid 40- aged lady who was impeccably, pristine simply, dressed in an egg white plain midi organza gown ornamented with dainty lace. She was wearing pure white flip flops and had in her right hand her white mobile. She had a pony tail and a discreet pair of dangling earrings. It is to be noted that on that specific Sunday, the Speaker’s stage was not that elevated. Since the area was completely unknown to the Speaker, this angel, because she behaved like one while guiding gracefully the Speaker through this trip. She hardly spoke to the Speaker. At every stop, she would answer her silent mode mobile, only repeatedly saying : “When I come back, I will inform you.” During this 2 and half-hour journey, she made the Speaker live some incredible, unspeakable, profound moments of Soul to Soul communion where religion, status, appearance and words do not matter. In the churches, one could visibly notice the fervor of faith of the flocking crowd, all religions combined, in front of the golden artistic beauty of the Saint Sacrament.

WHEN THE HEART YEARNS FOR THE MESSENGER, THE MESSENGER COMES The Speaker relived the magnanimous joy and poignant grace during such moments at which every heart beats at the same rhythm while communicating with the One and only Master of our Universe. Till today, what amazes the Speaker, among other things, is that this graceful Lady, stopped the bus driving to Quatre-Bornes, in front of two policemen, next to a Zebra crossing. Was this pristinely dressed Lady real? For the Speaker, yes she was. Messengers come unexpectedly in different forms. This angelic encounter rekindled the Speaker’s inner power of pause, presence, and peace. She brought the silent sunshine in the Speaker’s heart. Till today, whoever, she may be, wherever this Angel may be, whatever this Messenger does, she remains constantly regarded, loved and blessed by the Speaker.

Dtm Jeeana

Why Your Story Matters?

pens when your story The true impact of storytelling hap y. becomes part of someone else’s stor rytelling becomes a From the moment we are born sto ing us learn about a defining aspect of our humanity, help n to stories from family strange new environment as we liste and friends. the experience of others, Through storytelling we hear about wisdom we have gained sharing successes, failures, and the to change someone’s life; and also have the profound ability ir perspectives, and in to expand their horizons or alter the re. doing so, envision a more joyful futu ytellers at a young age, While it is true that we became stor ch describe our capable of having conversations whi and express our thoughts, experiences or explain how we feel points regarding how to few of us have been taught the fine tell impactful stories.

A few tips to improve your storytelling skills: Practice, Learn and Adapt Practice is the key to mastering any skill, and storytelling is no exception. You can practice by telling stories to different audiences, in different settings, and for different purposes. Learn is the process of acquiring new knowledge, skills, and insights that can help you improve your storytelling. You can learn by reading books, articles, and blogs, taking courses, workshops, and webinars, and joining communities such as Toastmasters Clubs. Adapt is the ability to adjust your storytelling to different situations, contexts, and needs. You can adapt by researching your audience, tailoring your message, and choosing your style, tone, and format.

TM Karuna Puri

Toastmaster of the day

ers Club in February Joining the Ace Speakers Toastmast d by people who 2022, I easily found myself surrounde lic Speaking journey. are there to help me grow in my Pub llenged with the role After a couple of months, I was cha which I undertook of Toastmaster of the day (TMOD), with brilliance. ication, and much This role requires commitment, ded me. I have taken this research work according to the the important thing role three times until now. The most to hold, entertain and about being a TMOD is being able ry single word and keep the audience’s attention to eve on my Ace Speakers activity going on. I knew I could rely h running of the Team for the preparation and smoot endous contribution. meeting, and they did bring a trem me was the success A solid and dedicated Team behind of the meeting.

I put into action what I was taught by experienced Toastmasters I put into action what I was taught by experienced Toastmasters in the club and what I have learned being a TMOD is awesome, and the learning process is impressive with you being a showstopper. Next, I was challenged by the Role of VPPR in the Excom 2022-2023. This is my second mandate as VPPR in the Excom 2023-2024. Opportunity to learn new things, COT Trainings, being part of decision making and other Trainings have really helped me to become better in my roles personally as well as on a professional level.

TM Keshan Bokhoory

VANERON GARDEN CENTRE THE END OF THE TUNEL

TM NEENA SEWOO VPM Saturday 02 September 2023, an outdoor Meeting at the Vaneron Garden Centre was organised by the Club and at the heart of the event was a debate competition “Marriage v/s live-in”. Rightly so, this get-together was themed Talk-a-thon, talking and reflecting in the company of fellow toastmasters, friends, food and fun, starting over tea and coffee, gaining momentum during the debate and chewed upon over lunch. With the collaboration of the Executive Committee Members and fellow toastmasters I seized this opportunity to undertake my High-Performance Leadership project from level 5 of the Presentation Mastery pathway. I was the Project Coordinator and the EXCOM Team was designated as the Guidance Committee. As the Vice President Membership of the Club for the 2023-2024 mandate, I posited the concept of this project upon 3 aspects; Well-being of members, which is fundamental for the good performance of any toastmaster’s club. Learning (Debate) combined with fun (teambuilding) is a way to connect members intellectually and emotionally for a lasting fellowship. Retention of existing members and recruitment of new members, requires nurturing. In a nutshell the programme had the following features: 25 members and 10 guests, Debate, Fundraising, Team building, Lunch, Education Talk on Plants, Trekking

Meetings were held at regular intervals for the debate contestants and EXCOM team to discuss procedural and logistical aspect of the event, until the D-Day. The unflinching support of the EXCOM team as guidance committee and the collaboration of fellow toastmasters were commendable. The overall session was filled with excitement from members and guests alike. The debate session unfolded, with careful steps initially and gaining momentum eventually. The anticipation was palpable in the air with many waiting eagerly for the right moment to share their thoughts. The spirit of fraternity could be witnessed through each one chipping in to collaborate, unknowingly, each one led with or without a tittle. The games evoked shared laughter and brought joy to the winners, alas, kidmode was on! Somehow, we lost track of time amidst the fauna and the flora and could neither hold the education talk on plants nor the planned trekking. Members and guests bonded, individually and collectively, as an invisible thread of sheer joy ran throughout the day. The underlying hope was that the synergy be sustained throughout club’s meeting until we meet again, outdoor. As a concluding remark, the objective of this outing was met, by one and all!

The first step…. Toastmasters: Crafting Confident Speakers ed good From the outset, we have all admir them. Being a speakers and wished we were like ple task, but successful public speaker is not a sim rld. One must neither is it something out of this wo d and be acknowledge that practice is require prepared to execute the move. platform that In my opinion, Toastmasters is the aking skills in allows us to develop our public spe r. an enjoyable and structured manne eive feedback It also gives us the opportunity to rec on our speeches.

TM Raj Domun

Becoming an outstanding speaker! It is not simple to accept feedback, especially negative ones, but it is an integral part of the Toastmaste rs learning process and is instrumental in transfor ming us from a good speaker to an outstanding one . The journey to becoming an outstanding spe aker begins with the first step, so let's make the first step to embrace our personal development in public speaking

Tm Nathalie

EMPOWERING TOASTMASTERS JOURNEY I had a rewarding experience since I have joined Ace speakers Toastmasters club and the club is like a family as each member is being taken care of. I have evolved in a supporting environment and feel comfortable in taking any role though I am still on a learning curve. It is also an excellent opportunity for networking and building relationship with people from different backgrounds. As I always say, each meeting within Ace Speakers is a new experience and I appreciate the different themes which bring food for thought. I was particularly marked by the role that I have taken to raise the Toast of the Day on the ‘International Day for Democracy’ and I had to do some research on the subject.

TOASTMASTERS’ CLUB Overall, being part of the Toastmasters’ club provides an invaluable forum to grow on a personal perspective and after each team meeting, there is always a take away message and the one that I will remember for this year is that ‘your danger zone is your comfort zone’ and growth will happen when one steps outside own comfort zone.

Your growth, personal, social or professional

Northern part I was born and brought up in the s in a Hindi of India and pursued my studie y Hindi until I medium school. I could speak onl husband’s got married to Amit. Since my ineering field, profession is in paramedical eng we have had to travel a lot. roved. I am I realized my English needs to be imp but my basic a social butterfly, who loves to talk being able to knowledge of English and not ted me from communicate it to others preven making friends.

I was determined to learn English and as right doors open at the right time I was introduced to Toastmasters. It’s been an amazing learning experience where I am learning how to express myself, how to be a good presenter, how to manage time effectively and how to lead and communicate in personal and professional life. Most importantly, I am also learning how to work in team. I am and will be very grateful to my ASTC family for being so supportive all along. Especially when I decided to join the ExCom team as the SAA of the club. The members were very encouraging, and the role helped me develop my skills as a host. I am now the secretary of the club. 20232024. I do find it challenging sometimes however I have my ACE ex-com team by my side to help me out whenever I am struggling. My whole Toastmasters journey has pushed me forward and given me a confidence boost where I am able to do talk shows on the national radio and have won the best ramp walk and personality in Mrs. India contest.

TM RASHMI RATHI

Passion and Perseverance General As I walk towards that stage as the g, I can feel Evaluator in my Toastmasters meetin these butterflies the butterflies in my stomach but ard and do now give me that boost to move forw better and better. years down the I can still remember that day, four first lane, as I entered that room for my nded as a Toastmasters meeting which I atte t of the guest. I was asked to stand in fron t moment, all audience to introduce myself. At tha er come back! I wanted to do was to flee and nev stmaster. That was the ME before being a Toa

TM SAROJINI NAIDOO

Today, after a 4-year journe y of doing speeches, taking different roles in clu b meetings, being in the Executive Committee for 3 consecutive years, and taking roles at the District level, I must admit I am a more confident person. Th is work, and constant support year, after lots of hard from my club mentors, I am the Division B Internati onal Speech Champion. Indeed, I have come a lon g way from the shy, introvert person to a more confident person with better leadership skills. Th at is ME four years down the lane with Toastmaster s. It changing experience for me has been a lifemet amazing people and . Along the way, I have ea brought a positive change ch one of them has in my life. Toastmasters for me is all about passion and perseverance. Though I have improved a lot as a speaker and as a leader. I believe I still ha ve a long way to go. Learning never stops. We keep learning till our last breath…

The place to be!

e to say something, but How many times do we feel the urg rt types, it is an we simply can’t say it? To the introve eated feelings that arduous task to express the deep-s ny things in life that one engulf their beings. There are so ma often such things are wants to share with others but very human beings is a kept hoarded within. The memory of penings, incidents, treasure trove of innumerable hap very few of them, if not remembrances, and mementos but ressed. none, get their way out and be exp of being judged by Why is it so? There is always a fear we don’t let go of things others or out of sheer shyness, that ers. Fortunately, there is we would otherwise share with oth tform than Toastmasters! There is no better pla sh such fear and/or Toastmasters where one can vanqui shyness. asters Club being my I joined Toastmasters (Aurora Toastm ays and there were 10 first club) before the advent of Pathw ferred the title of speeches to be delivered to be con Competent Communicator (CC).

TM Raj Deonanan

THE ACE FAMILY How I grew up, the family fuss over the choice of my nam e, my childhood days, my unexpressed love and gratitude to my mum and dad who passed away, my flings and flirts that anim ated my life, the family feuds that ruined my home, my struggle abroad for 4 years away from my family and the pack of lies told behind my back prior to getting married plus many othe rs, all found their way into my speeches that I had eagerly delivered in various Toastmasters meetings. The ACE Toastmasters club is more intimately called the ACE family and I am so happy to be part of it; besides grooming one’s public speaking and leadership skills, ACE is a platf orm where we can express our deep-seated feelings triggered by countless events throughout the different stages in our lives . Don’t be scared, don’t be shy….ACE is a welcoming plac e to be.

ANNUAL SPEECH CONTEST 2023

I started my toastmasters journey around 8 years back and have since witnessed many contests. Contests are held annually starting from the Club level, going through Area, Division, District and ultimately at International level. A toastmaster has an opportunity to become World Public Champion! The growth going through contests is exponential for any toastmaster.

Ace Speakers Toastmasters Club held its first ever onsite contest on 12 November 2023. The leaders of the Club had ensured that all members were well trained for the Club Contest. There were multiple training sessions held to enable contestants to sharpen their skills in the International Speech Contest. Table Topic and Evaluation Speech Contest. We witnessed majority members of the Club participating in the aforementioned categories along with the Humorous Speech Contest.

I had the privilege of being the Master of Ceremonies for the Club Contest. The contest was like Clash of the Titans. The main heroes of any contest are the contestants however the contest itself cannot take place if there is no dedicated organising team behind it. Holding an onsite contest in itself was a big challenge. For the Past 3 years we have been used to online contests. As it is said, Challenges are what makes life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful, I think the organising committee totally believed in this quote. The contest ran smoothly under the able guidance of DTM Bob Ward. During any big project, things can go wrong if small things are not taken care of. The most noticeable aspects were the careful consideration of the smallest details. Kudos to Ace Speakers Toastmasters Club which leads with passion and combines learning with fun.

AMITA DAHOO

PAST PRESIDENT OF ASTC (2021-22) PAST AREA DIRECTOR B2 (2022-23)

SPEECHANNUAL CONTE ST 2023

SPEAK -A -THON

A Speakathon is a dynamic and engaging Toastmasters event where club members showcase their communication and leadership skills through a series of captivating speeches. The event offers a platform for speakers to push their boundaries, experiment with different speech styles, and receive constructive feedback.

There were 7 speeches attempted and each of them promised to be an exhilarating experience filled with laughter, learning, and the magic of eloquent expression. Best Speaker award was given to TM Raj Domun and Best evaluator award was given to TM Neena Seewoo. It was a full house event where we had around 32 people present including members and guests hence providing an opportunity for networking, allowing attendees to connect with fellow Toastmasters and guests in a supportive and friendly environment.

TM Raj Domun

Speakathon for ASTC was decided to be held on 14/10 /23. Theme chosen by our smart and dynamic toastmaster of the day TM Rajvansh Domur was “4 Agreements of life”. Speakathon was held at “Domaine des Aubineaux “amongst beautiful nature and serene setting.

TM Neena Seewoo

~ TM MEDHA

SPEAK -A -TH ON

DEBATE COMPETITION AT ACE TOASTMASTERS CLUB Debating has always been a cornerstone at Toastmasters International for developing the public speaking skills of its members. The interests in debates among Toastmasters Club across the world has been so profound since the pandemic that TMI published a full-fledge Debate Handbook to provide better guidance and set the judging criteria for debate competitions.

At ACE Toastmasters Club, we haven’t been indifferent to this trend. The idea to organize a debate originated in one of our meetings - but what would be the topic? “Marriage Versus Live-In Relationships” – the topic was fiery enough to get all the club members energized and excited and it didn’t take much time for the Proposing and Opposing Teams to shape up. TM Meenakshi, being an ardent defendant of Marriage took the bold decision to lead the Proposing Team. She was joined by TM Nazeemah and TM Jalil. TM Raj Domun took up the challenge to be the Captain of the Opposing Team. He was supported by TM Karuna and TM Kris. Lots of energy was in the air – WhatsApp calls, online searches, notes taking, meetings – each Team preparing to prove their points.

On the day of the competition, the atmosphere was electric – members from other Toastmasters Clubs, University students and many members from the public had turned up. Excellent arguments were put forward by both Teams, but the support for Live-In Relationship was overwhelming for the judges to decide otherwise. The Opposing Team was declared the Winner with TM Karuna bagging the Title for Best Speaker. Whilst Marriage remains a sacrosanct pillar for the continued existence of our society, it is high time that we review the relationship between man and woman as we evolve towards modernity. Moving forward, ACE Toastmasters Club shall organize more debate competitions to keep the energy level and the synergy among its members.

~ TM KRIS

END OF YEAR PARTY and A real A Rocking evening with toastmasters moment of togetherness.” of belonging, I was so happy to see a great sense mbers along Unity and Enthusiasm amongst me s. with family and friends as our guest part attached There were so many games and fun we chose our to the party like , Santa game where ing them a friend for the night through chits giv p Karaoke part small token of friendship , non- sto our where the hidden singing talents of ut any toastmasters were displayed witho inhibition. unt of our age. For that very night we all lost the co r....We were The best part was bowling on the floo parlor!!! really crazy like kids in an ice cream