Doha Toastmasters - Newsletter sep oct 2015

5 Oct 2015

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ELOQUENCE is a newsletter published

by Doha Toastmasters Club, Holiday Villa, Doha, Qatar.

This newsletter is published for the internal circulation among the members of Doha Toastmasters Club and to promote the ideas and goals of Toastmasters International.

Publisher or Editor does not take the responsibility for the authenticity/opinion of the articles / authors, published. Toastmasters International and its logos are trade marks.

Publisher

TM YOOSAF VANNARATH

Editor

TM Sandeep Kinge

Editor Support

TM Satish Rao Tonse

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Doha Toastmasters Club Meeting Venue: Bldg. No. 5, Holiday Villa Hotel , Doha.

Meeting Days: First & Third Saturdays of every month

Meeting Time: 7.00 PM - 9.30 PM Email: dohatoastmastersclub@gmail.com Website: www.dohatoastmasters.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ dohatoastmasters/

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Excom 2015 - 16

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The Editor’s Note

6

President Speaks

7

Area 28 Director’s Message

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VP Education’s Message

9

Welcome New Members

10

Achievements

11 - 14

DCP Status

15

Past Presidents

16

Involve & Inspire

17

A Mouse Story

18

Family Values

19 - 21

Special Achievement - TM Tonse Satish

22

Poem - Distinguished Toastmaster

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COT 2015

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Doha & Dakes Toastmasters Joint Meeting

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Doha & Doha Advanced Toastmasters Meeting

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Gavels Installation

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DTM Installation

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TM Yoosaf Vannarath President

TM Rangamani Ravi VP—Membership

TM Rashid Ahmed Secretary

TM Abdul Nassar P TM Sandeep Kinge VP—Public Relation VP—Education

TM Kamarudeen N K Treasurer

TM Subair Pandavath Imm. Past President

TM Raed A Abdeltwwab TM Vekateshwaran K Sgt. At Arms Sgt. At Arms

Excom 2015-16

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Editor’s Desk Dear Members, Few years ago, while I was climbing the career ladder, I realized that I should have some more skills apart from my qualifications and experience. I started learning many skills however I could not figure out how to acquire Public speaking and leadership skills. I was working as design engineer so I never got opportunities for public speaking and leadership skills.

I also had a zeal to help poor and needy communities with my engineering skills. I had formed a Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Mumbai chapter (a non profit organization). We started executing projects in tribal villages and schools around Mumbai. While executing these projects, I had to interact with the children as well as various communities from tribal villages. While talking to the communities, I used to feel very nervous although I used to talk in my mother tongue.

One of my junior colleague suggested me to try Toastmasters Club and since then I’m with Toastmasters fraternity. First three speeches were very difficult for me to prepare and deliver however after that I started enjoying Toastmastering. With the help of mentors and fellow members, I could achieve CC, CL and ALB in one year and qualified for the Triple crown award. After two years with Toastmasters, I really feel the difference at social gathering as well as at the work place.

I felt toastmasters does not only help us in improving our public speaking but also developing our personality by improving our thoughts. Each and every role with Toastmasters is so well designed that we learn many things and all of these skills are transferable to our personal as well as career life.

So, I would urge all the members to come forward and take up all the roles defined by Toastmasters organized program you like or not; I’m sure you would learn a lot. All the best!

Regards, TM Sandeep Kinge, CC, ALB

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President’s Message Those newspaper reports still stays green in my mind. Yes the formation of first Toastmasters club in Qatar and the subsequent news about their achievements and meetings. Even though I had a very strong desire and thirst to improve my communication skills, still I did not dare to get into it. All I could do was, watch them from a distance and never tried to plunge into this organization until 2011 when one of our senior members inspired me to attend and experience one such meeting. Since then, I didn’t look back .Now I am leading the pioneer Toastmasters club of Qatar with the help and support of each every member of my club. The experience, which I gained after joining the toastmasters, is something which I can’t describe in words. The guidance, support and cooperation received from fellow toastmasters in improving my communication and leadership skills are beyond imagination. I believe it is the responsibility of each of us to encourage the other people to join this voluntary organization and get benefitted. At the same time we have to guide the newly joined members to grow and hone their communication skills.

Last year Doha club sponsored three new clubs in Qatar along with bringing many accolades to the club such as Best Club of Div E, Perfect 10 DCP, Best news letter, Best TM of the year, Servant Leader of the year, star mentor award etc. All this was possible with the continuous support and active participation of all the members in the regular activities of the club. As one of the strong club in Area 28, we could contribute much in getting Area 28 as the best Area in the D20 under the leadership of our member, Area Governor TM Anil Nair. I should also highlight the contribution of our senior members who monitor each and every activity of the club and guide us persistently wherever necessary.

Eloquence, which is published every quarter helps us to get an insight about Toastmasters and takes us through the journey of toastmasters’ achievements and all the events conducted in Doha Toastmasters Club. Newsletter also helps new members to get accustomed to the dealings of the club. It is a platform where you can sharpen the art of writing and showcase your creativity. Requesting everyone to contribute and be a part of this newsletter. I am sure you will enjoy reading this month’s issue.

Wishing you all a successful learning experience ahead.

TM Yoosaf Vannarath, CC, ALB President

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Area—28 Director’s Message My sincere thanks to all members of Doha Toastmasters, especially the Team of leaders of Doha Toastmasters with whom I worked since several years.

It is a great honor for me, and this position is also special to me as I am one of the few Toastmasters from Doha Toastmasters to be selected as Area Director. So, I am proud of being a member of Doha Toastmasters.

I should admit, when I was requested for my nomination as Area Director, I was overwhelmed. I felt that there were many other Toastmasters in Doha Toastmasters Club who are worthy for this position. In all humbleness I have accepted the responsibility and I want to express my gratitude to Doha Toastmasters for nominating me.

I am very pleased and proud because it was one of my dreams to stand in front of Fellow Toastmasters who have recognized my qualities in Leadership and Communication. With all your support, I have fulfilled one of my dreams.

Words are not enough to express my excitement and inspiration. I am sure, I will face challenges and hurdles, but I will overcome them and gain outstanding experience in Communication and leadership, with a great team which comprise all of you.

Before entering into Toastmasters, I had served in several cultural organizations back home in India.

Also, I got several opportunities to excel in those organizations. However the kind of experience I have received from Toastmasters is outstanding. My focus was always on the teamwork. I taught others to be selfless in achieving goals that will benefit the whole organization, without waiting for reward. I always tried to create the climate in which people are motivated to excel, so that they were engaged in excellent work and contribute their best.

I have been an keen learner, concentrated on self-improvement and encouraged it in others. I taught my employees to be courageous in taking well-reasoned risks and embracing productive conflict, showing good judgment in gathering input and furthering the company's strategic goals.

I am open to new initiatives, new people, and new cooperation. I always imbibe the best qualities seen in my employees, friends and family, and apply them to my professional life.

Of course, it is said that one should learn from environment without any shame. People around are far cleverer than some might think. You only have to listen and watch attentively.

Thanks for your choice and trust in me. I will do my best to justify the trust and contribute to Toastmasters.

Thank you!

TM Dinesh Kumar A K, ACB, ALB Area 28 Director 5 Oct 2015

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Dear Fellow Club Members, Yes, you joined the club with a purpose, with a goal, and with an objective. Hopefully, it is not to escape from your ever demanding spouse…but to develop public speaking skills! Its to develop Public Speaking Skills ( along with Leadership Training) and this is the number one fear factor and at the same time, the skill most needed by you to climb steps in different walks of life, whether it is at work , community, or even at a gathering of family or friends.

Yes, 3 years ago, I too joined Toastmasters club like you to improve my Public Speaking skills. But what is next? How to achieve, to develop, to master that skill of public speaking? When I attended the annual international convention of Toastmasters, at Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, in 2014, I got the answer when I heard the World Champion of Public Speaking of that year, TM Dhananjaya saying (after winning the trophy)”… the secret to become the World Champion of Public Speaking is very simple… It is how many hours you were on stage!” I completely agree, there is no short cut!

There are many public speaking skills. Some of them are basics and some are advanced….each time you observe a speech or listen to an evaluation, or you finish your own speech, you feel like, next time when I will be on stage, I will do like this, like that.

But the fact is, it is hard to remember all of these points when you are called upon on stage! But if you come on stage regularly and practice all those skills one after another, meeting after meeting, one day all those skills will become part of you even without you realizing it.

The point what I am trying to make here is, in each Toastmasters meeting if you try to take up roles, one or other, whether it is a meeting role, project speaker role or even as table topic speaker, and use each opportunity to come on stage, trust me, you are going to improve your public speaking skills day after day, meeting after meeting.

Wishing you all the best, TM Abdul Nassar P. ACB, ALB.

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Toastmaster Bequest Receptors Manjunath Faisal Othayi Divya Sree Krishnan Sandhya Premchand Omar Waseem Haqqi

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Toastmasters Annual Conference, Qatar (TAC-Q 2015) Winners from Doha Club Table Topics Contest

1st Place: TM Singa Raju 2nd Place: TM Deepak Shivankar (represented Doha Advanced Club)

(TM Singa Raju represented Division E in Table Topics Contest @ DTAC, Dubai)

Evaluation Contest

Third Place: TM Singa Raju

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THE BEST CLUB IN DIVISION-E : DOHA TOASTMASTERS CLUB (for being 10/10 DCP, sponsoring 3 new clubs-not an easy task as we have to attend their meetings and grew them till they are self efficient, many new members, educational modules, and quality of meetings) Best Newsletter

: "Eloquence"

Best Servant Leader

: DTM Rajeswar Sundaresan

Toastmaster of the Year

: TM Yoosaf Vannarath

Star Mentor Award

: TM Yoosaf Vannarath

Golden sponsor & Golden mentor award for sponsoring and mentoring two clubs

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: Yoosaf Vannarath

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Triple Crown

: TM Yoosaf Vannarath

(CL, ALB & LDREXC ) Triple Crown

: TM Sandeep Kinge

(CL, CC & ALB) ACB Achiever

: TM Abdul Nassar

CL Achiever

: TM Rangamani Ravi

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INVOLVE & INSPIRE I cherish the day when I set foot in the Topaz Hall, Holiday Villa three years back. I was overawed by the proceedings of the meeting. What amazed me was the well crafted speeches, precise evaluation and creative table topics. In fact each and every segment of the meeting was well coordinated. I owe to my friend Sudha Rajeswar for introducing Doha Toastmasters Club to me.

Now, I am a three year old member of this club. During these years, I’ve been shaped and sizzled to become a good communicator and a leader.

Doha Toastmasters Club is a ‘Dream team’ where I could grow leaps and bounds. Every role I played in added a great value to my growth. I must thank all the senior and veteran toastmasters for enabling me to realize my potential. I got involved and inspired in every club activity which gave me an opportunity to emulate others.

Today, I am privileged to be a VPM for this vibrant and growing club. I would say that the toastmasters Club is a mini lab in which one gets an opportunity to experiment and hone one’s skills as a leader and a communicator. It is a place to be in when you want to shape your life. So that you get a platform to re-jig your skills.

A ship is safe in harbor but that’s not a ship is for. With our involvement and commitment, we can go beyond our horizon to involve and inspire others to achieve their true potential and to realize their dreams too in the journey of toastmasters. It goes without saying that it will be a rewarding experience and the pleasure will be ours.

TM Rangamani Ravi, CC, CL

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Mouse Story A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.

What food might this contain? 'the mouse wondered - - - he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap. Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning : There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!'

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, 'Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it.'

The mouse turned to the Goat and told him, 'There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!' The Goat sympathized, but said, 'I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers.

'The mouse turned to the Camel and said, There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!‘ The cow said, 'Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose. 'So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house --like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.

The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife.

The farmer rushed her to the hospital, and she returned home with a fever. Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farm yard for the soup's main ingredient. But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the Goat.

The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the Camel slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them. The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness. So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember ---- when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.

We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.

REMEMBER. . . . . EACH OF US IS A VITALTHREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON'S TAPESTRY, OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON. TM Rashid Ahmed, CC 5 Oct 2015

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Family Values Family Values is a phrase which we come across pretty often. This is such a phrase about which most of us feel that we have a good idea of its meaning but not really sure as to what it really means (and perhaps a bit confused as to what precisely these values are!) This looks crazy but is very much a reality. It is also true that this phrase may mean different things to different people. My idea of family values may not be the same as what you understand by family values. But it is highly possible that there will be some common elements in what I understand as family values and what you mean by family values!

Why family values are important? In my view, having strong and well defined family values lays the foundation for a strong, and well knit family. Strong and consistent family values are important in building trust and confidence in each family member. Family values caters to one of the most important emotional needs i.e., need to belong. When practiced, this sense of belonging provides a caring place to fall back when life doesn’t go according to plan.

Before we go further in this discussion of family values, it is important to understand what we mean by ‘family’. In earlier times, it was very easy to define ‘family’ as a group of people who lived under one roof! Now joint families are an endangered species. Even nuclear families no longer live under a single roof! A Family can therefore be said to be a group of people who are mostly first degree relatives and share a bonding. Well I hope this definition is sufficiently wide and vague and can suit wide variety of people.

With this introduction, it is now time to share with you my idea of family values. In my view, family values are a set of virtues which are commonly known as values, morals and ethics. Incidentally, values, morals and ethics are inextricably tied together. Values are guiding principles which are regarded as desirable. Morals are the intrinsic beliefs developed from value systems telling us how we ‘should’ behave in any given situation. It is all about doing the right thing even when no one is watching! Ethics, on the other hand, are how actually we behave in the face of difficult situations that test our moral fibre.

There are many highly desirable virtues which can find place in the set of virtues which constitutes one’s family values. I am listing below seven essential components of family values:

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1. Fostering a sense of belonging It is important that each member of the family feel that they are loved, that they belong and that they matter. While creating a strong family unit is great, each person should be allowed the space and freedom to explore the activities they think they may enjoy. People are more courageous and more willing to take chances if they know they have a safe place to come back to when things don’t quite go as per plan. Coming together for special occasions (such as weddings, ceremonies after death etc.), coming together on holidays and just spending time together as a family is what helps build that sense of belonging. are worthy of such a confession. If you get angry when someone tells what has happened, he will tend to hide the things from you next time – simply to avoid the disrespect.

2. Honesty This is the foundation of any lasting relationships (i.e., such as motherdaughter, husband-wife, sister-brother etc.). Without honesty, a deeper connection will not form and certainly won’t last. Encourage honesty by practicing understanding and particularly remember to respect when someone tells you of their wrong doings. They are telling you because they feel that you are worthy of such a confession. If you get angry when someone tells what has happened, he will tend to hide the things from you next time – simply to avoid the disrespect.

3. Responsibility.

We’d all like to be considered responsible people. Some of us are and some of us are decidedly less so. Responsibility is something that we learn. As a child you may have been shown how to put your toys away after playing, how to tidy your room etc. This sense of responsibility extends well into adulthood.

An adult who has an intrinsic sense of responsibility doesn’t require a lot of prodding to show up to work on time, return phone calls or meet deadlines.

Setting out individual responsibilities for family members works to install this quality in everyone.

4. Flexibility I’m all for order, schedules and structure in my family to help maintain some level of sanity. But too much structure and the unwillingness to give a little can result in a lot of unhappiness and resentment. The more flexibility you have in decision making, the happier your family will be for it. Imagine one member of the family always thinking they are right and enforcing their way of doing things. This certainly wouldn’t lead to much happiness within the family unit.

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5. Communication.

Communication is as much an art as it is a science. Failure to communicate leads to unhappiness and misunderstandings. Small issues grow into larger ones and when they eventually boil to the surface, it’s unlikely they will be resolved calmly. Communication is lot more than simply speaking your mind. In addition to spoken words, communication also extends to tone, volume, expression, eye contact, body language and effective listening.

6. Respect.

This is a bit more difficult to define. In a family, respecting each other is to take feelings, thoughts, needs, and preferences in to account when making decisions. It also means acknowledging and valuing everyone’s thoughts, feelings and contributions to the family as a whole. Respect is indeed earned and there is a very fine line between it and fear. The only way to earn and keep someone’s respect is to first show them respect yourself. Respect as an important family value will extend out of the home and into school, work or other social settings.

7. Traditions.

I think traditions makes a family unique! Traditions draw people together and create a sense of belonging for everyone. Traditions don’t need to be expensive, elaborate or a lot of work. It can be something as simple as a Saturday morning chatting (even over internet, if family is scattered) or an annual get-together. If you don’t currently have traditions in your family, create them! This might be the reason for some families to start a tradition of meeting for a day or two at a specified place at least once a year.

Remember, these are the family values which I think are important. In addition to these, for a meaningful life and also for a successful one, a person needs to have values, which I call as personal or individual virtues. Important personal virtues are integrity, commitment, compassion, modesty and courage.

Let me conclude this not so interesting (in fact a pretty boring!) write-up with a quote, source of which is unknown: ”A Meaningful Life is not being rich, being popular, being highly educated or being perfect. It is about being real, being humble, being strong and being able to share ourselves and touch the lives of others. It is only then that we could have a full, happy and contented life” TM Satish Rao Tonse, CC, CL

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TM Tonse Satish Rao was awarded Gold Medal for securing the highest marks among the candidates who appeared for Post Graduate Diploma in International Business Operations by Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi in their 28th Convocation held on 8th August 2015. He is of the view that there is a need to pursue Continuing Education to keep abreast of latest developments to continue to be valuable to our organization or business

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A Distinguished Toastmaster

Teetering & tottering, stumbling and stammering I walked in to the room shivering and quivering Blue, black and shades of grey Men in suits awaiting their prey They checked the time & banged a hammer, They clapped, they spoke, they laughed aloud Sitting on the chair, I looked around Amused were I or astound Grammar they checked, Umms they counted Time they measured, questions they asked Did I hear my name called out?

Was it an earthquake or a black out?

My legs refused to move My lips denied to groove Aah‌the chilly air around Made me sweat a pound Looking at the lights I wondered Red is my favourite color I whispered The time stood still and I went mute All I wished was to scoot 2 minutes passed and I sighed Ran to my chair and slid inside Ohh the table topics The brute, the devil, the pain The scary monster Never can I face you again

Slowly & steadily I Joined the gang I gathered the will And started with a bang I broke the ice and spoke my heart I opened with power and ended in style I moved my body I changed my voice My hands went up and down My eyes rolled around like a clown Words I played with Props I juggled with I researched, I pursued I inspired.

Rollercoaster ride that was One time a speaker, next time a leader One time an evaluator, next time mere spectator I led, I followed I presided, I governed Like a turtle I crawled One step at a time And I conquered the fear I surpassed the pain I enthralled them‌.the men in suits Blue, black and shades of grey I bow my head and thank a ton At last , They made me a toastmaster..

That too a Distinguished one!!

DTM Manzoor Moideen 5 Oct 2015

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Doha & Doha Advanced Toastmasters Joint Meeting

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Doha and Doha Advanced Toastmasters

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New Excom with Region 11 Advisor DTM Vicky Ferror and Div.Q Director DTM Raghavan

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MISSION OF THE CLUB The mission of the DOHA Toastmasters Club is to provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater selfconfidence and personal growth .

A TOASTMASTER’S PROMISE To attend club meetings regularly To prepare all of my speeches and leadership projects to the best of my ability, basing them on projects in the Competent Communication and Leadership Program manuals, Advance Communication manuals or competent leadership manual To provide fellow members with helpful and constructive evaluations To prepare for and fulfill meeting assignments To help the club maintain the positive, friendly environment necessary for all to learn and grow To serve my club as an officer when called on 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 educational and recognition programs To maintain honest and highly ethical standards during the conduct of all Toastmasters activities.

Please contribute articles & send your feed back to: dohatoastmastersclub@gmail.com 5 Oct 2015

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