28th session

The 28th session was held with usual enthusiasm. Area Director Kumar could be present this time, and our Club President was also back from his travels and took over his duties with aplomb. 

In his opening speech, President Aji exhorted us to follow the habits of "Be Proactive", "Keep the End in Mind" and "Do first things First". These gems from Steven Covey, if followed diligently, form the basis of clear goal-setting and smooth implementation of not only work-related projects, but life itself.

TMOD Panna ran a theme of "Fear" throughout her introductions, with specific references to the role players. That personal touch made her comments indeed interesting. Among fears talked about, perhaps Nomophobia, or fear of lack of mobile network, was the most interesting and most identified with.

Jokemaster Nagesh, though not well, managed to avoid sick jokes. In fact, so mathematical were his puzzles that most of us were tangled in tangents and chords. But a good session, nonetheless.

There were two P2 speeches - "Beyond Belgium" by TM Rajat and "If that success had not happened" by TM Karthik. They did fair justice to the speeches, though TM Karthik wishes to repeat the speech for his own satisfaction.

Table Topics were conducted by TM Raghu, and the topics were indeed interesting. Even seasoned TMs like Kumar and Aji had to think a bit to garner coherent speeches on the subjects. But all did justice to the lucky dips. Good job, Raghu.

Evaluators for P2 speeches were TM Ramalingam and TM Venkatesh respectively, and they carried out their tasks with honesty and precision. Both the P2 speakers could immediately catch on to what they were highlighting.

TM John ran a thorough General Evaluation, right from the time-keeper to the TMOD's roles. Good job there.

The day's awards were as follows:

• Best Table Topic:  TM Nagesh
• Best Evaluation:    TM Venkat
• Best Speaker:         TM Rajat

TM Raghu, as part of general business discussions, expressed his frustration that the role plays were getting fixed extremely late, if at all. The next session was scheduled on 30.4.16 (since the Division contest is there on 23.4.16) and the following roles were fixed in the blink of an eye:

• P3 speech - TM Gagan (evaluator TM Raghu)
• P4 speech - TM Ramalingam (evaluator TM Aji)
• Table topics - TM Karthik
• Jokemaster - TM Venkat
• Grammarian and Wordmaster - TM Rajat
• General evaluation - MTM Panna
• TMOD - TM Kamil

There were a few important points made during our informal chat session over tea:

1. Attendance is poor. We should take responsibility for one or two members not attending and convince them to come. We should also gun for new members.
2. The protocol for stage handover is slightly weak. Especially when the speaker is finishing his speech, he is not handing back to the TMOD.
3. Applause needs to be more co-ordinated. These are minor discipline issues, but if followed, lend some neatness and honour to the proceedings.

ALL THE BEST FOR THE DIVISION CONTEST ON 23rd.