31st session

For the 31st session, we were back at our familiar hunting ground at the basement of Zubair building. Long missing TM Mathen, VP-membership, was back, and very fortuitously, two new members, Swati and Pramod joined our club today. A very big welcome to them.

TM Karthik as acting SAA kicked off the meeting forthwith. 

Our President Aji Bhaskar, through a nice parable about cocoons cut open before time not producing healthy butterflies, drove home the point that self-effort takes its own time to bear fruit and persevering through the process will only produce a beautiful result like a butterfly. Thanks TM Aji, for that beautiful message.

TMOD Raghuram had picked up the theme EFFORT IS THE BEST INDICATOR OF INTEREST. He introduced every speaker and role player with his best effort and worst effort. This gave us an insight into what every person considers important in his life, what he celebrates if there is success and what he regrets if he fails. A great theme TM Raghu, and you carried out your role with calmness, finesse and humour. An excellent effort.

Time keeper TM Nagesh explained the timing rules. He also enlightened us on the difference between interest and commitment. Whereas interest is indulged in at one's convenience, commitment is upheld even in adverse circumstances. Thanks TM Nagesh for that nugget.

Wordmaster TM Mathen introduced the word FORTHWITH. A round-robin was held and this effectively drove the meaning of the word into everyone's' minds. (I hope he notices I have used the word in the beginning of this blog post !)

Jokemaster TM Venkat was a roaring success as usual. He relates jokes with elan and a great air of enjoyment, so that the audience cannot but smile.

MTM Rita Khimji gave her maiden P1 speech LIFE IS A LEARNING CURVE. She displayed poise, was absolutely free of stage-fright and maintained a smile throughout. We got to know her better, which was the goal of the speech. A good ice-breaker TM Rita.

TM Ramalingam gave his P4 speech, INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE. He related his travel experiences in the Uttaranchal. The sceneries as well as the dangers on road gave him enough material to unleash descriptive words and figures of speech. A great subject. TM Ramalingam, and a good speech.

MTM Panna evaluated MTM Rita, with her usual efficiency. Both her evaluation-criteria-speech and the evaluation-speech were very "soothing" as remarked by the General Evaluator, which is all the more important when being done for a P1 speaker.

TM Kumar evaluated TM Ramalingam. He lauded the subject and the descriptions but felt that they could have gone one notch higher in dramatic appeal, given the scope of the subject chosen by the speaker.

Table topic master TM Rajat, came up with a variation, offering speakers a choice between Black topics (typical theme-based) and Red topics (story-based where the given sentence is the story-ending). Speakers, although stumped at times, seemed to prefer the story-ending type topics and TM Raghu and TM Kumar especially had a field day.

Harkmaster TM Kamil diligently quizzed everybody but in a couple of instances the audience had to help him correct the questions. So it was a more lively session than usual. Thank you TM Kamil for that twist!

TM Chaitanya, a relatively new member, did a fantastic job as General Evaluator. His comments were comprehensive and to the point and he recommended where improvement was required. Great going TM Chaitanya.

Business session by MTM Panna was, as expected, an energetic affair. With a change of strategy from asking for volunteers for roles, the focus was now on assigning roles forthwith (second time in this blog) and members were told in no uncertain terms what roles they were going to play in the coming two sessions. Being a teacher helps, and for once, the role-rosters were full well before time. Great job MTM Panna.

President Aji, in his concluding remarks reiterated two points:

1. Members should applaud role players and speakers more vigorously, right till they reach the stage. After all, the club is an encouraging instrument.
2. The protocol of addressing the group and of handing-over-taking-over on stage should also be more formal. This is a requirement of Toastmaster events.

The day's awards were as follows:

     Best Evaluator:          MTM Panna

     Best Table speaker:   TM Kumar

     Best Speaker:             MTM Rita

TM Ramalingam agreed to occupy the vacant position of Sergeant-at-Arms. Welcome to the Committee.

The meeting adjourned in a great mood.

See you all again on 21.5.16.