Ruwi Toastmasters Club: 72nd session

The contest fever had not died down yet and the spirits were still high at having won 7 out of 12 trophies in the Area 60 contest.

SAA TM Ramalingam flagged off the session at 3.17 pm sharp.

Acting President Panna congratulated all on the good performance of the club at the Area level. She then went on to relate the story of Japanese fishermen, who , when challenged with their fish rotting on the long journey back, tried in succession keeping the dead fish in on-board iceboxes and keeping the live fish in on-board tanks. The fish started reaching port fresh and lively only when some sharks were also kept in the tanks to provide a challenging atmosphere. Therefore TMs, please enter contests (the tanks) and grow livelier through facing sharks (top contestants). We will, we will.

TMOD Saleem had set PERSONALITY as his theme. He had been pursuing all the role-players for the last few days to participate in a personality test. Only in the session, when he started changing their seating positions, we came to understand his hidden agenda, which was to reveal to us our true nature, our animal identities, our personality traits. We quickly learnt that we were either Panthers, or Peacocks, or Dolphins or Owls, knowledge that made us wiser but more thoughtful. We had had no idea that we were so dominant, or such exhibitionists, or so gregarious or such perfectionists.

The timekeeper TM Viswa (panther) introduced the rules efficiently.

Wordmaster TM Kaviya (peacock/dolphin) had introduced the word PURPOSEFUL (not to be confused with purposely). TM Kaviya had initiated the daily word of the day, which was much appreciated and the group was committed to continuing the same.

Jokemaster TM Chaitanys (peacock) reeled on a series of rib-tickling one-liners.

There was a P-4 project speech scheduled today and the criteria were explained by evaluator TM Rajat (owl).

P-4 speech was delivered by TM Rita, titled "Second Skin", that talked about the joys of motherhood. A very heartwarming theme and TM Rita dealt with it in a most poetic way, showing us How to say it.

Table topics were conducted by TM Ramalingam, on the theme of personality, and all speakers spoke confidently on the same.

Evaluation of P-4 speech was carried out by TM Rajat, who appreciated the speaker's language while requesting a strengthening of the speech through a more meaningful conclusion.

TM Shobha (dolphin) played the role of Grammarian, diligently pointing out points of improvement, though not at personal levels.

TM Vaishali (panther/peacock) played the role of Harkmaster and questioned us all on every front. Luckily, we had an answer for every problem.

The General Evaluator was TM Swati (dolphin), in a maiden role, and she gave an insightful feedback. Among notable suggestions were (a) not to leave the stage empty, (b) to keep the body-mike switched off when attaching or detaching. We shall keep them in mind, GE.

TM Panna distributed the awards and declared the session closed.