Ruwi Toastmasters Club: 87th session

It is August and the summer heat is relentless in Muscat. In Siberia, animals hibernate in winter. In Muscat, Toastmasters hibernate in summer. The school holidays are over, all are back in town, yet the attendance is slow to pick up. Come on TMs, wake up and turn up the heat in the hall as well!

SAA TM Raja started off the session 2 minutes late, a fact that was glossed over by GE in his comments since we were all waiting for him!

President MTM Panna opened the session with a story from her teaching life, where she described how a small boy in her nursery could not stand loud human voices. Apparently he was not used to it since with both parents working, he was left alone more with TV and tablets. A sad state of affairs for a child, if not for us as well, as MTM Panna said, since we also do not make deliberate efforts to stay away from electronic media.

TMOD Ramalingam had chosen as his theme "Rhetorical devices". We did not know what we were letting ourselves in for, because what is usually taught in a full semester in a MA English was packaged by TM Ram into his TMOD session. A stupendous effort by him and very educative for us. We have asked him for the hard copy of his presentation.

Timekeeper MTM Vaishali explained the timing criteria very efficiently.

Wordmaster TM Mathen had chosen as word of the day AMELIORATE. This was a tongue-twister and the round robin session was like a man throwing darts in a bar after four stiff pegs - some hits, some misses.

Jokemaster TM Venkat belted out a few funny ones. The best thing about TM Venkat is that he always laughs when relating his jokes. But the GE said that this spoils the punch, so TM Venkat has to now practice delivery with a straight face.

There was a P-5 speech scheduled today where the speaker's body also speaks. The criteria were very well explained by TM Chaitanya, the evaluator.

The P-5 speech was delivered by MTM Kaviya titled "Once upon a time". It was a heart-warming theme that talked about the storytellers in her life and the difference in her outlook and value system the stories had made. She exhorted each one of us to be a model storyteller for our children as well. A good speech, interspersed with body language as required by the project. Kudos!

Table topics were conducted by TM Raja. He introduced an innovation of choosing the speaker through a lottery, reducing his responsibility in dragging speakers to the stage. Thankfully, his topics were very soft ones and easy to speak on - not on relationships with wives and bosses, which is his specialty.

At the time of voting, TM Viswa suggested that the voting slips be incorporated in the agenda sheet as tear-off strips. A great idea that will probably be implemented soon.

TM Chaitanya evaluated the P-5 speech. While applauding the subject matter and the body movements, he pointed out that transitions needed a little more work. Surely, MTM Kaviya will remember, although the feedback was not in the form of a story!

Harkmaster role was played jointly by TM Saleem and TM Kumar (since TM Kumar had arrived slightly late). A competition was held between the first 2 rows of the audience and the rest - not sure who won.

Grammarian TM Rajat gave feedback on the usage of the language. Apart from a few specific feedback on the words and phrases used by speakers, he had two suggestions. To deal with an "Ah" rising in the throat, one has to deliberately keep quiet till the right word comes to mind, without worrying about the impatience of the audience. Secondly, fragmented sentences happen when our speech is trying to keep pace with our thought and we have to deliberately slow down and consciously complete sentences.

General Evaluator TM Nagesh gave serious detailed feedback, in spite of his twinkling eyes. A major point he suggested was that the speaker tests out the mike before starting to speak.

TM Mathen conducted the business session as VP-E and locked up next week's speaker and TMOD. Good hunting, VP-E.

President MTM Panna announced the awards and declared the session closed. Tea and snacks were served, the latter having changed form from the perennial vadas and samosas to digestive biscuits and wafers - a healthier alternative. Hope our paunches change to punches soon.