Ruwi Toastmasters Club: 106th session

This was the last session of 2017.

So were we sad, that an event-filled year was getting over? Or were we happy, that a brand new year was spread out in front of us, beckoning? Actually we were happy on both counts, because 2017 had been a pretty good year for us, with many events, competition wins and growth in membership.

Do go through the 2nd newsletter for a quick glimpse into the recent events that took place.

SAA TM Viswanath kicked off the session energetically as usual.

Acting President TM Mathen related the story of a cobbler who prepared shoes for everyone in the village but did not take care of his own feet, ultimately falling ill on that count and having to withdraw from his profession. Similarly, those of us involved with serving others should also take care of ourselves because if the tool is not fit, it cannot do work. A nice message TM Mathen, and a very useful one.

Today was a special session with the famous TMOD duo of TM Babu Srinivasan and MTM Kaviya back in action after one year. Last new year, they had taken us on a space flight. This time, the theme was called "Fun Toast" and it was a TV show, with quizzes and hot-seats for the role-players, Kaun Banega Crorepati style, that kept us engaged and entertained throughout the session. The cameos acted out by the TMODs were also superb. Hats off both for having taken the trouble to script the session so meticulously and executing it with such brilliance. Kudos.

Timer role was played by MTM Vaishali with her usual aplomb.

Wordmaster TM Sabu introduced the word AFFINITY for the day. It was an easy word to understand and to apply in the speeches. The round-robin went off smoothly.

There was a P1 speech scheduled today, whose evaluation criteria were explained by evaluator TM Venkat.

P1 speech titled "Life is a Camera" was delivered by TM Somakumar. A P1 speech is always interesting as it not only gives a glimpse into the speaker's life, but it also throws up the speaker's capability and potential. TM Somakumar, we have great expectations from you, in speech as well as in singing, going by the couple of lines you sang.

There was an ACB speech also scheduled today, whose evaluation criteria were explained by evaluator DTM Rajendra Verma. Today's speech was one for special occasions and was about "Raising a Toast" to commemorate an occasion or a person in a landmark position in his or her life. This would be interesting.

The ACB speech was delivered by MTM Panna. The toast was addressed to MTM Kaviya, who was about to move to Dubai as her husband was changing jobs. As MTM Kaviya had been an active and accomplished member of our club, it was a sad occasion for all of us and the speaker's toast reflected the audience's sentiments. It was an emotional moment. We all wish you the best in life MTM Kaviya.

Table topics was conducted by MTM Radha. In keeping with the theme of a TV show, she had chosen topics on Media. All her topics were short, understandable and speakable from both sides of the argument - in short, good topics. Good work MTM.

TM Venkat gave his feedback on the P1 speech given by TM Somakumar. The evaluator praised the details shared, his ease on stage and the humorous content.

DTM Verma evaluated the Toast given by MTM Panna. While praising her sense of occasion, the eulogies and personal connect shared in the toast, he suggested that perhaps raising the glasses would have been more appropriate at the end rather than in the beginning.

The General Evaluator TM Rajat gave his feedback. While back-patting all role -players he suggested that the SAA not handle the laptop as well as this was too much load for him.

TM Mathen once again took the stage for the concluding remarks, announced the awards and adjourned the session.