Ruwi Toastmasters Club: 114th session

For the last one month, RTC core committee had been looking for another venue like a newly married couple househunting in order to get away from parents' house. Finally, we zeroed in on a classroom in Ramsford Institute, located on the second floor of Sultan Centre. In fact, the view from the passage is straight into the heart of the Sultan Centre shopping area and members can quickly make up a shopping list while standing high up and complete their shopping at the end of the session. A perk is a perk.

We had a goodly gathering as all members were perked up at this change of scene, although we would forever miss our first venue, which was a virtual palace.The classroom setup meant we were sitting at tables like students, but then, who are better students than Toastmasters? The room was well-lit by natural light and since it was small, no sound system would be needed here.

The session was kicked off on time by SAA TM Raja.

Acting President TM Mathen related a story that reflected the value of life, wherein a boy, on the advice of his father, was trying to sell a stone to various people by showing two fingers and he was amazed at the various offers that he got - from Rs 20 to Rs 2 lakh - depending on who he was speaking to. Others might value us depending on their perspective but we should always know our self-worth.

TMOD TM Rajat had taken on the theme "Rhyme and Reason" and in the next two hours, tried to familiarise the audience with various forms of English poetry. He had consciously kept the engagement light and luckily the audience was still conscious by the time the session got over. Together they travelled over Acrostic, Limerick, Ode, Epic, Haiku, Sonnet, Narrative, Free Verse and Ballad, looking at examples and popular poets. Overall, an education session of a different colour.

Timer TM Kiran described the timing criteria to the group.

Wordmaster TM Rita had a different approach today as she held a mini-workshop on how to differentiate between homophones, homographs and homonyms, spurred by the theme of Rhyme. A good effort TM Rita at doing something differently.

Jokemaster TM Bhaskar related many incidents from his life that had put him into humorous situations and we all laughed with him.

There was an ACB project speech scheduled today, on accepting an award. TM Dinesh, as Evaluator, described the evaluation criteria for the speech, which was that the award should be accepted with grace and gratitude.

TM Panna delivered her project speech "Climbing the ladder", which was an acceptance speech for the WINNER award that she had received in the International Speech competition in RTC. She delivered the speech with gratitude and sincerity, being particular about thanking everyone by name who had helped her on the way.

Table topic master was played by TM Somakumar. His topics were either questions or requiring the speaker to take a stand on a broad issue. All the speakers were able to speak lucidly and with confidence, which is a sign of good choice of topics.

TM Dinesh gave a feedback on TM Panna's speech, lauding her delivery and content, with very little to improve upon. Good show TM Panna.

Harkmaster TM Venkat quizzed the audience assiduously for 5 minutes before conceding that all had indeed been wide awake, despite the rather heavy theme running in the background.

Grammarian TM Saleem, being for once, as he said, at the giving end of a grammatical critique, found the speakers very well-behaved, not having been involved in much rule-bending. You are a nice man TM Saleem.

The General Evaluator TM Swati found the session well-conducted and congratulated all once again on having found a permanent address.

The acting President TM Mathen took the stage once again and reminded the audience about the club Humorous contest next Saturday and urged all to prepare well. He then announced the awards and declared the session closed.