Ruwi Toastmasters Club: Session 147

This was one of those sessions where you leave the venue with a definite feel good factor.

Why?

Not because it was a full house. Of the 33 members, only 14 attended, which made the role-players feel they were performing in front of a mirror. Really guys, please make an effort to attend the sessions. The players would appreciate a bigger audience, and there will be a larger variety of people taking up roles. Someone will give you a call, as Godfather Don Corleoni used to say.

It was a joyous session because it was National Day tomorrow. It was enjoyable because there was a Talent Show. It was memorable because we listened to a great speech.

The SAA kicked off the session in time on a celebratory note, this being the 147th session for the club and the 48th year for the nation. Welcome back TM Viswa, after a gap.

President TM Rajat delivered a king's speech rather than a presidential speech, reading out the speech given by HM on 23rd July 1970, when he assumed power. Could there be a more suitable inspiring speech like today?

TMOD MTM Kiran had chosen as theme "Poetry", a subject obviously close to her heart as she took us through various samples of English and Urdu poetry penned by various famous poets. She also introduced role-players describing their favourite poets and, on occasion, asking them to recite a small portion of his poems. A great effort TMOD and we glimpsed a vista of world poetry through the ages.

Timer TM Muthu introduced timing criteria, throwing in a comparison of the R-Y-G norms used in manufacturing, A bit of interesting titbit that one.

Wordmaster TM Anil introduced the word DAUNTLESS to us, which the audience attacked fearlessly in the round robin. Unfortunately no one used it subsequently. Might be a good idea to improve visibility of the word somehow. Any ideas?

Jokemaster MTM Amaravani related jokes that were quite fresh and amusing.

Evaluation criteria for today's only speech, based on Effective Body Language, was laid out by TM Rajat.

MTM Panna delivered her second project speech in Level 2 from her path Presentation Mastery, titled "Breaking Free", talking about the various circumstances that blocked her growth and freedom in her life and how she went about unblocking them. An inspiring speech with her own life as an example.

Table topics were conducted by TM Viswa, who gave topics of general interest that the speakers could do justice to.

There was an impromptu Talent Show, an open stage event, where TM Raja happily rendered a soulful Hindi song. On popular demand, TM Kumar sang a well-known Tamil oldie. Then Raja was again back on stage to the tune of Bade achchhe lagte hain.

Evaluation on the speech was conducted by TM Rajat, who, while appreciating speech structure, personal stories and body language, suggested simplifying the theme of the speech, restricting scope of example to personal life alone and enhancing dramatic possibilities further.

Grammarian TM Chaitanya gave a feedback on the good and bad usages of English during the session. His meticulousness and ear for detail is admirable.

GE TM Kumar gave an overall feedback on the session, praising in particular the TMOD's script and President's address. Among areas of improvement, he mentioned the following:

Timer can take a little more time to describe the criteria, for clarity
Jokemaster can improve eye contact, covering all parts of audience
Table topic master can mention the title twice - once for the speaker and once for the audience

TM Chaitanya conducted the Business session. There would be no session of 24th, being part of the National Day Holidays. On 1st Dec, we shall be having the Tall Tale Contest. Speeches lined up for 8th Dec were from MTM Kiran, MTM Sandhya, MTM Usha and TM Sumesh. TMOD would be TM Raja. Good going VP-E.