Ruwi Toastmasters Club: Session 150

150.

100+50

15x10

Whichever way you look at it - an impressive number. It seemed only yesterday that we were celebrating our 100^th session at Mumtaz Mahal. Although we did not conduct festivities today, saving it for a later session when attendance was expected to be better, it was a joyous occasion nonetheless, celebrated by a marathon session of 4 speeches.

The session was kicked off on the dot by the SAA TM Viswanath, who stole the Wordmaster’s thunder by introducing the word "sesquicentennial", which means 150^th.

President TM Rajat related a story about a thirsty man who found a dry pump and a bottle of water and had the choice of drinking up the water or priming the pump, using it and leaving the bottle full of water again for the next traveller. Choices face us all the time and we make a right choice when that choice gives long term benefits for a greater number of people.

TMOD Venkat, the ever energetic and enthusiastic TM, took up the theme of “Comfort Zone”, giving us tips on getting out of it and introducing role players by asking them their take on handling comfort zones. A very well-run session, with energy and humour maintained throughout.

Timer role was played by MTM Shobha, who explained the criteria. Nowadays we have started using the Airtimer brought by DTM Varma from the US. Becoming quite tech savvy, we are.

Wordmaster TM Shanavas introduced the word EBULLIENT to the audience, who enjoyed using the word in the round robin, happily.

Jokemaster MTM Vaishali related a few excellent jokes, some of which we had not heard earlier at all.

That brought us to the beginning of the speech marathon. Evaluator TM Viswa first related the criteria of a Level 1 Project 2 speech for the first two speeches.

TM Sethuraman delivered the first speech titled “The Institution”, describing the broad functions of the leading financial institute in India, the RBI. It was extremely interesting and he threw in a question-and-answer session as well. Trust TM Sethuraman to do something different and free-flowing.

TM Sumesh delivered his speech titled “Jayanti-Janta Express”, describing a difficult train journey he undertook when he was 19, delivered in an endearing and humorous manner. You touched our hearts TM Sumesh.

TM Kumar, who was about to evaluate the next speech, a P4 from the old manual, described the criteria. Meant to showcase expressive language, we were all agog to hear some exquisite descriptive prose.

Nor were we disappointed. MTM Usha, the speaker, described to us “The Break” that she had undertaken, a picnic to a wadi in a group that provided ample opportunity for her to bring alive the scenery and sensual feels of nature and the barbecue. She played the scope to the hilt and the descriptions were a treat to hear.

TM Ramalingam, about to evaluate a P6 speech from the old manual, told us that the speech was about showcasing vocal variety and the speaker will probably choose a subject that helped him do that.

TM Raja, the singer, made full use of his opportunity. With the backdrop of Pattaya and Phuket, he enacted the hilarious scenes reproducing the thin voices of the Thai people as well as the anxious chatter of people about to miss a flight. His title was mysterious : “A=C+B”. I learnt later that it meant Achieving = Conceiving + Believing, which he did not get time to explain during the speech; so that’s my twopence added.

Just as we were about to draw breath after that large variety, in we went into Table Topics conducted by MTM Niral in her own style of picking up cards while flipping through a book. Three speakers attempted her topics, none of which were un-speakable, and the audience enjoyed 10 minutes of intellectual talk.

Evaluators gave their feedback to the four speakers, praising their efforts and suggesting points of improvement.

Grammarian MTM Swati gave very extensive feedback (4 pages of them) that were seriously noted by all. A sweet school-marm indeed.

TM Saleem as GE gave a glowing feedback on the session, only suggesting that long sessions like this can incorporate the break in between; otherwise people start popping out to visit the washroom, disturbing the proceedings. A good point indeed GE.

President Rajat, before giving his closing address, conducted the Business session too for the next session (TM Sethu as TMOD with speeches expected from MTM Swati, TM Lawrence and TM Viswa). He then declared the awards for the day: