sunshine club newsletter jan 2012
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Sunshine Toastmasters Club's January 2012 NewsletterTRANSCRIPT
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership
development. Today, our membership is 270,000 strong. These members improve
their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 13,000 clubs in 116
countries that make up our global network of meeting locations.
Membership in Toastmasters in one of the greatest investments you can make in
yourself. At $36 every six months, it is also one of the most cost-effective skill-
building tools available anywhere.
How Does It Work?
A Toastmasters meeting is a learn-by-doing workshop in which participants hone
their speaking and leadership skills in a no-pressure atmosphere. A typical group
has 20 to 40 members who meet weekly, biweekly or monthly. A typical meeting
lasts 60–90 minutes.
There is no instructor in a Toastmasters meeting. Instead, members evaluate one
another’s presentations. This feedback process is a key part of the program’s
success. Meeting participants also give impromptu talks on assigned topics,
conduct meetings and develop skills related to timekeeping, grammar and
parliamentary procedure.
Members learn communication skills by working in the Competent
Communication manual, a series of 10 self-paced speaking assignments
designed to instill a basic foundation in public speaking.
Members also learn leadership skills by taking on various meeting roles and
working in the Competent Leadership manual. In our learn-by-doing approach,
we don't lecture members about leadership skills; we give those responsibilities
and mentoring to help. Then we ask them to lead.
Why should I join?
The Toastmasters program offers many benefits that help people in all walks of
life. As a result of participating in Toastmasters, you will:
Increase your self-confidence
Become a better speaker
Become a better leader
Communicate more effectively
Membership is affordable – a great value that can change your life that costs
less than a dollar a day. Your initial investment:
$20 New member fee
$36 Dues for six months, plus any club expenses. (Some clubs may charge a
nominal fee in addition to the regular dues for items such as meeting space and
club supplies.)
Sunshine Toastmasters - #9713 January 2012
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Toastmasters International
Vision
Toastmaster’s promise
Editor’s note
Message From:
President
Articles:
Cricket is a religion in India
To wish or to will
He saved our lives
Tips to hold effective meeting
Walls
There is medicine for all
disease in Toastmasters
Installation Ceremony
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
More than 4 million people have discovered the benefits of this proven learning formula. What are you
waiting for? Joining is easy – just a few simple steps:
Step 1:
Visit a Toastmasters club. You can find clubs near you by using the Meeting Locations tool.
Each group has a different personality, so you may wish to visit more than one. Your visit is free, and some clubs
may allow you to return as often as you like.
It’s easy to find a time and location that works for you. Meetings are held seven days a week, mornings,
afternoons and evenings. It’s a good idea to call or email in advance to confirm a group’s meeting time and
location.
Step 2:
At the meeting, ask the vice president membership for a membership application and fill it out.
Step 3:
Give your application and dues to the vice president membership at the club.
Once you are voted in by the existing membership, the club officer will send your application and fees to
Toastmasters’ World Headquarters.
Your New Member Kit should arrive in the mail in about two weeks (kits outside of the U.S. may take longer).
A Toastmaster's Promise
As a member of Toastmasters International and my club, I promise...
1. To attend club meetings regularly
2. To prepare all of my speech and leadership projects to the best of my ability, basing them on projects in
the Competent Communication, Advanced Communication or Competent Leadership manuals
3. To prepare for and fulfill meeting assignments
4. To provide fellow members with helpful, constructive evaluations
5. To help the club maintain the positive, friendly environment necessary for all members to learn and
grow
6. To serve my club as an officer when called upon to do so
7. To treat my fellow club members and our guests with respect and courtesy
8. To bring guests to club meetings so they can see the benefits Toastmasters membership offers
9. To adhere to the guidelines and rules for all Toastmasters educational and recognition programs
10. To maintain honest and highly ethical standards during the conduct of all Toastmasters activities
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
Take Actions
With respect to goals, projects, and other to-do items, it’s easy to get stuck, too
long in the thinking and planning phase. You can sit around writing and rewriting
your goals. Delving into your subconscious mind. Working through emotional
blocks. summoning the power of Thoughts. But if you don’t eventually get into
action, you’re wasting your time.
How can you get into a sustainable mode of direct action without feeling like
you have to torture yourself to get moving? What can you do to cross the barrier
between merely thinking about what you want and actually making it happen
with your own two hands?
People at the top of every profession share one quality — they get things done.
This ability supersedes intelligence, talent, and connections in determining the
size of your salary and the speed of your advancement.
Despite the simplicity of this concept there is a perpetual shortage of people who excel at getting results. The
action habit — the habit of putting ideas into action now — is essential to getting things done.
Seven Ways to grow the action habits:
1. Don’t wait until conditions are perfect
2. Be a doer
3. Remember that ideas alone don‟t bring success
4. Use action to cure fear
5. Start your creative engine mechanically
6. Live in the present
7. Get down to the business immediately.
(This list was inspired by The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz)
I am proactive in taking actions. At the end of the day, I also end up making mistakes. I feel that it is important
to take actions, because, if I had not taken the first step, towards what I wanted to do, I would have only been
thinking about it without taking the necessary action.
Action speaks louder than words.
Editor’s note: Take
Actions
By TM Prashanth Sharma
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
Dear Toastmasters,
The Month of January, has been wonderful as president of sunshine toastmasters
club. The members have fulfilled their Toastmasters promise, of coming each
Thursday to spend their evening at the club. There is no need to say “that I am
committed to a cause”, because your actions speak by itself. The disciplined
assistance, of the members proves that, commitment is possible.
Fellow members learning from each other with a firm resolve by a committed
team, ever ready to take up the challenges is ensuring success of the club. The
encouragement from our Division Governor Satyanarayana Raju and our club
mentor T K Ramesh have helped us in providing and maintaining the positive
environment through which members are learning to grow.
To help our new members and guests who are looking for right platform, to
improve their public speaking, I would like to introduce to you, as the new
president of sunshine toastmasters club, the new executive team for this term.
We are very fortunate to have both Vijayalakshmi and Mrinalini as VP Education. I believe, that the VP
Education role is one of the most challenging roles at any Toastmasters Club. The club‟s success is fairly
dependent on the energy and commitment of the VPEs. Both are worthy of mention, be it in terms of their urge
in knowing more about their roles or in giving their best in all possible ways.
At the same time we are lucky to have Satlaj as our VP Membership, a dynamic lady who guarantees a warm
welcom towards guests and new members. She makes sure to get all the necessary information from the guests
and Providing them the necessary information about the activities of the club.
The multi faceted personality, Prashanth Sharma, is the VP Public Relations. He is also the editor of this
newsletter. I am sure that his knowledge and quest for learning, will add many feathers to Sunshine‟s cap.
Our member Tarun, who has been with the club for about a year and was the Sgt-at-arms of the previous
executive team, has taken over as Secretary. His ability and style in getting the things done, will surely do justice
to his role.
I am very happy to see Srinivas Raju back to the same responsibility of being Treasurer, hope our club assets
may grow in his tenure.
The new Sgt-at-arms team is formed by a powerful combination of two toastmasters, one who is young, Appu
and the other the youngest, Prem, who is known for bringing many new practices into the club. The recent one
is the „power of rose‟.
With this powerful team, I believe my role as president is the easiest job. I am sure, as a team, we will bring back
the past glory of the Sunshine club.
Toastmasters value commitment. We are committed to our members, that they can always count on us, for any
support. A committed executive team and committed members ensure the liveliness of this club.
I still remember one of our senior toastmasters telling this, Toastmasters is like going to the gym, on a regular
basis. For few, it is easy to maintain this commitment, but for others, maybe not.
I think we must take some inputs from the sports men competing at the games, and use them as inspiration. If
we could all use a fraction of what these persons put themselves through, in terms of hard work, drive and
commitment, and apply it to our own Toastmasters' experience, then I think one day we will all be at the top.
Sunshine will serve as inspiration to others.
Message from President
By Tm Diwakar Reddy
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
Cricket is a Religion in India
There may be many religions in this secular country called India, but it is said that
cricket unites Indians better than any religion can ever do. Although Hockey is the
national game of India, it is cricket, that enjoys supremacy in terms of fan following.
With millions of ardent followers, cricket is the „religion‟ of India. „Men in Blue‟ are
absolutely adored by the crazy cricket fans and their fame outshines the popularity
of any other celebrity. From a school going kid to retired old man, the charisma of
cricket has enchanted almost every Indian. People plan their activities, leaves and
travel plans after checking out the schedule of Indian Cricket team. Cricket is also
the fastest way of befriending an Indian. No matter which part of India it is, one can
find a bunch of kids playing cricket with lot of enthusiasm.
It is very often said that cricket is dying in England, the country where it originated. Even in West Indies, cricket
seems to have lost its sheen. But Indians, who picked up the game from the British, continue to be fanatic
followers. In fact, after the birth of the immensely popular Indian Premier League, the cricket fever has entered
into entirely new horizons of fame and glory.
Because of its enormous popularity in India, cricket attracts a lot of sponsors too. In addition, the frequency of
matches played by India is higher than most of the other cricket playing countries with each game being
followed like a ritual. You would find a very few vacant seats in a stadium where a match is being played.
Apart from India‟s International fixtures, the domestic tournaments like Ranji Trophy, Irani Trophy and Duleep
Trophy also gather a huge support. All these factors contribute in making BCCI the richest cricket board of the
world. Most of the ICC revenues are generated from this cricket crazy nation.
„The religion‟ of cricket has no holy books but there are several Gods. From legendary players like Sunil
Gavaskar, Kapil Dev to Mahendra Singh Dhoni, all have been extremely popular in India. “If cricket is the
religion, Sachin is God”, has become a popular saying. Sachin Tendulkar, regarded as a living legend, is
worshiped by almost every cricket fan. Even International players never go unrecognized in the malls and
streets of India.
Apart from these Gods, the religion of cricket also has its festivals in the form of victories. Every Indian win is
cheered and celebrated like a festival. But there is a flip side too. Whenever India loses a match, the defeat is
seen as a national tragedy.
In spite of the diverse cultures, religions and people when India is playing cricket match, all its people come
together as one.
Cricket is a religion in
India
By TM Prashant Sharma
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
To wish or to will
It was in my 10th standard that I first witnessed a live debate contest. The speakers
were so eloquent and entertaining. I enjoyed every moment of the debate. While
returning home I felt “HOW I WISH TO BE A SPEAKER LIKE THAT OF THE DEBATORS
TODAY!” This wish remained a wish for a long time till I walked into Sunshine
Toastmasters as a guest in September 2001.
I saw a speaker who was tall, dark and handsome, delivering his winning speech of
the International Taped Speech Contest. The speaker was none other than my
mentor DTM Kumaran M. Pethi. After hearing him, my old WISH of becoming a good
speaker haunted me again. This time I saw an opportunity that I did not want to miss
and I replaced my WISH with a strong WILL. Three weeks later I joined Sunshine
Toastmasters.
Looking back on my Toastmaster‟s journey of more than decade, I have come a long way in Public Speaking
and I feel happy about myself as a speaker.
It was during the first District Semi Annual conference REVERBERATION 2006, held in Chennai that I heard TM
Adnan Nakoda and another TM Ramesh Kaluwitharana in the humorous speech contest. After listening to their
speech and witnessing the audience rolling and roaring with laughter, my old haunting feeling of “HOW I WISH
...!” returned again.
That day I decided once again to replace my WISH with a strong WILL and to become a Humorous Speaker. I
was fortunate to have a very witty and naughty mentor in Kumaran M. Pethi. He honed my humorous speaking
skills and LO BEHOLD; I was a finalist in the REVERBERATIONS 2009, 2010 and 2011 and won the District Humorous
Speech Contest in Hyderabad in 2010.
Friends, looking back on all my successes in life, I realise I that whenever I had a desperate WISH, I had
replaced IT with a strong WILL and emerged triumphant.
When you sense an intense WISH in you, it means that your SELF has recognised one of your hidden capabilities.
It is bringing to your notice through the WISH. Now if you decide to replace this WISH with a strong WILL, then
you can actually realise the hidden talent in you and reap many a success in life.
Remember, from this moment, if you strongly WISH for something, then STOP SAYING I WISH and START SAYING I
WILL.
To wish or to will
By TM T.K.Ramesh
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
He Saved our lives
It was the winter of 1946, about 3.00 a.m. early morning. A young half-moon was
in the sky. I was six and sitting in the front seat in my father‟s lap of the first tonga
(horse carriage) followed by relatives in two other tongas behind us. We were
going to a place about 20 kilometers away to attend a close relative, Poonam
Singh‟s marriage. The clip-clop of the horses and the squeaking of the tonga
wheels was the only sound filling the quiet deserted cold streets.
Our tonga‟s were suddenly stopped at a road block as soon as we were about to
leave Gujaranwala, now in Pakistan. Gujaranwala was a Muslim majority town and
communal killings had started. Hindus were fleeing towards India for safety. I could
feel something terrible was about to happen when I saw my Mom shaking with fear
and praying, “God please save us!”
My Dad was a fearless man, tall and broad shouldered. He spoke loud enough for
the people stopping us to hear, “Tara”, he addressed my Mom, ”Take care of my gun!” (There was no gun). He
put on his long military coat, stepped down from the tonga and walked in measured purposeful steps towards
the leader of the gang and asked in a firm friendly voice in Punjabi, “Kyun payee , apne-i lokan de nal?” (Why
bother do this with your own people). The leader was impressed with my Dad‟s imposing personality, saluted
him and responded obligingly, “Maliko tusi jasakde ho”. (Master you can go!).
The leader ordered his men, “Rasta kholo!” (Open the road). My Dad came back to our tonga and put me
back in his lap. Our tonga‟s continued on the journey in the dimly lit night.
The courage and presence of mind of my Dad saved our lives. Had it not been for him, I may not have lived to
tell you this story.
He saved our lives
By TM Vinod Kumar
Khandpur
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
Tips to hold effective meeting
“Always get ready with meeting agenda”. The meeting agenda is the most
important element of a successful meeting. Although, this practice, is not followed
every time. This results in failures.
Distributing the roles -- always ensuring that roles are assigned to the meeting
attendees ensures the success, of the meeting. Identify the people who are good in
their fields. Look for assigning shared roles. In this way the attendees feel equally
appreciated.
Appreciate participation -- encourage participation from all attendees, because
each one has a unique view point on the issue and each contribution cab be truly
valuable.
Time management – There is always a probability of losing track of time during a meeting. This can impact the
entire meeting. Make sure everyone is sticks to their given time. It requires effective planning, effective
leadership and well-structured guidelines .
List of Participants -- Make sure you invite, to the meeting, attendees who can really add value and contribute
their knowledge.
Purpose of the meeting -- It Is an most important aspect to have a purpose for each meeting. This ensures all the
participants work towards one common goal.
Tips to hold effective
meetings
By TM Diwakar Reddy
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
Walls
Wherever we look, all we see are walls. Some real, some abstract. Humans clearly
have an obsession with walls. We don't really notice it, but they've been far more
influential on our lives than we ever thought.
If we think about it, it makes perfect sense. We're a very fearful race. A man with a
gun will face a 100 strong men, but an unarmed man will not face a single weak
man. We need walls to protect us. If something attacks us we first run behind a wall.
It's an involuntary action.
If you wish to know a man's worth, don't look at him, look at the size of his wall. It
explains why a king has a wall as tall and thick as his pride, and a poor man a stick in
the ground.
Interestingly, the product of our obsession with walls lies not only outside us, but within us as well. We erect walls
within the expanse of our minds. Gates to guard our secrets. Barriers to protect us from reality. While that does
help in retaining our sanity, it unfortunately leads to distrust. Distrust and ill intent lead to division. These walls
prevent harmony between nations and people of different races.
But what's truly sad, is that we create insurmountable walls. Rather than scaling them, we lay low, within it's
boundaries. We limit ourselves. We use them as a justification for war.
There have been times in my life when even i have felt the same way. Suffocated. Terrified. Without hope.
When i can see myself trapped in a room with no windows. No doors. No exits. White walls soaring above me. It
was at those times that i actually found myself growing. Growth is when you transition to something greater
than what you were before. Those moments, moments when you're forced to scale those white walls, that is
when we ascend. Climb and you will emerge a greater man than you once were. Give up and those walls will
be a reminder of your failure.
Our obsession with walls is understandable when you consider its significance in society as it has evolved over
the years. A wall is immovable. Strong. Dependable. Reliable. A guardian. Of everything in this world, walls
have been one of our oldest companions. We've inscribed our beliefs in them. We let them tell our tale. We
even speak to them. They've always protected us from the harshness of the land, and most of all, from each
other. I can't imagine a world without walls.
Walls have the potential to become our truest of friends. Walls help us in harsh time by being next to us, by
supporting us. They present challenges to us, help us become better people and to grow.
But, we must never let them control us in that process. Afterall, we're free birds.
I would like to share a thought that has always intrigued me. "Whether you're facing inward or facing outward,
whatever you meet up with, just kill it! If you meet a buddha, kill the buddha. If you meet a patriarch, kill the
patriarch. If you meet an arhat, kill the arhat. If you meet your parents, kill your parents. If you meet your
kinfolk, kill your kinfolk. Then for the first time you will gain emancipation, will not be entangled with things, will
pass freely anywhere you wish to go".
Walls
By Appu
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
There is a Medicine for all disease in Toastmasters
If you think that Toastmasters helps you in improving only your communication and
Leadership skills, well think again. I joined Toastmasters one and a half years ago
primarily to improve my communication skills as I found out that I could not open
my mouth in the group discussion session, when I was in my 4th semester.
My first session in Toastmasters was a wonderful experience, I was awestruck
at seeing people delivering excellent speeches. When I was given my first Table-
Topic, I could only speak for 20seconds. The best part was everyone still cheered
me and clapped after I spoke. That motivated me to come back again and again
and eventually become a member.
I still remember coming late to each and every Toastmasters meeting in the
beginning of my Toastmasters journey. So the Toastmasters made me the Sergeant-At-Arms and thus I had a
responsibility to start the meeting every time. Those six months unknowingly, made me more punctual to
college. Now I need not ask permission to get into the class every time, since I‟m not late nowadays.
Then came the second role that helped me not to be in the sidelines and put myself in the main shoes. I
got the opportunity to arrange meetings and also record each and every session and stay up-to-date. Yes I‟m
talking about the Secretary role. It‟s taking away the casual attitude of mine, to a large extent, even though
I‟m submitting this article at the last moment. Toastmasters has helped me in getting over this disease called
laziness.
There is a Medicine
for all disease in
Toastmasters
By Tarun R
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
Committee members July 2011 to December 2011
President
S Venkataraman
VP Education
Diwakar Reddy
Jt. VP Education
Vijayalakxmi Bahirat
VP Membership
Mrinalini
VP Public Relations
Anand Bahirat
Secretary
Prashant Sharma
Treasurer
Srinivasa Raju
Sgt. At Arms
Tarun Rao
Immediate Past
President - Santosh
Paul Stephean
Club Mentor
T. K. Ramesh
Club Mentor
Satyanarayana Raju
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
Committee members January 2012 to June 2012
President
Diwakar Reddy
VP Education
Vijayalaxmi Bahirat
Jt. VP Education
Mrinalini
VP Membership
Satlaj Sachan
VP Public Relations
Prashant Sharma
Treasurer
Srinivas Raju
Secretary
Tarun R
Sgt. At Arms
Prem
Jt. Sgt. At Arms
Appu
Immediate Past
President -
Venkataramanan S
Club Mentor
T. K. Ramesh
Club Mentor
Satyanarayana Raju
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
Past Presidents
Founder President –
Kathiravan M. Pethi
M. Venkat Dinesh Kumar Kumaran M. Pethi
Ravi Ramachandran Sudharshan K Chaya Nair Gopalakrishna Hegde
T. K. Ramesh Satyanarayana Raju Ramgopal P Chinmaya Kumar
Nanda
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
Past Presidents - Cont…
Lakshmi Batula Jose K Sridhara N R Santosh Paul Stephean
Venkataramanan S
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
District Leaders from Sunshine Toastmasters
Kumaran M. Pethi – Treasurer, Asst. LGM, Asst. LGET,
District PRO, Division Governor, Co-Chairperson –
Ovation 2008, Chairperson – Ovation 2011
M. Venkat – LGM, LGET, District Governor
T. K. Ramesh – Area Governor, District Secretary,
Asst. LGM, Education Committee Chair –
Ovation 2008, Co-chairperson – Ovation 2011
Ramgopal – Area Governor, Asst. Div.
Governor Marketing
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
District Leaders from Sunshine Toastmasters .. contd…
Satyanarayana Raju – Area Governor, Current
Division Governor
Jose K – Current Area Governor
Santosh Paul Stephen – Current Area Governor
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
Hall of Fame / Contest Winners from Sunshine Toastmasters
Kathiravan M. Pethi – Winner International Taped
Speech Contest (2000)
Kumaran M. Pethi – I Runner Up International Taped
Speech Contest (2001)
Dirish Mohan – Runner up District Table Topic
Contest (2007); District Finalist International
Speech Contest (2009); District Finalist Table
Topic Contest (2009)
T. K. Ramesh – Finalist District Humourous
Contest (2009); Winner District Humourous
Speech Contest (2010); Finalist District
Humourous Speech Contest (2011); Runner up
Division Evaluation Contest (2009)
Sitaramachandra S – Division Finalist Evaluation
Contest (2009);
Sunshine Toastmasters Club #9713 Toastmasters international District 82
Sunshine Toastmasters Club
Meets Every Thursday at 7:00 P.M
Location Banjara Academy
#418 1st Main, 1st block, R.T.Nagar
Bangalore 560032
Location on be found on our site
Sunshine Toastmasters website
Follow us on facbook
We provide mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every member has opportunity to
develop communication and leadership skills
Which in turn fosters self-confidence and personal growth?
We welcome guests, so please experience how toastmasters meeting are conducted by attending our weekly
meeting.
Contact us
President : Diwarkar Reddy 8892243181
Vice President Education: VijayaLaxmi Bahirat 9886076684
Sunshine Toastmasters - #9713 January 2012