Sunshine Club Newsletter Jan 2012

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

http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/MemberExperience/EducationalProgram/CommunicationTrack.aspx

http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/MemberExperience/EducationalProgram/CommunicationTrack.aspx

http://www.toastmasters.org/Members/MemberExperience/EducationalProgram/LeadershipTrack.aspx


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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


Past Presidents - Cont…

Lakshmi Batula Jose K Sridhara N R Santosh Paul Stephean

Venkataramanan S


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


District Leaders from Sunshine Toastmasters .. contd…

Satyanarayana Raju – Area Governor, Current

Division Governor

Jose K – Current Area Governor

Santosh Paul Stephen – Current Area Governor


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

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

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Sunshine Club Newsletter Jan 2012

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Transcript of Sunshine Club Newsletter Jan 2012