Agenda - Wed 05 Dec 2007 - Meeting 11 Year 02

Ralph Toastmasters Club - Educational Meeting 11 year 03
(5.30 p.m to 7.35 p.m)Wednesday 05 December, 2007
(Samudra Hotel, Ceylon Hotel School, 78, Galle Road)

Toastmaster: President: Table Topic Master:
CC Ananth Selladoray CC Premelal Brahammanage Manjula Thawalapitiya

‘Ah’ Counter: Round Robin Master: Table Topics Evaluator:
Nishantha Danthanarayana Veerappan Sivagurunathan Ivan Kevitiyagala

Timer: Grammarian: General Evaluator
Sesiri Pethangoda CC Chandana Weerasekera Royston Joseph

5:30 - 5:50 Registration & Fellowship
5:50 – 5:53 Meeting called to order by President, National Anthem
5:53 – 6:05 Introduction of Timer and Round Robin Session- 20 seconds per person
6:02 - 6:03 President introduces the Toastmaster and hands over control.
6:03 – 6:04 Toastmaster introduces "Ah" counter & conducts the Prepared speech session
6:04 – 6:55 Speaker & Level Level of Speech Evaluator
1 Lalin Fernando Ice Breaker Ivan Kevitiyagala
2 Anton Kevityagala CC5 CC Ananth Selladoray
3 Saman Perera CC6 CC Premelal Brahammanage
4 Sanath Silva Ice Breaker Saman Perera
5 Sajitha Kevityagala CC6 CC Chandana Weerasekera
6:55 - 7:10 Call for report of Timer and ‘Ah’ Counter & Evaluation of speeches
Toastmaster Thanks everybody & hands over control to Topic Master
7:10 - 7:20 Table Topics session
7:20 - 7:23 Timers, Ah counter's reports and evaluations of table topics
7:23 - 7:24 Topicmaster thanks all and hands back control to the Toastmaster
7:24 - 7:25 Toastmaster hands back control to the President
7:25 - 7:27 President calls for the Grammarians comments
7:27 - 7:29 General Evaluation
7:29 - 7:32 President’s Remarks / announcements along with Installation feedback.
7:32 - 7:35 Members Comments /selection of speakers & role players for next meeting
7.35 Termination of Meeting- (Installation committee to stay back and Finish accounts)

Agenda - Wed 21 Nov 2007 - Meeting 10 Year 02

Ralph Toastmasters Club - Educational Meeting 10 year 02
(5.30 p.m to 7.35 p.m)
Wednesday 21 November, 2007
(Samudra Hotel, Ceylon Hotel School, 78, Galle Road)

Toastmaster: President: Table Topic Master:
CC Chanaka Perera CC Premelal Brahammanage TM Anton Kevityagal

‘Ah’ Counter: Round Robin Master: Table Topics Evaluator:
CC Karthik Ramachandran TM Nithila Muhunthan TM Sanjeeva Wimalasiri

Timer: Grammarian: General Evaluator
TM Wijitha Kumara CC Ananth Selladorai TM Saman Perera

Word of the Day -
P.M
5:30 - 5:50 Registration & Fellowship

5:50 – 5:53 Meeting called to order by President
National Anthem

5:53 – 6:05 Introduction of Timer and Round Robin Session- 20 seconds per person

6:02 - 6:03 President introduces the Toastmaster and hands over control.

6:03 – 6:04 Toastmaster introduces "Ah" counter & conducts the Prepared speech session

6:04 – 6:55 Speaker & Level Level of Speech Evaluator
1 Sanath Silva Ice Breaker TM Saman Perera
2 E M Wijetillake CC3 TM Anton Kevitiyagala
3 Nalin Silva CC5 CC Chandana Weerasekera
4 Saman Perera CC6 TM Ivan Kevityagala
5 Ivan Kevitiyagala CC7 CC Karthik Ramachandran
6 Sanjeeva Wimalasiri CC7 CC Ananth Selladorai
7 Premelal Brahammanage ACB2 CC Chanaka Perera

6:55 - 7:10 Call for report of Timer and ‘Ah’ Counter & Evaluation of speeches
Toastmaster Thanks everybody & hands over control to Topic Master

7:10 - 7:20 Table Topics session

7:20 - 7:23 Timers, Ah counter's reports and evaluations of table topics

7:23 - 7:24 Topicmaster thanks all and hands back control to the Toastmaster

7:24 - 7:25 Toastmaster hands back control to the President

7:25 - 7:27 President calls for the Grammarians comments

7:27 - 7:29 General Evaluation

7:29 - 7:32 President’s Remarks / announcements along with Installation feedback.

7:32 - 7:35 Members Comments /selection of speakers & role players for next meeting

7.35 Termination of Meeting- (Installation committee to stay back and Finish accounts)

Minutes Meeting 08 Year 02

The meeting had an excellent gathering with 7 guests. Total attendance was over 25.
Proceedings started on time.
The Grammarian had presented his word of the day - " "
The round Robin session was given a topic to be spoken on as "Partners"
Ananth was Introduced as the Toastmaster of the day.
The prepared speeches session took off on time.

1. Nalin Silva spoke on Source chain management, evaluated by TM Saman
   
2. Manjula gave his icebreaker on a new tone/layout, evaluated by CC Premelal
   
3. Anton spoke on offshore Sri Lankan maids, evaluated by CC Ananth
4. Sanjeeva spoke on Bribery, evaluated by TM Janaka de Silva

However, It was noted that Nalin and Manjula had exceeded the time thus delaying the proceedings by 10 mins.
Table topics session started 15 mins late, thus allowing only 4 speakers to speak. The first t stand was our guest from India-Delhi. This was followed by Ivan, Anton and another guest.

Toastmaster on obtaining control from the Topics master handed back same to the President.

The General evaluator noted the mistakes and put them out in order.

By tis time time had passes 7:30pm. We were running late.

The Grammarian, Mr. Balraj had promised to Blog his report tomorrow.

President remarked on settling the Installation accounts and calling for cricket lovers t take part on the match planned on 04 November 2007.

The following gentleman had requested for speech slots for the First meeting in November, as all slots for the last week October have been taken up and confirmed.

• Lalin Priyadhashana - CC 1
• Premelal Brahammanage - ACB1
• AL Balraj Arunasalem - ACS
  

At 7:52 pm the meeting was adjourned.

Agenda Meeting 09 Year 02

Wednesday 31 October, 2007

(Samudra Hotel, Ceylon Hotel School, 78, Galle Road)

Time: 5:30 pm till 7:30 pm

Toastmaster: CC Chandana Weerasekara
President: CC Premelal Brahammanage
Table Topic Master: CC Ananth Selladoray
‘Ah’ Counter: TM Lalin Priyadharshana
Round Robin Master: TM Ivan Kevityagala
Table Topics Evaluator: CC Premelal Brahammanage
Timer: TM Nalin Silva
Grammarian: CC Ananth Selladoray
General Evaluator: CC Chanaka Perera

Word of the Day -
P.M

5:30 - 5:50 Registration & Fellowship

5:50 – 5:53 Meeting called to order by President
National Anthem

5:53 – 6:05 Introduction of Timer and Round Robin Session- 20 seconds per person

6:02 - 6:03 President introduces the Toastmaster and hands over control.

6:03 – 6:04 Toastmaster introduces "Ah" counter & conducts the Prepared
speech session

6:04 – 6:40 Prepared Speech session
Speaker Level Evaluator
1 TM Sanath Silva CC Project 1 - Ice Breaker to volunteer
2 TM Chandrasekeran CC Project 1 - Ice Breaker to volunteer
3 TM Nirmal Nanayakkara CC Project 3 to volunteer
4 TM Alexander Sathyanathan CC Project 6 to volunteer
5 TM Saman Perera CC Project 5 to volunteer

6:40 - 6:52 Call for report of Timer and ‘Ah’ Counter & Evaluation of speeches
Toastmaster Thanks everybody & hands over control to Topic Master

6:52 - 7:10 Table Topics session

7:10 - 7:18 Timers, Ah counter's reports and evaluations of table topics

7:18 - 7:19 Topic master thanks all and hands back control to the Toastmaster

7:19 - 7:20 Toastmaster hands back control to the President

7:20 - 7:23 President calls for the Grammarians comments

7:23 - 7:26 General Evaluation

7:26 - 7:28 President’s Remarks / announcements along with Installation feedback.
7:28 - 7:30 Members Comments /selection of speakers & role players for next meeting
7.30 Termination of Meeting

Cricket - 04 Nov

Cricket has been a topic generally spoken during roun robin sessions or table topic sessions within our meetings. Never have we ever got a chance to play it.

Apparently, the opportunity for each toastmaster to play the dream game with fellow toastmasters is just around the corner.

Ralph, being an energetic, fun loving, innovative club feels that we should not have 1 team. Not even 2 ,but with the grace of god, say three. The only matter stopping us is the rule that each time Has to.........I repeat...HAS TO have one lovely lady. Thereby, Janaka is on the hunt to track down the ladies to fill in the gaps.

However, the following teams have been outlined. Interested persons are requested to jot in their names with the teams they would like to be in with.

Team A - Ralph 'Presidents League'
(The Seniors within Ralph Toastmasters)
Premelal
Chandana
Nishantha
Nithila - She is the female...if most did not know....!
4 more to be chosen/ to volunteer

Team B - Ralph 'Dreamers'
(The young and Energetic - who dream a lot.....about whom? don't ask me...!)
Janaka
Karthik
Sajitha
Lady- yet to be chosen
4 more to be chosen/ to volunteer + the above Lady

Team C - Ralph 'Warriors'
(Firm, committed, go-getter types....their attitude shows it all)
Ananth
Siva
Chanaka
Lady - Do we have any more????
4 more to be chosen/to volunteer + 1 Lady to be found by Janaka....!

Cricket it shall be when Winter starts....Enroll....!!

K!

Agenda - Meeting 08 Year 02

Wednesday 17 October, 2007

(Samudra Hotel, Ceylon Hotel School, 78, Galle Road)

Time: 5:30 pm til 7:30pm

President : CC Premelal Brahamanage
Toastmaster : CC Ananth Selladoray
Topic Master : TM Sesiri Pethangoda
Timer : TM Lalin Priyadhashana
Ah Counter: TM Ivan Kevityagal
Round Robin Master: TM Sanath Silva
Grammarian: AL Arunasalam Balraj
Tabel Topics Evaluator: TM Janaka De Silva
General Evaluator: TM Saman Perera

5:30 - 5:50 Registration & Fellowship

5:50 – 5:53 Meeting called to order by President, National Anthem

5:53 – 6:05 Introduction of Timer and Round Robin Session- 20 seconds per person

6:02 - 6:03 President introduces the Toastmaster and hands over control.

6:03 – 6:04 Toastmaster introduces "Ah" counter & conducts the Prepared speech session

6:04 – 6:40 Prepared Speeches
Speaker & Level Evaluator
1 TM Nalin Perera CC Project 3
2 TM Manjula Thawalampitiya CC Project 1 - Ice Breaker
3 TM Anton Kevityagala CC Project 4
4 TM Sanjeeva Wimalasiri CC Project 6
5 TM Saman Perera CC Project 5

6:40 - 6:52 Call for report of Timer and ‘Ah’ Counter & Evaluation of speeches
Toastmaster Thanks everybody & hands over control to Topic Master

6:52 - 7:10 Table Topics session

7:10 - 7:15 Timers, Ah counter's reports and evaluations of table topics

7:15 - 7:16 Topicmaster thanks all and hands back control to the Toastmaster

7:16 - 7:17 Toastmaster hands back control to the President

7:17 - 7:21 President calls for the Grammarians comments

7:21 - 7:24 General Evaluation

7:24 - 7:26 President’s Remarks / announcements along with Installation feedback.

7:26 - 7:30 Members Comments /selection of speakers & role players for next meeting
7:30 Termination of Meeting- (Installation committee to stay back and Finish accounts)

Agenda - Meeting 08 Year 02

Wednesday 17 October, 2007 (Samudra Hotel, Ceylon Hotel School, 78, Galle Road)

President : CC Premelal Brahamanage
Toastmaster : CC Ananth Selladoray
Topic Master : TM Sesiri Pethangoda
Timer : TM Lalit Piyadhashana
Ah Counter: TM Ivan Kevityagal
Round Robin Master: TM Sanath Silva
Grammarian: AL Arunasalam Balraj
Tabel Topics Evaluator:
General Evaluator: CC Saman Perera


P.M
5:30 - 5:50 Registration & Fellowship

5:50 – 5:53 Meeting called to order by President
National Anthem

5:53 – 6:05 Introduction of Timer and Round Robin Session- 20 seconds per person

6:02 - 6:03 President introduces the Toastmaster and hands over control.

6:03 – 6:04 Toastmaster introduces "Ah" counter & conducts the Prepared speech session

6:04 – 6:25 Speaker & Level Evaluator
1 TM Nalin Perera CC Project 3
2 TM Manjula Thawalampitiya CC Project 1 - Ice Breaker
3 TM Anton Kevityagala CC Project 4
4 TM Sanjeeva Wimalasiri CC Project 6
5 TM Saman Perera CC Project 5

6:25 - 6:35 Call for report of Timer and ‘Ah’ Counter & Evaluation of speeches
Toastmaster Thanks everybody & hands over control to Topic Master

6:35 - 6:55 Table Topics session

6:55 - 7:05 Timers, Ah counter's reports and evaluations of table topics

7:05 - 7:06 Topicmaster thanks all and hands back control to the Toastmaster

7:06 - 7:07 Toastmaster hands back control to the President

7:07 - 7:12 President calls for the Grammarians comments

7:12 - 7:20 Installation 2007 Glimpse - Courtesy TM Saman Perera

7:20 - 7:23 General Evaluation

7:23 - 7:26 President’s Remarks / announcements along with Installation feedback.

7:26 - 7:30 Members Comments /selection of speakers & role players for next meeting

7.30 Termination of Meeting- (Installation committee to stay back and Finish accounts)

Joint Meeting with Colombo Toastmasters Club

Tuesday, the 10th October was a great day for Ralph Toastmasters Club as it was our first joint meeting, and that too with the prestigious Colombo Toastmasters Club at the Taj Samudra's Lower Crystal. The meeting, per plan had begun on time and indeed we saw that the organization was somewhat different to our meetings. A dedicated registration table, placed at the entrance to track all entering; the Grammarian's role being given quite a lot of weightage; and only 3 speaches thus allowwing more time for Table topics. Further, at the beginning, the invocation being read is another which we could look at.

However, I had personally felt that the warmth is generally better with Ralph. For example, I for a matter of fact, found it difficult when walking in as only my fellow Ralph members greeted me. I believe, it is this simple fact of making each guest welcome within the club, where we - Ralphy's score a goal.

But, I should once again re-enforce that there was a lot of take home for us, to plan out our future meetings with such changes for the betterment of Ralph Toastmaster's club.

We, are about to change....Dont Resist it...!

K!

Hidden word of the day and Free Association

The last Toastmaster meeting was a very peculiar one. To start with most of the members were stuck in an expected but unexpected traffic block in front of the army head quarters. In fact the member had decided to have the meeting while they were waiting for the important VIP to make his entry or exit from the HQ. This gave a good reason for the meeting to start late. Even I was behind schedule but the events mentioned above perfectly suited me.

The meeting started and the president in consultation with the senior members decided to give the round robin session a cold shoulder and moved to the prepared speeches directly. While Janaka was basking with pleasure with the company of a fairer sex, Alexander was at it in educating the members about Reiki. For those who missed out the speech Reiki is a technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. The next was an inspiring icebreaker by TM Royston Joseph. He made us realize how important it is to relax and take a laid back approach in certain aspects of life.

Balraj took the entire membership by storm. He introduced to us the term called Free Association. Most members thoughts started wondering to all parts of the world about there associations with what ever! He enlightened the membership as to how to make impromptu speeches. Free Association is a psychoanalytic therapy, spontaneous, uncensored verbalization by the patient of whatever comes to mind. He made sure that all the members are fully relaxed and also educated most of us as to how to breathe in life. Surprisingly, the two members who volunteered to demonstrate the breathing technique actually ended up increasing there carbon dioxide intake rather than oxygen. He also made sure that the membership caught up with the round robin and table topics. Well done Balraj we need people like you to make sure the club breaths!

The word of the day was dexterous. The grammarian showed is dexterity by inserting the word of the day in such a way in the agenda that no one noticed. However I have nothing to regret as in this whole exercise the grammarian report was also given a cold shoulder. Sorry K!

Message by Ralph TM mentor

Dear Ralph Members

I just wrote my message to the Raplh souvenir. I wrote some thing and cut it off since I did not want our guest and the public to read.

I thought I will share that with our group only. The words go like this,

Chandana’s dedicated leadership in the first year especially calling every member and following up on them makes our members realize how much they miss. More importantly he makes members who don’t attend meetings to feel guilty of them selves although
They have paid their subs to be a member.

I know some of my friends who was brought to the club by me will enjoy this.

Mistakes in Toastmasters

I was at the Toastmasters meeting last Wednesday, and since we had more guests than members that evening (I know members of other clubs are jealous), the guests did a round of introductions. I remember the first time I had to introduce myself and at that time what went in my mind was to become a good speaker and to complete the communications manual. I did not want to stop coming to Toastmasters as I continuously use the meetings to test material and delivery. This is because making mistakes in Toastmasters is all part of it.

I find many guests and even members still having the stigma that making a mistake in Toastmasters during a speech or round robbin session is an embarrassment. I find Toastmasters to be a great environment for making mistakes and taking risks. I’ve done purely management and technology related, and for once gave a speech on adultery. The supportive atmosphere of Toastmasters allows me to experiment well beyond the edges of what I’ve had the opportunity to do in front of other audiences. And I find that Toastmaster audiences appreciate a bit of wackiness and creativity, since they’ve already seen standard prepared speeches loads of times before.

This experimentation has greatly broadened my range as a speaker. I’d never given a humorous speech or used props or tried unusual delivery methods before joining Toastmasters. But now I’m convinced it’s actually less risky to take risks. As a speaker I find I have a better chance of success if I stray a bit off the “safe” path. If I give a speech just like anyone else would, even if my content and delivery are excellent, the reception will usually be lukewarm. I’m not providing enough value to the audience. But if I do something a bit odd or unusual, it keeps the audience awake and attentive.

What Toastmasters has shown me is just how important it is to keep the audience entertained while you attempt to educate them.

Make this better before the Installation

I know that each and every person of you is busy. However, it would not take much of time to suggest vital facts with respect to this site. The long term plan is infact to have a backup online from Agenda's to minutes of all important meetings. Even the Grammarian role would be easier with the Grammarians slips out before the meeting is on and out to check.

The spell check is also linked so that you dont have to check the online dictionary.

If you need a new house, Ive popped a link for you to get in touch with. Easy payment options available for all, esp toastmasters, better ones for ladies...lol.

The Toastmasters site is also linked for quick references along with a few other links for professional development.

However, It is open for suggestions. Please make it an option to login whenever you can to suggest your valuable details.

In the meanwhile, i have been on the lookout for a good Toasmaster's Logo. It is not available online or I cannot find the necessary link. Please send me the link if you have it.

Lets meet soon before the installation.

awesome...!
K!

Humour and Evaluator's contest

The Humour contest for which our super weights Siva, Premelal and Chanaka are planning to take part, is to be held on 15th September 2007 at Kurunagela. For those who would like to take part and encouraging our participants, please communicate matters to me in order to avail transport procedures and suggest the financial pie, if any.

However, our area governor did mention that a suggestion to postpone the same to the 22nd Sep is sought after. Lets all hope for the best.

There is also an evaluations contest cum workshop, for which further details shall be posted in the days to come....!

K!

Members List

Dear Ralph Toastmasters,

I am pleased to inform that the members names have been added along with the next project they are planning to perform soon. Please check and offer your suggestions. If you need to make a change, please mail me at kar79j@hotmail.com or comment on this blog. We need this sorted out to prepare the roster for a planned movement upwards the ladder.

Looking forward to your immediate action.

K!

Cracking start

It has been only few weeks of the Toastmaster year and the club is already making a good showing. President CC Premelal Brahmanage even though is yet to be formerly installed has had a cracking start (at least the post meeting water sessions!). With his dedication towards the Toastmasters cause, all can be assured of the fact that this year, like the previous year is going to be filled with action. VP Ed. CC Karthik Ramachandran has already got into action in two fronts. On one side he has initiated the blog (and we must all appreciate this fact) and on the other side he is breaking hearts at Standard Charted Bank as if it is anybodies business.

I think the key for us to start in this manner is the unimaginable effort put in by CC Chandana Weerasekera. I still remember him calling every Wednesday (I thank the current president for replacing the miserable call with a beautiful ladies voice). That reminds of the fact that I have not heard Nithila’s beautiful voice for quite some time.

The moment that got me very excited had nothing to do with official achievements. The excitement came of the fact that Last meeting was shocking (I am still recovering) as there were more guests than members! TM Janaka De Silva was at his best and I can assure you that this Toastmaster year, he will have cent percent attendance. My recommendation to the President is that we must focus Janaka’s energy to complete all the ten speeches within this year.

Finally for us to make sure that this cracking start makes it thorough, all members must pay there dues on time. I haven’t seen TM Ivan Kevitiyagala (treasurer) around for sometime. I think he is mentally preparing himself to receive the large sum of money as subscription.

Blogging from Email

This is a check blog where it is being composed from my inbox instead of
the routine web based composition.

Rgds
Karthik

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Installation of 2nd President

29th September, happens to be the mos important day for us this year when the incoming President CC Premelal Brahmanage shall be installed as President. The event is being lined up and shall be informed within a week. Therefore, we request all of you to keep this date free in your calendars, as its a once in a year, innovative, and Ralph-type event.

Await details.

Rgds
Karthik
VP Ed

Whats 'Toastmasters' ?

The first question that comes to mind is.....do we get to taste wine or liquor?
Sorry, but the answer is NO!

Secondly, Is it about giving Toasts'?.....Somewhere close, but still NO!

So, What are we?

The Toastmasters club is an organization started by Mr. Ralph C Smedley, for creating a pathway for good energetic and fluent speakers. The meetings are dedicated to making you better communicators as well as Leaders. The Toastmasters is also looked at as a professional degree, where for every speech/ evaluation made, you shall be evaluated and given the pro's and con's to make you better every time.

For further questions, please feel free to login to http://www.toastmasters.org and re-discover a whole new world.

Warm Regards
Karthik

Who are we?

We are the members of the Ralph toastmasters club, who have a different attitude with the exotic Sri Lankan tradition and Spice. What we follow is the norms of the regular Toastmasters International and implement the same in our own way to maximize the benefits of the same.

If you would like to experience us, feel free to drop in to our meeting place any time and feel at home.

Warm rgds
Karthik Ramachandran
VP Education