4th Marathon

Agenda

Ralph Toastmasters Club - Educational Meeting (Marathon 04) 22 year 02
(5.30 p.m to 7.35 p.m)
Wednesday 30 April, 2008
Hotel Samudra, Ceylon Hotels Corporation, Galle Road, Opposite Crescat.

Toastmaster : TM Anton Kevityagala
President : CC Premelal Brahammanage
Table Topic Master : NO TT
‘Ah’ Counter : TM Muditha Silva
Round Robin Master : TM Karthik Ramachandran
Table Topics Evaluator: NO TT
Timer : TM Sridharan Somasundaram
Grammarian : NO Grammarian
General Evaluator : TM Rouf Hakeem


P.M
5:30 - 5:55 Registration & Fellowship

5:55 – 5:57 Meeting called to order by President
National Anthem

5:57 – 6:05 Introduction of Timer and Round Robin Session- 20 seconds per person
Briefing of the Word of the day and Thought of the day by Grammarian

6:05 - 6:06 President introduces the Toastmaster and hands over control.

6:06 – 6:08 Toastmaster introduces "Ah" counter & conducts the Prepared speech session

6:08 - 7:30 Speaker & Level Level of Speech Evaluator
1 CC Chanaka Perera AC Bronze 6 CC Karthik Ramachandran
2 TM Nishantha Dathanrayana CC 4 CC Chanaka Perera
3 TM Alexander Sathyanathan CC 6 TM Nishantha Danthanarayana
4 TM Saman Perera CC 7 TM Alexander Sathyanathan
5 Ivan Kevityagala CC 9 TM Saman Perera
6 CC Ananth Selladoray AC Bronze 1 TM Ivan Kevityagala
7 CC Premelal Brahammanage AC Bronze 4 CC Ananth Selladoray
8 CC Chandana Weerasekera AC Bronze 4 CC Premelal Brahammanage
9 CC Karthik Ramachandran AC Bronze 5 CC Chandana Weerasekera

7:30 - 7:50 Call for report of Timer and ‘Ah’ Counter & Evaluation of speeches
Toastmaster Thanks everybody & hands over control to Topic Master

7:50 - 7:51 Toastmaster hands back control to the President

7:51 - 7:53 General Evaluation

7:53 - 7:55 President’s Remarks / announcements.

7:55 - 7:57 Members Comments

7.57 Termination of formal session

NEXT MEETING IS ON WEDNESDAY THE 7TH MAY. DON’T MISS IT……………..!!!!!!!!!

Agenda Meeting 19 year 02

Agenda
Ralph Toastmasters Club - Educational Meeting 19 year 02
(5.30 p.m to 7.45 p.m)
Wednesday 19 March, 2008
Samudra Hotel, Galle Road, Ceylon Hotel School Complex (Opposite Crescat)
off Baudhaloka Mawatha Colombo 07

Toastmaster: TM Anton Kevitiyagala
President: CC Premelal Brahammanage
Table Topic Master: TM Ruwan Senanayake
‘Ah’ Counter: TM Anthony Arnold
Round Robin Master: TM Nirmal Nanayakkara
Table Topics Evaluator: TM Viren Ruberu
Timer: TM Nishadi Dharmaratne
Grammarian: TM Royston Joseph
General Evaluator: TM Sesiri Pethangoda

Word Of the Day: Shall be updated in due course
Thought of the day: Shall be updated in due course

P.M
5:30 - 6:00 Registration & Fellowship
6:00 - 6:03 Meeting called to order by President
National Anthem
6:03 – 6:15 Introduction of Timer and Round Robin Session- 20 seconds per person
Briefing of the Word of the day and Thought of the day by Grammarian 6:15 - 6:17 President introduces the Toastmaster and hands over control.
6:17 – 6:18 Toastmaster introduces "Ah" counter & conducts the Prepared speech session
6:18 - 6:53 Speaker & Level Level of Speech Evaluator
1 TM Rouf Hakeem CC 1 CC Karthik Ramachandran
2 TM Nalin Fernando CC 4 open
3 TM E M Wijetillake CC 4 TM Anton Kevitiyagala
4 TM Ruwan Senanayake CC 4 CC Premelal Brahammanage
5 TM Ivan Kevitiyagala CC 9 TM Ruwan Senanayake

6:53 - 7:03 Call for report of Timer and ‘Ah’ Counter & Evaluation of speeches
Toastmaster Thanks everybody & hands over control to Topic Master

7:03 - 7:20 Table Topics session
7:20 - 7:28 Timers, Ah counter's reports and evaluations of table topics
7:28 - 7:29 Topicmaster thanks all and hands back control to the Toastmaster
7:29 - 7:30 Toastmaster hands back control to the President
7:30 - 7:34 President calls for the Grammarians comments
7:34 - 7:38 General Evaluation
7:38 - 7:42 President’s Remarks / announcements.
7:42 - 7:45 Members Comments. Selection of role players for the next meeting on 2nd April 2008.
7.45 Termination of Meeting.

Minutes of Meeting 18 year 02

Dear Toastmasters,

Please find enclosed the minutes of the meeting referred above:

Meeting was called to order late by 6:15 pm due to the heavy rain.
The president lead the National Anthem with Gusto and introduced the Timer TM Anton Kevitiyagala. He further introduced the Round Robin master TM Ivan Kevitiyagala who lead the session on the topic of controlling our temper. Most of the members picked the last word and Ivan ended the session with an example of how he controls his temper at his residence by just lying low - A take home for us..!

The president then introduced the Toastmaster of the day TM Royston Joseph who duly introduced the Ah counter TM Rouf Hakeem and called on to the first speaker TM Sanjeewa Wimalasiri on successfully reading the objectives of his speech by CC Premelal Brahammanage.
Sanjeewa spoke on Photography.
Next the Toastmaster requested CC Karthik Ramachandran to read out the objectives of TM Ruwan Senanayake's level 4 speech on Reasoning.

The ah counter and Timer were requested to give their evaluations and the evaluators requested to evaluate the respective speakers. Apparently, Sanjeewa Wimalasiri was requested to give another try on his speech as the evaluator felt the objectives could have been met better. His being a higher level, was evaluated in a very critical manner. On the other hand, TM Ruwan's Speech was commended and evaluated with minor improvements.

The toastmaster subsequently handed the controls to the topic master TM Sanjeewa Wimalasiri who immediately jotted down seven topics on the board which was responded well by speakers TM Wijetillake, TM Royston, TM Ivan and TM Nirmal Nanayakkara. Due to constraint in time, topics were restricted to 4 and the evaluations of the same performed by CC Premelal Brahammanage.

The topic master handed over control to the Toastmaster on thanking his role players. The toastmaster in his turn thanked the role players again and handed control back to the president.

The president called the Grammarian for his report where CC Karthik Ramachandran stressed on grammar with tenses, plurality, pronounciation of certain words beginning with 'S' (Style , Smile); 'V' (Love, Vehicle) and 'W' (Wet, World). It was stressed that for 'V' one has to bite the lower lip with the upper teeth and for 'W' the lips should be curled around in an 'O' shape. This was practised and taken up. Finally, it was stressed to avoid using the word 'thing' whenever a specific matter or event could replace the same.

The president thank the Grammarian and made a few suggestions, namely; Paying the club dues on time; attending the full day training programme on 29th March 2008 and the Conference for TM Sri Lanka. He stressed that we should have a mass on the conference day.

The president called upon the general evaluator TM Lalin who was very critically constructive with respect to the time we started, the National flag being placed in a place which should be changed and other improvements with respect to the meeting.

Finally the president called for the role players for the meeting on 19th March 2008. Once done the meeting was adjourned on time at 7:35 pm.

Next meeting was requested to start at 6pm on the 19th March 2008 at the OPA.

Rgds
VP Ed 2007/08

Agenda
Ralph Toastmasters Club - Educational Meeting 18 year 02
(5.30 p.m to 7.35 p.m) Wednesday 05 March, 2008 (OPA)

Toastmaster: TM Royston Joseph
President: CC Premelal Brahammanage
Table Topic Master: TM Sanjeewa Wimalasiri
‘Ah’ Counter: TM Rouf Hakeem
Round Robin Master: TM Ivan Kevitiyagala
Table Topics Evaluator: TM Janaka De Silva
Timer: TM Anton Kevitiyagala
Grammarian: CC Karthik Ramachandran
General Evaluator: TM Lalin Fernando

Word Of the Day: Abrupt

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
Briefing of the Word of the day and Thought of the day by Grammarian
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 - 6:37 Prepared Speeches

1 TM Ruwan Senanayake CC
2 TM Veerappan Sivagurunathan CC
3 TM Ivan Kevitiyagala CC
4 TM Sajitha Kevitiyagala CC
5 TM Sanjeewa Wimalasiri CC

6:37 - 6:45 Call for report of Timer and ‘Ah’ Counter & Evaluation of speeches
Toastmaster Thanks everybody & hands over control to Topic Master
6:45 - 7:10 Table Topics session
7:10 - 7:18 Timers, Ah counter's reports and evaluations of table topics
7:18 - 7:19 Topicmaster thanks all and hands back control to the Toastmaster
7:19 - 7:20 Toastmaster hands back control to the President
7:20 - 7:24 President calls for the Grammarians comments
7:24 - 7:28 General Evaluation
7:28 - 7:32 President’s Remarks / announcements.
7:32 - 7:35 Members Comments /selection of speakers & role players for next meeting
7.35 Termination of Meeting.

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.