VOL 4 ISSUE 2

EDITORIAL

Dear Leaders,

Another new year knocks in the door. Starting somewhere new is always a bizarre experience. There’s so much to get used to, and things come at you at such a pace. The beginning of the year is at its heart a fantasy of newness and clean slates of the chance to do things differently and with more attention to purpose.

We all live in a turbulent and vulnerable world distorted with the noise of distrust, terror, fear, betrayals, intolerance and frustrations. We have our own limitations and unique circumstances. Is it possible to live a peaceful life in this world?

The answer is to live like a lotus. It rises from the mud all the way up towards the light and flourishes as a symbol of purity, divine and wisdom! Similarly , human beings can also rise from murky circumstances to achieve great things. It doesn’t matter where you are born or what circumstances you are in right now.

How beautiful it will be if we could live a lotus life? Truth, kindness, love and forgiveness are virtues that can purify each one of us and make us as beautiful as a lotus. So let it be our new year resolution this time.

Rise above and live like a lotus. Be in the world , but unaffected by its impurities.

When TOASTRACK VOL 4 first issue released in September, we had many targets aiming high. Now three months down the line, this second issue showcases our achievements blended with the creative contributions of our enthusiastic members. We are now president’s distinguished club scoring ten DCP points in just six months. This is certainly a double delight for us in this season of joy and celebrations.

Yes, we are the winning team. Fall in love with toastmasters and feel proud to be a part of it.

Happy Reading,

TM Arun Kumar BalakrishnanVice President Public RelationsMussafah Toastmasters Club, Abu Dhabi

rise above

ETHICS OF GOOD

TOASTMASTER

MEETINGTM Ashok

PRESIDENTS

COLUMNTM Pio Antony

JOURNEY WITH

THE TOASTTM Abhilash

DEW DROPS

IN THE DESERTMTM Smitha

TIME TO

CHANGEMTM Yugaranee

IN SAFE HANDSIN FOCUS

MY BOSSTM Ashok

WILL YOU ASK

EVERYTHING TO

YOUR WIFE ?TM Vivek

VERTICALLY

CHALLENGEDTM Harsha

1

ACHIEVEMENTSMY TOASTMASTER

EXPERIENCEINTERVIEW

TECH TALK

PICTURE

TALK

FEEDBACKSTOASTRACK VOL 4 ISSUE 1

RECOGNITIONS

& AWARDS

10 11 12-13

1614-15 17-18

2 3

4 5 6

7 8 9

Dear Toastmasters,

We are just before the finish of 2014 and it is the time for an appraisal…..today if we are at the same point we activated on Jan 1st, then the days conceded in our life this year is a huge loss. In fact if our wealth or health is lost it can definitely be retained but, the time, days, weeks and months that we lost will never return to us…. It is a defeat!!

I too had New Year resolutions for this year but unfortunately, like every year I couldn’t make it. Repentance will never retain those days…. I need to fasten my belts and pay off it during the coming year. However, I am happy too at some level…ask me why?

I was reluctant to take the lead role of our club – but again choice was very minimum…. In a usual situation and custom of many clubs, VPE becomes next President which again makes the movement easier. But in our case a Treasurer had to become President and with almost every leader is without previous experience except Sergeant at Arms. Today when I look at our club and my team, I am proud to state that we are the best in our area and division, and that shows the effort of each member specially our club officers of this academic year. It reminds me the quote “if there is WILL there is WAY”

1

We flagged the race of this academic year by the Officer’s training program which was attended by all our leaders. Our VP Education has taken some calculated risk from the beginning by targeting all the 10 DCP points by December 31st, including many Triple Crown awards and fast track awards during this academic year…… to be honest I wasn’t convinced but confused…. But he made it and we are almost there. Hats off to VPE TM Prajwal, you can do wonders to Mussafah Toastmasters club.

Bringing Smedley home was never an easy task for a club in the history and that was not in my agenda too. But working with TM Harsha as VP-M, I didn’t have to put much of effort to get five new members during that period and in fact we achieved it much before. The best part we keep the same pace every day, he keeps adding members every month. Thank you my VP-M, you made us proud in the Area and Division.

Whatever you do or create and if not offered well, it never get recognized. The biggest advantage of Mussafah Toast Master club is the association of professionals. We have many with IT background and when it comes to VP-PR, I never knew the professionalism he has got so much to do in our community. Release of our last Newsletter has taken our club to a different level…. ToasTrack represent the Name of our club everywhere and no wonder because the magic touch was by TM Arun. Thank you VP – PR, You have taken us to a new height.

Who doesn’t like working with individuals that take care of every act in a methodical style and with proper documentation? Secretary has got a vital role in a club, but I am very much relaxed because it is TM Abhilash takes care of that spot. Normally it’s hard to find the balance between too much and too little in a club meeting or in an Executive meeting but in the case of our Secretary it is different. Thanks TM Abhilash for your wonderful work and it excites always.

There is a conversational saying and it goes like “no money, no honey”. Having the experience of being a treasurer for more than one academic year, I am very much aware how difficult is that position in a club like ours. But fortunately TM John doesn’t show any difficulties in that capacity….. Thanks TM John for controlling the financial part wisely!!

Last but not least our Sargent at Arms TM Uthaman, a role model of every toast master. Club winner of last year’s Humors contest, founder member, a seasoned toastmaster – who never fails to attend the meetings and much more. We are blessed to have such a person in this capacity. TM Uthaman, the beauty of your role is “it is you the Sergeant at Arm who start rolling the ball in every meeting” and we go after you!!

Being with a team of efficient Club Officers, Area Governor like TM Swami Nathan and a passionate Division Governor DTM Sunil Kottarathil, my role as President of Mussafah Toast Masters is relaxed and unforced – in short I certainly enjoy every bit of the role as a President!!

Together Everyone Achieves More.

President |Pio Antony ACB, ALB

“I certainly enjoy every bit of the role as a President of Mussafah Toastmasters

Club”

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2

It was indeed a bad day for me. I was attending a leaders meeting as a part of our group team building. I was part of a big multinational automotive group but worked in a small branch office as a team leader. Managers from various departments and entities where gathered in a five star hotel in Dubai ,in a huge banquet hall for a two day event mainly focusing on "TEAM BUILDING" I was in charge for a small team in Abudhabi, so I had to attended the meeting as well . As the program progressed there was a session where I was asked to present an interpretation of Robinhood story to the rest of the team. When I heard this, butterflies started to fly inside my stomach.

I was so scared and nervous that I wish I could run away from the place. Somehow I managed to excuse myself from giving that presentation. But my ego was hurt badly and I felt a strange feeling of self-pity for the first time in my life. All the way while I was returning to Abudhabi, I was wondering how I am going to survive speaking in front of an audience. From next day onwards I started researching on the subject but didn't get a complete solution to my throbbing problem. Few days later , I came to know about some seminars which are basically for training people to eliminate the fear of public speaking ,but when I heard of their fees structure , I was completely surprised! It was about half of my monthly salary.

I continued my research without losing hope and I came across a strange name “Toastmasters“. Being an Asian, by reading the name I thought it was some drinkers club. I checked again about the club in detail and realized that the club vision was about building communication & leadership skills. I was curious and started digging deeper. Then I came across Mussafah Toastmasters CLUB ,which was very near to where I was living. I was lucky enough to find some contact details also. Without any hesitations, I have called and told the attended person that I would like to join your club. He promised me to call me back and within one hour another person called and introduced himself as Vice-president of membership of the club and given me a brief explanation of what toastmaster club is all about. He also invited me to come for their 50th meeting which was going to be conducted in one of the halls in a restaurant in Mussafah.

I reached the venue 10 minutes before schedule. There I saw a group of people, all in their best executive appearance and they were helping each other to arrange everything in order before the meeting. But even though they were busy, one of the gentlemen came to me with a smile and introduced himself. He was very friendly and told me about how the meeting is going to be conducted and he allocated a member to sit beside me to clear my doubts during the meeting. I Sat there and started observing the people around me and one thing I found in common in all of them was the true passion & enthusiasm in their eyes! They all were passionate and dedicated. For the next two hours I sat there completely dissolved in the meeting. At the end of session I said to myself, Abhilash this is the place you were searching and these are the people you want to be with!.I decided to start my toast masters journey along with them . Dear friends, I truly consider this as one of the best decisions I have taken in my life.

“At the end of session I said myself, Abhilash this is the place you were searching and these are the people

you want to be with”

JOURNEY WITH THE

TOAST

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3

Every toastmaster meeting is unique by virtue of its events, role players and off-course the participants. Hence I look every TM meeting as a small project. The preparation for every meeting starts well in advance ideally four weeks prior but not less than two weeks in advance. The first activity is finalizing the date, and confirmation of the venue by the sergeant at arm. Thereafter, the VP (E) will compile the names of the role players. The best way to get the nominations are the meeting itself. Hence it is important that a suitable slot is given to VP(E) in every meeting to act upon this. Due course, the VP (E) will prepare the meeting agenda in consultation with president and governing bodies and circulate to all club members, area and div. governing officers. Parallely, he also needs to prepare a check list for the specific infrastructure needs - if any, after discussing with all role players and inform the Sergeant-at-arms for its timely availability. Each members and club officers in particular are expected to visualize every meetings in advance and come up with their suggestions / advices rather than pointing out at the last moment and that is the winning edge of a successful meeting.

All executive committee members especially the Sergeant at-arms is expected to reach the venue at least 30 minutes prior to the meeting. Starting from switching on the A/C of the meeting venue to arrange all infrastructure including availability of refreshments are Sargent at-arms responsibility. He also needs to take stock of all club assets and secure them shipshape after every meeting. Not providing an appropriate reliever on his absence to perform these duties at times emerges as a bottleneck in many occasions. All club officers are obliged to take permission in advance for their absence from the club president so as to avoid last minute surprises. Further all club officers are expected to carry their respective file folder containing eg. all role players scripts with VP(E), All TM broachers with VP (PR), Membership forms with VP (Mem), Accounts, receipts with Treasurer, MOMs, attendance sheet, club correspondences with Secretary, Club assets list and future requirements with Sargent-At-arms.

Meeting attendance is another important criteria of a successful meeting. The functioning of existing buddy calling mechanism need to be re-visited. New TMs are to be appointed and delegated as team leaders. Generating healthy competition between these teams can yield better outcomes. Rewarding the successful teammates and the leader shall be a good initiative towards motivation. For the first six months each new members are to be allotted with mentors. VP(E) / club president needs to personally asses the mentoring activity of the club. Each role players are expected to rehearse their meeting role until they attain certain confidence level with the help of mentors. Bringing the communication and leadership manuals to the club meeting is very important. All the updates are to be done during the stipulated time in the agenda. New members are to make alternate mechanism to maintain their update in conjunction with VP(E).

Every one attending the meeting has to respect the agenda. Time management is one of the important aspects that we learn in the toastmaster meeting. Always be punctual, concise and receptive in the meetings. Quality of the meeting is everybody’s business. Together let us excel and bring flying colours to our club.

“Quality of the meeting is everybody’s business. Together let us excel and bring flying colours to our club”

Ethics Of Good

Toastmaster

Meeting

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4

Very soon we all are going to say goodbye to 2014 and get ready to welcome the New Year 2015 with great hope. This is the best time to ring our mind to reflect on what’s working well in our lives and what isn’t. So what’s the big deal about making and keeping New Year’s resolutions? They are decisions to make positive changes and to overcome problems you’re having. Resolving to make a change is the easy part, sticking to those New Year’s resolutions isn’t quite easy. Following steps make easy to deal our New Year resolutions.

Choose a resolution that’s reasonable-Keep in mind that small steps contribute to bigger things.

Be patient It’s important to make small improvements each and every day. It takes time to get ahead and to build belief in yourself.

Be self-compassionate Give yourself a break and accept when things are difficult. Look at mistakes or failures with kindness and understanding.

Choose a resolution that motivates you Think about the big picture-your resolution will be linking one specific and often small action to a greater purpose. For example “becoming faster, fitter” will be more motivating than “keeping away from fast foods”.

Stick to your resolution What can you do to make it easier to change? Can you change things such as foods in the cupboards or the times you wake up or go to sleep?

Reward yourself give yourself a pat on the back or a tangible reward when you achieve something that brings you closer to your end goal. Plan your rewards and use them to continually motivate you.

Use SMART (Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and tangible) goals. For example I will go for a short walk three times per week”.

See every step you make as progress Research shows that willpower can get depleted over time. If you’re feeling low, unmotivated or unhappy you may need to take a step back and start again.Get ready to rock the New Year. Go for your dreams and make them happen. “Make New Year's goals.

What would you like to happen in your life in the coming year? What would you like to do, to accomplish? What good would you like to attract into your life? What particular areas of growth would you like to have happen to you? What blocks, or character defects, would you like to have removed?What would you like to attain? Where would you like to go? What would you like to have happen in friendship and love? What would you like to have happen in your family life? What problems would you like to see solved? What decisions would you like to make? What would you like to happen in your career? Write it down. Take a piece of paper, a few hours of your time, and write it all down - as an affirmation of you, your life, and your ability to choose. Then let it go.

The New Year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.”

“The New Year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting

to be written”

TIME TO

CHANGE

4

As a Timer, my role is to remind speakers

on how much time ……

Handling the timer role in the toastmasters

meetings is more than just a role for

TM Aveena Chinna Naik.

TIMEIN SAFE HANDS!

“ I understand that TIMER is the most

important roles in a toastmaster

meeting. Handling the role multiple times

improved my time management skills

considerably. I really enjoy being a timer

whenever gets an opportunity. “

“ TM Aveena is very passionate and

enthusiastic in handling the timer role.

I recognised him as a timer with high

precision most of the times“Pio Antony, Club President

IN FOCUS

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6

Edward stared at the moonlight even though the city was alive with colorful lights. He couldn’t get to sleep as something was haunting him and his face was reflecting it.

Edward suddenly closed the window and took his laptop to type something as if he has made up his mind; it was nothing, but his resignation letter; and then he went to sleep peacefully.

Very tensed, but determined Edward reached office early next morning to meet and discuss his decision with the boss. However his boss didn’t show up till noon and he learnt from someone that the boss would be coming only on the next day. It was then, he heard a scornful voice from his colleague, Robert; “Do you want any help?” Edward and Robert are part of one team and were handling leading positions of a new project. Hearing Robert, Edward burst into angry, but controlled himself and said, “No, I am ok”. He whispered in his mind,” You are responsible for my resignation. You ruined me. It was me who designed this software, but you took all the credit by taking the lead to present it in front of the management as if you had designed it and I am just assisting you. I will make you to pay for it”. Suddenly, his phone rang and it was his friend from the next department; “Good Afternoon Edward; Are you free in the evening?” Edward said, “Yes”, and the friend asked if Edward could accompany him to a meeting. “It is only for 2 hours. It is all about improving our communication and leadership qualities”, the friend explained. After thinking for a while, Edward said,” I am not interested in the meeting. But, I can come with you just to accompany you.”

As decided, they reached the venue sharp at 8 pm. In the meeting, Edward was asked to introduce himself for which he felt very uncomfortable as he was an introvert. However he somehow managed to say something and sat down. He felt he should escape from the meeting as soon as possible. As the meeting progressed, he got a chance to listen to many edifying speeches, among which one of them struck his heart, “You are the only one who is responsible for your success or failure.”

All the way back home he was thinking about those words; “You are the only one who is responsible for your success or failure”. It was then he started to evaluate himself; “Why Robert took advantage of me? Why I couldn’t speak in the meeting tonight?” He realized the reason for his failure. Suddenly, a breeze of positive energy filled his mind. He decided to change himself. Since then, he practiced regularly to improve his communication skills with the support of his friends in the new club. He was charged with self-confidence and pride. Finally, the reckoning day came; the day of the release of their new project. This time, before Robert utter a word, Edward had already taken the lead. His boss was really shocked to see the awesome presentation of Edward. Everyone congratulated him for his incredible performance. After a few weeks, he got an email with his promotion letter attached. He happily replaced the resignation letter in his laptop with the promotion letter.

Let us pause for a minute and evaluate ourselves. Is Edward familiar to us? Act now! It’s the way you face Life that makes the difference. “You are the only one who is responsible for your success or failure”.

It was a calm full moon night in the winter ….

DEWDROPS

INDESERT

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Dear Toastmaster of the evening, respected President, my fellow members and distinguished guests.. a very Nice Time to all of you. It was around 9’o clock in my watch; a shiny morning at Mumbai Central railway station. The street started engaging its morning businesses. After having my usual ‘Cutting Tea’ from Yadhav Bhai, a road side Tea vendor from UP, which was known for its perfect blend with ginger and milk used to boost up my morning energy levels, I moved towards the work site the 55 storied tallest building of Mumbai - The ‘Tirupathi Towers’ which can be visible even from the Yadhav Bhai’s tea shop.. When I reached, I saw my contractor and his workers relaxing and chewing the “Paan” without worries and Hurries!... When they saw me all stood up and greeted with “Namaskar Sir”. “Whatsup?....” I asked to Vijay, the contractor. “Everything is going well. Yesterday we have finished the ducting work of top floor but one gentleman of flat # 5502 wants to see you” he replied. Going upward I noticed that the lift of the building was constructed in such a peculiar design which offers the commuters a nice view of the city through its glasses, stopped in front of the flat no. 5502. Due to uncertainty, I thought, it would be better if I have a look towards the work done by the contractor before meeting the tenant, so I had little bit hesitation to press the door bell. I found nothing wrong in the work done. With confidence I returned to flat no. 5502 and pressed the door bell. Almost one minute later the door was opened and a man of around 50s wearing a white Pyjama and Kurtha has turned up.“Sir, My name is Vivek, the supervisor for the telecom work being carried out in this building.” I introduced myself.“Oh I see.. Vivek, I just wish to give you my suggestions to the work carried out by your people in this floor". He took me to the area where the ducting work had been carried out. “Look Vivek, the cable conduit your workers placed is quite big which is not in fact required for the only two families of this floor. Please arrange to replace the same with a small one which will give a decent look to the wall and even reduce your cost as well..” Knowing the fact that replacing the already placed ducts was practically more hectic and costly, I responded to him cleverly. “Well Sir.. I understood your suggestion but at first I need to ask my Boss for these changes and later I can confirm you " Hearing that he put his right palm on my shoulder and asked “Well Vivek, you told me that you are the supervisor for these works.. Why you are not able to take a decision even for a small matter? Will you ask everything to your wife in your life?” The unexpected and meaningful question made me a big zero in front of him. I kept quiet for while. “Look Vivek, you should be wise enough of taking spontaneous decisions instead of asking everything to your boss. What you feel is right, should be your action which will help you to be more confident in your future endeavors” He continued advising me like an elder brother. Throughout my journey on my way back to office nearby to Mumbai VT Railway station, the dialogue of that gentle man was waving in my ears.. “Will you ask everything to your wife?....” which tremendously enlighten my thoughts and approach to problems. That was an old story but now I have crossed many years and the technologies are also considerably improved... No time for asking to wife… No need for asking to Boss… Everything is at our finger tip… Thanks to Internet search engines Google. But before concluding, I would like to raise a question… “Will you ask everything to Google?!.."

Over to you………

“You need to take some decisions your own which will make you a perfect

and a strong man in the life”

Will You Ask Everything To Your Wife ?

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8You might have heard of phrases like mentally challenged, physically challenged etc...

but have you heard of anything like - Vertically challenged!!! Yes... I am vertically challenged - heightism attacked person... and I want to share some of the

symptoms and sorrows of this “heightism affected” “vertically challenged” species with you!!!

I am not a down-to-earth guy...am I? I am near to sky guy…am I not? I am tall because God loves me and he wants me near to him. When people live in

troposphere I can even extend up to stratosphere!!! I’m so tall that even in summer I still have snow on my head. Whenever people see me there are few very obvious

questions….Oh! You are so tall...as if I didn’t know that…You play basketball? Why should I... I play Ludo or Judo. It’s my wish!!! Where do you get a girl for wedding?

Why do you worry boss? If no girl I will marry a man. It’s my wish!!!

But dear friends, have you observed that we don’t go around saying: you’re short, you’re fat, or you have a big nose. This leads me to believe that being tall is a good distinction to have; otherwise people wouldn’t feel comfortable pointing it out. And

yet…it’s difficult being different. A part of us really want to just blend into the crowd, be like everyone else.

We are considered as giraffes of human kind…as per one survey there are only 3.9% people are taller than 6’2” and I am 6’4’”...so I consider myself as special. But

unfortunately others consider me as abnormal… Jealousy!!! Who says jealousy thy name women... jealousy thy name men more than women!!! Because there is a

misconception which says ‘women like tall men’…Do they? Who knows…I don’t know. Even if they…may be due to some reasons like- to help them taking kitchen

boxes from the top shelves or to fix the bulb or to clean cobwebs on the roof!!! Sometimes they may use us as a bulldozer to get through a crowd like in a saree

house where discount sale is announced or in jewelry shops. But I think girls are more attracted to fat purse than tall persons!!!

But I faced lot of problems due to tallness…like - I was always a back bencher in schools and in other gatherings. You know the reputation of we back benchers in

schools. In buses we can’t stand straight. We always form question mark, when in a bus. I hate walking in places with low ceilings such as basements, planes or buses.

I’m guaranteed to hit my head on something. Several times in a rush I hit my head that too really hard. You can see the bump.

Other very serious problem is finding right sized pants!!!Do you know how hard it is to find jeans with a 32/33 waist and a 36 inseam? I’ll tell you. As hard as finding a silent

toastmaster!!! Finding a perfect fitting pair of jeans is like winning the lottery. I’ve found that Big and Tall, Banana Republic and Levi Strauss relaxed jeans fit me best. Anything else is really hit or miss. Going through racks on racks of jeans to only see

30 or 32 inseam jeans is just insulting.

Worst problem is in long car rides. It is a torture on my knees. When I finally get a chance to stretch, my knees start to crack and I can feel all the blood in my legs race

towards my knees. The same thing happens on airplane or bus rides. When I go to the movies I usually have to sit at the end of the aisle so I can put my legs into the aisle

However, my attitude towards heightism changed recently when I read a University of North Carolina study. My consciousness, if not my height, has been raised.

Statistically speaking, the taller you are, the more money you make. Each inch is worth about $789 more per year. Someone who is six feet tall is expected to earn $5523 more per year than someone who is 5-feet-five. I hope my company sees this report and raise my salary as per my height. (But I think they referred to some other report

and my situation is just opposite.)

Friends, like this Tall people tell many telltale tall troubles which are taller than them to tackle tactically. Forgive them please. After all they are vertically challenged!

VERTICALLY

CHALLENGED

8

After circumventing an unexpected traffic block, I rushed to reach the meeting room where I had to

participate two meetings, one after the other. As soon as I entered the meeting room, I heard a hounding voice,“Ashok, you are 27 minutes early for the next meeting! You can wait outside”.

The voice was of my boss of previous company. A highly disciplined, sincere and autonomous man of late 50s,someone resembling like Dr. Visvesvaraya. We can even adjust our watch with his daily routine activities. I hardlysaw him laughing or chitchatting with others in the office. He strictly adhered to all the protocols of the companyand maintained a very high integrity. Every assignment, which he gave me, was a test to prove my professionalism,character and creativity. Getting an appreciation from him was like winning Nobel Prize. His conversations werealways to the point. I used to see him spending time alone, deeply thinking, as if lost in thoughts, almost afterevery two to three hours. Later I learned that great leaders spend considerable time alone; alone with nothing buttheir own thinking apparatus. They take time out to confer with themselves and tap their supreme thinking power.He was very sharp and was able to read his subordinates’ body languages very accurately. In fact, hardly someonecould lie with him. Once I was forced to tell a lie during one of our project progress reviews due to somecircumstantial issues. I thought it was harmless and I was much relieved for saving the scene while coming out ofhis office, but eventually within the next few hours itself, I saw him doing exactly the same tasks which I wassupposed to do! I got heavily burdened. I waited for two days, but he continued doing all my jobs. Finally whenI got an opportunity to break the silence, he replied “Dependency erode competency, let us do our business!” Ittook me almost a week to get back to normal. I was astounded, when he told me that he really did had a thoughton what made me to act indifferently on that particular day. His equation with each individual was different. Hehad an abundant stamina to engage himself in the company affairs more than 15 hours a day.

Once during our family picnic, I saw him as the main entertainer for kids. I couldn’t believe my eyes; he was sodeeply indulged in playing with the kids. At another time, he called our group for a lunch at his home. He cookeda very delicious lunch both vegetarian and non-vegetarian for us. He made all of us so comfortable, that we neverexperienced even in our best friends’ homes. But the most important thing that I can never forget was the supportwhich he gave me while I had fallen sick with ‘Dengue fever’, which was an unknown disease those days. He wasthe first man to reach to support my family to help with medical procedures, financial assistance and mostimportantly moral support.

In fact, his association taught me many lessons in my life. He was a true leader, who always had entirelydifferent approaches for business and family matters. If somebody can see any positive leadership quality in me,it purely got installed by my associateship with him, for which I am much grateful. When a subordinate considershis boss as a role model, that is the best recognition the boss can ever have and at the same time, the best gift asubordinate can give to his boss, who proves himself as a boss in need is boss indeed! I dedicate this small write-upto my ever-regarded undisclosed role model boss. I wish him all success and prosperity on this International BossDay (16th October).

M.P Ashok KumarA sincere subordinate16 Oct 2014 MY BOSS

99

When and why did you join Toastmasters?

Leadership is lifting a person’s vision to high sights, the raising of a person’s performance to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal limitations. (Peter Drucker). After attending the first meeting in July, I felt TM Club is the best place to sow my dream of improving leadership qualities and now I started to harvest the results.

What is the most important thing you tell your friends and family about Toastmasters?

The feeling of goodness is the most important thing that drives a person to stick to an organization or club. You can promote something to someone with whole heart only if you have tasted its sweetness. The most touching thing which I used to tell everyone about TM club is teamwork of helping each other to grow towards the fullness.

What do you consider to be the highlights of your Toastmasters experience?

Just after breaking the ICE, I was asked to take TME role by the VPE, and I was very afraid to take this role at this stage. Support by senior toast masters at our club gave confidence and I was able to serve as TME.

MY TOASTMASTER

EXPERIENCE

TM Harsha interviews one of our

vibrant new member

TM Ushus Symon

10

ENJOY THE TOASTMASTER MAGAZINE & MTC MOBILE APP IN YOUR SMART DEVICE

No need to wait for the post or courier…

The TOASTMASTER Magazine issues are

available now in iPAD, Android and Kindle Fire HD

Simply download the app for your tablet from apple ,

google play or amazon app store.

“Search for TOASTMASTERS Magazine”

Note : Be ready with your user id and password to

proceed..

TECH TALK

11

3

Smedley Award

Kudos VP Membership TM Harsha

Somayaji ACB , you have done it ….

About Smedley Award?

It all began in 1924. Ralph Smedley invited few men to

meet in Santa Ana, California YMCA where he conducted

the first meeting of what would eventually evolve into

Toastmasters International. One person initiated a

program, that would go on to affect millions of people.

In his honor, can you club add five new, dual, or

reinstated members between August 1 and September

30? By doing so, you will qualify to receive a ‘Smedley

Award” ribbon to display on your club’s banner.

President's Distinguished ClubDear VPEducation Prajwal Damodar, thank you for making us special….

The Distinguished Club Program is an annual program, running from July 1 through June 30.

The program consists of 10 goals your club should strive to achieve using the Club Success

Plan as your guide. To help you keep track of your progress toward these goals throughout

the year, your club’s president is sent quarterly progress reminders. At year-end, the

number of goals the club achieved is calculated. Based on this and the number of members it

has, the club may be recognized as a Distinguished, Select Distinguished, or President’s

Distinguished Club.

First time in the history of Mussafah Toastmasters Club

First in Area - 9 during the year 2014-2015

First in Division - H during the year 2014 – 2015

In the 90th Anniversary Year of Toastmasters International

In the 90th Meeting of Mussafah Toastmasters

We have done it!1st

WE

ARE

THE

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313

Congratulations

Team MTC

We are now

PRESIDENT’S DISTINGUISHED CLUBDCP POINTS

First in Division H, First in Area 9 [2014-2015]

In just Six Months !

3

TOASTMASTERS

EDUCATIONAL

AWARDS

TM Sajin & TM Abhilash

Advanced Communicator Bronze (ACB)

Competent Communicator (CC)

TM Parjwal TM Harsha

TM Premanadhan TM Sajin Sulaiman TM Abhilash

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Master Arjun Pinku has bagged first in the CUTTIES contest conducted by Fresh and More Supermarket in Musaffa. The finalist

selected by the likes from the face book. He got 876 likes and escalated to

the first place. He is the son of TM Pinku Pillai.

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Master Arjun Pinku Freddy & Patrick, we congratulate you!

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Indira Gandhi Veekshanam forum Literary competition prize winners Freddy & Patrick.

They are the sons of TM Pio Antony.

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Dear TM Arun,

I read the whole newsletter and it's an

outstanding publication with an excellent mix of

inspiration, education, information and fun. I'm

totally inspired by the President's ambitious plans

for the club. If whatever the club has achieved so

far is any clue, I'm sure he will definitely do what

he says and even more. 'Toastmastering with

Masala Dosa' was really a cool and innovative

piece.. it reminded me of all the Masala Dosas I've

taken from your club.. or I would say 'our' club

coz it's really close to my heart. Most

newsletters I stop reading halfway coz they are

boring but this one hooked me to it till the end.

Keep up the awesome work and all the best for

your future works.

Regards,

TM Ravi Moosad

Area 23 Governor

Amazing, outstanding and a novel to be

persevered in e-library for the benefit of

Toastmasters. Mussaffah has set a bench mark in

accomplishments, Hats Off.

Thanking in advance.

(Swami)

Excellent job!!!! Keep it up. Proud to

be associated as a sponsor for

Mussafah TM club.

Regards

DTM Santosh

“I sincerely appreciate the wonderful magazine

you have published. I am unable to find words to

explain the way you compiled and presented this

magazine. Thanks for the great job you have done

to elevate MTC to new heights”

– TM Rajesh

Wow!!!

Congratulations on coming up with

the latest issue of TOASTRACK in

style. Very creative and pleasing

design, with valuable contents.

Keep up the good work. Keep

inspiring!!!

Best regards,

Sunil Kottarathil, DTM

Division Governor (2014-15)

Division H, District 20

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District 20 Council meeting was held on Friday,

24th October, 2014 in Dubai. TM Pio Antony &TM

Prajwal Damoder attended the event

representing MTC.

On 14th of November Friday, division H had

conducted a program in Al-Rimal Club Abudhabi

,called PR FOR DUMMIES which basically aimed

for the Vice President of Public Relations.TM

Harsha Somayaji, TM John Thomas, TM Prajwal

Damoder &TM Abhilash .P.Korath attended the

event.

On 21st of November Friday, the judges training

where conducted for Division H ,TM Pio Antony

,TM Vivek &TM Abhilash attended the event

representing MTC.

On 28th of November Friday, the club officers

training and Division council meeting was

heldin ADCO training centre in abudhbi& five of

our club officers from MTC attended the

function.

On 5th of December 2014, the Friday TM Harsha

Somayaji CC&TM Abhilash P.Korath attended the

DIVISION J inter club debate contest which

was in skyline college Sharjah as Judges

representing Division H.