Elite Toastmasters

Four great speeches are all it takes to leave an audience speechless. And that's what happened today on a rainy evening at the 86th session. The SAA TM Suvojit did the usual justice to the kick-off by starting right on time and taking care of all the warnings that are sternly given to the audience. He also gave a mini-inspirational speech by calling our attention to the antics of the ant, its various qualities that are worth emulating. Stand-in President TM Vidwata told us how important it is to "sharpen the axe", that is to hone our skills through practice, something which is at the core of Toastmastering philosophy. She also took the oath, introduced all guests and called the TMOD on stage. Today's TMOD Shrradha had chosen as the theme a cryptic set of questions that sounded like a cry for a help: "Why me? Why this? Why now?" . She wove in the philosophy of volunteering without question, with her experience at a job interview and revealed gra...

Some days are too good to be true, especially if we spend it in a festive mood, in the company of food and friends. We had a lovely session with three great speeches, rich evaluations and fun-filled table topics. AND we finished on time. Those who are missing the sessions are...well...missing them. Our SAA Suvojit kicked off right on time with a message to get out of our comfort zone. Our acting President, TM Rupasree, related to us a powerful inspirational story about how an eagle, after it is 40 years old, retreats to a secluded place and pulls out its talons and feathers in a effort to grow them all over again. We too sometimes need to stop, introspect and reinvent ourselves. A good message Prez. TMOD Sutanu had chosen as a theme - you guessed it - Festival, Food and Friends,  not unexpectedly with Durga puja around the corner. Tm Rupasree and TM Sutanu did a little play-acting in the beginning to kick-start this fun-filled session. He was energetic and funny and h...

As I sat in the departure lounge at Kolkata airport, watching aeroplanes taxi down the runway and take off, I appreciated the aptness of the expression "Run to fly". Truly, to get anything to fly high, be it an object, a person or an endeavour, we need to build momentum before it can take off. So it is in Toastmasters. The club needs momentum of size before it can take off. The member needs momentum of a certain amount of stage-time before he or she can take off. While the EC ensures size through renewals and new members, the mentors ensure stage-time by encouraging members to take roles and give speeches. No wonder Elite Toastmasters flies high on both fronts. Today's session started almost on time and our SAA TM Suvojit was back in his usal energetic self. He kicked off the session with an encouragement to all members to be a " Ringmaster of words ", so that words do their bidding to build up splendid performances. Acting President TM Rupasree, set t...