EDITOR’s NOTETM Manish Navlani
This is the very first newsletter of Blue Ocean Academy Toastmasters Club and it has been named BLUE WAVES. In this edition, you will find out how the club started , mentors of our club, current members, ex-com committess for the year 2016-2017. The reason we have named it blue waves is simple as we want to create waves and let the world know that BOAT Club is going to sail into a new journey.
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WHAT’s INSIDE 1
About Blue Ocean Academy Toastmasters Club (BOAT CLUB)
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Messages FromClub President Area Director Division Director Club Mentors
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Club Executive Committee Members (2016-2017)
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Club Members List
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Toastmaster ‘s Journey TM BRIAN CC, ALB (CLUB IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT)
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Club Meeting Details
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Glimpses of Club meeting
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ABOUT BLUE OCEAN ACADEMY TOASTMASTERS CLUB (BOAT CLUB) Public speaking is a powerful leadership tool, one that helps professional’s fast-track their careers. Blue Ocean, UAE’s leading professional training institution had taken a small step in the right direction—launching the Blue Ocean Toastmaster’s Club – to help students learn this all important professional skill in May 2013. “This is one of the greatest investments you can make in yourself” explained Mr. Abdul Azeez, President of Blue Ocean Toastmaster’s Club and Founder of Blue Ocean Academy Toastmasters Club (BOAT CLUB), a life-changing opportunity for students to develop their public speaking and presentation skills,” he added. In the UAE and elsewhere in the Middle East, the power of rhetoric and public discourse remained grossly underestimated. Very few educational and professional institutions actually used to train professionals to speak eloquently and confidently and this was the prime reason why BOAT Club was chartered in 2013. A flair for public speaking can actually land a professional in a win-win situation. He not only can succeeds in a job interview, but is also regarded by the management as an asset to the company, often called upon to make presentations to clients, and address the audience from the podium during seminars and conferences. Drawn from diverse backgrounds as varied as information technology, engineering, healthcare, retail, HR, cabin crew, logistics and supply chain, quality control, the members of the Blue Ocean Toastmasters Club have come together to create an effective learning platform. They are taking valuable lessons in confidence, poise, vocabulary, time management and a host of other English speaking skills that are imperative to succeed in today’s fast-paced competitive world. For the first time in the UAE, a professional training institution recognized the need for individuals to transform themselves as public speakers had taken this non-profit initiative. A Blue Ocean Professional Toastmasters meeting is a learn-by-doing workshop in which participants hone their speaking and leadership skills in a no-pressure atmosphere.
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Members learn communication skills by working in the Competent Communication manual, a series of 10 self-paced speaking assignments designed to instill a basic foundation in public speaking. Members also learn leadership skills by taking on various meeting roles and working in the Competent Leadership manual. In the learn-by-doing approach, members are not lectured about leadership skills; instead they are given responsibilities to mentor and help. Blue Ocean had roped in expert speakers from the Dubai Chapter of Toastmaster’s International, to train and evaluate students on their speaking skills. Since 1924, more than 4 million people around the world have become more confident speakers and leaders because of their participation in Toastmasters.
TM ABDUL AZEEZ CC (FOUNDER – BOAT CLUB)
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BOAT CLUB PRESIDENTS MESSAGETM DENNIS KOSHY
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Three months have already passed since we started the toastmaster’s year in July 2016. While standing at the end of first quarter, we are moving forward with our ambitions and targets. We have achieved several significant milestones within the first three month’s span. I would sincerely appreciate the individual commitment of all members to contribute together for the success. Let’s work together and achieve more. We defined our tag line for the term in four strategic pillars. Four Strategy Pillars for BOAT club as below: • • • •
Bring More Members Give Equal Opportunity Achieve Financial Stability Thrive Excellence
Our plans are not limited with the above tag line. Boat club has shown already the excellence in Area/Division/District level through Lead & Win and Smedley Award. Club plan has been rolled out to achieve first ever President Distinguished status. We have been keen to achieve more laurels and accolades in the club and outside within the upcoming terms. I am truly honored to have a wonderful set of enthusiastic officers and members in our club. Congratulations to TM Manish and team for the efforts from editorial desk. Do something for the first time needs dedication, hard work and sincerely. By releasing first ever newsletter for the club, you have made our dream come true. Recently someone asked me, why do you call yourself as BOAT club? Do you meet on cruise? Perhaps you have the same query now. Wait, no further such queries!! So let me clear that point through our first ever newsletter release. We are Blue Ocean Academy Toastmasters Club, shortly named as BOAT or someone in toastmaster’s background calls us BOATMASTERS. We have taken our first step to hone our communication and leadership skills. How about you? Be a part of BOAT club and grow along with the club. Finally, I would like to wish all my fellow boat masters and the club, a wonderful toastmaster year!!
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AREA 7 DIRECTOR’S MESSAGETM ABDUL KHALIQ (ACB, ALB)
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COMMITMENT More than a decade ago I watched Leonardo DiCaprio’s movie “Man in the Iron Mask”. In this movie Leonardo becomes a king at a very young age. After all these years I still remember one of his dialogues from the movie when he says “I am a young king………………..but I am a king”. This dialogue is still stuck in my head since then. How are you all doing? I hope Fabulous, Fantastic and Rocking. Most of us are not native English speakers. We have overcome this barrier during our school years and even as adults in our professional lives. Sometimes some words lose their meanings in translation, though. I must say it happens to me quite often that I use a word and I know its meaning but struggle to understand the essence of that word. When that happens to me I go online and try searching for the essence of that word. If I am lucky I get to understand the real meaning and at times I don’t. Recently, I have been using this word “commitment” rather frequently. It comes in my tagline twice. I said to myself “isn’t it only fair that I understand the essence of the word that I use so frequently?” I went online and searched the word “commitment” and this is what I found: According to Merriam Webster Dictionary a word “Commitment” means: • • • •
A promise to do or give something A promise to be loyal to someone or something An agreement or pledge to do something in the future The attitude of someone who works very hard to do or support something
Well………..no, I am not a word master and I am not requesting a round robin session. However, I do request you to read the meanings again. It’s a beautiful word with such a deep meaning, isn’t it? Doesn’t it sum up the entire life of a man? As a child we have commitment towards parents, school and teachers. As a grownup we have commitment towards family, friends, work, and society and so on. Some of these commitments are bestowed on us by nature, like family. Some of the commitments we chose to accept by choice. I call them voluntary commitments. No matter what kind of a commitment, bestowed or by choice, it ties up people in a loop.
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Similarly, commitments in Toastmasters are not any different. Sometimes the entire club is dependent on a commitment of one member. If a member is unable to fulfill that commitment [for any reason] the entire club feels the impact. Everything is tied up in a loop. When one link goes missing the entire loop loses connection. Yes! I agree! A toastmaster is a voluntary commitment without any emotional or financial impact. Let me go back to what Leonardo DiCaprio says “I am a young king….but I am a king”. You must be wondering what similarity this dialogue has with Toastmasters. Well, what he really meant was “no matter if people think I am a young king but that doesn’t undermine the fact that I am still a king”. Similarly no matter if you think Toastmasters is a voluntary commitment but that doesn’t undermine the fact that it is a commitment. That’s why always remember -
“Toastmaster is a voluntary commitment…but still it is a commitment”.
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DIVISION B DIRECTORS MESSAGETM DEEPAK GULATI (ACS, ALB)
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TRUST Among many traits that make us who we are, sitting among the top few, one would probably TRUST, especially in a forum where all of us work towards a common goal which is Personal development. Whatever we may want to achieve, be it the personal excellence in what we individually do or a larger goal of leading a group of people towards a common objective, TRUST is something which we will require at each level of the motion or the role. Imagine how many times we have had a rock solid vision, a defining vision and team of highly skilled individuals, yet we would miss out on achieving the goal due to differences and lack of trust that we may have among us. On the other side, only when we disrupt our conventional thinking, ponder beyond the boundaries that our brain generates at times, we might see ourselves in a situation of achieving exceptional results even without best of the underlying forces that we might need otherwise, only by trusting our peers. Few of the aspects that we need to live by to attain and build trust are Clarity, Competency, Character and Commitment. As a team, we need to be clear about what we want to achieve. Be it our club meetings or yearly plan as a club, area or division, CLARITY and non-ambiguity towards achieving our goal is a must. Imagine attending a meeting where we aim to create an experience for others but we ourselves are not clear about our roles and responsibilities. WE WILL CRASH, right? As leaders of the club (and each member is a leader), we need to make sure that we pass out the clear message to each and every role player assisting them to perform their best. Having faith and caring about others in a whole team takes us to a place where we are termed as people setting examples for others. And that eventually gives each and every one of us the room to perform and become even more COMPETENT that what we are today. Take BOAT TM club for example, legacy in making. It not being built just by talking about it but with a consistent approach by members who have performed with high levels of proficiency year by year also letting all know that they trust in each and they believe that each year, we will convert members into leaders who can keep the BOAT flag high. 11 | P a g e
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They say CHARACTER is something that what you we do when no one is looking or in our scenario, being able to true to the values of the forum that it stands firmly on. Instances that I can relate to in our forum are the speech evaluations. For me it will never be about saying what others think what you should be saying but letting the speaker know that how he or she should have performed, without the worry of being judged or trademarked as oh not a coated evaluator. I think we are blessed with Toastmasters around who like to call a spade a spade and we love them for that. We all know COMMITMENT could be termed as mother of all the factors for success, and it will not surface without having enough trust among us as a team. Only once we have developed the needed camaraderie among us, gives us the enough room to stay committed to the forum or a given role. Then we experience what we call as MAGIC. It is the trusts we all feel among us that make us go an extra mile to perform, excel and create those WOW moments. My dear wave makers and mountain movers let us all have a great year which is built on solid grounds of TRUST among all in BOAT team. Once again, we all want to make it another year to count for ourselves who have always trusted us and the essence of the TM organization.
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BOAT CLUB MENTOR’S MESSAGE TM AADIL KADRI
Dear Boat Masters, Couple of years back I heard this beautiful saying: "A teacher (mentor) appears when the student (mentee) is ready.” It would have not been possible if along with us the mentee's would have not been ready. I remember one fine evening VP Menon - a good friend and a mentor for me in Dubai Toastmasters club asked me and Deepak that if we would be interested to mentor a new club which was going to be chartered and where he is also a mentor. The club is for Blue Ocean Academy the company owned by Mr. Abdul Azeez. 13 | P a g e
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Although, work wise it looked quite challenging for me to attend 2 club meetings and on the top of it mentoring means some more efforts, somehow we both agreed. We all sat in an Office of Blue Ocean and agreed on a date to do a Demo meeting. I still remember the Demo meeting, where the room of Hotel was packed with all the students and staff of Blue Ocean. We delivered a demo meeting and Deepak was a Table topic master and he called me as a speaker to show that how the table topic is conducted and attempted. The club was chartered and TM Abdul Azeez became the founder President of this club. Time flies so fast; we are now in the 4th year since the club is chartered. I personally have learned a lot during this journey. While mentoring a new member I myself have learned a lot. This has also helped me to shape up and be a better person, orator and a leader. Thanks to all of you to be mentee. The quality of this club is improving day by and the speakers from this club are not only just competing at area and division but also taking a leadership role even outside the club at area as well. This shows that the club has given dedicated and passionate future leaders. This club is now a seasoned club and it gives me a great feeling as a mentor. Message: I would suggest all of the members to regularly attend the meetings and take part in each and every role. Take part in the competitions because that is the best way of becoming better leader and orator. This attitude of participation will help you all to get into a next level of speaking which is from a free to FEE. I personally wish and thank all of the Boat Club members and mentors to help us take this club to the best of its level and capabilities. I will always be there to help each and every other BOAT-master. "When the student is ready teacher appears." - Unknown “The woods are lovely dark and green but I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep "- Robert Frost.
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TM VP MENON (ACB, ALS)
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Dear Boat masters, Congratulations on the completion of your 75th Diamond Jubilee meeting recently. The BOAT Club (Blue Ocean Academy Toastmasters Club) is sailing places. Places unseen, unchartered. Places where it helps add continuous value to its members. This club in the shot span of 75 meetings has positively changed the lives of many. We have seen members who couldn’t confidently utter a single word go on to set the stage on fire. Many of the members have become champion speakers winning awards at Club, Area & Division contests. Many of our members have taken on leadership roles not just in the club but also at the Area and Division Level. We have seen our members develop into becoming effective communicators and leaders. The club in these 3 years has left its mark within the Toastmasters fraternity. Today BOAT Club is known as a club which Toastmasters in Dubai and outside love to attend because of its quality meetings and meetings which are full of fun, full of learning. I wish BOAT Club the very best in its journey of excellence.
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BOAT CLUB EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS (2016-2017) Let us introduce the executive committee (EX-COM) members of BOAT club for the period of July 2016- June 2017.
All officers are elected for one year, at the Club’s decision. Terms of office are from July 1st to June 30th for clubs with annual officer terms. President The President presides at meetings of the Club, has general supervision of the operations of the Club and serves as one of the Club’s representatives on Area and District Councils. Vice President Education VP Education is the Second ranking officer of the club. Plans and directs club programs which meet the educational needs of the club members. Plans and publishes regular schedules of meeting assignments and Keeps track of member's progress towards goals and also serves as one of the club’s representatives on Area and District Councils. 17 | P a g e
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Vice President Membership VP Membership is the Third ranking officer of the club. Plan and directs programs to retain and increase club membership and also serves as one of the Club’s representatives on Area and District Councils. Vice President Public Relations VP Public Relations is the fourth ranking officer. Develops and directs programs that inform individual members and the general public about Toastmasters International and about Club activities. Secretary The Secretary is responsible for Club records and correspondence and has to maintain the club roster. Secretary has custody of the Club’s charter, Constitution, Bylaws, and all other records and documents of the club and has to keep an accurate record of the meetings and activities of the Club. Treasurer The Treasurer is responsible for Club financial policies, procedures and controls. Collects dues and pays dues to Toastmasters International, and maintains records. Makes financial reports to the Club at least quarterly. Receives and disburses, with approval of the Club, all Club funds. Sergeant at Arms SAT has to prepare meeting room for meeting, Maintains Club property, including banner, nametags, and supplies and greets visitors. Chairs Social and Reception Committees. Immediate Past President The Immediate Past President supports the club officers. The primary responsibilities of this role involve serving as a resource for new officers and ensuring continuity with past terms.
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BOAT CLUB MEMBERS LIST No. 1
Members Name
No.
Members Name
TM Dennis Koshy (CLUB PRESIDENT) TM Gina Monis CC ALB (VICE PRESIDENT EDUCATION) TM Denzil Pinto (VICE PRESIDENT MEMBERSHIP) TM Manish Navlani (VICE PRESIDENT PUBLIC RELATIONS) TM Nikhil Sayani (SECRETARY) TM Santhosh Kumar V (TREASURER) TM Siby Thomas (SERGEANT AT ARMS) TM Rhod Brian Castillo Sampaga CC ALB (IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT) TM Kishore Shelke CC ALB
20
TM Faizul Haq Usmani
21
TM Jeevan Nelson D'souza
22
TM Jessie Profeta
23
TM Narendra Anjanvatikar
24
TM Nisha Sawhney CL
25
TM Rajesh Ramachandiran
26
TM Rashmi Luktuke
27
TM Sanat Ramnarayan
28
TM Sarath Venugopal
29
TM Shahnila Khan
30
TM Shashidhar Suratkal
12
TM Aadil Kadri (MENTOR) TM Abdul Azeez CC (FOUNDER OF BOAT CLUB) TM Amrita Singh
31
TM Smith Chandresh Kachhy
13
TM Antara Saha
32
14
TM Anuradha Vishwanath
33
TM Valsakumar Menon ACB ALS (MENTOR) TM Vilas Mahadik
15
TM Balasubramanian Thiagarajan
34
TM Harish Gawande
16
TM Cherly Reynoso
35
TM Binny Thomas
17
TM Connie GannaBan
18
TM Dan Josef Menchavez
19
TM Deepak Gulati ACS ALB (MENTOR)
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
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Toastmaster’s JourneyTM BRIAN CC, ALB(CLUB IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT)
My Journey with Blue Ocean Academy Toastmasters started in 2013. The past 3 years gave me the opportunity to do things I never thought I can do; to name a few; to speak in front of an audience, compete and win in a speech contest, work and be mentored by Seniors in organizing DTAC 2015, Lead a Team and be a President. My goal this year is to finish my Advanced Speaking Projects. This is what Toastmasters can do; it can inspire anybody to set goals, and it can help them to become better! BOAT is one of my recharge stations, energy and moral boosters. My life changed for the better when I hopped into the BOAT.
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Our
Details
• Meeting days: Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday • Timings: 07:00 PM to 09:30 PM • Venue: P Level at Park Regis Hotel, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Begin your Journey to excellence, contact our VP Membership TM Denzil Pinto MOB:0566442753
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FEW GLIMPSES FROM OUR MEETINGS
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Stay tune and Follow us•
•
Blue Ocean Academy Toastmasters Club
@blueoceantmc
• Websitehttp://boatclub.toastmastersclubs.org/
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