Communicate 98 July 2020 Edition

DISTRICT 98 PRESENTS

COMMUNICATE DISTRICT 98 Communicate-Collaborate-Celebrate

DISTRICT DIRECTOR NITEASH AGARWAAL, DTM

PROGRAM QUALITY DIRECTOR VINAY KUMAR SRIVASTAVA, DTM

CLUB GROWTH DIRECTOR SAPNA OHRI, DTM

PROGRAM QUALITY DIRECTOR SEEMA RANI, DTM

CLUB GROWTH DIRECTOR AMANDEEP SINGH, DTM

CLUB GROWTH DIRECTOR JOY B. HANS, DTM

THE SIX PACK OF DISTRICT 98 2020-21

THE MAGIC OF TRAINING JULY 2020

DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TEAM 2020-21 DISTRICT 9898 DISTRICT

LET THE MAGIC BEGIN....

DISTRICT 98

DISTRICT DIRECTOR'S ADDRESS

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EDITOR'S ADDRESS

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CROSS DISTRICT CONNECT

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GROWTH

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GLIMPSES OF DOTP

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TLTP INFOGRAPHIC

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TRAINERS' TESTIMONIALS

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TRAINEES' TESTIMONIALS

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GLIMPSES OF TLTP

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THE HEADLINES BULLETIN

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MILESTONE MEETINGS

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THE TEAM

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DISTRICT DIRECTOR’S ADDRESS DISTRICT 98

The Start

For me, the month of July was when I started as a Club Leader for the very first time by serving as VP Membership. As a first-timer at TLTP back in 2012, I was in awe of everything that was happening around me. This was also my first time interacting with members from other clubs. My network immediately grew by at least 30 people. That was a breakfast and a lunch to remember. We broke bread while learning about people in the queue and then at the table, took pictures and proudly shared them over social media. I was supercharged for the next six months and excelled in my role by being engaged within various District forums, events and staying in touch with the District Leadership.

This year we had it online but, what made me happy was that everything looked exactly like it would have, had we done it physically. It was seamless with your participation and contribution. Over years, TLTP has been one of the most awaited moments in the year for me and this year too I enjoyed meeting the members and getting feedback.

Once again, it is the time of inception. New challenges to look forward to and how the learnings from the previous program year can be applied to further progress in Toastmasters. The new challenge could be anything, to make a club Distinguished or beyond, to move closer to a personal longterm goal in Toastmasters, probably take a plunge into leadership at the club level, or be a part of District Leadership, or an extended team. You may be at one of the stages and I can sense the excitement that you have. This is the feeling that keeps us going!

In these testing times, we have a unique opportunity to pick up the skills in communication and leadership that will be valuable in the years to come and there is no better time to start than now.

Stay Indoors, Stay Safe!

Niteash Agarwaal, DTM District Director

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EDITOR’S ADDRESS DISTRICT 98

By You, For You Greetings fellow and future Toastmasters!

This is your Editor-in-Chief, Pinky Bahroos, reporting from the comfort of her home. Those who know me (now you too will soon be included in that list), know my love for writing, but do I love reading? Not sure. Hence, I decided to delve into the ocean of challenges. I applied for this role and got selected.

When I came to know that the first issue has to be released in 16 days, I was like - NO, is that even possible? But then, I immediately calmed myself, and changed the question – How can it be made possible?

Next step - connect with the team. When we connected for the first time, I felt as if we have known each other for ages and a synergy was developed. Abilash M G, Anup Wagh, Juhi Dhruva, Namrata Shah, Prajwal Choudhary, Sagarika Mukherjee and Sathvik Vemunuri - you all rock. I would also like to thank our District PR Manager, Aishwarya Vijay, for giving us complete creative freedom, yet being there whenever required.

Let me share with you what I've learnt during the process of this issue’s creation.

First, whenever in doubt, calm down, analyse the situation, ask yourself questions and answer those questions honestly. Second, you are as strong as your team is, and my team proved to be super strong. We were on the same page throughout, communicating effectively.

We, as a team, aim to take care of 3 E’s - Entertainment, Education and Engagement, keeping in mind the 3 L’s – Length, Look and the Language.

This first edition is a journey from the inception of magic - to believing in the magic - to rainbow of magicians and much more.

THIS IS BY YOU, FOR YOU. Happy Reading!!!

Pinky Bahroos, Chief Newsletter Editor

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CROSS DISTRICT CONNECT DISTRICT 98

Now I believe in Magic

"I know I’m an intelligent person and I can give a talk on any topic, any matter and any aspect of life!"

That’s what I thought of myself until the day I attended one of the Toastmasters meetings in June 2017. That too, by accident because I wanted to spend a few hours somespeak, how to craft a speech, how to think on my feet and deliver a convincing opinion.

Despite that slightly embarrassing moment, the club members applauded and encouraged me. This ensured that I continued attending meetings as a guest. After 14 consecutive guest appearances in various clubs, I decided to join one of the clubs to start this journey of learning.

Today, I hold the record of being one of the fastest Distinguished Toastmasters in the whole world. I have amassed dozens of District and Division awards and multiple dozens of Triple Crowns in this three-year short journey with Toastmasters.

I have travelled to 27 countries physically and more than 40 virtually attending Toastmasters meetings, taking up roles, delivering speeches, keynotes and presentations. If I quantify all of these, it’s probably a 700 by now. The point here is, if a person like me, coming from a humble background can aspire to improve, face hundreds of audience members, become a speaker, an entrepreneur and inspire thousands of people, then

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CROSS DISTRICT CONNECT DISTRICT 98 Being a well-wisher, I urge you to believe in this real magic, to embrace with grace to sometime laze.

Another exciting part of this journey is the Pathways launch, which is something mind boggling, superlative and a kind of a life hack to success because it has made the communication journey simplified, profession-oriented and enriched it with curiosity.

This encouraged me to explore, learn and deliver projects which resulted in finishing all the 11 paths in just one year of its launch. Pathways has helped me discover my real potential.

“You live once with Toastmasters; Toastmasters lives with you forever.”

Toastmasters is a platform that will help you become what you envisioned for yourself. Your intention, your curiosity, your passion, your madness to spend time speaking on stage will take you wherever you wish to reach.

Finally, I can now give a talk on any topic, any matter and any aspect of life because of Toastmasters' magical experience and hereafter I don’t see myself complete without Toastmasters.

Amjad Ali, DTM President, Bollywood Toastmasters Club and Victoria Toastmasters Club, District 105, UAE.

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DISTRICT 98

Rainbow of Magicians

I led a team of magicians. Being the Division Director for Division M, which spread across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Goa, appeared to be a daunting task until I met my team of six Area Directors. As I look upon the year that went by and think what I did many things to share.

M - Making Success Plans: Nothing succeeds like success, but you have to

plan for it. Even when you are going from one place to another and seek aid o f

We documented all possible areas we needed to focus on, every person from whom we needed help, the resources we needed and everything that would help us achieve our goals.

A - Area Understanding: The KYC exercise was important for the team to understand the clubs, their strengths and weaknesses, their potential threats to closure and the opportunities to open up new ones. A SWOT analysis of each Area Director was done before their selection to make sure that they were the most suitable one for that Area.

The real task was matching the SWOT with KYC so that actionable things would emerge.

G - Gemba Walk or Area Visit Reports: The term “Gemba” comes from Japan and it means “the real place”. In Lean Management, “Gemba” is the most important place for a team as it is the place where the real work happens. And the real work of Toastmasters happens in the clubs. No amount of handover or intelligence sharing can substitute the understanding which an Area Director can get by visiting the club and making his assessment of their current situation and what he would like to do for his area.

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I – Implementation:

We can make many big plans, but our inability to implement them, makes them paper plans. The bigger the plan is, the more difficult it is to implement as we have limited time to devote to Toastmasters keeping in mind the personal commitments. Hence, we needed to be strategic and understand how much time each of us can devote and what our priorities are. Then we break up all our plans into small tasks and go about achieving each one of them, week by week.

C - Complement & Compliment: When we work as a team, it is most important to

complement each other and make sure that the weakness of one is covered by the strength of the other. We should not be bothered about the threat of loss of clubs, but cover it up well by the opportunities of adding new members and clubs to new geographies. The best validation a team can get is a compliment from a fellow team member. The motivation level should always be kept high in the most challenging times and it’s only the fellow team members who can help one achieve it.

The year started with the first event “Ignite” with a tagline ME2WE. By the end of the year, Goa changed from M to W, and M was standing tall in Mumbai on its own.

This is Me to We and it happened because of the team of seven, each of us representing a different colour like that of a RAINBOW. Vinay Kumar Srivastava, DTM Program Quality Director

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GLIMPSES OF DOTP DISTRICT 98

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TLTP INFOGRAPHIC DISTRICT 98

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TRAINERS’ TESTIMONIALS DISTRICT 98 “I am a trainer by passion and profession. I cherish both, giving and taking training.” opened myriad opportunities, nonetheless it has its own constraints. From being able to seamlessly connect with countless people to ensuring engaging discussions, it is often opportunities and constraints that overlap here.

TLTP July 2020 surpassed my expectations. I was enthralled seeing the participants joining well before time and staying throughout the session.

We leveraged the Zoom platform and used different techniques to communicate, ensuring the session remains interactive. I shared few tips on how to balance eye contact by simultaneously looking at camera, slides and audience.

Talking about logistics, it was meticulously planned ( though we couldn't get into the breakout Although I missed being there in person, I’d say, I thoroughly enjoyed and was deeply inspired by the leaders’ sincerity and intention to learn.

- Seema Rani, DTM | Trainer: President

TLTP 2020-21 was a milestone moment in this TI year. With the event happening online this year, the learnings were more profound than usual. Not only did we all have a cross-cultural exchange, but also the fellowship extended beyond the clusters.

I had 2 takeawaysFirstly, people who join as Ex-Comm members in the clubs are a powerful group of problem solvers, who collectively can do whatever they set their heart on.

Secondly, with the given pandemic afoot, it was nice to revisit our roots. Sit at the drawing board and understand how can we make it work again, as problem solvers.

- Animesh Mahapatra | Trainer : VP Education

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TRAINERS’ TESTIMONIALS DISTRICT 98 As a trainer for the role of the Vice President Membership, every member in lenges. Honestly, the training material and slides are great for support, but the main asset of any trainer is their hands-on experience to deal with challenges.

This is what ultimately helps the trainees.

As a trainer, it is vital to ensure that you train the current Ex-Comm leaders to use their training to

the top of your head and reducing or increasing your ratings. Enjoy being a trainer to an audience that enjoys being a trainee. “ - Amandeep Singh, DTM | Trainer: VP Membership

When you are in love with something, you don’t feel tired talking about it, don’t you agree with me?

Well, taking training for the Vice President - Public Relations (VP-PR) role was something like that for me. I wholeheartedly accept that it is my the most favourite Executive Committee role. There is limitless scope for learning and practising - creativity, teamwork, communication, time management and leadership, it incorporates all.

Taking the training for VP-PR helped me brush up my basics, which was pivotal for my current role as the Public Relations Manager. It indeed was an incredible learning experience for me, the interactions during the session helped me gather some fresh ideas about the role. It was a sheer joy to see the level of enthusiasm manifested by all the VPs-PR. I wish these talented Toastmasters all the best for their term. May they make the most of it!

- Aishwarya Vijay | Trainer: VP Public Relations

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TRAINERS’ TESTIMONIALS DISTRICT 98 In the words of Richard Feynman, “If you want to learn something well, then explain it!” important purpose of Toastmasters - helping others grow along with growing ourselves.

As a TLTP trainer, it was a unique experience this year as compared to the previous ones. With a completely online platform, audience engagement and interaction were the new challenges to address. However, since all our clubs and members have rapidly evolved and have gotten used to this format, to my pleasant surprise, it ended up being far smoother than I thought.

With t he n ew TLTP format i n place, i t would be i nteresting t o see the new i nnovations t hat the online environment has brought into and shall continue to bring into Toastmasters.

- Himanshu Inamdar, DTM | Trainer: Secretary

Thanks to the Toastmasters Leadership Training Team for giving me the opportunity to interact with the Club Leaders of District-98 and to train the Treasurers on how they should be more prudent.

It was a wonderful opportunity t o interact with Treasurers in Mumbai and Pune with varied skills, from the participants asking me not to use the words like credit, debit, etc. at all to veteran Chartered Accountants.

It was really challenging to meet the expectations of both the extremes in the same training. But in and in training others.

Looking forward to more such opportunities.

- Nagappan Palaniappan, DTM | Trainer: Treasurer

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TRAINERS’ TESTIMONIALS DISTRICT 98 Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures.

Since March 2020, all the activities conducted by Toastmasters have been on Zoom. of online training programs. I took up the training for Sergeant-at-Arms ( SAA), a role that I feel, deserves more credit than is given. The training started well on time and everything was a replica of the physical meetings.

My session was brimming with energy and enthusiasm on both days of the TLTP and I was pleased to see that the members remained active throughout the meeting! After an initial general discussion about the SAA role, we discussed case scenarios.

The sessions were interactive and the members appreciated the explanations.

- Mayuri Assudani , DTM | Trainer: Sergeant-at-Arms

I hear and I forget.

I see and I remember.

I do and I understand.

I teach and I perform.

This is a famous saying I have come across several times.

I felt this came to life after I took a session on all Executive Committee roles for members of various clubs. The aspiration to become a Distinguished Toastmaster was seeded in the mind of every newerations. The hunger to learn and the eagerness to perform was smelled in the air despite it being an online session. I personally feel accomplished and thank the district team for giving me such a wonderful opportunity to showcase my passion with Toastmasters. I was a teacher yet, I felt like a student.

- BR Vivek | Trainer: 7 in 1

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TRAINERS’ TESTIMONIALS DISTRICT 98 Good leaders lead, great leaders develop more leaders.

From time immemorial, the strong have always led. Yet somehow, the leadership was incomplete. It lacked balance. Attila the Hun, Napoleon Bonaparte and even Hitler himself, leaders of strength yet, leaders incomplete in the long run.

When we look back at the leaders who have left their impression over eons, they’ve all been the ones who served. The ones who gave without expectations, leaving us inspired. That is the essence of service leadership, to give, to empower and to inspire others. This TLTP was that journey for each of its trainers. The opportunity to infuse knowledge, to share experiences and to set new leaders on their path. Irrespective of the focus, these days are those which will ripple across the fabric of time. A day that caused ripples that will set sail the ships of the leaders of tomorrow.

- Jervis Pereira , DTM | Trainer: Hall of Fame

TLTP provides an opportunity to club officers to understand their roles better and equips them to effectively perform their roles. It also provides a platform to network with other club officers and become aware of the best practices being followed by other clubs. During my five years of Toastmasters journey, I have enjoyed attending TLTPs to learn from the sessions, meet fellow members and conduct sessions to share my learning and experience over the years as a Club Officer and District Leader.

This TLTP was unique as we conducted it online and planned the sessions differently from the usual. The audience was divided into multiple batches, spread over different days so that we could provide a more focused attention. The pre-training survey and case studies in the presentations helped us train the officers better for common challenges that they may face. It was pleasing to see in the post session feedback that this approach was found helpful by participants.

- Aaron Colaco, DTM | Trainer: Distinguish Club Program

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TRAINEES’ TESTIMONIALS DISTRICT 98

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TRAINEES’ TESTIMONIALS DISTRICT 98

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TRAINEES’ TESTIMONIALS DISTRICT 98

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GLIMPSES OF TLTP DISTRICT 98

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THE HEADLINES BULLETIN DISTRICT 98

AUGUST 24-29, 2020

1st July)

CLICK HERE TO

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MILESTONE MEETINGS DISTRICT 98

HEARTIEST CONGRATULATIONS

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THE TEAM DISTRICT 98

FOR SUGGESTIONS AND FEEDBACK FOR NEWSLETTER TEAM CLICK HERE

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DISTRICT 98

DISTRICT 98