TABLE OF CONTENTS
Publisher
TM Rukhsana Khan
Editor
TM Thomas Joseph
Sub Editor
TM Senthil Kumar
Page 10
Welcome our new members
Page 11
Members Progress Chart
Page 12
Breaking the ice! : An article by Andrew Dlugan
Page 14
Pause for a moment: An article by TM Azeez Mohammed
Page 17
Featured : The Iron Lady
Page 21
Genuine Evaluation- The need of the hour An article by TM Williams Antony, CC, ALB
Page 23
Club Contests
Page 24
Area Contests
Page 25
Gavel Contests
Proof Reader TM Rukhsana Khan
Qatar Toastmasters Club Office Bearers 2014-2015
President
TM Rukhsana Khan tmrukhsana@gmail.com
VP Education
TM Sarita Jacob wisdom.jacob@gmail.com
VP Membership
TM Nevine Kamel nekamel@hotmail.com
VP Public Relations
TM Senthil Kumar tmsenthilqtm@gmail.com
Secretary
TM Azeez Mohammed azeezmoh@gmail.com
Page 27
A brief report on Qatar Open 2015 : Prelims
Treasurer
TM Biju Mathew b.mathew2000@gmail.com
Page 29
Myth-busted : A must read !
Page 32
Golden memories
Sergeant at Arms
TM Cipriano Collado Cipriano.collado@yahoo.com
Page 33
On a lighter note
Mission of a club QATAR TOASTMASTERS CLUB DOHA, QATAR
EMAIL: qatartoastmasters@gmail.com
WWW.QATARTOASTMASTERS.ORG
We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.
Breaking the ice! A must read for new joiners
I
By Andrew Dlugan Here are a few other things which may help you:
Ask for Help If you have a mentor, don’t hesitate to ask them for help. If you don’t, feel free to ask any other scribes an activity which reduces tension and anxie- club member. Perhaps they can share what they spoke ty in a group. about for their Icebreaker. Perhaps they can help you seThus, it is fitting that the first Toastmaster speech lect a topic. Perhaps you can practice it privately before project is titled The Ice Breaker. the meeting. All other members have gone through the Ice This article of the Toastmasters Speech Series exam- Breaker before, and can provide words of encouragement. ines the primary goals of this project, provides tips and techniques, and links to numerous sample speech- Practice Helps You don’t need to practice the speech es. 35 times, and you don’t need to have it memorized. Howce breaker (or Icebreaker) is a term which de-
Why is This Speech Important? The Ice Breaker speech has three aims:
ever, your nervousness will be reduced considerably if you give it a couple of practice runs out loud (even if 1. Introduce yourself. Your ice breaker speech topic your only audience is you). is you – something about your life, your job, your Timing The recommended time for the Ice Breaker hobbies, your unique interests, your family, or any speech is four to six minutes. It may seem like a long combination of these. You are an absolute authority time, but in later projects, you’ll start wishing you had on this topic, and everyone in the audimuch more time to deliver your message. Don’t ence will learn something about you. “Nobody worry too much about going under or over time. Just aim for somewhere in that range. 2. Begin to conquer the fear of speakexpects you ing in front of a group. It is nervewrack Notes There are no rules on the use of notes. ing when speaking in front of a new to be a world If you need notes, use them. If you don’t need group. If you feel this nervousness, renotes, don’t. Either way, don’t worry about it. member that a Toastmaster audience is -class orator. It’s okay if you read your ice breaker from a always supportive and understanding. No(just try to look up once in a while), if you Just do your script body is grading you, and nobody will refer to cue cards, or if you talk without notes. mind if you stumble through 99 “Um”s best.” Don’t Expect to be Winston Churchill and “Ah”s. If you get up, say something, This is your first challenge. Nobody expects you and sit down, you have succeeded in this to be a world-class orator. Just do your best. Once you project. have established your “base line”, then you can aim to Provide a “base line” of your current strengths and raise your skill level in future projects. weaknesses. Some new members have no public Speak Up and Slow Down Two common effects of speaking experience, while others have years of presentations behind them. No matter where you fit nervousness are mumbling words and racing through the into this spectrum, your goal is to improve from your speech. Try to avoid these, but don’t worry if you can’t starting point. This first speech helps club members help it. gauge your current strengths so that they can make specific recommendations to help you improve. Humour Reduces Your Nervousness If you are Tips and Techniques comfortable incorporating humour into your ice breaker, The Competent Communicator manual has a wealth of go for it. The laughs from the audience will reduce your nervousness. An easy way to do this is to make a selfhelpful advice. You can download a PDF version of depracating joke at the start. (If nobody laughs, don’t the first project from the Toastmasters International worry about that either… it’s something to work on later.) website. TOASTED TIDINGS
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Breaking the ice! (Cont…) Apologizing You may feel an urge to apologize to your audience (e.g. for uttering too many “Um”s, for losing your place, etc.). There is no need to do so! Often, the audience doesn’t notice the little glitches, and it is much better for you to ignore them too. Topic Ideas for Your Ice Breaker Speech
“here” might be the place you currently live, the job you currently have, the life you lead, or the decision to join Toastmasters.
Although your broad topic is yourself, there are numerous angles to take, and several ways to organize your speech. Don’t worry too much about the organization of the speech; later speech projects (especially #2 and #3) encourage you to focus more on that. However, having said that, one of these ideas may help you overcome writer’s block.
Some examples of Ice Breaker speeches Written Examples http://acottageindustry.typepad.com/ a_cottage_industry/2008/02/the-icebreaker.html
Idea #1: Chronological For many people, a series of chronological snapshots of their life is the easiest to write and deliver. Idea #2: Topical Discuss a series of elements of your life to provide a “sampling” of your life. For example, you could open up by talking about your family, then discuss your career, and conclude with your hobbies. Idea #3: Common Thread Select a common thread that runs through your life, and share brief stories where this common element appears. It might be a signature phrase, a philosophy that guides you, or even something obscure like peanut butter. (i.e. imagine stories through your life where peanut butter played a role) My own Ice Breaker speech followed this general structure. It was titled “Andrew of All Trades – Master of None” and touched on several examples where I have breadth, but not depth of knowledge. Idea #4: One Key Event Focus on one critical event which took your life in a completely different direction. Idea #5: How I Got Here… A combination of #1 and #4, explain the series of decisions or events that brought you “here”, where
http://thebioimp.blogspot.com/2008/06/words-havepower.html https://attractingsuccess.wordpress.com/2006/09/05/ icebreaker-speach-toastmasters/
Video Examples https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTv_4G2yUjk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAVHX9SJEIM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUYy5qFaKYs
Andrew Dlugan is the editor and founder of Six Minutes. He teaches courses, leads seminars, coaches speakers, and strives to avoid Suicide by PowerPoint. He is an awardwinning public speaker and speech evaluator. Andrew is a father and husband who resides in British Columbia, Canada. TOASTED TIDINGS
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Qatar Toastmasters celebrate the International Women’s Day at the Radisson BLU Hotel
Qatar Toastmasters inducts 8 new members on 15th March 2015
Qatar Open in the news
Qatar Open 2015 - Preliminary Round A brief report “Qatar Open is one of the main ways Qatar Toastmasters gives back to the local community,” notes Rukhsana Khan, President of Qatar Toastmasters Club and Chairperson of the Sponsorship Committee, “This event is fully aligned with the principles and national strategy embodied in the Qatar National Vision 2030. By providing a platform for confident self-expression, it unlocks human potential. Public speaking empowers the students to achieve their aspirations and equips them with vital skills to contribute to society. At QTM we believe we are training today’s youth in Qatar to face the communication and leadership challenges of tomorrow.”
TM Nevine Kamel, Qatar Open 2015 Chairperson
Qatar Open Chairperson, Nevine Kamel, said: “This year there was tremendous response particularly from leading independent schools and international schools. The top 10 schools which sent the most students were Birla Public School, Michael E. DeBakey High School, DPS Modern Indian School, American School of Doha, the Lebanese School, Ibn Khaldoun Preparatory Independent School for Boys, Doha Modern Indian School, M.E.S. Indian School, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Preparatory School and Doha College”.
Since there were many first timers taking part Qatar Toastmasters Club conducted a free workshop hosted at Doha College and facilitated by Nevine Kamel who herself is a freelance he first round of the 18th Qatar Open: Youth Public trainer and HR consultant. The students benefitted from the expert training on the basics of public speaking, types of Speaking Championship saw a cross section of Qatar’s speeches, and the judging criteria that they would need to conhigh school students speaking on the topic “The best in- sider while writing their speeches. vestment you can make is in yourself”. The Qatar Open is a nationwide public speaking contest organized by Qatar Toastmasters Club for students aged between 13 – 18 Kamel said “The workshop is an added feature of Qatar Open to ensure that all competing students have access to the same years. The prelims were hosted at Birla Public School. information needed to start their journey towards the coveted
T
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Contd…
title of “Qatar Open - Youth Public Speaking Champion”. The workshop was very well-received by students, parents and teachers who found it very useful and informative.” At the prelims event Nevine Kamel briefed the participants about the rules and regulations of the contest. The briefing was followed by a motivational address by Rukhsana Khan who highlighted that their decision to participate was a reflection of the contest theme: The best investment you can make is in yourself.
Over 140 had students registered online for the contest. A good number came forward to take their first step towards championship victory. The contestants were divided in 7 groups each with a dedicated panel of seasoned judges from toastmaster clubs across the country. The top 5 contestants from each group made the cut to proceed to the semi-finals. Competition was stiff but the young orators impressed the judges with their inspiring speeches. One of the judges commented, “We were surprised to see the level of competency in the first timers and judging them was not an easy job.” From the prelims 35 participants were picked to proceed to the semi-final round which will take place on 17th April. The top 10 from the semifinals will qualify for the final round on 8th May at CNA-Q.
self confidence. Majda Tamimi, a teacher at DeBakey High School, said,” it increases their confidence and their public speaking skills which is so important nowadays. Especially the world has become so small, people are living everywhere, so for them to be encouraged, to be able to speak in front of people, of all kinds, from everywhere in the world, I think it’s very important.”
The event was coordinated by dedicated members of Qatar Toastmasters Club and other toastmaster clubs who support one another in true toastmasters’ spirit. Khan expressed that the sense of satisfaction which volunteers get, proves the club’s tagline “When you give…you get much more.”
Participants and parents alike praised the way the contest was organized and remarked how much they enjoyed it. The semi-final round on 17th April will take place at Birla PubOne parent described it as “an excellent experience for the lic School and the Grand Finale on 8th May at the College of child” and participants acknowledged it as “one of the big- the North Atlantic - Qatar. gest contests in Qatar”. Many participants acknowledged the contest as an effective way of overcoming stage fear. Bilal Ahmed, a student at DeBakey High School observed, “Public speaking is one thing that many people are afraid of – crowds and stuff like that. If you build on that at a young age then you won’t face challenges when you’re older.” Participants and teachers also emphasized the value of public speaking as a means of increasing TOASTED TIDINGS
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By Mike Raffety, DTM, PID
A must read!!!
I
t’s really interesting how certain “rules” get made and passed around, and eventually these myths are thought to be fact. Here’s a few I’ve found. These are all FALSE. If someone tells you what’s below is required, they are incorrect, and I’ve included links where possible to the TI web site. Many of these were gathered from a discussion on the Facebook members group.
say you cannot add rules. It is a good practice to remove anything showing office or educational award level, but cannot be required.) 7. You have to address the Toastmaster or Contest Chair during a speech or at a contest. (Also not in the rulebook, but a common custom, and some judges may mark down a contestant who does not follow this myth.) 8. The contest emcee stays standing at their seat after introducing the speaker until the speaker acknowledges them. (See above.)
Contest myths
9. You can be disqualified from a speech contest for stepping 1. You can’t be a contestant in April/May if you haven’t outside of the speaking area. (Again, not in the rulebook, but a common custom, and speakers who go outside the box might paid your membership renewal by April 1, or in October/ November for October 1 dues. (There’s a two-month grace be marked down by some judges who believe in this myth.) period for both clubs and members where they’re still in 10. You cannot re-use a contest speech in another contest. (No, good standing and eligible for all benefits of you can use any speech or any variation of a speech membership.) at any level, as long as it’s your speech, until the For the 2. Telling someone you’re interested in being international World Championship of Public Speaking final round, appointed Area Governor next year disqualifies contest, your when the speech must be “an entirely new and differyou from competing. (No, the rulebook allows 6th speech can ent speech than given in any International Speech Contest since January 1 of that same year.”) even announced candidates for appointed office to compete until they take office.) 3. For the international contest, your 6th speech can be the contest speech itself. (No, the rulebook says “a member must have completed at least six speech projects in the Competent Communication manual prior to the club contest”.) 4. A speaker who misses the draw must speak first, or last, or any specific place when they eventually show. (This is obviously unfair, as it effectively allows a speaker to pick their place in the order, and we know later speakers have an advantage.)
be the contest speech itself. (No, the rulebook says “a member must have completed at least six speech projects in the Competent Communication manual prior to the club contest”.)
5. Prepared speech contestants cannot (or must) leave the room before/after they speak. (No, they’re free to come and go during the minute’s silence, just like any other audience member. Table topics and evaluation contestants must stay out until their turn, but once they’ve spoken, they’re also free to come and go.) 6. You can’t wear a generic Toastmasters pin in a contest. (The rulebook does not mention this, but the rulebook does
11. You can charge speech contestants to participate. (No, as this would constitute an additional eligibility requirement, a new rule, and is not permitted. Charging for a meal or any other participation outside of the contest is permitted.) 12. Contest judges must be trained. (No, the contest rulebook does not say this, and rules cannot be added. A chief judge could well prefer a trained judge, but they cannot be required to pick only trained judges.) 13. Judges must use the scoring criteria on the ballot. (No, this is a guide, not a requirement, but I would avoid selecting judges who do not use the criteria.)
14. The tie-breaker judge is not required, they are never used. (Obviously, they are, or they would not be required, and ties among the voting judges is not unusual.) 15. No one can leave or enter the room until the ballots are collected (or tabulated). (No, only silence is required, the same as between speeches.)
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8. You can’t evaluate a speaker who is more advanced than you are; a beginner just starting on their CC manual cannot evaluate 1. The top fear of Americans is public speaking. a DTM. (There are no TI requirements on who can evaluate (Another myth; it’s not even in the top 10 in most actual whom, though some clubs set rules.) surveys.) 9. You have to do all 15 advanced manuals before doing any 2. 70 (or 93) percent of communication is non-verbal. (A over, or for another DTM. (No, the rules say that each DTM myth resulting from a misunderstanding of an academic must be with six different advanced manuals, but each DTM study.) can use the same six, a different six, or any mix-and-match as other DTMs a member may have earned.) 3. You can’t use certain types of speech at a meeting (sex, religion, politics). (TI has no rules limiting topics, but 10. You can have a meeting with just speeches, no evaluations. some clubs do. The Only the written evaluation key is to be reis necessary. (Both a written spectful.) and oral evaluation are required, though the oral 4. You can fail a evaluation could be delivspeech and have to ered privately afterwards.) redo it. (There is no pass/fail, you always 11. You shouldn’t thank the get credit for tryaudience. (Sometimes it is ing. An evaluator quiteappropriate, but it probmight suggest a re-do, ably shouldn’t be the last but it cannot be rething you say.) quired.) Speech myths
5. You can’t change the timing objective in the speech project. (All objectives are goals, not requirements, see above. If the agenda and VPE or whomever controls Club operations myths the agenda has 1.Voting in a member is the enough time for a only way a member can be longer speech, it’s OK voted out. (Not required at on occasion. It’s all, you can vote someone out regardless.) more important to have a timing objective, and strive to meet it, it doesn’t have to be the manual timing. I would not generally recommend a shorter time, as that reduces the 2.Only the Sergeant at Arms can open or close the meeting. (Do whatever works for your club.) learning opportunity.) 6. It is required that you talk about yourself in your Ice 3.Table topics evaluations are a standard and required part of the program. (No, they’re not in the standard program, though Breaker speech (see above). many clubs find them valuable.) 7. You have to finish one manual or award before starting another. (No, you can work in any manuals or awards you 4.Advanced clubs must require dual membership, or must relike in parallel. You can start in an advanced manual be- quire a CC, or anything else. (No, it’s up to the club to decide fore finishing your CC, though it’s not recommended. You and enforce what the membership requirements might just can’t file an award until all prerequisites are complet- be. WHQ only takes an interest a the time of charter, when at least 17 members must be dual, OR 17 non-dual.) ed.) TOASTED TIDINGS
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Contd…
5.District officers have authority over your club. (Area you’ve learned something, then the HPL is a success!) Governors and the like can only coach and advise. If 9.Club meetings (or district events) must start with a prayer there’s a legal issue, contact only WHQ.) and/or pledge of allegiance. (No, this is a club choice, and ob6.Responses from WHQ must be followed. (No, only the viously not right for all clubs. Do consider how these rituals written documents with policy and protocol, and manuals, might make guests feel though; be inclusive.) and the like, are mandatory; responses from individual WHQ staffers are great advice and should be strongly considered, but are not mandatory unless they point to a written rule somewhere, as they have not been reviewed and Mike Raffety, DTM is a Distinguished approved organizationally. They do make mistakes, they’re human.) Toastmaster from Iowa. He is a Past International Director for Region 5. He is a IT 7.All HPL projects must be approved by the District GovPerformance professional. He is a ernor (or someone else outside the club). (Only the HPL guidance committee and club VPE have to sign off.) toastmaster since 2000 (14 years). He holds an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of 8.If your HPL project fails, you cannot get HPL credManagement. it. (No, if your guidance committee signs off on it, if
Date
Event
Time
Venue
17th April 2015
Qatar Open 2015 Semi-Finals
3 PM to 6 PM
Birla Public School
19th April 2015
Qatar Toastmasters Club Meeting # 393
7 PM to 9:30 PM
Radisson Blu Hotel
24th April 2015
Division Q Annual Conference
8 AM to 6 PM
Radisson Blu Hotel
1st May 2015
Division E Annual Conference
8 AM to 6 PM
College of the North Atlantic, Qatar
3rd May 2015
Qatar Toastmasters Club Meeting # 394
7 PM to 9:30 PM
Radisson Blu Hotel
8th May 2015
Qatar Open 2015 Finals
5 PM to 8 PM
College of the North Atlantic, Qatar
28th - 30th May 2015
District 20 Annual Conference
Agenda not released
Dubai Women's College, UAE
12th - 15th August 2015
Toastmasters International Convention 2015
Agenda not released
Caesars Palace Hotel , Las Vegas, USA
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MISSION We empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.
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