CLIMB “Communicate Lead Inspire and Manage Better”
WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
Shift-The way you communicate SBAG Toastmasters Newsletter • Feb 2017
Club No 998874, Area - 83, Division L & District 20
Upcoming Events
The Power of Words
10th Anniversary
by Gurbinder Punn, DTM
Club No 998874, Area - 83, Division L & District 20
Contents WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE
President Address
Pg 3 The Power of WORDS by Gurbinder Singh Editor’s Note
Pg 4 Club Officers
Pg 5 Debate Sessions
Pg 6
Interview with Club Founder DTM Tom Cyriac
Pg 10
Pg 7 Club Contest
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SBAG Club by DTM Dr Gururaja
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Upcoming Events
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Member’s Birthday Celebration
15
The Journey of the Transforming
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Welcome New Member
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Greetings from your Club President! The Toastmaster-year starts from July of each year and runs till June. We now drawing to a close, and it is my pleasure to give my sincere thanks to all of you who contributed to a successful and unique year. I have enjoyed the last nine months as the President of this club, with a lot of members providing active contributions. During this period we experienced a great diversity of meeting topics such as the Storytelling, Professional Speaking, Interpretive Reading, Humorously Speaking and of course the Competent Communicator and Annual Speech Contests. We also experimented with starting Club Debate which was hugely successful. Recently we had celebrated 10 years of toastmasters in SBAG. A truly world class event build a climax of this exceptional year with about 70 Toastmasters and Business Heads in a truly international atmosphere. Key Note speech were delivered by Industry experts and World Champions. I must admit that being the President of SBAG TM has been a challenging task, and I have spent quite some of my free time to support the club. However, this did not prevent me from contributing with speeches, evaluations and many other roles, and I enjoyed sharing my time and my voice with you. This would of course not have been possible without your support and motivation! My sincere thanks to the Officer Team: You provided an important base for the success of this year, and all of you deserve a big applause for this. With your tremendous dedication over the last few months, you have all made a difference to me and even more important to this outstanding club. There is a lot of energy within us, and I am excited to see the club achieve’s new heights in the coming years’. Once again a big thank you to all members, friends and guests of SBAG Toastmasters.
My best wishes Safiya Al Yarubi
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Editor’s Note Toastmaster is a very good platform, where members are empowered not only in their speaking & communication skills, but also members are encouraged to enhance many more things relates to their professional and personal life. Last time as Sergent at arms, I have learnt many thing, such as how to organize meeting venue, how to get attendance confirmation from members and how to begin meeting and much more. When I have been selected as VP Public Relationship, I was so excited about newsletter, because it reminded me of my student days. While studying my MA Arabic in university, the university used to publish the Arabic magazine in every quarter. That magazine contained wonderful articles of renowned professor and bright students of the university. I too wish my articles to be published in that magazine. It was my privilege that, during the two years of my Masters, my articles used to be published in the university newsletter. Now being the editor, I am really excited and proud to be part of this newsletter. I hope you will enjoy reading this newsletter. I would like to thank every member of SBAG toastmaster club for their support and time. My sincere thanks goes to my colleague and past VP PR, TM Rishi and Mr Vinesh from Corporate Communication, who had supported in designing and to release the current newsletter. Your suggestions and feedback are respected to improve the CLIMB.
TM Hasan VP-Public Relationship SBAG Toastmaster Club.
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Club Officers Photo & Roles President
MTM Safiya Al Yarubi
Vice President - Education
TM Ashok Velip
Vice President- Membership
TM Rishi Koirala
Vice President- Public Relations
TM Hafiz Hasan
Secretary
TM Bharat Jose
Treasurer
TM Pradeep Arora
Seargent At Arms
TM Venkatesh
Past President
TM Prasad NNVV
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DEBATE Session Change is constant, MTM Safiya, as club’s president, wanted to change club’s learning routine and to bring new experience to the club to enhance member’s learning. She has observed that, the members are having public speaking and leadership skills already, so why not cultivate debate’s seed in their heart. With MTM Safia’s guidance, we embarked on debat journery. Debate session was conducted on Wednesday 21st Dec,2016 at our regular meeting time at 1:00 PM. Two teams were made and each team was consisting of 4 members. From Team ‘A’ MTM Safiya, TM Hasan, TM Bharat & TM Venkatesh and from Team B, TM Ashfaque, TM Prasad, TM Pradeep & TM Rishi.
Debate Winners
because it was a new experience and most of us had not participated in the debate in past. Kudos to TM Vimil who has guided us and supported us to make this session more successful. The topic ‘Money motivates people more than any other factor in workplace’ was announced by Debate master DTM Gurbinder just 3 days before of the debate session. Each team has to be prepared for both, ‘For & against’ the motion. Both teams have arrived the venue with full preparation. Which team has to talk ‘For the motion’ and which has to talk ‘Against the motion’ was decided just 20 minutes prior the debate began by draw of lots. It was a unique session and both team presented arguments and rebuttals as well as summary reports. The winning team was team B, who talked ‘Against the motion’.
We all members were so excited about this debate,
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Words can change your brain, and the right words spoken in the right way can generate mutual rapport with others. The right words can enable cooperation, while the wrong words can generate conflict in less than a second. And if you continue to communicate with negativity, even for a few minutes, you may actually damage your brain. That’s what our latest neuro-scientific research has found. Words generate thoughts, and thoughts change the way you perceive the world. Positive thoughts generate feelings of peacefulness and serenity, whereas negative thoughts generate anxiety, fear and doubt. Recent studies have even shown that gazing at a list of positive words makes you feel better but a list of negative words makes you feel worse. Thus if you want to achieve any degree of success in the world – be it in business or in love – you have to choose the right words that will inspire your brain to take positive actions in the world. But here’s the problem: most of our thoughts – and the words that comprise them – are CLIMB - SBAG Toastmasters Newsletter
unconscious, and thus we’re rarely aware of how the negative ones are interfering with our ability to achieve our goals. If we want to improve our lives and the world in which we live, we must learn to listen to the inner stories, which are constantly spinning in our minds and transform the negativity into life-affirming words. Andrea calls this the ‘incessant internal dialogue’, and research shows that this inner speech begins in the first two years of life. By the age of ten it becomes unconscious, but the inner noise continues to shape nearly everything we say and feel and do. If we don’t like the stories we hear, all we have to do is rewrite our inner script, bringing in words of optimism. We can choose words that empower us to take action, we can choose arbitrarily to suppress words that undermine our confidence, and if we keep a list of our positive words and gratitude, our self-esteem and satisfaction with life will soar. Changing our inner speech Internal February 2017
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dialogues are constantly racing through our mind at spectacular speeds, and this causes us to talk faster when conversing with others. But if we deliberately slow down our speech, we not only increase the listener’s comprehension, we also lower physical tension and stress in both the listener and ourselves. As we relax into our positive words and dialogue, we also interrupt the mechanisms that cause misunderstandings and conflict. When you speak very slowly, and very briefly, you’ll begin to hear your own inner speech telling you what you should and should not do.
from the actual words. Words are just words, symbols that are unique to every person on this planet. Take, for example, the word ‘love’. We all know what it means, and yet if you ask someone to define it, everyone comes up with something different.
Sometimes it sounds like a nasty parent, and sometimes it just sounds crazy, but that’s the nature of everyday consciousness, and it keeps you so caught up inside yourself that it becomes virtually impossible to connect with what anyone else is saying. By slowing down your inner and outer speech, you can begin to choose your words more wisely.
In fact, words are the least important part of the communication process. Andrea and her husband Seth captured this astonishing fact in a film, which runs for less than 90 seconds. It’s one of the most moving videos I’ve ever seen. It’s so powerful that if you haven’t seen this film, called The Power of Words, please watch it on YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzgzim5m7oU
Each one will take on more power, compassion, and meaning, and the process will begin to stimulate inspirational thoughts in the listener’s brain. In fact, the other person’s brain will begin to mirror what you’re feeling. It’s a process we call ‘neural resonance’ and it’s the most effective way to build mutual understanding and trust. You can even use silence to increase the power of your words, and thus inspire others to become more conscious.
I’ve watched it over and over, and each time it brings tears to my eyes. It will touch the same emotional chords in you, bringing up sadness and joy, and if I were to scan your brain while watching it, it would stimulate some of the most important neural circuits involved with social awareness and compassion. How is that possible? How can a few words, ‘spoken’ in silence, move your heart, your brain, and your soul?
The power of silence will inspire you, but the inspiration comes from your imagination, not CLIMB - SBAG Toastmasters Newsletter
I’ll give you a personal example. I really love chocolate. I love deep conversations, I love science, and I really love my family. But each of these ‘loves’ is fundamentally different. That difference is reflected in the tone of the voice, and in the memories that hold on to those images and feelings of love.
I hope the above message triggers some thoughts and you will agree with me on the power of words. February 2017
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Club Contests Contest means preparation practice and results. This year SBAG toastmasters club has witnessed many new heroes in all the contests. Good speech quality, well drafted content and inspirational messages has
been seen in speeches. Specially the international speech contest was awesome, total 8 members participated and the competition was quite tough. Here are the winners name:
International Speech Winners 1st Place: MTM Safiya 2nd Place: TM Rishi Koirala 3rd Place: TM Prasad !
Humorous Speech Winners 1st Place: TM Hasan 2nd Place: TM Venkatesh 3rd Place: TM Rishi Koirala !
Table Topic Winners 1st Place: TM Rishi Koirala 2nd Place: MTM Safiya Al Yarubi 3rd Place: TM Ashok Velip Evaluations 1st Place: TM Rishi Koirala 2nd Place: DTM Asif Kasmani 3rd Place: MTM Safiya Al Yarubi
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Interview with Club Founder DTM Tom Cyriac DTM Tom Cyriac is SBAG toastmaster club’s founder. He had established this club in 2007. He has been President twice for SBAG club and Area Director for area 64 in 2015. He is a VP- Credit & Collection department at Suhail Bahwan Automotive LLC in professional. On the occasion of 10th Anniversary of the Club, I have asked him following questions: Why did you join Toastmaster? masters International. We have three DTMs The objective at the time of joining the club in the club, three past Area Directors, One was to have an informal current Area Director and one self-learning group within Divisional Director. Our memI would like to repeat one the organization to help bers have won many awards at of my old stories at this develop communication the area and divisional point. Toastmasters clubs and managerial skills. contests. are like waiting for a train in Mumbai VT station. If you are at the platform in Mumbai VT, you will automatically get pushed into the train.
What is the most challenging aspects you had in running the club? The most challenging factor was to get the members to attend the meetings in large numbers, and getting members to do the projects.
How do you evaluate SBAG Toastmaster club among other clubs across the country? We are one of the best clubs in Oman. Year on year we have been awarded the presidents distinguished club awards by ToastCLIMB - SBAG Toastmasters Newsletter
As the club starter you and DTM Gurbinder, have you ever imagined that, SBAG Toastmaster club will witness 10th Anniversary? Off course we knew that any activity we approach with consistency will progress to great heights. In this journey the most important factor has been the support of our Chairman Sheikh Ahmed Bahwan , the Managing Director Divyendu Kumar ,and the Head of the Departments. Along with the management support we have the committed members. SBAG Toastmasters will be there as long as the organization exists.
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How was the impact of SBAG toastmaster club on the organization and its employees? The organization has greatly benefitted from the club. More than 300 employees both nationals as well as expats have used the club for their self-development. This is in addition to the various Speech Craft programs for the employees and the Youth Leadership Program for the children of our employees we conduct from time to time. Please describe your DTM journey? The DTM journey has been quite normal for me. My focus was to do projects. I took it on myself to do ten projects every year. Along with that I used to take up leadership roles as well whenever the opportunity arose. Once I completed the projects for both CLIMB - SBAG Toastmasters Newsletter
leadership as well as communication track there was the District official role of Area director or similar to be done for getting the DTM. The encouragement from DTM Gurbinder helped at that stage. If anyone aspires to be a DTM it is good to do bit of planning to get there. What is the message you would like to convey to SBAG Toastmasters members? I would like to repeat one of my old stories at this point. Toastmasters clubs are like waiting for a train in Mumbai VT station. If you are at the platform in Mumbai VT, you will automatically get pushed into the train. A member who needs to benefit from Toastmasters needs to be present in the meetings. If you are not a member yet, take your ticket and be at the next meeting. The benefits will be yours. February 2017
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Message from Division Director by Dr Gururaja, DTM
DTM Dr. Gururaj, currently he is a Division Director L, District 20, he work with OTE group. He frequently visits SBAG Toastmasters Club on special occasions and events. Dear Club President MTM Safiya Al Yarubi, I congratulate you and your team on the occasion of 10th Anniversary of SBAG toastmasters club. Continuing a Corporate Toastmasters Club for over decade is no means a small achievement. My thoughts go towards the no’s – they are over 500 meetings, 500 new words, 500 international speech topics, 500 evaluations and over 1500 table topics, debate sessions, education sessions, Club contests and Anniversary functions and more. I just took one topic and one evaluation per meeting if I take two or three per session then they may be 1000 or 1500 topics and evaluations. Mind boggling activity was happening during these years. No doubt that your club has three DTM’S in such a short period. May the success follow and the SBAG TMS CLUB grow the way it has been planned. Your club past presidents, DTM.TOM CYRIAC, DTM.GURBINDER SINGH PUNN, DTM. ASIF KASMANI and others have led the club to many glories and kept the SBAG flag flying high. I am one of those fortunate toastmasters who have been attending various functions of SBAG Club and closely associated with your club’s success. On the 10th Anniversary of SBAG TOASTMASTERS CLUB, I WISH YOU AND YOUR TEAM ALL THE VERY BEST.
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Upcoming Events 10th Anniversary SBAG Toastmaster club is going to celebrate its 10th Anniversary. Could you imagine how many meetings has been conducted during these 10 years, it’s around 500 meetings as each & every week we meet. It’s very important achievement. There are very few clubs across the country who has been reached to level. We are going to celebrate it on coming Thursday, 2nd March, 2017. We request you all please attend the event and witness new experience of public speaking.
Area Contest The second upcoming big event is Area level contest. It has been scheduled as 24th March, 2017 at Golden Oasis Hotel, at Wadi Kabir. Under this Area, 83 total 4 clubs SBAG, Mana TKS, RMS & Domina clubs will be
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participating and the winners of the area contest will represent to Division level contest. We invite you all to attend this contest and cheers our club’s heroes.
Area Director Our SBAG member TM Mohammed Ashfaque is holding at district office as an area director of area 83, which falls in the division L of district 20. He is very senior toastmaster. A Toastmaster since 2008, he has taken various leadership roles in club level, area and district level. Currently he is representing Area 83. Under his leadership all 4 clubs are performing very well as far as DCP points are concerned.
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Journey of the Transforming Speaker TM venkatesh is very shining Toastmaster of SBAG club. In toastmaster journey he is moving very fast. He has done 6th project. In our club contest he has performed very well and has got 1st Runner up award in Humorous speech contest. He is narrating his toastmaster journey by his own words:
Leadership qualities. Immediately I had join the Toastmaster club in August 2015. Over the last one and half years, it gradually improved my communication and leadership qualities. I have completed 6 Projects till now. Every project and evaluation provided me a good guidance to deliver the speech with unique ideas.
I have joined SBAG Group on June 2015. One day, I went through the Toastmasters page in our SBA portal. I saw the Division contest winners and the club Newsletter. It reminded me the paper presentation I had during my MBA studies. Unfortunately, I couldn't get any prizes due to my poor communication skills. So, I decided to join our club to improve my communication skills. In 2015, I participated as a guest in the Club Family Event. All club members along with their family actively participated in Games. It was so funny. I really enjoyed the programme. Once, I participated as a guest in our club. It was a good learning experience.
Recently, I have got first runner up in humorous speech at our club contest. The secret of success behind this award was my enthusiasm, hard work and the suggestions, feedback and support given by my mentors on my earlier roles and speech. Every Toastmasters was encouraging each other to achieve the goal. Our club provided me an opportunity to listen variety of quality speeches on projects and table topics. It motivated me to work more on my project with unique script. Now I am a Seargent at Arms of our club. It’s my honor to serve as a Seargent at Arms for 10 Years old Successful club.
Each role players did their role enthusiastically. I realized that, our club will provide a good platform to improve the communication and
I thanks my mentor and all club members for their valuable support to enrich my knowledge in communication and leadership skills.
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Members’ Birthday Celebration
SBAG Toastmasters club organize birthday celebration for members. Whenever birthday falls on meeting days, club organizes cake cutting ceremony in order to make members feel better and to bring positive feelings in life. Some of our celebrations moments during the last year (2016-2017). We had celebrated for our member’s b’day TM Venkatesh on 1st Dec,2016 and TM Rishi on 25th Jan, 2017
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Our New Members TM Hitesh Manghnani, joined SBAG Toastmaster club on thth Oct, 2016 and he has completed his 4th project. He is from Mumbai, India but, born and bought up in Oman. He did his Master degree in international business from university of Wollongong in Dubai. Currently working in CRM department as Prossess Quaility executive at Suhail Bahwan Automobiles LLC. TM Rajat Dewan, joined SBAG Toastmaster club on 8th Dec, 2016 and he has done his 1st project. He belongs to Delhi, India. He has done B. COM from Delhi University and MBA from IGNOU. Currently working in HR & Admin Dept, at Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, LLC. TM Liladhar Mewalal, joined SBAG Toastmaster club in November ,2016. and he has done his 1st project also. He belongs to Nagpur City, India. He has done EMBA from IBM Delhi. Currently working at Infinity Showroom at Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, LLC. TM Nikhil B Krishnan, joined SBAG Toastmaster club in December ,2016. He belongs to Calicut City, Kerala, India. He is having around 9.5 years’ experience in automotive field and holding B Tech Mechanical engineering, Ex MBA & MPhil. Currently working as CRM Manager at Al Jinaibi International, LLC. TM John Victor, joined SBAG Toastmaster club in January, 2017. He belongs to Egypt. He has done Bsc Mechanical Power Engineering. Currently working as Manager in training department at Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, LLC.
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