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IMPRINT ISSUE #2

From the Editor’s Desk

It is indeed a very proud moment for me to be releasing the second issue of Imprint for the

year 2014-2015. The time since the last newsletter was issued has been an eventful one for

Konkan Toastmasters. We found amongst us some superstars like TM Denzil who made us

proud with his individual achievements and TM Runa who achieved her Competent

Communicator award! As a club we had many special meetings with Confluence of Area 68, the

90th

anniversary special meeting and the extremely enjoyable Christmas joint meeting with

Aspire TM Club. As I try to capture all these achievements in our Newsletter, we are actually

heading to a special meeting to celebrate our club's 200th

meeting at the Al Wakrah Park – Yet

another feather in our Hat! The founder of Toastmasters International Ralph Smedley said "We

learn best in moments of enjoyment" and I feel this is true in the case of any Konkan TM Club

Meeting.

I am grateful to the President, her Executive Committee and the club members for their

continuous support which have only helped me enhance this newsletter. This newsletter is of

the members, by the members and for the members and so I look forward to more active

participation with contributions towards making next issue even bigger and better!

By the way, its contest season coming up – All the best to our Members! Make us proud.

Jonathan Sequeira, CC, CL

VP-Public Relations

Konkan Toastmasters Club

IMPRINT KONKAN TOASTMASTERS CLUB

CLUB # 820149, AREA – 68, DIVISION - Q, DISTRICT – 20

2014 – 2015 / Issue #2 Nov 14-Jan 15

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The President speaks

With the start of the New Year I extend my sincere greetings to all and take this opportunity to wish

everyone a peaceful and successful New year.

2015 has dawned and we have completed half a term of our toastmaster year 2014-2015. It is the right

juncture to look back and review our club progress and achievements during this term. It is also the

right time to assess our shortfalls to rectify them in the second half of this term. With the help of SWOT

analysis, we have been able to acknowledge our strengths, weakness and zero-in on opportunities to

improve our club’s growth. We are moving in the right direction!

I indeed feel proud to highlight the achievements our club has made in the 2nd quarter and

congratulate members for their dedication towards the club's vision and goals. In the past 3 months,

we have had one special meeting every month. On October 27th, we celebrated the 90th anniversary

of Toastmasters in our club meeting thus imparting valuable information and insight of Toastmasters

International to all the old and new members through presentations, leaflets and a quiz. On November

10th, for the first time all clubs of Area 68 under Division Q came together for Area 68 Confluence

meeting which was a trend setter meeting for other Areas. It's organization was testament to great

teamwork and a successful meeting under the leadership of our Area 68 Governor TM Mou Bera. On

December 22nd we had our Christmas Special Joint Meeting with Aspire TM club in their outdoor

venue which has now become an annual calendar event with us. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Along with special meetings, we also had our individual members achieving their educational awards

with TM Runa Finsen achieving her Competent Communicator award, TM Muthurangan achieving his

Advanced Communicator Silver award, TM Ronnie Vaz achieving his Competent Leadership award thus

helping the club achieve DCP points and moving closer to target – 10 on 10! Our new members have

started giving their projects, taking up roles and have already embarked on their toastmaster journey.

Konkan club has achieved 8 DCP points and is proud to be bestowed with “Select Distinguished Club”

status which we achieved by December 2014.

On this journey of 200 meetings, I feel privileged and proud as a charter member along with 3 other

charter members TM Henry D’Souza, TM Mable Fernandes and TM Timothy Veigas to be associated

with this club since its first meeting. Konkan Toastmasters Club has sailed through smooth and rough

times through these years and inspite of these struggles it has reached the shore successfully

celebrating it's 200th meeting. It is now a well-known club in the division for its warmth, friendliness,

veteran and seasoned toastmasters, successful meetings, active participation of members in all events

be it club, area and even division level. It is a true honour to lead this successful club as President and I

am extremely grateful for the efforts of all past presidents, past and present members and my present

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Excom members along with the support of division and area officials for taking the club to this greater

heights and getting us this far!

As quoted by Christina Aguilera “The roughest roads often lead to the top” and this is so true while

when one recounts the journey of Konkan Toastmasters club as we continue to strive to grow bigger

and better!

TM Riana Pinto, CC, CL

President 2014-15

Konkan Toastmasters Club

Charter Member speaks!!

On the occasion of 200th meeting, it brings me great joy to celebrate and look back at the amazing

journey which I began in 2005 with Konkan Toastmasters Club.

It is a journey totally worth remembering and I cherish the valuable experience gained along this

journey. In this journey I met many inspiring and kind-hearted human beings, who inspired me and

motivated me to be a better speaker yes but more so a much better human being.

In my journey as a toastmaster I took many bold steps to step out of my comfort zone. I started to

communicate and share my experiences. The Toastmasters forum taught me not only how to speak but

more importantly how to listen! I had the opportunity to others stories and their life experiences which

in turn encouraged me to share my stories. In these past nine years, Toastmasters has taught me a lot

of lessons. It is like a light house showing you the right direction to move in and better enjoy life. It is a

great movement started by the great Ralph Smedly.

I only wish the best for Konkan Toastmasters Club and all its members for coming days and years to

come. Let the club shine brightly bringing forth the finest leaders and good human beings.

TM Thimothi Veigas, CC, CL

Charter Member

Konkan Toastmasters Club

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Rising Star – Making us Proud

Let me introduce you to the ICC-Once Communicator

award winner for the year 2014 - TM Denzil

Fernandes!

TM Denzil Fernandes was judged to be the Best

speaker in the International Speech category both by

the panel of judges and audience voting.

What is so special about this you might wonder?

The ICC-ONE Communicator Awards is an annual

event to showcase the best speakers in Qatar. It is held

to encourage communication and leadership skills and

is organized by ICC-ONE Toastmasters. It is a major

calendar event garnering strong local and international

interest. It is open to all residents in Qatar over 18

years of age, who will are given the opportunity to

showcase their communication skills in two categories:

International and Humorous.

TM Denzil, a first time entrant in this contest blew

away the judges in the preliminary round with his

speech on "Good Eye or Far Sight" and was selected to

be one of only 6 finalists.

In the finals, he lived up to his talent by mesmerising the audience with his speech "10 Minutes of My

Busy Life" where he spoke about feeling fatigued while driving and more often than not, not having 10

minutes to pull over and address the problem - a very relevant topic indeed.

TM Denzil, you have made us proud and we wish you even more success on the Toastmasters platform

with the contests around the corner. Watch out Division and District for our Champion Speaker!

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90th Anniversary Special

The Toastmasters movement turned 90 years on 22nd

October 2014. The Konkan Toastmasters club

members under the inspirational guidance of the President TM Riana Pinto ensured that it was

celebrated with much flair as such a milestone would deserve. This further tied with the beginning of a

yearlong tribute that will be celebrated in clubs across the globe through to next October.

So the club's 196th

meeting was held on October 27th

, 2014 keeping in mind the 90th Anniversary

celebrations of Toastmasters International.

The toastmaster of the evening TM Jovita Pereira took charge with zest and took the audience 90 years

back in time. She fed the audience with a lot of historical facts and current statistics of the

Toastmasters movement. The meeting was even more special as 2 Ice breaker speeches, by TM

Vanessa Pearl and TM Aloysius D’Souza, were delivered ensuring that 2 new members took their first

big step as part of the Toastmasters journey. Further, a P8 speech – QAR 6,000/- was delivered by TM

Denzil Fernandes and an Educational Module by TM Muthurangan on the Toastmasters Educational

Program.

TM Wilma D’Souza, First Time Table Topics Master came up with 365 topics for the Table Topics

Segment and she enticed the members and guests to actively participate in the segment by giving them

a chance to choose from the ocean of topics. The general evaluation session was conducted by TM

Melvin Buthello.

Making the meeting even more special, before handing over control to the President, TMOE TM Jovita

Pereira conducted a quiz on Toastmasters with TM Hazem, TM Denzil and TM Riana emerging as

winners. They were awarded with special medals.

In the business session, President TM Denzil won best Table Topics speaker. TM Aloysius and TM

Vanessa Pearl were awarded the First Timer Ribbons. TM Muthurangan was presented the Best

Gesture ribbon for taking up the initiative to complete his ACS after a long gap of 2 years. Enthusiasm

Award was presented to TM Bjarne Jensen for completing his CC as per his said plan and within a year.

Enthusiasm Award was also presented to TM Denzil for all his enthusiasm shown towards the club and

area.

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Confluence – Area 68

The first Confluence meeting of Division Q was organised by Area 68 under the able leadership of TM

Mou Bera. It was conducted 10th November at Ghanem Gardens Club house. It was a refreshing

change as it brought together toastmasters from Konkan Toastmasters Club and ICC Eves Toastmasters

Club. The 2 charming presidents TM Asha Shiju and TM Riana Pinto orchestrated a beautiful opening to

the Confluence meeting.

The Toastmaster of the Evening was the elegant TM Mou Bera, Area Governor 68. She started the

meeting on a positive note when she spoke about the achievements of Area 68. She welcomed

Division Q Governor TM Shyam Sundar to set the tone for the meeting. He gave credit to TM Joseph

Stanley who coined the term confluence which really means "meeting of rivers" and further explained

the image of the 2 overlapping leaves - a symbol that leaves are so important for the plants growth and

that is what the purpose of this meeting was. The members are the leaves that enable the club to

grow.

The environment was filled with excitement and fun filled where everyone put on their best. There

were 7 speeches lined up from P1 till P10 including an Advanced project delivered by members from

both clubs. TM Joseph Stanley conducted the General Evaluation session. In the business session, TM

Denzil Fernandes was elected as the best speaker and DTM Sampath Sowrirajan along with ADGET TM

Joseph Stanley presented the award to him.

Presidents TM Asha and TM Riana in their concluding notes thanked TMOD TM Mou Bera for an

excellent meeting and to all the roleplayers who contributed to the success of the meeting.

Area 68 Governor TM Mou Bera congratulated Konkan club members for achieving 6 DCP points and

for being a Distinguished club. She extended special thanks to the Excom members mainly the

Presidents from both the clubs and VP Education TM Jovita Pereira & TM Sunita Saini for all their

efforts in organizing this meeting, Sgt at Arms TM Denzil Fernandes, TM Rifna Sadath for the setup and

arrangements, VP-PRs TM Jonathan Sequeira and TM Maimoona Abubaker for advertising this special

event.

The Confluence meeting was an excellent example of collaboration, team work and to hear speakers

from Area 68 at their best. The Confluence ended on a high note of appreciation for successfully

organizing it and good teamwork of both clubs which led to the success of the first Confluence meeting

of Division Q. The meeting was followed by a sumptuous dinner enjoyed by all.

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Getting Innovative

The members of Konkan Toastmasters Club have always been known for their warmth. One thing that

has gone unnoticed is their penchant for innovation and pushing the boundaries.

On December 8, 2014, the club's 199th

meeting; TM Anas Ahmad challenged the club members to turn

up in innovative outfits!

TM Anas himself came up with a glittering Tie which appeared to be studded with diamonds from afar,

TM Chris had a DHL sponsored tie, TM Denzil wore a printed bowtie, TM Riana carried a handmade

bag, TM Runa and TM Bjarne wore glittering hats.

TM Anas Ahmad as a first timer being TMOE was excellent and proved that he is the King of Humour as

he introduced the theme and laced it with jokes and punch lines. The Educational Session was

conducted in a very professional manner.

TM Runa Finsen delivered her milestone project P10 with her speech titled ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’, in

which she inspired the audience to look at the brighter side and always be happy, positive and

optimistic in life. TM Riana Pinto delivered an ALB Advanced Project Speech title ‘Meeting Roles and

Responsibilities’.

Table Topics Master, TM Bjarne Jensen played along with the theme and came prepared with some

innovative and easy topics that had the speakers thinking on their feet and delivering impromptu

speeches. The General Evaluator, First Timer TM Denzil Fernandes, conducted the General Evaluation

session very well in which seasoned Toastmaster TM Christopher Almeida presented a fantastic

evaluation to TM Runa Finsen.

Thank you TM Anas for wonderfully orchestrating a fun meeting and for all the members who played

along making it one more to remember!

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Christmas Joint Meeting with Aspire

As has now become Christmas tradition, Konkan Toastmasters Club celebrated Christmas in a special

joint meeting with Aspire Toastmasters Club at the new Loyola International School Premises. This was

the 4th consecutive year we celebrated Christmas together albeit in a new venue as an outdoor

meeting.

The meeting was opened by young & enthusiastic committed TM Layal Baaklini of Aspire Club in her

own unique way with a warm up exercise in the chilly weather. TM Layal then handed over control to

Presidents of both clubs who welcomed the big audience for the special meeting and asked the big

number of 15 guests including a baby to introduce themselves.

The Debonair TM Sarat Koduru of Aspire was the TMOE together with our very own TM Christopher

Almeida. TMOE’s then introduced the theme “Tis the season to be Merry” putting limelight on

Christmas season. It was a packed education session with 4 speeches – 2 from each club.

TM Layal Baaklini conducted the Table Topics session exuberantly picking her speakers via a "passing

the candy" game with Christmas music playing in the background. The General evaluation session was

conducted by TM Muneer Ahmed Sheikh, Area 55 Governor, who handled the session very well despite

being a first timer. The exuberant TMOEs TM Sarat & TM Christopher wound up the meeting wishing

everyone a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year .

The Presidents then invited Division Q Governor TM Shyam Sundar and Divison E Governor

representative TM Melvin Buthello to speak on the occasion. They congratulated both the clubs for

conducting a well-organized fun filled meeting. Konkan Toastmasters Club was further congratulated

on their milestone 200th meeting, achieving 8 DCP points and becoming a ‘Select Distinguished Club’.

The Guests too enjoyed the meeting though they were all first timers in toastmasters meeting and the

general sentiment was that “it was an exuberant meeting”.

Presidents TM Issam &TM Riana both acknowledged and thanked TM Layal Baaklini for all her efforts in

organizing and making it possible to hold this annual event jointly and adjourned the meeting.

The festive meeting ended with cutting of a Christmas cake and surprise gifts laid under the Christmas

tree were given to all. This was followed by food and photo session. In all it was a successful joint

meeting with lots of fun in the cool chilled weather in the outdoors giving the feel of the Christmas

season and the best part was met many new people and made new friends.

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A Fitting Crown

This is a note of appreciation written by our club's member, coach and

mentor DTM Sampath Sowrirajan on our rising star TM Denzil Fernandes.

DTM Sampath is first DTM from the newly formed Division Q.

TM Denzil Fernandes is an extraordinary toastmaster. He has good

language. He has understood the objectives and did well in all projects of

the CC manual. And yesterday he delivered a P10 that was a model P10.

Precision, proportion and perfection!

There was everything ---words of gravity, clear diction and flow, vocal variety, body language, visuals,

props, action, all just so, and that aspect that eludes most, inspiration. For many, used to pedestrian

P10s, it was a revelation. The speech was indeed so inspiring, that everyone was immersed in it and no

one had anything to say. Even the TMOE, evaluator and GE could only heap encomium and find no

fault.

A Star is born! I am talking about Competent Communicator Denzil Fernandes of Konkan Toastmasters

Club. CC, a fitting crown for a fitting head!

I have been observing this lad from the start. I faulted him, poked him and pushed him. He never took

offence. He was willing to learn. I am happy for his development culminating in his P10 performance.

Isn’t it thrilling to watch a bud blossom?

I wish him well in all his future endeavours. My humble and considered opinion is that he is

international material. Know ye, mentors of Doha, here is an excellent mentee with a subservient ego

and unspoilt openness. Embrace him. Encourage him. Enrich him

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DCP Points – Select Distinguished Club

ExCom Contact Details

Konkan Toastmasters Club meets every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month from 7:00 - 9:15 p.m. at the Ghanem Gardens Club House.

Role Name Email Mobile

President Riana Pinto alria301@gmail.com 55915002

VP-Education Jovita Pereira D'souza joviann@gmail.com 66020816

VP-Membership Vanessa Pereira Vanessa.Pereira@maerskoil.com 55764120

VP-Public Relations /

Secretary Jonathan Sequeira jon.seq@gmail.com 55115653

Treasurer Thimothi Veigas veigasthimothi@gmail.com 66032017

Sergeant-At-Arms Denzil Fernandes denzil.fernandes@outlook.com 66760914

Immediate Past

President Melvin Buthello melvinbuthello@hotmail.com 55823478