ESCF CLUB NEWSLETTER R EG IO N 11

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AREA 50

THANK YOU!

We at ESCF, begin with gratitude. There are leaders who delegate, who empower and there are those rare gems who can bring about resourcefulness in the face of innumerable constraints. One such rare gem is our club president TM Aparna Rajan, without whom this newsletter would not have seen the light of day. Not only was she available at every step while piecing the fragments together, but she also chipped in her better half Praveen Raj to give life to our design and the design speaks for itself. Clearly, resourcefulness begins at home! TM Amrita James and TM Sirisha Vasudev, thank you for pitching in so beautifully in collating few articles.

The list is incomplete without thanking our Division Director TM Steven George, for always having our back; our Area Director TM Sharon Kuruvilla for leading us by example; of course the club coaches TM Vijaya Sukumar and TM Radha Hari who continue to be with us during moments of truth and triumph. A big shout-out to all the former members, who will always be inseparable part of ESCF. Finally yet importantly, this publication is a dedication to its writers. Thank you all for your contribution and time!

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Page-3 The Curtain Raiser Shilpa Shreemanth

Page-4 Standing tallMessage from the Division Director Steven Thomas George

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Begetting The navigatorsA woman of OrderlinessMessages from action- Message Message from the Club Coaches from the the Area Director Club President Vijaya Sukumar Sharon & Radha Hari Aparna Rajan Kuruvilla

The seed of love Alok Singh, DTM

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Circles of Companionship + Newbie Alert!

An Ode To A Teacher

Think BIG, Start SMALL, & Act NOW Mrudula Ashokan

Visuals of Club Contest

Visuals of Area Contest

Turn The Tables

Sirisha Vasudev Vasudev Akundi

Udayalakshmi Bhamidipalli

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R K Raman

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What’s your mojo?

Fear is good

When we played normal-normal!

Amrita Vivian James

The tough get going… oh oh…yeah, yeah, yeah… Alok Singh

Newbie Alert!

Riyaz Mohammed

Furlongs and Furlongs to go… Aparna Rajan

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Where’s the time???

Voids

2020! So far so good…

My high five with life

Against all odds

Precilla Quadras

Ramesh Krishna

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You cross our minds too!

13 years… In the blink of an eye!

Shilpa Shreemanth

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Usha Soman

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Newbie Alert!

What do we do differently

We’ve moved to a new place

A Gentle Reminder!

Deepa Damodar Karthika Vijayakumar

Page-36 If you get it, you get it

7 e-3 Pa g ut Abo theer cov

Divya Sachdev

Page-27 The inside jokesA fun meet with EXCOM + Club Accolades

Testimonies

PIECING TOGETHER

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THE CURTAIN RAISER ...continued from page-1

When I first heard of Toastmasters, my engineering background propelled me to open it’s website, get more details, do cost analysis, get more reviews and then select the club. However, my natural flair for taking the leap of faith based on my first guest experience made me join ESCF. Two years later, I am on the other end of the spectrum spreading the word. There’s a famous saying by Michael Leboeuf, “A satisfied customer is the best business strategy of all”. I couldn’t agree more! So, what is this business all about? Networking? Self-improvement? Honing leadership skills? A sense of belonging to a community? Sheer joy of addressing a crowd? Well, all of the above and much more…It’s about YOU! This is where the club comes into picture because the curriculum is the same all over with just minute variants. It’s not only important to be welcomed, but be celebrated. This newsletter is a perfect concoction of empowering messages from the leaders; long standing members showing us how to convert setbacks into comebacks and new members sharing their “customer-satisfaction” anecdotes. Additionally, we have testimonies from few former members, though now scattered geographically but are still connected emotionally to their first club. All this speaks volumes of the camaraderie omnipresent at ESCF. This was reason enough to dedicate a volume to celebrate its members and what better time than now to launch this, when the journey has a pitstop at its 300th milestone. Oh yes, some have crooned songs of their lives too. Hence, I am sure as the contents unfold you cannot help but sing along! This October, we proudly present our labor of love, our club Newsletter to you all. Still wondering if it’s a trick or treat? How can you tell which club is best for you when there are so many flashing their agendas? It’s time for you to take that leap of faith and be our guest! Happy Reading… TM Shilpa Shreemanth VP PR (2020-21)

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STANDING TALL

Message from the Division Director ESCF – Emirates Supply Chain Forum Toastmasters Club. The first impression that I had when I heard this name, was of a club where a bunch of supply chain and logistics professionals come together periodically to discuss supply chain-related strategies. The likes of, “how to optimize ‘last mile’ delivery routes?” or consolidation strategies to reduce sea freight costs. But, I was proven wrong the moment I walked into a regular ESCF club meeting. Though the club was initially chartered for the purpose of improving the communication and leadership skills of supply chain professionals, now the club has spread its wings and has enrolled members from multiple professions and walks of life, united by the sole vision of becoming better communicators and leaders. Credit has to be given to all the club leaders of the past and present, who worked tirelessly to polish the name of ESCF Toastmasters Club. ESCF Club is one of the most successful clubs in District 105 and has contributed significantly to both the District as well as the Division. If you are a quantitative type, a quick review of the dashboards of the last 10 years indicate that ESCF TM Club had achieved Select Distinguished status at least in 9 out of last 10 years. A commendable feat indeed. However, more important is the qualitative value ESCF Club has added to each and every member by providing the perfect friendly atmosphere where each member can grow as well as be a catalyst of growth in their respective family, work and social environment. I, as the current Division Director, am proud that ESCF TM Club is a part of Division L and hope that it will continue to be a role model and set the bar high for other clubs across the world to emulate and obtain inspiration. Congratulations to each member, past and present, for the 300th meeting and we hope that the journey of value addition in people’s lives never ends. TM Steven Thomas George Division L Director District 105, Region 11 Analyst for Centre of Excellence at Chalhoub Group

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BEGETTING ORDERLINESS

Message from the Area Director “Where the willingness is great, the difficulties cannot be great."—Niccolo Machiavelli Passion, desire to excel, and the will to overcome; these drive a greater force than any sense of responsibility or necessity. This is what has lead ESCF Toastmasters over these past years to become a club of substance and strength. A club which welcomes everyone with warmth and is known for their members camaraderie, consistency and commitment. In today’s changing circumstances let’s repurpose our goals in these lines, challenge the challenges, and stay ahead through excellence. As Henry Ford said, “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself”. This year the club is blessed with an exuberant EXCOM of true sheroes whose passion and desire will take the club to much greater heights. As they are reaching the milestone of 300th meeting, I wish the club all the very best. May you continue to shine like a bright star in this galaxy of toastmasters. Wishing you yet another Year filled with new hopes, new accomplishments and new beginnings… TM Sharon Kuruvilla Area 50 Director Division L, District 105, Region 11 Formerly cash and treasury management controller and now a full-time Toastmaster

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THE NAVIGATORS

Two years ago I visited ESCF for the first time as a speaker and was bowled over by the exceptional standard of each role player. What sets ESCF apart from other clubs is the constant endeavor for quality, be it in their speeches, evaluations, execution of meeting roles or following the protocol for meetings. Every meeting begins with a Book Review – a unique, entertaining and informative segment. The members are some of the most amiable and astute individuals who always make every guest feel at home. A stimulating 2 hours is a guarantee at every ESCF meeting. Undoubtedly the club is an asset to Area 50 and Division L as it has incredibly talented speakers as well as dynamic future leaders. It is my honor and privilege to be a Club Coach for this enterprising and exemplary club, and I’ve no doubts that ESCF will soar higher in the fraternity. TM Vijaya Sukumar Formerly a Management Accountant, a freelance writer and now a full-time Toastmaster

Message from the Club Coaches I hardly knew anyone at ESCF Toastmasters club when I first visited the club. But within minutes, I felt so comfortable as I was given a warm welcome by all the members present over there. What amazed me the most was the energy and the enthusiasm of the club members. I could see smiling faces all around . Each one of them was so genuinely interested in whatever they were doing! Be it arranging the table or setting up the projector. There was not a single person in the room who looked bored or disinterested. It looked like a happy bunch of people, passionately working towards a common goal! I admire the camaraderie among the members which I think is one of the USPs of the club. It is indeed a privilege and honor to be a Club Coach for this esteemed club. I wish ESCF all the very best in all their future endeavors. TM Radha Hari Formerly a Freelance Journalist and now a full-time Toastmaster

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A WOMAN OF ACTION

Message from the Club President My life is full of serendipities and one such fortunate stroke of serendipity was joining Toastmasters. I am immensely glad that we met each other in January 2017. Each day at ESCF has been a source of learning. From CC,CL,ALB to completing a path in pathways, I have emerged as a communicator as well as a leader. Serving in the EXCOM as a treasurer, VP PR & VPE in the past has helped me to enhance my inter personal skills. ESCF has taught me, “the more you give, the more you get and the more you get, the more you feel like giving back”. This is the reason behind my unhesitant acceptance of Presidentship of this enthralling club for the year 2020-2021. I am fortunate to be a drop in the mighty ocean named ESCF which has a rich history of stalwarts associated with it. It is a 13 year old club with immense potential members. It is the richness in variety that makes our club unique and riveting. The camaraderie, compassion, enthusiasm and innovative ideas at ESCF is unparalleled. Our club provides a pleasant, calm, and encouraging environment where we learn to step out of our comfort zones and start our own exciting journeys of self- discovery. Selfdevelopment is an ongoing process and when you join like-minded people in developing that skill, it multiplies your learning process. The present EXCOM is very special as it has taken charge in very challenging times. We have been adept in adopting and adapting to the the online meetings. My team and I will make sure that ESCF goes leaps and bounds in this year too by striving towards the mission of ESCF that is speak, lead and succeed. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to all founding members ,senior toastmasters , Area 50 director , Division L director and the entire District 105 for extending a helping hand to ESCF unconditionally. Without our valued members, current and past officers, this club would not have been successful. Therefore, my deep thanks goes to all the members and club officers, who dedicate their time and energy for the success of ESCF Toastmasters club. There are certain things in life that we have no control over. The alphabets ‘B’ and ‘D’, where ‘B’ stands for Birth and ‘D’ for Death are not under anyone’s control. However, between ‘B’ and ‘D’ lies ‘C’….and that C stands for Choice! Make the right choice by joining ESCF Toastmasters Club and upgrade yourself, as being selfish is the first step towards being selfless. TM Aparna Rajan Club President (2020-21)

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THE SEED OF LOVE ESCF’s inception dates back to circa 2005, when a group of friends from logistics and supply chain genre decided to have a Yahoo group, to share documents and resources for everyone to access, learn and clarify. Additionally, we used to have weekly or biweekly face-to-face meetings at parks whenever the weather permitted us. During one of the many brainstorming sessions, the name “Emirates Supply Chain Forum” came into being. It was open to everyone in the field of logistics and supply chain irrespective of one's experience and ranking. Over a period of time, we realized that enhancing the knowledge in “logistics and supply chain” alone will not take us far and we needed to aim at overall development to become successful leaders. That’s when our group mentor recommended Toastmasters! As a curious bunch we enquired and within no time the club was chartered in 2007. Though initially, the club was intended only for supply chain professionals, a few years later it opened its doors to people from all walks of life. The diverse mix of members from various educational and professional backgrounds is a testimony to this! 13 years later, all I can say is ESCF is not just a forum, but an emotion to many! Alok Singh, DTM Charter Member of ESCF

HAPPY 96 YEARS OF TOASTMASTERING! Toastmasters International : Formed on October 22nd, 1924

13 YEARS AND COUNTING...

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CIRCLES OF COMPANIONSHIP In virtual conversation with a real life couple… Can we have your wedding picture? "Oh man! we date back to the stone age!", exclaims Sirisha. "No, no she means in terms of fashion quotient during our wedding time", says Vasudev with a straight face. Soon, both erupt in laughter. How do you both describe the title, “power couple”? Sirisha: A couple who is extremely compatible, despite difference in opinions on various subjects. A couple who respect each other’s right to pursue their respective life goals and pitch in to support the spouse to overcome challenges. Vasudev: The term “power couple” has no definition as such! We only have examples of married couples who are touted as power couples. Most of the times, these examples are picked from the upper echelons of our society wherein both spouses are employed, and hold vital designations in their respective organizations or who are running successful businesses. Do you both see yourselves as a power couple? “Although we do not place ourselves in any silo, we definitely complement each other and team up well to overcome challenges. We both partake in many activities including, but not limited to badminton, other sports, Toastmasters and many other activities.", says Vasudev. Any recent experience that you guys can share, that made you both stronger as a team? Sirisha: Last month, we defeated the deadly coronavirus staying together by staying apart! A paradoxical situation for families world-wide. Thanks to our friends who helped us with the food and other necessities and of course the technology for keeping us connected. What do you look forward to as a couple? Vasudev: Travelling as a couple only - without the baggage of family and friends Sirisha: Especially kids!

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How did Sirisha persuade you to join Toastmasters? She is the treasurer of the club so I was given an option to either pay fees for myself or to sponsor a friend. So, I thought I might as well have my cake and eat it too! (laughs) Jokes and hoax apart, we like activities where both of us can participate and Toastmasters is one such activity. Between the two of you - who convinces & who confuses? Vasudev: We function more like a parliamentary democracy work to evolve consensus. So, if any proposal is thrown on the table, then Sirisha convinces me with her debating skills and I can’t help but agree to the proposal. So, I am the confused one and it is Siri's responsibility to convince me to get the proposal through.

Latest example? Vasudev: Our purchase of TV - a debate which lasted 7 years and I finally came around to agree with Siri's proposal to change from a small screen to 55" LED screen. What is the fun part of being in the same club? Sirisha: Discussing the aftermath with each other post the Toastmasters session is a lot of fun! Vasudev: It’s fun to address each other as Toastmaster, Isn’t it TM Sirisha?(chuckles)

NEWBIE ALERT

Sirisha gives us a thumbs up!

Any parting thoughts from the power couple? Sirisha: In our pursuit to become an example of POWER COUPLE in our own humble way, the latest leap is to join Toastmasters. Vasudev: We sincerely hope and believe that through the platform of TOASTMASTERS, our journey to become a power couple will become slightly less daunting !! Power couple or not, we can picture a perfect Venn diagram here! TOASTMASTERS

TM Sirisha Vasudev Sales and Production Planning Manager, Ford Middle East TM Vasudev Akundi Sales Executive, Hempel Paints

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AN ODE TO A TEACHER

Social distancing, they said, And you distanced your family? In no time, you made this bond, With Mac, Lenovo and Samsung, instantly? You got into this late marriage With technology, reluctantly, at this time, this age But you occupied the center stage, Hats off to your courage! Netflix and Amazon Prime, Extended family time… Became the rest of the world’s pastime While you researched Nearpod, Kahoot and google classroom. The dishes in the sink can wait You wanted to get that lesson straight. It’s been ages since you spoke to parents and in laws But you took extra care to find simulations for gas laws. Did you notice your little one’s first steps? You were too busy with classroom preps. While the world connected with family through zoom calls You connected with colleagues to learn about online assessment tools. Late at night, at that corner of the dining table Planning lessons and activities, burning the midnight oil, when the rest of the world was in deep slumber, you created polls on micropoll, slido and mentimeter. The next morning, with open camera and a smile You were ever ready to take your class on a joyride. In four months, you walked many a mile, Impacting little lives far and wide. The endless virtual meetings, The emails, text messages and reports Despite the nagging back ache and cervical spondylosis You’ve nailed them all, Goodness Gracious! I can never fit in your shoes, you are special! Teacher, my angel, You have carved a niche in our hearts, you are indispensable TM Udayalakshmi HOD-Department of Science JSS International School, Dubai

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Think BIG, Start SMALL, Act NOW!

Working in a foreign country can be challenging. With an enormous amount of expectations, rules, regulations and distance from family anyone can feel lonely. You may find yourself away from the comfort of community, friends and social groups. These feelings can overwhelm you and toughen your struggle in making new friends. However, after joining Toastmasters club the process of making friends is not something that I complain about. Joining the club enabled me to connect with people from different walks of life, who might or might not share similar interests. It has helped me get an insight into diverse cultures, values, thinking process and views. The connections that I have made here can also possibly lead to life-long relationships. It helped me to gain knowledge and skills in problem-solving, group development and I have felt the change in myself. In a diverse group, you will undoubtedly learn new skills and experience personal growth. You will be able to discover your passion and experiment with your areas of expertise. Being a member of this club, I have learnt to learn while having fun. Also, it is a great element to put on your professional CV. Post pandemic situation, there could be many skilled people seeking lucrative jobs, and experience with Toastmasters club can only make you stand out amongst other job seekers. From cultural galas to world class contests, I never knew the kind of experiences that awaited me on the other side of the road. The more I have participated, the more experiences I have gained. I have not only experienced warmth from the club level, but have often felt the support and encouragement even from the larger community at the area and district level. Initially when I joined, it was just on a trial and error basis. However, soon I found myself enjoying listening to and participating in well-crafted speeches ably guided by my fellow Toastmasters. They not only boost my confidence but make me feel valued too. Soon I rose to a leadership position with oodles of encouragement and support from my club members. Being an educator, I thought I would be in a better position to spread the awareness about this one and hence trying my bit to drive the membership by donning the hat of VP-Membership. I was fortunate enough to participate in many networking events and educational sessions. These connections will be invaluable in future. I recently witnessed some world-class speeches during the Toastmasters International world championship of Public Speaking which is the world’s largest speech contest. While I get goosebumps thinking about it, my club mates feel I am a potential candidate. Though it appears to be a distant dream, I feel motivated to forge ahead towards realizing this dream. Go ahead. Join the tribe. Make some memories. Dream big. It's your year and your time! TM Mrudula Ashokan VP-Membership (2020-21) Head of Primary and Kindergarten Gems Our Own Indian School

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CONTEST CHAIR AND MY FELLOW TOASTMASTERS…

CLUB CONTEST 2019-20

THE HALL....

&

THE FAME....

“EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN”

THE WINNERS

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CONTEST CHAIR AND MY FELLOW TOASTMASTERS…

AREA CONTEST 2019-20 “ACTION TIME”

CELEBRATION TIME

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“Table Topics” or short extempore speeches are considered to be one of the most challenging segments of a club meeting at Toastmasters. I vividly remember, that I initially used to avoid making eye contact with the Table Topics Master and used to breathe a sigh of relief when the segment used to get over. Over the course of time, I formulated strategies to turn my weakness into my strength and developed a knack for Table Topics with few tricks. Impromptu speaking can, not only make you stand out at work but can also help you get out of any sticky situation. Undoubtedly, an invaluable skill to have.

TURN THE TABLES

Here are some tips to try and tackle Table Topics with aplomb. Let us first visit the surface level tricks. 1. The speaker is free to agree or disagree with the topic or to frame a response in any manner. However, you are expected to support your argument with logic.

During the meeting (before the TT Section) Listen carefully to all the Role Players and Speakers who speak before the Table Topics Segment. You will get valuable inputs from the TMOD about the Theme. A good beginning is half the battle won. If you listen carefully during the meeting, then you will be armed with quite a few points about the theme. This aspect is often overlooked, but is a worthwhile effort. The Present: During the Table Topics Section

2. The Speaker can use humor, quotes, stories etc. but has to speak within the maximum time allotted i.e. 2 minutes and 30 seconds. So, it’s important to compose yourself for few seconds before starting.

• Listen carefully to all the topics and speakers (unless you are called or choose to speak first!). You will again find yourself thinking about the kind of answers you would have given and your brain will start churning out ideas.

3. The topics will often be related to the theme of the meeting so you might as well prepare beforehand with some guesswork.

• When you are called, listen very carefully to the topic which will be read out twice. I sometimes close my eyes to focus and the first time the topic is read out, I start thinking right away!

4. This one is for the clubs and the Table Topics Master. Short and simple topics can encourage a lot of guests to attempt the topics, hence aiding conversion of guests to members. It’s time to dive in now with all the tenses and senses together! The Past Participle: Before the meeting: Try to be well read on the day’s news. When you are well informed of the happenings in your town, country and around the world, your head will be brimming with ideas to build upon. Also, topical stories and current affairs often connect better with an audience.

The Present Participle: Techniques to adopt as you start speaking • Take a stand and feel free to agree or disagree with the topic and then start to support it with points . • If the topic is in the form of a question, then you can either directly answer the question supporting with your reasons; logic; personal anecdotes or throw hints for the audience to wonder about it before breaking the suspense. • Advanced techniques include quotes from famous personalities, which never fails to intrigue the audience.

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Timeless wisdom: • Even a Table Topic is a speech, with an Opening, Body and Conclusion! Pay attention to a strong and composed conclusion. Hit the concluding sentence when you see the Red light. • Be decisive. Take a stand. As you progress, you will become bold enough to swim against the tide, speak against common wisdom and stand out. • For beginners, just go with the first idea and build on it. • Practice does make you perfect! Grab every opportunity to speak and you will find yourself getting better and better.

So what are you waiting for? Start using the tips and most importantly be genuine. Afterall, the easiest way to be different is to be yourself for there is no one like you! That is the best way to connect. Spectators are smart and can make out when someone is sincere. Oh yes, I now stare in the eyes of the Table Topics Master! TM Raghavan Kothandaraman, Chartered Insurance Practitioner General Manager & Director Phillip Middle East Insurance Brokers LLC

WHAT’S YOUR MOJO? Have you met our newest member TM Riyaz? We asked him, his secret mantra for staying happy! Do you know what he asked us? . . What is your Mojo? Life is a beautiful journey which goes and grows in challenging phases: INFANCY, CHILDHOOD, TEENAGE, ADULTHOOD, MIDDLE AGE AND OLD AGE! Every phase has its tests and trials. As a youngster, the energy quotient soars high and later we tend to burn out after a decade of working. That is when we should ask ourselves, “What is your mojo?”. When you question yourself and start working hard to get your mojo back, you can have your own time machine, travel back in time and feel young again.

NEWBIE ALERT

Especially when you are hitting middle age and beyond, I feel these are some of the things that you must never overlook and always indulge in: • • • • • •

Your clothing and wardrobe Your body language Maintaining your inner peace Exciting yourself with a new bucket list Romance with wife and life Gratitude for the things that you already have in life • Coaching and mentoring others • Social responsibilities Does this make sense even during the pandemic? Of course, it does! This is a universal problem . We have overcome many such in the past and this too shall pass. There is a fighter, a child, a teenager, a romantic person in every individual. Look within and get your Mojo back! TM Riyaz Mohammed Business Development Manager (MEA) NetApp

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FEAR IS GOOD!

Do the thing you fear the most and all your fear will vanish. My tried and tested recipe! In the first week of February, I decided to go for a Toastmasters meeting at the invitation of a friend. Being an introvert and wanting to improve my skills in public speaking, I decided to give it a shot. The meeting was delightful, and I signed up to be a part of ESCF immediately. The next meeting I went to, I gave my ice breaker speech and was touched by the encouragement given by the members. I was happy to see how each one applauded my efforts and wrote personalized messages about the speech I gave. This left me brimming with confidence and I chose to enter the club contest scheduled for the week after, quite unaware of how big a deal the club contest was. Nevertheless, I went ahead and participated in the Humorous Speech competition, bagging the third place. I was quite impressed with the quality of speeches and the stimulating messages the members shared with each other. As time went by, I got opportunities to speak more often. Trying out different roles gave me the confidence to express my views spontaneously. Be it the role of an evaluator or that of the TMOD, each role gave me the ability to share my views in front of an audience without inhibitions. Very soon, the fear that used to creep in while speaking publicly slowly started to fade away. A few months later, I was encouraged to stand for EXCOM elections. Quite uncertain of what the role entailed, I stood for the elections and became the VP-Education of a fabulous group of enthusiastic, committed and motivated individuals. The VP-Education role has given me the leadership qualities, that I thought I lacked. From persuading members to fill up the roles each week, to widening my network, this ride has been an enthralling learning curve. The journey so far has been an exciting one, scary at times too, but above all it has been an eye opener! For, I dared to face my fears. What about you? TM Amrita Vivian James VP Education (2020-21) Educator, Gems Founders School

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MORE FURLONGS TO GO...

Childhood went by uninhibited, Romance bloomed unlimited. Experienced the action when I got my mini-me, Parenthood is a roller coaster ride I guarantee. Critics have played an important role, And has succored to complete all my goals. Life is an invaluable movie, Cherish each moment to perceive its beauty Could I love life more than i already do? Can you take my word for it That it can only grow? From furlong to furlong The road gets longer But i too grow stronger Driving me farther and farther All i wish is that the journey be long With hopeful adoration borne... TM Aparna Rajan HOD-Department of Commerce JSS International School, Dubai

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WHEN WE PLAYED NORMAL-NORMAL!

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JTHE TOUGH GET GOING… OH OH…YEAH, YEAH, YEAH…M I was barely 20 years old when I landed in this city of gold, Dubai. The feeling was not right, as I had left my home, my family, my friends and come this far for the very first time. I felt weird and worried because it was not my decision to leave everything behind and go for something unknown that too in a different country. At first, the place and I did not go well together. They say, “When it rains, it pours”. Right from the language and weather to food and friends, everything went south. While I was lost in my own miseries and was trying to figure out, ‘how I landed here?’ and ‘why I landed here?’, I figured that its already too late to think about the ‘why’ and the ‘how’. It was time for me to discover, ‘what can I do?’, when I am here and pull myself out of the situation. But, the question remained how? Zig Ziglar has rightly said, “You never know when a moment and a few sincere words can have an impact on a life”. One day, as I was humming the famous song by Billy Ocean, “When the going gets tough the tough get going, tough, tough, huh, huh…”, little did I know that my life is going to change forever. I met someone who showed genuine interest in talking to me. He wasn’t obliged to understand what I was going through, as he was the manager at the store where I was working. He would usually pass by to give some instructions and timelines for the tasks to be completed and just leave. But, that day during lunch time he came over and started talking to me. One thing in common between us at that point

was that we both had only secondary education to our credit. My first question to him was, “How did you become a manager with this qualification and that too in a multinational company?”. He said, it took him few years to reach where he has reached, which was only possible due to his honesty, dedication and consistent efforts. My eyes lit up when he said, “You too have a potential and I am sure you will become whatever you decide to become, provided you stay committed to yourself”. His words inspired me to get out of my usual routine and I started to look for ways to improve myself. This included disciplining myself and acting on it immediately because as precisely quoted by Abraham Lincoln, “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today”! So I started… 1. Learning from my peers 2. Started making myself accountable for successes and failures

3. Started challenging myself for doing better 4. Started being more open to changes 5. Following my passion. All these started making more sense after I joined Toastmasters back in 2007. Because I was able to apply these skills and there were enough opportunities to practice, as well as make mistakes and learn. Of course in the process, I have improved my speaking and leadership skills by the opportunities I got in Toastmasters which I may not have got in the corporate world so easily.

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Toastmasters has provided plenty of opportunities to network with the right kind of people and learn from them. It has also given me the exposure to expand my social skills which may not have been possible otherwise. It has allowed to me develop the skills as well as pass on the learnings to new members. However, to understand this in detail, we should catch up over coffee. I am sure if you are a part of Toastmasters, then the possibility of us having a coffee together is very high!

You can go on learning, changing and renewing for all your life. Above all, remember to be sincere with your efforts and with your words. You never know, when a moment and a few sincere words from you can have an impact on somebody’s life! Till we meet…Speak, Lead and Succeed! Alok Singh, DTM Supply Chain Manager Emirates Flight Catering

Another important aspect of this entire experience has been the opportunity to receive and give feedback both positive as well as negative in a constructive manner. I want to say, “Keep Going and Never Give Up”, because Life works in cycles and moves to a rhythm. You will have ups and downs. When you hit a low point, please don’t give up. Keep going till you find your rhythm. Self-development has no finish line. ALOK SINGH ELECTED AS THE AREA DIRECTOR IN 2011

NEWBIE ALERT

Be at work or at home, Marie Kondo techniques always come to your rescue. It’s almost like performing Taekwondo with clutter! For most of us, organizing home is like a weekend project. However, our new member TM Divya Sachdev thinks otherwise. She says, “Keeping your home organized is a practice, always an ongoing process”. She is learning Marie Kondo techniques and also applying it to get her new home in order. “It’s based on observing methods from different people and suiting them to meet my own requirements. The motto is to keep it simple and minimal.” We can’t wait to know more about you, dear Divya. Who knows, she might have her own ‘Tidying-Up’ show on Netflix soon!

“Life truly begins after you have put your house in order” - Marie Kondo

TM Divya Sachdev, A doting mother & a skilled homemaker

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WHERE’S THE TIME???

Consciously, I had not reflected on my time management until my foray into Toastmasters. As teachers, our daily activities run like clockwork without a chance to reflect on the time spent. However, due to the COVID pandemic, that movement has revamped into a sedentary lifestyle before my computer. When I delved deep to reminisce my first speech in the club, I realized there was a dearth of ideas and I was groping in darkness in quest of a thread. The word rehearsal never existed in my dictionary and I hated composing something beforehand. We write speeches for our school activities, but there will be a topic upon which we can expand and explore. However in Toastmasters, I have to find a topic and further develop into a 7-minute speech which appeared to be a strenuous task at first. Then I heard my inner voice say, “Usha, what about your dream to become a bona fide orator?”. Fundamentally, I am not a voracious reader or a sharp listener. So, I had to kick off my Toastmasters journey from the grass-root level. During book reviews and other discourses at the club, I often hear with a gaping mouth pondering at my lack of knowledge and exposure to books that I have not even

heard of. I had scheduled reading books to my old age to ward off my senile boredom. My journey at ESCF had a humble beginning, but started afresh when I became the secretary of the club. Now, formulating the minutes of meeting doesn’t appear time consuming. On the contrary, I now savor it as it has helped unleash some of my hidden potentials. Weaving speeches amidst busy online school schedules, getting ready for online school inspections and ministry interviews (with everything going paperless), family responsibilities and much more. There is a lot to complain about, but everything appears to be minuscule before my dream of mastering the art of oratory! Thanks to Toastmasters, my perception of expending time on such clubs changed from being worthless to worthwhile. Furthermore, it boosted up my confidence level, language, and expression skills and has helped me in systematically organizing my ideas. From attempting speeches on informative topics to entertaining topics, I make the most of those seven minutes to learn while having fun. However, I am still a jack of many trades and a master of none. I am yet to learn the art of multi-tasking more judiciously from Toastmasters. All I can think of now are the words of APJ Abdul Kalam, “Difficulties in your life do not come to destroy you but help you realize your hidden potential and power. Let difficulties know that you too are difficult”! Next time when you hear someone say, “Where’s the time?”, you know where to direct them… TM Usha Soman Club Secretary (2020-21) Head of Department, English Sharjah Indian School Juwaiza

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VOIDS

The messy scent, pro-skid canteen floors, Looking for someone you know, Smiling at those you want to know, Fill voids in my mind... Benches abandoned, Giving it up for mosquitoes, "Survival of the fittest", applies here! Cursing the door that locks you up every night, Nursing the dreams under the moonlight. "The walks" down the lane, Some to hold hands, Some to burn the fat, Fill voids in my mind... I peep into the empty classrooms, Missing the screams of joy! I look at all the addas, Where love was declared and broken, All creating pungent emotions. I peep into the eyes of my friends, Without them peeping into mine, They all look so busy, Their new dreams far from mine and glazy, How i miss the joy of being lazy. They say it is now the time to fight the world, The real one it seems! As i walk alone to the large gates, Glancing at everything that belonged to me, Realizing that they will no longer be mine, Create voids in my mind... TM Shilpa Shreemanth, Formerly a project management consultant and now a struggling homemaker & a part time blogger

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2020! SO FAR SO GOOD… The virtual meetings have certainly blurred the boundaries and has brought the whole Toastmasters tribe across the globe closer. On the contrary, we are mandated to dig deeper into the landscape of our imaginations as a makeshift to cope with this new virtual world. Nevertheless, we have all come a long way in conducting open houses, debates, training sessions, EXCOM induction on virtual platform with equal panache.

EXCOM INDUCTION

OPEN HOUSE

MOT

MOCK DEBATE AND EDU SESSION

GRACED BY THE THEN DISTRICT DIRECTOR AND CGD RANIA

PATHWAYS TRAINING

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MY HIGH FIVE WITH LIFE!

Two years back, I attended the ESCF club meeting as a guest just for fun and heard an eye-opening speech from one of its members. Memories of that day are still vivid in my mind. The speech had a message, “Either you run the day, or the day runs you. Time is that one thing in life you can never get back, so invest in your career by joining Toastmasters". I thought to myself, ‘Wow’! I came back home and got back to my normal routine, but the thoughts about the club engulfed my mind throughout. Should I join Toastmasters or not? My left brain had too many excuses like, paying membership fee is a waste of money when I can watch speeches on YouTube; responsibility of raising two kids and professional obligations to name a few. Then my right brain came to my rescue and made me realize that there is no harm in trying. So, I decided not to waste anymore of my time and the very next meeting I became a member of ESCF. "Life is not about finding yourself; life is about creating yourself...”: with this quote by George Bernard Shaw, I started my ice breaker speech. Now, I have completed level two under strategic relationship pathways and cannot wait to tread further. My journey with ESCF has been noteworthy since there are so many opportunities that I have embarked upon in these two years. Soon after I Joined, I got the opportunity to write an article for our first club newsletter. I reminisced my college days then and now I am revisiting my purpose of joining Toastmasters while penning my thoughts for this newsletter.

role and currently I am the Sergeant at Arms. I must say, I am really enjoying this role since I am the one setting the tone for the meeting and putting my thinking cap on while choosing the warm-up activities for engaging the members and guests alike. Mentoring is another powerful tool in Toastmasters, and I have been lucky in finding the right mentor in Alok Singh, DTM who constantly stresses on the 5 A’s that keeps me focused in my journey as a Toastmaster: Aim; Attitude; Approach; Acknowledgement and Action. I am glad to say that after joining ESCF Toastmasters Club, I have overcome my fear of public speaking. The experience has also enhanced my time management skills, expanded my network, and has helped me in my professional and personal growth too. The club has also given my teenage son a lot of memories, who was encouraged to attempt Table Topics whenever he accompanied me. This kind of warmth is what makes ESCF so special in so many ways. As I continue to learn new words, new phrases and new speaking techniques, I would like to tell all the aspiring Toastmasters who are still undecided on joining- “It’s better Late than never!”. TM Precilla Quadras, SAA- (2020-21) HR Executive at Scomi Oiltools

I have also been enjoying my stint as a leader by taking different roles in the EXCOM. Previously, I took the secretarial

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AGAINST ALL ODDS

The spread of COVID-19 across the world, barring just a few nations, was faster than even wildfire. Many powerful catastrophes like Earthquake, Tsunami, Floods would affect one country or a part of it, but COVID-19 has destructed many families and countries across the globe. However strong one’s physique may be, COVID-19 has left no one especially those with a weak immune system. It has caused extensive damage through job loss and worse, loss of life! With lockdown, many businesses have come to a grinding halt in many countries. COVID-19 has taught us a great lesson, that only a good immune system can fight the viruses. Incidentally, the ingredients for a better immune system are so simple and of extremely low cost. Regular intake of salt, garlic, pepper, ginger, turmeric powder, lemon to name a few should do the trick. Dinking hot water at regular intervals only makes it better. These ingredients are predominantly present since ages, but have been either undervalued or completely forgotten. Similarly, in our life, our focus is more on the materialistic things when it comes to the immune system of the mind. We allow thoughts of comparison with others ruin our inner peace, compromising on almost everything essential to our inner happiness. Many of us think that everything is over if there’s a failure, financial loss or loss of our loved ones. Many become dejected and devastated immediately. Some even seek comfort in life threatening habits such as smoking tobacco and consuming alcohol. Are our lives so trivial? - a big NO, but our thoughts can be!

They say Mind is our Best Friend and is the Worst Enemy. If your mind is strong, it is your best friend, and when it is weak, it is your worst enemy. Along with physical health, we should work on our mental immunity as well to fight failures, negativities and criticism. There are many ways through which one can develop a strong mind, learning to accept the failures being its first step. Seeking company of positive people helps in staying positive and exercising regularly will be further beneficial. Listening to good melodies and great motivational speeches can be surprisingly advantageous too. With interest and involvement, you’ll be a master of your mind over a period of time. These activities will gradually lead you to look at your inner self and over a period of time, mind becomes stronger and you become light on your feet. You will be able to face the sudden, unpredictable changes with ease and confidence against all odds. Make your mind as your best friend as it emboldens you to face life with a smile and in style. TM Ramesh Krishna Secretary with Overseas AST Co LLC, Dubai

The love and care with which we all grew up will lose its meaning, if we succumb.

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REWARDS OF THINGS WELL DONE!

THE INSIDE JOKES! A FUN MEET WITH EXCOM

In today’s digital world they say, you haven’t really made it far unless you are featured in a meme. So, we thought why not be a reason for all to smile!

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Aparna Rajan Club President [email protected]

Shilpa Shreemanth Vice President Public Relations [email protected]

Mrudula Ashokan Vice President Membership [email protected]

Amrita Vivien James Vice President Education [email protected]

Usha Soman Club Secretary [email protected]

Sirisha Vasudev Club Treasurer [email protected]

Precilla Quadras, Sergeant at Arms [email protected]

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WILDFLOWER I am an ex-banker with one of the top private banks in India. After I relocated to Dubai with my family, I decided to quit corporate life and spend time with my twin boys. I must say, it has been a rewarding journey with them for the last 7 years. However, I gained a lot of weight followed by some health issues in this process and there came the AHA moment , which made me realize the role of nutrition in overall fitness and wellbeing. I decided to acquire a formal accreditation from ‘the Institute for Integrative Nutrition’, a USA based health coaching body ranked number 1 globally. Lo and Behold, today I am an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. All I want to do is to help my clients achieve optimal physical health, a balanced mindset, a full heart, and a life that excites them every morning. I believe in balancing life with fitness, nutrition and emotional wellness which has a holistic approach. I love cooking and experimenting. So, this recently lead me to do food blogging that in turn triggered my passion for food photography! TM Deepa Damodar Nutrition Health Coach, NLP Practitioner & A certified Zumba Instructor.

PANORAMA OF MY MIND

NEWBIE

ALERT

An architect by profession and an artist at heart! Officially the youngest member of ESCF, TM Karthika Vijayakumar is an intern at IBDA Architecture firm in Dubai and a painter, whose art speak volumes of virtuousness and sincerity.

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We show up, we do our best, we are unlike many…

WHAT DO WE DO DIFFERENTLY AT ESCF?

BOOK REVIEW “So many books, so little time”, Frank Zappa A good review helps even a non-book lover turn into one and a book lover to read more! So, we at ESCF begin every meeting with a Book Review either by a club member or any Toastmaster who shares the same passion for books. Our bit to keep the fading love for books alive.

EDUCATION SESSIONS

ESCF has constantly tried to live up to the words of Nido R Qubein, “Training teaches how; Education teaches why”. Our education sessions try to upskill the ability of our members and guests to answer their how(s) and why(s). We are fortunate to have experts within the fraternity who are always solicitous in sharing their knowledge; that varies from Debates and Pathways training to Mind Mapping and Vegan Cooking!

MAGIC WHEEL - CAME TO THE RESCUE How does one sound impartial and yet not sound like a shrink at the same time? Well we can spin a yarn to explain how this came to the rescue of our VP-Education, but we prefer to cut the long story short! A randomizer application is spun at the beginning of every meeting to select the most sought after meeting roles and the most abandoned meeting roles. Our humble way to maintain a fair play.

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TOASTMASTER OF THE YEAR AWARD (TMOY) “Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible”, Tony Robbins. This visibly massive rolling trophy is a sincere initiative by the then club President, TM Raghavan Kothandaraman to set a common goal to all our members for every year. The points dashboard is diligently maintained by the current President and VP-Education and we cannot wait to hand it over to our next champion!

WE HAVE MOVED TO A NEW PLACE Once the physical meetings resume, we shall meet at this new spectacular venue on 2nd & 4th Fridays.

UNIQUE WORLD BUSINESS CENTER Hamsah A Building (Ansar Gallery Building Mezzanine Floor) Al Karama, PO Box 87556, Dubai.

Click here for Google Map

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A GENTLE REMINDER

NOW

300TH MILESTONE (YOU ARE READING THE NEWSLETTER)

PAST

FUTURE

Aug 8 th Area 50 Council Meeting

Nov 13th 2020 Diwali Special with a twist

Aug 14th Division L Council Meeting

Nov 20 th 2020 Division Annual Debate Contest

Aug 28 th Open House at ESCF Sep 11th Moments of Truth Oct 9 th 2020 Club Annual Debate Contest

Dec 25 th 2020 Christmas Special with a twist Jan 8 th 2021 Family Special Jan 22nd 2021 Club Annual Contest Feb 27th 2021 - Area 50 Annual Contest Mar 19 th 2021 - Division L Annual Contest May 20 th, 21st & 22nd DTAC 2020-21 Apr 23 rd 2021 Book Reviews Special

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YOU CROSS OUR MINDS TOO! JEEANA APPADOO, DTM Area Director (2017-18) Heartiest congratulations to the current Members of ESCF Toastmasters Club on reaching its 300th meeting. It is a milestone to be remembered. Personally, ESCF stands for: E: Exemplary S: Serviceable C: Cool, Calm and Content F: Fun-loving Long live ESCF TMC and may our Good Lord stay always with the Club’s members.

Dr. MITRA HAJIZADEH My journey as a Toastmaster started in 2010 with ESCF club, which was always warm and welcoming. The meetings were equally amazing. Everyone strived to improve others, while improving themselves. The program was an extraordinary process including presenting prepared and impromptu speeches, listening carefully and giving constructive criticism to others that lead its members to become confident international speakers. I really miss my favorite club and wish you guys the best meeting on your 300th and all the very best for your journey ahead.

NANDITA NAIR, DTM Chennai Phoenix Toastmasters, Area D4, District 120 ESCF toastmasters club reminds me of so many people like Manoj, Alok, RK, Aparna, Udhaya, Ramesh, Sirisha, Armaan, Mitra, Sanjay, Slim and this list is getting bigger and bigger because this club has grown from one mile-stone to another. My proper introduction with this club happened during my AD tenure. The amount of love they credited me with, has surmounted my self-esteem to no end. This translated into complete support by the members and resulted in enhancing self-confidence of a first time Area Director. Having spent many Friday afternoons with this club, I have seen the hard-work and personal interest of each member there. The members have a growth mindset. Their world functions with being responsible and reflective. The lesson I learnt with their methods of inclusiveness is that, ‘when we accept others, we grow together’. As I am one of them, my best wishes for a successful year.

ARMAN GHARLEGHI ESCF holds a very fond place in my memories. I had the privilege of being part of the club for 3 years and I met people who have changed my life for many more years to come. The level of professionalism I witnessed during those 3 years and the constructive approach every member offered are still etched in my mind. I am currently doing my masters in chemical engineering in the UK. Also, I recently started my own company and that's keeping me nice and busy.

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DHANUSH ACHARYA It’s almost been a year since I moved to London. I cherish the memories made at ESCF toastmasters club and used to look forward to Friday evenings for the fun conversations and learnings from members. The joyous memory of being on stage giving speeches and trying to better each time, still brings a smile whenever I see ESCF posts. The credit for having such a wonderful club must go to the members and mentors who always encourage Toastmasters whether it is in taking up speeches or leadership roles.

HIRAL MEHTA Hello ESCF members, Hope you all are safe and well. Life is full of unexpected turns and one such turn of events happened recently. A 15-day annual leave turned to 180 days of annual leave in Mumbai, thanks to COVID-19. Although, I am away that doesn’t mean I have quit, it is a pause for a few months. I am hoping to return in November and join the club. Have a blast for 300th milestone meeting. I am missing you guys. See you all soon. Take care.

RAMAKRISHNA (RK) Words are falling short to express myself on this joyous occasion of ESCF’s 300th meeting. However, I would like to extend my warmest greetings and congratulations to ESCF for scaling further heights and setting another milestone. It’s a proud moment in the life of each and every member of ESCF. Kudos to the team for the hard work, passion, loyalty, dedication and for carrying forward the legacy. It just feels like yesterday that we celebrated ESCF’s 250th Meeting and here we are already celebrating the 300th Meeting. I must acknowledge that ESCF has come a long way as a Toastmasters Club. It has taken on all the challenges that came its way and successfully sailed through all the tough and good times. Times have changed but the spirit of ESCF remains unchanged. I wish everyone all the very best and amazing meetings ahead. Rock-on and celebrate, this is your day!

KRITIKA NARAYAN It gives me immense pride to be associated with ESCF Toastmasters as my “Mother Club”. Been 8 years since I joined the club and 2 years since I left Dubai. Most of the members have literally seen me grow from this young, somewhat jittery college going student to a much more confident working woman today! Undoubtedly, ESCF has played a pivotal role in shaping me to be the person I am today- be it in terms of confidence, my thought process, my decision making abilities and what not! I thank all my mentors and my friends in ESCF for helping me throughout my journey therein. A journey I would cherish forever….

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13 YEARS…IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE! 2007

FIRST MEETING AFTER CHARTERED

2008-09

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

150TH MEETING

201ST MEETING

2017

2018

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IF YOU GET IT, YOU GET IT! Have you read the titles, the articles and the designations carefully? Time to put your observatory skills to test! a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

i

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k

l

m

n

o

p

ANSWER HINTS a) It’s an involuntary expression during moments of truth b) A goodwill ambassador of the fraternity c) I don’t lie about my age, I just look the same! d) I was born as a leader with good looks! e) I still use a weapon to get things done, just that now it’s a gavel. f) Always putting my best foot forward without fear g) I was thinking BIG when I was posing for this.

h) I can’t believe I thought it is fun to teach full time! i) Always had my mojo intact! j) I only smile when the camera is on. The best PR skill to have, I say! k) I have selected my favorite age in my mind and time seems to have frozen! l) I knew how to turn tables even back then. m) I am the oldest, youngest member of a 13 year old club. n) This is how I smile when people call me, “ma’am”. Yet, people don’t get it! o) Always had my own construction site! p) I bloom wherever I am planted.

To know the right answers, let’s have a re-take… a) Page 6 | b) Page 5 | c) Page 6 | d) Page 4 | e) Page 7 | f) Page 17 | g) Page 11 | h) Page 22 i) Page 16 | j) Page 3 | k) Page 25 | l) Page 15 | m) Page 20 | n) Page 12 | o) Page 29 | p) Page 23

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ESCF CLUB NEWSLETTER REGION 11

ABOUT THE COVER…

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DISTRICT 105

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DIVISION L

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AREA 50

: 020 UE R 2 ISS BE TO OC B: CLU 201 8 104

TH

300 AKE RET RO

LLI

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L LY

SIN

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200

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continued from page-3 I have met some incredible speakers since my foray into Toastmasters. Incredible in their dedication; incredible in their speaking style and incredible in their enthusiasm quotient. It always made me wonder about the secret behind their energy that never fades away even after so many years. Wasn’t Toastmasters supposed to be a Start-to-Finish program where you transform into a good communicator and bid adieu? Talk to the stalwarts and you will know that Toastmastering is perennial. There are good days, there are great days and there are substandard days for both the skilled and novice speakers. Many re-takes lead to that perfect take. What next? Another re-take to get better than that! Every meeting at ESCF is a re-take for the club and its members to do better than the last. We rejoice at every member’s, every re-take and hence the theme. So, here’s raising a toast to those endless re-takes and limitless opportunities to outdo ourselves! Love & Remembrance…

escftoastmasters

escftoastmasters

ESCF-Toastmasters-Meetup-Group

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