How to save a Toastmasters club?

On 6/3/09, Star Search Club had new officers (2009-10 term) induction. Club's honaray lifetime member and past president Ed Stoermer-DTM was kind enough not only to attend but also perform the induction. Even at his age, Ed was so elegant, gracious and humourous. He gave a brief speech about 'how he saved club' in the 80s. He joked that he not only saved the club but also walked on water. He went on to say that saving a club is not just one time event but it should happen in every meeting. Club is saved when (1) meeting starts in time, (2) guests are welcomed warmly, (3) members come well prepared to the meeting (4) when there is ice-breaker speech and (5) evaluation is done to motivate the speaker...etc. It was a great speech and his induction style was so much with fun and motivation. 

Thank you Ed!

Shashi.

Outgoing President (2008-09)

Check out Ed's article on Star Search website here

Persuasive Speaking Series

It is by far the toughest manual I have come across. The most difficult project is (4). It is challenging to come up with a topic that you can present in front of TM audience. In my speech I challenged the Toastmasters educational framework, organizational structure and how TI advertises. But many people thought it was not controversial enough. Role play in project 1) and 2) are also challenging. 

My speeches for this manual:

1. The Effective Salesperson - Bank of the US - Safety matters! - 07/23/08

2. Conquering the "Cold Call" - Win Win Sponsorship - 11/26/08

3. The Winning Proposal - Star Search Club Success Plan - 2008-09 - 07/30/08 

4. Addressing the Opposition - Shake up TI! (Toastmasters International) - 03/13/09

5. The Persuasive Leader - New Millennium Skills  -10/29/08

Regards,

Shashi.

Speaking to Inform Series

For me, Speaking to Inform Series was one of the best advanced manual to complete in Toastmasters. The most challenging project was to come up with a topic for the demonstration talk (3). Finally, I used the game of Basketball in that speech.

My projects from the manual 'Speaking to Inform':

1) Speech to Inform - All about DOW Jones - 08/15/07

2) Resources for Informing - Lessons from the Rosetta Stone - 12/17/08

3) The Demonstration Talk - Dribble for Life - 09/17/08

4) A Fact-Finding Report - 'Cap and Trade' to prosperity? - 04/22/09.  See more details

5) The Abstract Concept - Efficient Market Hypothesis - 05/21/08 

Shashi.

Fact Finding Report - Cap and Trade to prosperity?

Yesterday, I completed my Project #4, Fact Finding Report, from 'Speaking to Inform Series' manual. Title of the speech was - 'Cap and Trade' to prosperity? 

Here is the powerpoint used during the speech.

Some of the feedback received after the speech:

1) Should have explained 'Cap' means 'limit'

2) Conclusion should have been strong

3) Opening was strong but the tone faded towards the end

4) Rushed while explaining various factors

Two great questions came up during Q and A:

1) Who will determine the limit and how are they set?

2) What is the motivation for companies to earn credits or go lower than their cap?

Thanks to all for great inputs!

I also completed my AC-B today! Another milestone in TM!

Other speeches in the meeting were how and why to use of LinkidIn from George Marshall and an inspiring speech from Dr. Margaret Chan on why we should go "extra" mile to achieve goals we care so much by giving it "extra priority", doing "extra planning" with "extra passion". It is really great experience to be a part of Star Search club and listen to these type of speeches from Dr. Chan.

Shashi.

Good Toastmaster International articles

I came across a  good article on TM website. I will keep a collection of these in this post:

1. The art of Mingling and Networking: This is critical especially for those who hesitate to take the  initiative to talk to strangers in a meeting. Click here for the TI link

Best,

Shashi.

Network, network, network - TM and PMI

I could not make it to April 8, 2009 Star Search meeting. Instead, I attended Volunteer Appreciation Dinner from PMI Silicon Valley Chapter. It was a nice get together with good folks I came to network with in the last couple of years. I met Tom Kendrick who is the President-Elect for the chapter and also the author of 'Results without Authority', a Project Management book that is part of Personal MBA program. I asked him how he feels about his book being part of the curriculum. He was surprised that they have his book in the list and was happy, of course.

Before, I delve too much into the dinner time discussions, let me share my views on volunteering. In the last couple of years I came to appreciate a lot the value of volunteering. With PMI, it has helped me keep in tune with the industry trends, learn different leadership/communication styles and just feel great to be part of nice people. There is so much to learn from different people. TM volunteering also helped me learn many things whether it is the role of Treasurer. assisting VP Membership or taking the role of President, you get out of the comfort zone and learn some new things.  

Getting back to the dinner time, Past President Srinivas Ramkuri asked us what goal we had when we grew up. It is like Table Topics in TM. I was surprised how comfortable I was when my turn came to speak. I was using eye contact, hand gestures and voice variety that I could not believe myself. Hats off to TM! 

I was sitting next to my friend Mahmood Khan, Director of Professional Dev for the Chapter. He is another amazing guy who does so much to the chapter all the time. He is a great mentor to many people. He told me that by taking a career workshop conducted by professionals he recommends and then using his framework, one can land a job in 30 days! Sounds unbelievable! But as I listened to his approach, it made sense to me. His approach to job search is more holistic than posting resumes and chasing websites. Here is how I could summarize some parts of his approach:

1) Develop a good network (takes time but it is never too late) and try to find job postings or positions through the network and find out the needs of the hiring manager. Customize your application (or cover letter) so that it addresses the needs of the hiring manger. This sounds tough but when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. As hiring manager myself, I struggled with bunch of resumes. I would like to have some one approach with a proposal on how he/she can solve my issues and would be best fit to my open position.

2) Talk to the recruiters and find out what the hiring manager is looking for. Ask them to find out more. Email and websites are not sufficient by themselves. Human touch (i.e. phone call) is very important.

3) Positioning your profile/skills right for the job. You can not be everything to everybody.  The more you know about yourself the more confident you feel.

I am going to try and see what happens.

There is always something to learn from the network and the best way to build network is by volunteering.

There is a saying along the lines - "what you give others you get it back, what you get from others you lose". 

I think we get more by giving some time in volunteering.

Regards,

Shashi.

Star Search Elections for 2009-10

Dear members,

Subsequent to announcement of election date last week, here are some more details:

1) Elections will be conducted on 6th May, 2009. This is to give four weeks time for the new officers before TLI training (Toastmasters Leadership Institute). As an FYI - TLI is tentatively scheduled Saturday, June 6, 2009, 8:30 a.m. – 12 noon. There will also be make-up sessions for those who miss the first training.

2) Every member can do self nomination and/or nominate others. All you need to do is send email to our Past President and Chair of the Election Committee, Albert Mo (albertmo1@yahoo.com). Albert will be publishing the list of nominees at a regular frequency.

3) One can nominate for more than one position and/or can nominate others also for more than one position. Please note, nomination can be done from the floor on the day of election also.

4) If you are wondering what the role of each position is, please check here to get more details. You can also talk to our club officers to learn specifically what is done at Star Search (and why we are so successful). Here is the list of current officers

1. VP of Education: Sharad Nair
   
2. VP of Membership: Vedant Bhangale
   
3. VP of Public Relations: Diana Wilkotz
   
4. Secretary: SubbaRao Vadrevu
   
5. Treasurer: Manoj Bansal
   
6. Seargent-at-arms: Payal Tiku
   
7. President: Shashi Matha
   
8. Past President: Albert Mo
   

Q/A: Frequently asked questions - with my own answers/viewpoints :-)

1) Q: Should I nominate myself or wait till others nominate me? 

A: Running for a position is really for yourself. If you really want to try a position and learn, please nominate yourself.

2a) Q: I see that another person is running. Is it good if I also run? 

A: Club positions offer tremendous learning opportunity. If you are convinced that it offers benefits to you, you should run for the position irrespective of who else is nominated. 

2b) Q: I see that there is a very ABLE person in the nominee list. I should not really run.

A: Club positions offer tremendous learning opportunity. If you are convinced that it offers benefits to you, you should run for the position irrespective of who else is nominated. 

Additionally, as Albert quoted last year, it is not just being ABLE but the person should be AVAILABLE to perform officer duties. So, willingness to learn and having one self available to offer time and energy to the position is far more important than whether you have the experience and the ability. 

2c) Q: If he or she is not running, then I will run.

A: Club positions offer tremendous learning opportunity. If you are convinced that it offers benefits to you, you should run for the position irrespective of who else is nominated. 

Additionally, the nominee list keeps changing till last minute, so you are not sure who will finally end up in the nominee list. You should nominate self if interested irrespective of who else is nominated.

2d) Q: I will wait to see who is nominated.

A: Again, it is learning experience for yourself and not for others. Names appear and disappear from the list, so the list itself is not complete until the final day.

3) Q: I am interested in running but not sure if I can dedicate time. What should I do?

A: Willingness to serve, learn and being AVAILABLE is more important than just being "interested". As a club officer, once elected, you are expected to provide some time to the club. If there are uncertain situations here and there, usually club officers support each other. 

If there are situations when you can not provide time at all, you can step down so that others can serve and learn. This is fine and happens once in a while.

4) Q: I am a new member. May be I should wait for another year.

A: There is no requirement that you should be experienced member. New members are encouraged to run and learn everything Toastmasters offers in a short period rather than waiting. Remember, willingness to learn, serve and being AVAILABLE is far more important than any thing else. 

Here is Albert's another famous quote: "NO experience is required; ONLY enthusiasm is required"

5) Q: I am only interested in this position but not the other ones.

A: It is up to you. But please review what is expected for each role. All roles provide different learning experience and there is not good or bad role. But certain roles like SAA and VPE requires more involvement and time commitment compared to other roles.

6) Q: Is a club officer position more for service and self learning is a distant second?

A: Personally I feel it is more learning for the self first and service to the club second. 

Best Wishes,

Shashi.