Report: Louis Pereira
Pics: Dilip Correa
Daijiworld Media Network - Muscat
Muscat Oct 11: The ABC Toastmasters Club, Muscat, Oman celebrated it’s second anniversary on Friday October 7 at Al Ghubra Power and Desalination Club Recreation Hall, Al Azaiba. The program began at 6:30 pm and continued until 10:30 pm.
The program of annual day commenced with a cultural program from a young bunch of talented performers. They put up a group dance from the Song: Zoobi Doobi Pum para ; Movie: 3 Idiots The participants were Liza D’Sa, Stacy Vaz and Chelsia D’Sa. The dance was choreographed by our very own Sylvester Vaz. Little children really put up an awesome show and danced so gracefully to the rhythm of music.
The second dance performance of the day was from an upcoming “Mangalorean Star”. He had choreographed a solo dance for himself and he was none other than our very own Alston Moras.
At 6.45 pm, TM Omer Sadiq, Sergent at Arms, called the meeting to order at 6.45 pm followed by a welcome address from the President CC Sankaran Nambissan and handed over the podium to the Toastmaster of the day, ACS ALB Cyprian Misquith who welcomed the audience and introduced the role players for the evening. The role players were: Time Keeper – TM Kirti Bhatia, Word Master - TM Prakasam, Grammarian – TM Vipul Kotecha, Ah/Umm counter - TM Sundaravadi Velu and General Evaluator – ACG ALB Alex Crasta. Each of the role players explained the criteria for the project speakers and evaluators. The word of the day was “AFFABLE” which had to be used by the role players. The panel of Evaluators comprised of CC Celine D’Souza, CC Donald Fernandes and ACS Thomas George.
Project Speeches were given by Gavelier Riya Jose who spoke on the subject “Are you drinking enough water” followed by ACB CL Louis Pereira who spoke on the topic “Face Book Venture” Gavelier Christy Joseph gave the evaluation criteria under International category speech for Gavelier Riya Jose and ACS Thomas George gave the evaluation criteria under the humorous section for speaker ACB CL Louis Pereira. The entire program was conducted by the Toastmaster of the day ACS ALB Cyprian Misquith, who entertained the audience with his smiling face and lively commentory. He was also applauded for timing the program and concluding it within the specified time.
Another interesting contest was the Table Topics. CC Patcy Lasrado took over the mantle of Table Topic Master and conducted this session. There were six table topic speakers, four from ABC Toastmasters Club and two from the guests. The Table Topic Speakers were asked to select a topic and speak on the topic for two minutes. From ABC Toasmasters Club, TM Mohammed Jawed, TM Ashwyn Kumar, TM Vinod Sadhwani, CC Dilip David Correa and were the Table Topic Speakers. From the Guests, Madam Monica Dantis and Samuel D’silva spoke as Table Topic Speakers.
The evaluation session was conducted after the break for refreshments by the General Evaluator ACG CL Alex Crasta, he called for the reports of the role players. The business session was conducted by VP-Education, ACB CL Alexander Sequeira.
Installation of new club officers for the year 2011-2012 was done by the Area Governor, Area 67, ACG ALB Madam Clita Crasta , who administered the oath as per Toastmasters International guidelines and honored the club officers with their respective pins. Outgoing Officers of the previous year were thanked for their excellent work done for the Club.
A brief introduction on the website “ABCTOASTMASTERS.WEBS.COM” was given by the President CC Sankaran Nambissan gave an update of the website ‘ABCTOASTMASTERS.WEBS.COM’ and the release of Newsletter- ABC Tidings was done by DTM George Thomas, a prominent toastmaster and a well known personality among the Toastmasters community in Oman. He also spoke about the inception of Toastmasters International in 1924, about 87 years ago and gave brief introduction of the Toastmasters Clubs.
The Governor of Division D, District 20, ALB ACG Salam Mohammed Salar spoke about the ABC Toastmasters Club, its achievements and appreciated the members of the Club for encouraging members to enhance their public speaking skills. He along with the President, CC Sankaran Nambissan awarded the participation certificates to the project speakers and table topic speakers. The President concluded the formal part of the evening with his closing remarks.
The second part of the cultural program continued after honoring of sponsors and awards ceremony.
There was yet another group dance on the song: Khawabon Se Nikal Ke Tu Aaja ; Movie: Rama Rama Kya Hai Drama. The participants were: Shaina D’Souza, Lenita Lobo, Melissa Rodrigues, Michelle Rodrigues, Liza D’Sa, Stacy Vaz, Seia Furtado. Choreographer: Sylvester Vaz
The last dance performed was on mixed Bollywood numbers. Choreographers were Adriana Noronha and Alston Moras. Participants were Alston Moras, Dale Dantis, Adriana Noronha, Andrea Noronha, Sneha Sequeira, Bertyle Noronha, Dimitra Lobo.
The chief guest for the programme was Clifford Sanctis, Director of Hydrotec LLC. The President, TM Sankaran gave a brief introduction of the chief guest. He was escorted to the stage by the Past President ACS ALB Cyprian Misquith. The Chief Guest spoke about Toastmasters and appreciated the time schedule and efforts put in by ABC Executive committee and all the members to conduct this program so meticulously. He invited the audience to join toastmasters club and assured of his help to the club, whenever required. He also honored the sponsors of the program with flower bouquets.
A beautiful power point presentation on the happenings of the past one year were on display before the program, at the interval and at the end of the program. This power point display was designed and presented by TM Kirti Bhatia. Spot prizes were won by the children, Lisa D’Sa and Riya Jose.
Finally, sumptuous dinner was supplied by Divine Restaurant was served at 10-30 as per schedule. The entire programme concluded at 11.00 pm
The sponsors for the programme were:
Main Sponsors: M/s. Hydrotec LLC.( CLIFFORD SANCTIS – CHIEF GUEST)
Co-Sponsors: Dohat Al Khaleej Co. LLC - Bhudev Singh – General Manager, Al Ghubrah Power and Desalination Co. SAOG – Vipul Kotecha – Finance Manager, Nadan Trading LLC and Divine Restaurant – Louis Pereira – Finance Manager, Star Technologies LLC – Thomas George – General Manager, Al Osool Al Arabia LLC – Jose Chacko – Chief Executive Officer, Prudent Loss Adjusters - Vinay Nazareth, Vincent Monis and Family, Smart Vision Technical Services LLC – Saju, Samuel D’Silva and Family, Muscat Pharmacy and Stores LLC, National Biscuits Co. SAOG and Omantel.
More about the ABC Toastmasters Club, Oman
ABC Toastmasters Club made its humble beginning which was primarily initiated by a group of people who are accomplished speakers themselves, the ABC Toastmasters Club in Oman, held its first meeting on March 06, 2009. Having only six members at its inception, the ABC Toastmasters were steered by ACS ALB Cyprian Misquith, DTM George Thomas and CTM Clarence Pinto. A total of seven members were present at the first official session that took place on March 16th 2009. The official registration into the International Toastmasters Club came three months later on June 24, 2009 with twenty two members. Incidentally, a minimum membership of twenty members is a stipulated requirement for registering with Toastmasters International, USA.
The toastmasters club is not a new concept to Oman. There are about fourteen clubs in Oman sponsored by individual companies with over 400 members practicing their public speaking skills. These clubs have been running successfully in the past, and have given rise to many groups of successful speakers. These speakers have honed their leadership skills in clubs such as these, thus enhancing their career opportunities and prospects. Worldwide the Toastmasters organization is known for its non profit agendas and has 252,000 members in 12,500 clubs spread across a span of 106 countries.
Closer home in Oman, the ABC Toastmasters club owes its beginning to CTM Clarence Pinto, Sponsor and Mentor ACS ALB Cyprian Misquith, TTT participants Louis Pereira, Dilip Correa, Alex Aranha, Alexander V Sequeira and others. This group of enterprising individuals decided to start this club after witnessing the success of ‘Taste the Toast’ – a six weeks workshop for aspiring toastmasters that was conducted during October/November 2008 by the Mangalorean Catholic Centre of the Parish.
Every meeting is professionally eked out with a fixed agenda, a timer, colour cards and evaluation papers. Extemporized table topics still remain the most popular of these meetings. Undoubtedly, every meeting serves to build up the confidence of many a hesitant speaker. Taking a cue from its mother club - the Toastmasters International, the ABC Toastmasters Club in Oman also strives to aid its members in overcoming their fear of public speaking and to become better speakers.
The club under the leadership of the then president, CC CL Louis Pereira, reached the helm of its glory during the year 2009-2010. Membership rose from 20 to 32 and the club’s performance was applauded in Toastmasters circles. Some members of club participated in area and division speech contest too.
For the year 2010-2011, the new executive committee under the leadership of ACS ALB Cyprian Misquith as President took over the mantle of ABC Toastmasters Club. As on date, the club has nearly 34 dedicated members.
For the last two years, ending 30th June 2011, the club has received the “Presidents Distinguished Club” award for getting 10 out of 10 points from Toastmasters International, USA. This club has created a name in toastmasters circle for its ever growing membership drive, various programs, achieving maximum certifications and boasts of sponsoring the first of its kind in Oman “ANA GAVEL CLUB OF MUSCAT” to help the youngsters to gain confidence and public speaking skills. The club has already sponsored a Distinguished Speakers Toastmasters Club, currently headed by the President, ACG ALB Alex Crasta.
ABC Toastmasters Club meets every Monday at 8.15 pm on the mezannine floor at Divine Restaurant. The Ana Gavel Club of Muscat meets every alternative Friday at Al Asool Al Arabia office at 11.00 am/
For the year ending 30th June 2011, the following members of the club have achieved certifications as below:
Clita Crasta -Advance Communicator-Gold and Advance Leader Bronze
Alex Crasta-Advance Communicator-Gold and Advance Leader Bronze.
Cyprian Misquith-Advance Communicator-Silver and Advance Leader Bronze.
Thomas George-Advance Communicator-Silver
Louis Pereira- Advance Communicator-Bronze and Competent Leader.
Alexander Sequeira- Advance Communicator-Bronze and Competent Leader.
Sankaran Nambissan – Competent Communicator
Dilip Correa – Competent Communicator
Celine D’souza – Competent Communicator
Patcy Lasrado – Competent Communicator
Office bearers of ABC Toastmasters Club for the year 2011 – 2012 are:
1. CC Sankaran Nambissas-President
2. ACB CL Alexander Sequeira -Vice President-Education
3. TM Vipul Kotecha - Vice President-Membership.
4. TM Mohammed Jawed -Vice President-Public Relations.
5. TM Kirti Bhatia -Club Secretary.
6. TM Joy Antony -Hon. Treasurer.
7.TM Omar Sadiq -Sergeant at Arms.
Office bearers of ANA Gavel Club has the following Officers for the current year:
1. President: Master Rana Jose.
2. Vice President-Education: Miss Amanda Pinto.
3. Vice President-Membership: Master Ashley D'Souza.
4. Vice President-Public Relations: Master Edward George.
5. Club Secretary: Master Dean Chris D'Souza.
6. Treasurer: Master Vivian Monis.
7. Sergent at Arms: Miss Natasha Showkath Assadi.
COUNSELOR and COORDINATORS of ANA GAVEL CLUB OF MUSCAT are:
Counselor-TM Vipul Kotecha
Main Coordinator for this Gavel Club: ACS Thomas George
Assistant Coordinator Patcy Lasrado.
The President for the current year – CC Sankaran Nambissan from Kerala, India and has been a resident of Oman for the last 13 years. Employed as Technical Manager in M/s. M.B.. Petroleum LLC
Cyprian is also known for his diplomatic approach and leadership qualities. He is polite, soft spoken and has the ability to convince anyone with his soft and dignified approach.
For more details about the club please visit www.abctoastmasters.webs.com.