By Joe Andrade
Daijiworld Media Network - Bahrain
Manama, Jul 1: In a crisp but brisk ceremony the new executive committee of the Karnataka Club Toastmasters for the term 2009-10 under the presidentship of TM Rufus Pinto was formally installed during the Club’s 207th meeting here recently, as per the guidelines of Toastmasters International Inc. by the charming Outgoing TMI District 79 DivisionC Governor DTM Khalid Al Quod.
The program began with the Sargeant-at-arms TM Abraham Jacob introducing the out-going president TM Joseph Andrade who in turn welcomed the members and specially invited guests who had gathered for the awards and Installation ceremony at the “Skybiz” premises of Karnataka Social Club Bahrain. In his final presidential address, TM Andrade made a point to the audience on the biggest room in the world can only be the “room for improvement, in every individual” as reflected in a beautiful essay written by one of the 5th grade student in a class which was asked to write on “the biggest room in the world!”
The Club’s last quarter literary mouth-piece “Kaleidoscope” colorfully prepared by VP-PR, TM Colin Joseph was then released by the District 79 Div. C Governor TM Khalid Al Quod and distribtuted to all.
The president then introduced the elegant and gracious MTM Philomena D’Souza as the Master of Ceremonies to conduct the Awards and Installation Ceremony in a choc-o-bloc colorful Agenda of the day. The MC introduced the Timer TM Shripad Acharya and invited TM Abdul Rahim to conduct a brief Table Topics Session. True to his wit and characteristic poise, TM Abdul Rahim was straight on the task with topics on “holidays” begetting humorous response from the commentators and laughter from the members and attentive guests.
TM Khalid Al Qoud then conducted the Installation Ceremony in his characteristic style, discharging the out-going Executive Committee 2008-09 of all its responsibilities and then calling forth the in-coming elected Committee Officers for 2009-10 to the podium for the Installation Ceremony with the typical “passing of the gavel” from the Sargeant-at-arms to the President in the ascending order. The newly installed 2009-10 Committee members with President TM Rufus Pinto were given a standing ovation.
The KCT ExCom members who take term of office from 01.07.2009 for one year are:
TM Rufus Pinto, ACB, ALB – President
TM Lionel Mendonca, CC, CL – Vice President, Education
TM Prakash Shetty – Vice President, Membership
TM Rajesh Shetty – Vice President, Public Relations
TM K.K. Shajahan – Secretary
TM Abraham Jacob – CC – Treasurer
TM Sunil Sivadhasan – Sargeant-at-arms.
The new ExCom then made its way to the head table with President TM Rufus Pinto giving his first address to the gathering emphasizing teamwork leads to progress and success.
The other guests present during the ceremony were the Outgoing Area 46 Governor TM Mohamed Salie and Incoming Dist79 DivC Governor Indrupathi Joel who too addressed the gathering. The Club’s very own member and Incoming Area 46 Governor MTM Joti Ruben also addressed the members.
It was then time for Awards and Rewards for members’ motivating efforts during the term 2008-09. Appreciation plaques were given to all the outgoing ExCom members by the Area Governor for their accomplished tasks as Officers of the Club. TMI Gold, Silver and Bronze medals were given to all the winners of the four TMI Contest disciplines, i.e. International Speech, Humorous, Table Topics and Speech Evaluation to those who stood 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the Club
The highlight of the Awards ceremony was the surprise announcement of TM Colin Joseph as the Toastmaster of the Year, and the runner-up TM Abraham Jacob – both of whom were selected based on their excellent performance during the term 2008-09 as per TMI guidelines, by the VP-Education TM Rufus Pinto. They walked away with recognized TMI Awards to the applause of all the members and congratulated.
Karnataka Club Toastmasters is an affiliate of Toastmasters International Inc. registered as Club No.2888 and is a non-profit self-motivating organization which meets every 2nd and 4th as well as 5th (if existing) Wednesday of each month meeting at “Skybiz” 2nd floor premises of Karnataka Social Club Building, and helps members to be confident communicators. Anyone interested in joining the Club may contact VP-Membership, Prakash Shetty Bahrain mobile tel No.39077522.
Wishing the vibrant and young KCT Executive Committee Officers and all the Toastmaster Members the very best in Toastmastering performance in the new term.