Fwd: Personal reflections on club communications

[Anupama Desai]

Hi Jennifer,

I admire you for your sensitive portrayal of the situation and indirectly pointing out that when club members perceive a compliment given to one person as a put down of another person, then it might come across a tad bit as jealousy instead of a joke to them, and it ends up hurting all of us.  Thank you for voicing your concern and safeguarding our club with your wise words in an effort to put our club back on track.

With the exception of elections and contests where a healthy competition could co-exist, we are not here to compete with each other.  After all, how can we compare apples and oranges or roses and lilies.  Each has their own unique essence.  Instead we are here to support and help each other grow and contribute our own unique gift or essence - isn't that the reason why we have come to this world.

Warm regards

--

Anupama Desai

Speaker, Writer & Coach

Tel:  714 832-2126

Cell: 949 231-7337

On Mon, Apr 22, 2013 at 5:14 PM, Toastmasters Club 624723 on behalf of Mahesh Parma <ser...@toastmastersclubs.org> wrote:

Thanks Jennifer for pointing out the pitfalls in my communication. Although it was done jokingly, nonetheless it might have hurt someone's feelings and I sincerely apologize for that.

Best Regards  

--
Mahesh

On Mon, Apr 22, 2013 at 9:41 AM, Toastmasters Club 624723 on behalf of Rosana Thrasher <ser...@toastmastersclubs.org> wrote:

Hi Jen,

 I am so thrilled that you have decided to rejoin Money Talks and walk along side each if us as we go on our journey to grow our leadership and communications skills.   You have just contributed positively to our club by pointing out certain comments that may be intended “jokingly” but may be received otherwise by the recipient of the comment.  I think this kind of sensitivity will be very useful in our day to day communications as well and will  personally take it for myself going forward.

Thanks for caring enough to share your reflections.

Regards,

Rosie

 

Rosana P. Thrasher, Ph.D.

Risk Management Consultant

Credit Risk Management

Wells Fargo Dealer Services  |  23 Pasteur|   Irvine, CA 92618
MAC E2718-032
Tel 949-727-1651  |  Fax 949-789-6936

Rosana....@wellsfargo.com

On Mon, Apr 22, 2013 at 9:40 AM, Toastmasters Club 624723 on behalf of  Byron Mott <ser...@toastmastersclubs.org> wrote:

Jen,

Thanks for the email and for sharing!!

I tend to agree that there’s a time and place for everything and immediately, is the best time to deal with being uncomfortable with anything!

Kindest regards,

Byron Mott

On Sun, Apr 21, 2013 at 9:47 PM, Toastmasters Club 624723 on behalf of Jennifer Koran <ser...@toastmastersclubs.org> wrote:

Fellow Money Talks Members,

I have felt a bit uncomfortable reading some recent club emails and feel compelled to respond.  My apologies if this in an inappropriate forum or time to do so. 

First, as a communication club, I believe our written communications ought to reflect the same support, respect and camaraderie we expect from a Toastmaster club meeting.  When I first joined Money Talks, I was comforted by the (repeated) acknowledgment that each of us is on our own public speaking journey, bringing different strengths, different weaknesses, different experiences and different public speaking goals.  Consequently, recent posts and offhanded verbal comments publicly challenging particular members or comparing one member to another feels inappropriate.  Perhaps the waning commitment and interest of club members will improve if the focus shifts from one of competition to one of camaraderie and support.    

Second, I feel uncomfortable with any member being labeled a "rookie" unless they specifically place that label on themselves.  Members new to Money Talks may very well be quite accomplished at public speaking or particular club meeting roles (whether by natural ability or through prior Toastmaster or other business practice).  Thus, the label feels presumptuous and disparaging.  Why not leave it up to the member to decide whether and how he or she would like the club to know he or she is trying something for the first time? 

Lastly, I would like to thank Anupama for drafting our first couple Meeting Minutes (and for providing a "template" for others), and Susan for providing the recent Minutes.  Although it appears that attendance is an issue, the Minutes succeeded in motivating me to attend more frequently and meet our fascinating new members.  Regardless of the author, the style, or whether they are detailed or concise, Meeting Minutes are a fantastic way to keep our members involved and updated.  I hope they will continue!   Perhaps once the new Officers are inducted in June/July this can be a task assigned to the new Club Secretary?  

Again, I apologize if my comments are out of line.  

Regards,  

Jen Koran