Knowledge Series 1

[R Ravi Kumar]

Dear Members,

Welcome to the Knowledge Series Initiative of TMCP! Happy Reading.....

The focus here would be to get you familiarised with what Toastmasters is all about. So, shall we get started?

What is Toastmasters International?

Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Our membership is more than 332,000 memberships. Members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 15,400 clubs in 135 countries that make up our global network of meeting locations.

                Toastmasters began as a series of speaking clubs organized by Ralph C. Smedley during his time working for the YMCA (Young Men's Christian Association) in Bloomington, Illinois, United States. The first meeting was held at the YMCA building on October 22, 1924. Word spread about Smedley's Toastmasters clubs and soon people in surrounding communities and other states were asking how they could start their own club. The rest, as they say, is History!

Toastmasters International Mission

We empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders.

Toastmasters International Values

üRespect
üIntegrity
ü  Service
ü  Excellence

These are cherished qualities that each Toastmaster is expected to imbibe.

Where do we fit in?

The entire Toastmasters fraternity is split into many sectors based on geographies. There are 15 Regions in the World 1-14 and Region U.

We belong to Region 13 which consists of the following Districts.

41, 67,   76, 82, 85, 89, 92, 93 & 98.

Yes, you guessed it right, we belong to District 98 (encompassing Central India). We were earlier part of  erstwhile District 41 which now includes mainly North India.

Within District 98, there are 6 Divisions A-F. We belong to Division C (Certain parts of Pune). Now, within Division C, there are 4 Areas, 1-4, We belong to Area 1. Again, Area 1 has the following clubs:

• Our beloved Toastmasters Club of Pune
  
• The Orators Toastmasters Club
  
• Tech Mahindra Pune Toastmasters
  
• Cosmos Bank Toastmasters Club
  
• Deccan Toastmasters Club (recently split from TMCP in January 2016)
  

So, to sum it up. We are:  .

Toastmasters Club of Pune (TMCP) - R13àD98à C1  Club Number:  01141787

Club Mission

To provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.

Toastmasters International Envisioned Future

To be the first-choice provider of dynamic, high-value, experiential communication and leadership skills development.

What should I do?

Your initial steps when you join the Club are to ensure the following things:

1. Please physically handover your forms (signed Hard Copy) to the VP Membership
   
2. Please mention the Sponsor Name in the form (the person who introduced you to TMCP)
3. Please ensure that you get a receipt from the Treasurer for the Membership Fees Paid
   
4. Follow up with the VP Education to ensure that you have a mentor allotted to you.
   
5. Constantly stay in touch with your mentor to ease your way into Toastmasters
   
6. Log on to https://www.toastmasters.org to access the amazing world of Toastmasters
   
7. Check out the 'My Toastmasters' tab and update all your accurate details like Address (for Magazine), email, contact number and most importantly, check the 'Member since' tab.
   

PS: Please give a reasonable time frame to the Executive Committee Members to respond to your requests/queries and volunteer to help them whenever possible. J

 

Hope you enjoyed reading this. More to come in our subsequent posts. J

 

Regards, Ravi.