THE UNTOLD STORY OF THE BEST OF TOASTMASTERS EAST AFRICA COMPETITION

Kampala Toastmasters Club is a disjointed family united by the desire to become excellent public speakers and effective communicators.

The Uganda delegation to the Kampala Toastmasters Competition

What's an excellent public speaker,  you may ask. Whenever I attend a Kampala Toastmasters  meeting,  it's always the person who holds me spellbound,  whose speech delivery is woven in a vivid story that's so appealing,  relatable and relevant.

Having joined the club in January this year,  I've experienced more practice in effective communication than in 5 years. With several mentors and plenty of literature,  it's been a worthwhile journey.

When the opportunity to compete in the Best of Toastmasters East Africa Competition came up,  it was only natural to participate.  Nairobi,  the host of this competition,  dubbed BOTEA 2016,  has about seven Toastmasters clubs alone. The Uganda delegation though small,  was strong and supportive to their sole candidate, me.

The Safari Club Hotel where the competition was held was rather daunting but not as terrifying as the winner of the students' contest. She was remarkable,  spontaneous and bold. I couldn't imagine what the Toastmasters contest would be like.

A few Kenyan Toastmasers

After we were grouped into rooms,  I made a mental assessment and could pick only two speakers that I'd clearly win. The first round of BOTEA2016 began like a slow boat on a lake but by the time I spoke,  it was like the boat had tipped over a waterfall because my nerves were knocking against my rib cage.  All I had to do was remember the first line. 

"Two roads diverged in a yellow wood... "
This excerpt of Robert Frost's poem began what was one of the best speeches I had ever delivered in my life.

It was no surprise that I made it to the second round where the competition was stiffer than a church door.

I hadn't heard such eloquence and mastery of words anywhere else in East Africa. The Kenyans and Rwandans were competing for gold. The second speech I delivered was about a recent nature walk I had made to Mt. Rwenzori,  the world's greatest kept secret,  the undiscovered Eden and the perfect paradise. 

My heart almost stopped when I didn't make it to the finals. Then again,  it wasn't because I hadn't performed my best because I had and that makes me proud to be a Kampala Toastmaster.

Thanks to the Uganda team for their diligence and support;  Lynda Nabayiinda,  Tina Akena,  Davis Tashobya,  Steven Serukwaya,  Israel Kalyango and Brenda Picho.

Josh Tahinduka, winner of the competition from Rwanda

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

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Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

Semi-finalist at the 2016 Best of Toastmasters East Africa Public Speaking Competition

Vice President Public Relations ;Kampala Toastmasters Club

DR. NSHEMEREIRWE, IN A WORD OFF WITH POETS AT THE BABISHAI FESTIVAL

Dr. Connie Nshemereirwe is a seasoned toastmaster, an educationist and scholar, challenging the status quo of the Ugandan education system. She will be participating in the Babishai Poetry festival Toastmasters challenge on 25 August at Maria's Place in Ntinda, in an intellectual battle of words.

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How long have you been a member of Kampala Toastmasters and what significant change has it made on your life?

I have been a member of the Kampala Toastmasters Club since April 2015, and before that I was a member of the Twente Toastmasters In The Netherlands, which I joined in October 2012.

Toastmasters has made a great difference in my life. It has made me a much more confident speaker, more structured, and given me the tools to prepare for any public speaking engagement in a much more purposeful fashion.

2. When you think of Ugandan poetry,  what comes to mind? 

You know, I don't know much about Ugandan Poetry! Someone recently reached a hand into my parents' bookshelf and produced a dusty book of poems written by Ugandans in the 1970s, and I hadn't known it was there until then (I'll provide a title when I remember). Beyond that, I can only think of the Babishai Poetry Foundation. A quick Google search also reminded me of Song of Lawino. And of late I have been exposed to some spoken word artists (who I think are fantastic!) But I don't really know much about poetry. Regrettably, I think.

The Babishai Poetry Festival is going to host the first Toastmasters challenge. A battle of words between poets and public speakers. As a competitor,  how will you prepare for the challenge? 

I will prepare as usual, only I will try to be even more creative than usual. I will use my body, my voice, my eyes, everything! I plan on speaking with more than just my words because I think those poets will be hard to beat! :-)

Do you feel that professionals in the work space need to interact more with poets? 

The little interaction that I have had with poets, especially the spoken word artists, and some of the poems I read in that dusty old book of poems, leads me to believe that we would all be better off with more poetry in our lives. Poetry helps one's brain and senses expand, poetry can carry some deep messages about society's evils but can also reveal the beauty in society. I really think that not being exposed to poetry is a big loss to anyone.

How important is an education that includes creative arts? 

I think it would be invaluable! Humans are such multifaceted beings, and education should seek to touch and polish each of those facets; further, I think we lose a lot of creative potential by not exposing all children to the creative arts, and that is a loss not only to them but to society

Any parting remarks? 

I'm really looking forward to the "word-off", if I'm honest! Somewhat apprehensive but up to the challenge! I think it s a great initiative,  good job! :-)

Thank you Connie

The Babishai Poetry Festival runs from 24-26 August at Maria's Place in Ntinda.

ARE YOU READY TO TRUST ME?

Just Trust me? Noo! Not that quick!

Imagine telling someone: “I’m going to be taking you on a long, dangerous, and difficult trip. 

 

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There will be times you are likely to be very uncomfortable, and there may be terrible storms. I’m not going to tell you where we are going, why we are going, where we are going, or how we will get there. Just TRUST ME."

How do you think that would make anyone feel?

In organizations, when a leader is implementing organizational change – when a boss is making major decisions that will affect employees – it doesn’t work to say, “just trust me.”

Like frightened children, people will come up with all kinds of reasons to resist and refuse why they do not want to come along on the trip – even if it’s a good one!

Most of us, do not want to take trips into the unknown and without a destination. Telling people “just trust me” is naiveté at its worst.
It shows an enormous amount of disrespect, sometimes even dishonesty.

In business today, trust has to be earned. In leadership today, trust has to be gained. Trust is  being congruent: Match your words with your actions what you say you will do you do.  Being trusted is being dependable.Trust is embracing transparency. When it comes to trust, the more you reveal the more you can see. When trust is transparent it can be embraced.Trust is  honoring promises. Keep what you promised – and if you can go the extra mile and  honor and deliver more than you promised.

Trust is a two-way street. To make someone trustworthy, you need to trust them first. The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them.Trust is risk.Trust lies  between faith and probability. To risk is to put yourself out of your comfort zone.Take the risk and have the faith in trust to pull you through.
Trust is a relationship. Trust begins with the self in relationship with another.  Trust others as you would wish to be trusted.
Trust is the glue when it comes to organizational change. 

  Trust your people so they can engage and be part of the change.
  Trust your people so they can enroll and add value to the change.
  Trust your people so they can embrace and understand and respect the change.

Lead from within: Any leader who says “just trust me” and expects loyalty is going to get a group of employees who resent the journey instead of enjoying the adventure. Trust  grasps another human being in their innermost core of loyalty.

Steve Umeme

Executive Committee Member, Kampala Toastmasters Club

To hear more from Mr. Umeme, join us for our Kampala Toastmasters Club meetings at Protea Hotel Kampala every last Tuesday and second Friday at 6:00pm prompt.

BEST OF TOASTMASTERS EAST AFRICA COMPETITION, JUNE 2016

On Saturday 25th June, Uganda was very well represented 

with a strong delegation at the BEST OF TOASTMASTERS 

EAST AFRICA COMPETITION held in Nairobi at The 

swanky Safari Club. 

Kampala Toastmasters was very well represented. Tina Akena was a judge at the 

competition, Steven Serukwaya was a ballot taker, Lynda Nabayiinda, new President was 

an evaluator and Davis Tashobya was a chief judge.

The Kampala Toastmasters competitor, Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva, was up against 

the best public speakers in East Africa and emerged a semi-

finalist, raising the Uganda flag, horizon high. 

Josh Tahinduka, of Rwanda 1, emerged winner of this first 

ever Best of Toastmasters East Africa Competition with his 

passionate and unapologetic persuasion.

The Uganda delegation

During the ‪#‎Babishai2016‬ Poetry Festival, we'll be holding 

our own Toastmasters' Challenge.  Are you ready for the first 

ever Toastmasters' Challenge? Public Speakers against 

Spoken word poets, in a battle of intellectual words.

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva

KAMPALA TOASTMASTERS ELECTS NEW EXECUTIVE, 2016-2017

On June 28th 2016,

Kampala Toastmasters elected its new executive. The elections were smooth, democratic and provided an objective and renewed energy for 2016-2017.

New President Lynda Nabayiinda Were

The new executive committee members are:-

​Position​	No. of Nominees	Name of Office bearer
President	7	Lynda Nabayiinda Were
Vice President Education	11	Gilbert Rutebemberwa
Vice President Membership	8	Cynthia Muyama
Vice President Public Relations	9	Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva
Club Secretary	9	Paul Kavuma
Treasurer	5	Steven Umeme
Sergeant at Arms		Stephan Kiyemba

We wish them a successful year ahead.

Email address: kampalatoastmastersclub@gmail.com

Tel:                   +256 752 605847

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