KNOWLEDGE AND NETWORKS ; CC4 BY STIRLING GAPARA

Good evening fellow toastmasters and guests,

It was Robin Sharma who said, where you`ll be in the next 5 years depends on the books you read, your closest friends and the groups you are a part of. I tend to agree with Mr. Sharma.

You see, I have a client and let`s call him John. John is as handsome as Denzel Washington. He is well groomed, fit looking and has an aura of success about him. John graduated from the university in the year 2000 and recently he acquired his MBA. He works for a manufacturing company where he is the finance manager, a position he has held for about 8 years. John is pretty well paid, drives a beautiful Rav 4 and his children go to an international school. But he is frustrated, angry and disappointed with his progress at work. He feels he has reached the apex of his career. He is desperate for a change but opportunities seem to be few and far between or he simply doesn’t quite make the cut at interviews.

Photos by Andrew Welishe; VPPR Bukoto Toastmasters Club

John is not alone in having these frustrations. In fact, he is typical of the clients I often work with. I do not have a silver bullet for John but I believe I can help.  My solution in dealing with John`s problems boils down to just two words- knowledge and networks. I am persuaded that if John is diligent in his acquisition ofgeneral knowledge,building and developing his networks he will be spoilt for choice when it comes to making a career change.

Toastmasters and guests, it is a fact, you are almost always going to be competing with a myriad of very well qualified people for the position you desire. So, you will need that edge, astuteness and wit that generalknowledge brings.Read different kinds of books andarticles on a variety of subjects. Never limit yourself. I have a friend who says he has no problem being in a traffic jam because this gives him the opportunity to listen to audio books and podcasts. Another thing to consider. The next time you are at your local video club buying your favourite series, I encourage you to consider buying something on a topic like the Scramble for Africa or the conspiracy theory of how the Russians are taking over the world. The general knowledge that you will have will allow you to have conversations with different people regardless of their backgrounds, culture or social standing. Along with that people will perceive you as intelligent, clever and oozing with wisdom.   I can assure you that the world will be your oyster as all sorts of doors began to open for you.

Networks. Many of you are already in some sort of network. These include your church, Rotary and of course toastmasters. This is all very commendable. But I urge you to go beyond just being mere members of these groups. Volunteer your services and seek leadership positions. Where there are challenges in these organisations go all out to be the solution. This will grow sphere of influence within the organization and beyond.

I must hasten though to warn you Rome was not built in a day. Although the advice I am giving you is simple it is not easy. Start slowly. Give yourself perhaps a year to gain momentum. The natural laws of the universe that God ordained start to work in your favour.   You will begin to see that people will treat you better. You will gain respect, honour and favour. Opportunities begin to come your way and progressively you move towards your purpose, your calling and indeed the desires of your heart. It is not an easy journey but one that is worth making.

This speech by  Stirling Gapara, is entitled Knowledge and Networks and was delivered at Kampala Toastmasters Club and Bukoto Toastmasters Club.

The Speech Contest That Bedazzled Everyone

  Thursday 17 November was the day East Africa stood still. Uganda's greatest public speakers assembled for the annual speech contest. Organised by Kampala Toastmasters Club and Bukoto Toastmasters Club, it was an energized three hours of the best of prose and perfection. The contestants and judges will testify below. All photo credits/Dilman Dila

  Paul Kavuma, 2016 winner of annual speech contest

Everything that transpired at the Public Speaking Contest event was worth celebrating. However, this is what stood out for me.

First of all, I have been to events where one arrives thirty minutes late and they are still too early for the occasion.

This year’s Toastmasters Speech Contest was nothing like that. The event started on time. This allowed everything else to fall into place following the event’s program. Secondly, there was a warm welcome at the reception desk. As a participant in the speech contest, there’s that feeling of nervousness that took its toll on me the moment I arrived at Protea Hotel that evening. The smiles and greetings that were exchanged at the reception desk of the event helped to calm down my nerves. Everyone in the room was smiling, happy and jolly from the time the event started till the time I left during the cocktail session. This reminded me of how lucky I was to associate with the awesome members of Kampala Toastmasters Club.

Last and definitely not least was the glamorous decoration and dress-code. The theme of the day was Nobility and changing the Status- quo. And it was clear that people’s dress code changed the Status-Quo of this Annual public Speaking Contest.

Next year, I look forward to a bigger crowd because the relevance of public speaking needs to be appreciated by everyone.

Florence Katono, contestant

It’s been days after the event but the speeches continue to play in my mind. I concur with you, these guys are great orators. (may I ask that the speeches be uploaded on our page).

Behind the scenes, I attempted to write my speech 3 times. I got emotional the first time as I did the third. Then I wrote to my mentor and told her that I was pulling out of the contest because I couldn't deliver the speech. My emotions overpowered me. Connie,( I am certain you all know how firm she is). wrote back and said "if a speech makes you emotional, then that's the one you should give." We worked through it together and the rest is good history. 

I am happy to say as I told God that day that may the purpose for which I speak give me the courage to face my fears. At the end of the event, some ladies walked up to me and said I had shared a story similar to their own. I particularly recall a single mum of 4 who shared her own with me. I was, still is deeply humbled that we can be the healing for each other.

I am so grateful to my fellow contestants who exuded such talent that even I didn't want to be in the place of the judges; well at least not that evening.

The organizers for the selflessness. A successful event isn't measured by decoration or drinks, it is measured by the Woooow feeling to those who attended.

I am still wooooowed and dazzled.

Gilbert Rutebemberwa, contestant

  What moved me was the level of publicity and  attendance. This implied that we have the potential to grow the club and reach more people.

I look forward to many people joining the club to learn and grow themselves. I hope we can make it even bigger next year.

I thoroughly enjoyed participating as a contestant and encourage others to participate because I gained a lot in terms of communication and leadership and it’s a great investment.

STEPHANO KIYEMBA, contestant

I was overwhelmed by the great numbers that attended the event. This was very relieving as the card sales were less than 50% of our target, with a week to the event. Surprisingly many guests who paid the attendance made up for the gap.

  What do you want for next year? 

We need to find a way of bringing more corporate sponsors on board as that is a sure strategy to win over some of their employees.

President Lynda Nabayiinda

1.  What wowed you about the event?

The turn up was great. It significantly exceeded my expectations. Couldn't resist looking at the back of the room as the hotel staff kept bringing in more chairs. I was also wowed by how far one can go if they are determined to achieve their goals, listening to Richard Byarugaba's speech about his career journey from a cash teller in the bank to now MD of the National social Security Fund.

2. What do you look forward to next year?

I look forward to a full day event with more categories of speakers; Younger 12-18 years and above 18 with contestants from more than one club in addition to more elimination rounds plus of course more international presence. I look forward to all the rich content from all the speeches we shall listen to.

Josh Tahinduka, 1Rwanda Toastmasters Club

Before I left for Kampala to attend the Toastmasters speech contest, I raised a close friend to say a temporary bye for I was going “abroad” and to the Pearl of Africa. On learning that I was taking late nigh bus he didn’t let me finish but chocked me with a plethora of stories about night robbery, sleeping drivers to mention but a few, Dan was on mission to protect me from harm that turned to be mission Impossible. Impossible simply because I knew that the Toastmasters experience was always worth it.

If anyone missed the contest, then there is a reason to regret. The well prepared humorous and educative speeches, a vibrant audience that seemed to have auditioned for healthy looks, happiness and their love for fun,the sophisticated MC and contest chair that had admirable ways of taking the house ablaze and different kinds of JOYS are some of the things one missed. The evening was such a reflection of Dr. Smedley’s (founder of Toastmasters International) perfect place for learning and growth when he said that “We learn best in our moments of enjoyment”

As Toastmasters are always obsessed with areas of improvement, I look forward to seeing Bukoto Toastmasters club alongside newly formed clubsin action just to spice the contest with a variety of speakers from different clubs.

I otherwise could not wait to reach the land of 1000 hills to meet my friend Dan in person so as to tell him that the risk of taking a night bus for Toastmasters was totally worth it.

Irene Naikaali, committee member

1. What wowed you about the event? 

I  was greatly inspired by the spirit of teamwork at KTM. The entire executive team including all the other role takers worked tirelessly as though they were preparing for the  their own wedding ceremony. I could sense it right away during the eve of the function that we were headed for success and indeed it was a great success!

2. What do you look forward to next year? 

I look forward joining the executive team of Kampala Toastmaster club at the next club elections. In this way I will be able to expand my leadership skills to new horizons. I also look forward to conquering my fears by taking part  in the 2017 annual speech contest.

Cissy Anyao, Timekeeper.

Anet Birungi, head usher

It was lovely being part of a grand gathering.  The high point for me of the Project November was the prominence of people involved and the wonderful function organization.  It was remarkable for its verve and professional quality!

It was exhilarating leading the guests as the Chief Usher!

I was over-awed at the way the Contest Chair did the introductions of the relevant persons; recapitulating the presentations with care; as well as vivaciously steering the meeting.

The Contest chair, Beverley Nambozo and Phillipa Nanyondo, who extended the Vote of Thanks to our Guest of Honour were fabulous in choice of words and expressions!  From their function roles, they exhibited excellent listening skills.

It was sensational listening to the contestants’ speeches and table topics.  Adroitness in presentation was exceptional:  The confidence, word play and composition of the stories took my breath away!

Beverley Nambozo, contest chair

Doreen Baingana, Chief judge

IRENE NAIKAALI DELIVERS A RESOUNDING PROJECT 2 SPEECH

"Thermostats and Thermometers"

St. Charles Lwanga Catholic Parish in Mutundwe held its annual day for the married congregants on 31^st July 2016. It was such a joyful event, graced by wives immaculately dawned in white "busutti" with yellow sashes. The men too graced the day with the symbolic leadership attire .the "Kanzus" with black coats. Who was fairest of them all? Isn’t a question I could easily answer, because the sea of couples seemed to have been matched in heaven. They were gorgeous!

The speeches were well prepared to suit the theme of the day which was “effective communication in homes: A key to national development."

Focusing on external appearances can be deceptive. We had a colorful function but there was serious tension that had built up over the last 2 weeks of preparations between the Parish executive committee members and the sub-parish representatives. Majority of the sub-parish representatives had failed to mobilize contributions from individual couples including themselves.

The sub-parish representatives failed to influence the sub parishioners as they did not lead by example. According to majority, the contribution of UGX 10,000/= required from each couple was considered exorbitant to spend on a church function!  This experience set me thinking deeply about the issue of personal influence. How do you build this quality as a leader? My reflections led me to think of a leader with personal influence as a thermostat as opposed to a thermometer.

When I used the term Personal Influence what does it mean to you?

In marketing language, Personal influence is the power of an individual or group to control the purchasing power or decisions of others.

 John Maxwell a leadership guru in his book entitled the 21 Irrefutable laws of Leadership states, “the true measure of leadership is influence – Nothing More, Nothing Less”

Personal influence is both internal and external. External personal influence involves social interactions between two or more persons such as husband and wife, Toastmasters and guests at a meeting for example, I invite at least 5 guests to our Toastmasters meetings with the aim of interesting them to join the Club. I use personal influence to prevail over them by colorfully presenting the benefits they could derive from the interactions with the members of the Club.

Personal influence can also be internal whereby the decisions one makes are influenced by mental processes that have to do with other people or groups. For example, a teenager may choose to smoke due to peer influence or pressure for acceptance by his or her peers. I will share with you another example. I confess that I devote much time to prepare my speeches so that I appear as eloquent and organized as other Toastmasters.

The foundation in both cases of personal influence is the degree of trust the people have in you. As a leader, without trust, the people you intend to influence may comply outwardly to your wishes when physically present but are much less likely to conform privately by adopting similar values, cultures and mission of the organization or group; just like in the case of sub-parishioners.

How can you build trust and increase your personal influence as a leader?

• Raise your hand! Yes, raise your hand to new opportunities for growth and projects that contribute to the growth of your group or organization. Be among those few people in your group or organization who have developed a reputation for volunteership. It is leaders like you with a volunteership spirit that raise their hands at any opportunity to be involved with something they think is important for the group. This gives you a chance to make connections and develop new and valuable skills that you in turn use to influence others to think differently.
• Groom other leaders, develop protégés, and mentor others to do what you do and to do it even better! President Theodore Roosevelt said that People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care! As a leader, make it your business to help other people grow and develop their skills. In this way you are planting seeds that will soon sprout and grow in ways beyond your imagination. If you want to grow your influence, focus on growing others and the influence will flow naturally. Just like respect, influence is earned! You got to invest time into building your personal influence.
• Become a navigator; “Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course” Before embarking on a journey of influence, a good leader goes  through a planning  process in order to give the trip the best chance of being a success. This process may include among others, drawing on past experiences, examining conditions before making commitment, listening to what others have to say and ensuring that conclusions represent both faith and facts.
• Join Toastmasters! At Toastmasters we learn the art of public speaking. Good public speaking skills allow you to convey your message in a clear and eloquent manner that allows it to come alive for your listeners. For example, as the head of fundraising, you might be tasked to communicate an idea to a potential funder who has limited knowledge about your field of expertise yet has the authority and funds to determine your next project. Your ineffectiveness to communicate the idea might cost your organization this huge grant.

A quick reminder about the 4 points to help you build trust and increase your influence as a leader; Raise your hand to new opportunities for growth, Groom other leaders,  become a navigator and join Toastmasters.

Think about the difference between a thermometer and thermostat, most leaders in many organsations including homes are thermometers. They can tell you what the temperature is .They understand the environment they are in. However, Influential persons are thermostats. They sense the temperature, and adjust accordingly. In other words they set the temperature and change the environment. These persons are the ones who influence their organizations day by day. Be a thermostat not a thermometer.

Irene Naikaali Ssentongo

CC2 speech

 We're holding our second annual speech contest on Thursday 17 November at Protea Hotel. Cards are on sale at 25,000/- Contact Serukwaya on +256 777 391277

Join our launch of the Bukoto Toastmasters Club on Tuesday 1st November at the Goethe Zentrum Library on Bukoto Street from 6:00pm. Call +256 751 703226

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