3rd charter Anniversary celebrations

A brief and Highlights

All photos by Neil Blazevic

The trivia session formed part of our 3rd charter anniversary meeting celebration. We had 2 speeches to show the guests what the club is about plus 2 evaluations and a Trivia session. This was relevant because as a club that boasts of communication and leadership development, one needs to be knowledgeable on small tit bits: Economics, About Uganda, Popular English phrases(to enrich vocabulary), general knowledge and stuff about toastmasters. These formed the different categories from which the trivia questions were derived. 

Example,

Who is the founder of Toastmasters?

When is the next  BOTEA convention?

It was a wonderful celebration.

Lynda Nabayiinda

Kampala Toastmasters Club celebrated its 3rd charter Anniversary on the 25th of April 2017 at the Protea Hotel Kampala. The event was well attended by a total of 47 guests including members of Nkozi gavel club and about 27 club members. The Toast master of the day was Paul Kavuma the winner of the 2016 KTM annual speech contest and the Word of the Day was ' Ostentatious".which means pretentious or showy display.

The major activities of the  day included  2 prepared speeches, a CC1 and CC4 speech by Richard Ssebagala and Steven Serukwaya respectively,  a Trivia session and finally cutting of cake and a tea party . The Trivia session was very participatory involving both guests and club members. Four groups participated in round one  which focused majorly on basic knowledge about Toastmasters and simple English phrases. Round two involved 3 groups with questions focusing on Uganda and general knowledge. Group 'B' emerged the winners of the Trivia session. These received a prize handed over by the president KTM. Soon after the Trivia session, the president KTM gave an overview of the Toast Masters program and invited all guests present to sign in as full members to continue their journey towards personal development. Later the immediate past president presented the Toastmasters promise and urged members to commit to it for a more rewarding experience with the program.

Finally, the anniversary cake was cut and participants were ushered to a tea party. The event ended at about 8.30pm

Congratulations!

Irene Naikaali

Thanks for a vibrant evening.
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Bukoto Toastmasters Club @BukotoTM1

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION- WHERE ARE WE?

“Whenever I think of the past, it brings back so many memories”.

This quote by Steven Wright an Oscar winning film producer resonates with my life when I look back at when I was 5 years of age.

One evening as I was taking my bath I suddenly I had commotion and noise from our front yard which was close to Kanjokya Street. A car had just knocked down my 3 year old brother and smashed his leg. That was the beginning of a different life for our family. Knowing and accepting that Eddie will forever be different from other children; will never participate in certain sports and forever use crutches to move.I have witnessed a 3 year old learn to walk again with the use of crutches. I have cried with him as his heart got broken from the teasing. To cut a long story short, my mother struggled and was determined that Eddie will learn to walk again without the use of crutches, and avoid a leg amputationso as to shun the discrimination of a society back then and today that seldom caters for Diversity and Inclusion of disabled persons.

Diversity and inclusion is all about understanding that we are all different and shouldfocus on the needs and right conditions of every individual are in place for each person to achieve their full potential.

The Persons with Disabilities (PWD)Act 2006 defines disability as “a substantial functional limitation of daily life activities caused by physical, mental or sensory impairment and environmental barriers resulting in limited participation”. That is persons with hearing & sight impairments, and the mentally challenged and physically handicapped.  

The National Population and Housing Census 2014 conducted by UBOSindicated that overall, for the population aged 5 years and above, disability prevalence was close to 14% which is 5million disabled persons in Uganda. Question is how we address the situation of including them in our social and economic livelihood.

Women and men with disabilities can and want to be productive members of society.

The Government of Uganda has adopted a number of laws and policies pertaining to people with disabilities, including their right to productive and decent work and basic services. The key ones are:

The Persons with Disabilities Act, 2006, also provides for a tax reduction of 15 per cent to private employers who employ ten or more persons with disabilities either as regular employees or apprentice on a full time basis.For example, BarclaysBank (U) Ltd approximately9 years ago had a sight impaired gentleman operating the switchboard. Uber a new taxi business in Uganda employs hearing impaired drivers. On 4^th April, a Facebook friend- Robert Sebunya attested to this through his experience of being driven by an uber driver who was hard of hearing. When he received the notification from Uber that he was being picked by a deaf driver…he almost cancelled the ride! I am sure most of us would be tempted to do the same. We are just not comfortable with dealing “challenging” situations.

In my personal experience, while I was still living with my parents, my mother hired a physically disabled house help. She moved with one hand supporting the Knee. We were quite uncomfortable around her for some time as we didn’t know how to behave around her;she proved to be one of the best house helps we have ever had[SK3] .

A number of laws have been put into place to cater for persons with disabilities

·         The Local Government Act, 1997, Parliamentary Elections Statute, 1996,

aims to increase the representation of disabled people in the public sphere. It provides for representation of disabled people at the various Local Council levels and in parliament respectively.  KCCA has 2 disabled councilors and there are five seats in Parliament for representatives of persons with disabilities.

·         The Traffic and Road Safety Act, 1998, prohibit denial of a driving permit on the basis ofDisability.

·         Uganda national currency has a braille feature for the blind which is commendable.

·         By the same token, Uganda National Examinations Board caters for students who are, sight and hearing impaired ordyslexic.  E.g.my nephew who is dyslexic was able to sit for his PLE exams last year with the support of an examiner who orally examined him and another who penned down his answers. 

·         THE KAMPALA CAPITAL CITYACT, 2010 in section 25 ensures that public buildings are[SK4] , "as far as practicable", accessible to persons with disabilities. All buildings constructed after that date, have to be brought into compliance with the ACT. All old buildings have up to 10 years within which to comply with the Act. For examplequite a number of government and public buildings do not have elevators or escalators. Some of the buildings have very narrow doors that cannot be accessed by those on wheel chairs.

Is there more the government can do? Yes of course.

ü  Access to Services:For example News broadcasts. Not all TV stations have sign language for those hard of hearing though it is available on the national broadcaster.

ü  Access to Information:Building catalogues. Do not have barille for the blind

ü  Access to Heritage Sites:Kasubi tombs, Murchison falls. Not accessible to the physically handicapped.

But What can you and I, do about ensuring decent work for people with disabilities to realize their aspirations and participate more actively in society?

·         Ensuring a disability perspective in all aspects of policy and labor legislation.

·         Effective enforcement of existing disability laws and policies and providing for equal employment opportunities

·         Include modules in schools on awareness of disability with the aim of appreciating diversity and inclusion of disabled persons.

Mahatma Gandhi said“It's the action, not the fruit of the action, that's important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there'll be any fruit. But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.”

LYNDA NABAYIINDA'S CC7 SPEECH

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Life of Gandhi-

I once came across a quote that read “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

Fellow toastmasters and guests, have you come alive?... or are you merely existing?

The day I read about the Life of Gandhi was the day I came alive.

The year was 1888 when Gandhi left Bombay and set sail for England to attend law school. Gandhi was 21 years of age that year and every passing day seemed to reaffirm his loss of bearing in life.

Gandhi’s three-year stay in England was disillusioning, eventful and insightful. It comprised of self discovery through a consistency in failure. While in England, Gandhi took up dancing lessons but soon gave it up as he had no sense of rhythm. He tried playing violin but failed. He was even too shy to make friends.

In spite of all these futile attempts at being an English man, Gandhi managed to pass his final exams and that was a great way of bidding farewell to England.

He returned to Bombay and his best friend failure followed him all the way. Gandhi opened up a Law practice in Bombay and failed to attract clients because he was too shy to speak up in court.

Put yourself  in Gandhi’s shoes … being looked at as a bad egg because everything you did turned out to be a wild-goose chase. I have been there. There was a time in my life when failure was loyal to me more than my shadow… because it followed me even in the dark…. to the extent that I would fail to sleep in the night.

We have all been there … disenchanted by life’s uncertainty. I believe the life of Gandhi teaches us three principles for overcoming failure in order to come alive.

The first principle is: being fearless.

When Gandhi’s Law Firm in Bombay failed, he took on an opportunity to work as a lawyer in South Africa. On his way to Pietermaritzburg, in South Africa, he was thrown off a train because even though he had a first class train ticket, Indians were not allowed to ride in first class. This unfair and unacceptable treatment on the train was Gandhi’s baptism of fire. It was through this pivotal encounter with racial segregation that Gandhi found his voice. He decided to face his fear and spend his next twenty years in South Africa using his words to unite Indian community in the fight against injustice. He won the fight and I attribute his victory to this principle of being fearless.

The second principle that we can learn from the life of Gandhi is: service above self.

When Gandhi returned to his native land, he started to fight for Indian Independence over British Rule. Through hard work, relentless self-sacrifice and prayer, Gandhi was able to orchestrate an agreement with the British  for an independent India in 1947. This brought him a lot of popularity, fame and admiration. He was given the name Mahatma which means ‘Great soul’.

Although he had secured freedom for India, he didn’t want to be carried off his feet. He wanted no role in the new government, no special treatment and no special reward. He preferred that  his image remains iconic of a man of straw; a man in an ordinary rob with a walking stick, a man whose only desire was to share his selfless love. Service above self was his creed. Service above self acknowledges that the fight for justice, human rights and unity need not be in exchange for extra ordinary recognition because it’s a duty we all owe to our human race.

Britain granted India its Independence on condition that the country was split into two dominions: India for the Hindus and Pakistan for the Moslems.

Gandhi strongly opposed this partition. Gandhi urged Hindus and Muslims to live peacefully together. Unfortunately, this effort to commune and communicate with Muslims angered the Hindu fanatic who shot and killed Gandhi during a prayer session. This sad incident explains the third and last principle… when your creed becomes your deed, when your doctrine becomes your doing and when your principle becomes your practice…  you should be ready to die for what you believe.

For it was Martin Luther King who said that if you haven’t found something worth dying for then you are not fit to live.  

CC4 SPEECH BY PAUL KAVUMA

"Self-Love and the Rubber Band model"

 "Self-Love and the Rubber Band model"

Olivia resented two things in life; Mirrors and photographs of herself. When she looked in the mirror, she saw a complexion that was too dark and a nose that was too large. She lived her life believing that she was never good enough, which caused her misery, and kept her from living the life she dreamt of. Sadly, she never saw how beautiful she really was. If she had seen her true beauty, she could have found happiness, true love, and the strength to live a fulfilling life.

Unfortunately, in all of us, there is a little bit of Olivia struggling to find love and feel accepted.

Self-love is one of the fundamental building blocks for love, happiness and success in life. It influences who you pick for a mate, the image you project at work and how you cope with the problems in your life.

Have you ever noticed that when you start to make a change in your life, it seems like things get worse?

For example you make a commitment to love yourself more and loved ones begin to think you are being selfish, you decide to change your wardrobe and thoughts of being extravagant pull you back, you begin to work hard towards a promotion at work and your colleagues think you are spying on them,  you commit to get out there to date and you are immediately faced with many wrong matches! You get married and your girlfriends desert you! This might seem like bad luck but in actual sense you are facing what we call the  Rubber band effect of personal growth.

You are moving out of your comfort zone and the fears that once kept you stuck are trying to pull you back to safety.

The rubber band conditions you to expand your awareness and is actually an ally in moving you forward. Disguised as an enemy this stretching and pulling builds your character, confidence and courage to fully accept and love yourself.

 Application of the Rubber band effect to self love.

Scenario

Imagine you are Olivia, tangled between 2 rubber bands right now. One rubber band is pulling you forward  towards self-acceptance and love while the other is holding you back to the status quo.

 Each rubber band stretched out to its limit and one is pulling you away and the other closer. Which means you can’t make a move, you are stuck. At this point instead of rushing to make a decision, take a moment to reflect on what are those positive things that are drawing you away from your current dilemma? List them down.

Again take a moment and list down all those positive thoughts that are holding you to the status quo.

Once the 2 lists are fully exhausted, review the options and your responses and decide which alternative option is the strongest and then decide.

This model looks at the positive aspects of each option instead of focusing on the negative which creates biases.

As we conclude, loving yourself is magical, it’s a divine relationship that will help you radically improve every single aspect of your life. And using the rubber band model, we can shed off old layers of our old self to step into our true essence. When we generate enough strength during the times of resistance, we can then break the rubber band and step into a fresh new you.

Ref: The decision book: 50 Models for Strategic Thinking, authored by Krogerus M. and Tschappeler, R (2012) we read about the Rubber band Model.

CC3 speech- Get to the point

By Irene Naikaali

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.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! – PRESIDENT KAMPALA TOASTMASTERS; LYNDA WERE’S MESSAGE

HAPPY NEW YEAR! – PRESIDENT KAMPALA TOASTMASTERS; LYNDA WERE’S MESSAGE

1^st January marks the start of a new calendar year. At New Years, most of us consider a fresh start by making a resolution to try something new or change some old habits to improve our life or the lives of others.

Personally I categorize my resolutions into Family, Spiritual, Financial, Personal development, health and career. I must say I achieve at least 70% of what I set out to do. Not an easy feat by any standards. The 30% failure rate is majorly on the health resolutions. I am sure each of us is struggling with something they wished would become better. Aside from wishing, we all have what it takes to change it. The ball is in your court.

“If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”― Wayne Dyer

As Toastmasters, our main goal is to perfect our communication and leadership skills by delivering on the various projects in our respective manuals but more so transforming the world we live in with the skills we acquire during our toastmasters Journey.It is such immense joy and a deep inexpressible feeling to witness your fruits paying off at work, in church, at home or with the people who matter most in your life. I wish this for each one of you this year.

My message to each one of you, is to remain committed to the decision you took to improve yourself and not give up when impediments come your way or time to commit seems elusive. Reach out to your mentors or surround yourself with people who seem to be progressing in various aspects of their lives. My personal reading recommendation for the year is a book by Steve Covey- 7 habits of highly effective people.

Stay blessed in 2017.

Cheers,

Lynda Nabayiinda Were

President Kampala Toastmasters  2016/17

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