KAMPALA TOASTMASTERS ;The EXTRA-ORDINARY HILARITY AND MORE, IN PICTURES

Tell Your Own Story

Date: Saturday 13 August 2016
Time: All day
Venue: Secrets Guest House Entebbe

Jackie Bonabaana opens up about her frightful and rewarding public speaking experience.

Here below is one of Jackie Bonabaana’s speeches; where she opens up about her frightful and rewarding public speaking experience.

Saturday Morning June 25th

I wake up Saturday morning, planning to make a sumptuous breakfast for my family.

The planning has been going on for a while now.

You see, the kitchen is not one of my favorite places.

Time spent there is a painstaking experience.

But on this day I decide, I will make friends with the pots and pans, cups and plates, skillets and woks.

I start at the sink, I head to the pantry, then to the fridge.

What do I want to prepare?

 “Hey, why not try one of those exotic sounding out-of-this world chicken dishes”? A strange voice in my head starts.

“Do you have a recipe?” the voice continues.

Immediately it hits me, google! Or better still, pinterest. You see I have a pinterest account that is filled with pins and boards on flowers, shoes, books, painting….. brilliant ideas.

Nothing on food…..Nothing on cooking….Nothing on kitchen stuff.

 

Jackie at the recent Kampala Toastmaster retreat

Time check: 9am. No breakfast on the table yet. No recipe printed either. Jackie is on the phone on pinterest.

Right then a message comes in… “Umeme will not be available to deliver his CC5 speech and his slot is available”. Jackie, think! The TM tracker screams “You are behind on your TM roles!...Shouldn’t you attempt?...Do you want to do this?”

“But there is little time…. Tuesday is just a few days away,” the voices in my head are working overdrive now.

“Do you have anything to talk about…Will you measure up?”

You see, the other day, Grace Rugenge challenged all CC1 that you can be a new entrant yet perform marvelously.

So, what will it be? My life story? Not interesting enough.

My work? Nothing to talk home about. My what?

Ok. First things first. Ask Bev if two CC1s are allowed on a given day.

In 2 seconds, she responds saying it is ok.

Next, ask mentor Connie if she thinks it would be a good thing. 3 mins, 30 mins, 3 hours. 8hours! No response from mentor.

“Hhhmm…” I start to think….

Does mentor know that I am not really ready for this?

That I have not prepared at all and hence I should not stand in front of these people?

That I will develop butterflies in my belly, and that as I speak, they will flutter so loud partiers on 3^rd floor will hear them and think a tsunami has hit?

Does my mentor know that I will develop weak knees that a therapeutic chair will be needed immediately after the session? Of course she knows. She wants to save me the embarrassment. Didnt she tell me herself that she has mentored many in this room?

Wait a minute. Has she even seen my text message?

Then it dawns on me that mentor’s ‘last seen’ status was 3am last night!

But perhaps, my mentor wants me to give it a shot.

That I drive my growth in this journey of being a toastmaster!

That I open up to learn from people like Francis who knows way too much.

Learn from Bev, the international poet, or Tina, the style queen. Or that I learn from Nora the all too knowledgeable learned fellow, or from Gilo the Runtastic one who is willing to escort the Kenyan BOTEA contestant girl in boots.

Or learn from Phillipa, the one with an aura of sophistication.

Or from Davis, the eloquent Immediate Past President.

Or Connie herself, the Halle Berry look- alike.

Or perhaps, mentor wants me to put my foot forward and learn from Steve who is not Umeme, and Umeme who is not Umeme.

Isn’t that my journey in KTM?

Oh, I should add. I remember one lazy Sunday afternoon, when I spoke with Norah about joining the Club. She asked me on the phone, “Why do you think toastmasters will be good for you”? I mentioned how public speaking has always given me the jitters…. How at this stage in my life, speaking in public shouldn’t be such a nightmare.

She said firmly. “Come, you will not regret.”

Sorry to say this Norah, I do regret.

I regret for not having found KTM earlier.

I regret for the wasted effort and time spent in other clubs elsewhere. And I regret for those who have not made their decision to join KTM yet.

For you see, my first toastmaster meeting here awed me.

I remember it vividly, like it happened yesterday.

The toastmaster was Lynda. And all the ladies – Bev, Cissy, Phillipa conducted themselves so gracefully and so professionally, as they took turns at the podium.

Right then, I thought….

“Hmmm, have these ladies always been like this…or have they learnt this poise, this elegance, this eloquence from this club”?

I didn’t want to answer the first question... So what if they have always been this good- with perfect English?

No, I didn’t want to dwell on that.

Instead I wanted to focus on the latter. If they learnt these amazing presentation skills from KTM, I had to join. Because as they say, “if you can’t beat them, join them.”

Right there, I knew what I wanted to be when I grow up!

Oh, but I digress!

It’s 11am!

And you will ask….

Did my family have that exotic-sounding great-tasting stringy chicken-alfredo-in-creamy-mushroom soup for breakfast?

Your guess is as good as mine.

I thank you

JBW

Light up the World: Be a Champion

Light up the World: Be a Champion

By Norah Matovu Winyi,

Human Rights Lawyer, Advocate and Governance Expert

 Norah Matovu

On the 25^th of September 2015 world leaders at the historic United Nations Summit adopted 17 Goals. These goals are part of the 2030 Global Agenda for Sustainable Development. The aim is to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. The summary of the seventies Goals appears at the end of this article. For each of the 17 goals to be attained, every person has a part to play. Though governments have the primary responsibility for the fulfilment of these goals, we the citizens of the world as the principle beneficiaries must play our part to make them a reality.

Do you want to be one of the game changers in your community, or country? Would you want to light up your world? I invite you to join me to become one of the Champions of Change by promoting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

To be effective in this task you have to review and get familiar with the Goals and their set targets. The United Nations website is the most accessible source of information on all the 17 Goals. Determine to popularize the goals starting with your immediate circles of influence – your family, colleagues at work, the faith-based communities and through the media. The ICT revolution has made it possible and affordable to communicate and influence large numbers of people in a very short space of time.

It is absolutely essential that you choose one of the goals and resolve to be a self- professed Champion for that goal in your family, community and/or country. I witnessed this in action when I attended a Fashion Show and Charity Event one evening in July 2016 at the Lugogo show grounds in Kampala. The young lady who spearheaded this event has chosen to champion Goal 10 on Reduced Inequalities in the World. She is working with 10 top Ugandan fashion designers and 10 models to promote adoptable fashions and outfits suitable for persons living with disabilities. This has not been done before anywhere else in Africa. The 10 models at the fashion show were all persons living with different forms of disabilities. They painstakingly cat walked several times onto the stage to display with elegance, poise and confidence the different outfits stitched by our own Ugandan designers.

The Champion of the 10/10/10 initiative (Goal 10, 10 designers and 10 models living with disabilities) is definitely very inspiring young lady. She is not only transforming how the models perceive themselves as they light up their world, the ten top Ugandan fashion designers are exploring new horizons for generating business as they make their contribution to reducing inequalities in the world. We were entertained, ecstatic and earnestly cheered the models and designers on as they changed our perspective on the abilities of persons with disabilities.

I left the fashion show event re-energized and determined to be a self-appointed Champion for one of the SDGs. Surprisingly, I was officially appointed to be a Champion of Goal 5 – Achieving Gender Equality through lobbying for the adoption of the East African Gender and Development Bill. This happened two day before I delivered this speech at the 54^th Meeting of Kampala Toastmasters Club held in July 2016 at Protea Hotel. As a Champion for Goal 5 it is imperative that I remind you of the need to work for gender equality and inclusive development on a daily basis if the world is to achieve sustainable development. This means that women and men, boys and girls must equally participate in development processes and equitably enjoy the benefits of development. The achievement of the targets set under this goal has the potential to improve governance in Uganda and Africa as a whole.

To be named as a Champion of Goal 5, I believe stems from the experience accumulated through my expeditions as a champion in Africa of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for 5 years during the period 2008 – 2012. I walk down memory lane with nostalgia on how negligible actions we implemented in different parts of the continent transformed people’s lives and communities. I have received messages from several beneficiaries of our regional exchange and placement program on how the enhancement of their skills, knowledge and exposure galvanized them to start and sustain transformative development initiatives in their own communities. They had the courage to light up the world by becoming Champions of Change. What I treasure most today is the network of connectors across the globe with whom we continue to translate global agendas into concrete actions at local and national level that impact people’s daily living. These footprints are a constant reminder of how a small mustard seed can become a big oak tree of considerable value to many.

How can you become a self-professed Champion of one of the 17 Global sustainable development goals?  I urge you today to spin the stories that you will relate to your children and children’s children before you respond to God’s final call by being a communicator of the sustainable development goals within your circles of influence.

Seek inspiration from the actions of those that have embarked on this journey before you. You cannot afford to miss the opportunity to light up your world. Choose to champion one goal that resonates with your experience, education, and exposure. As the Secretary – General of the United Nations said at the launch of the 17 Global Sustainable development goals in 2015, “Be the Change that you want to witness in the world by 2030.” Light up the world. Be a Champion of change.

WHY I WILL SING THE TOASTMASTERS ANTHEM

WHY I WILL SING THE TOASTMASTERS ANTHEM  

Toastmasters a perfect jigsaw that was missing in the puzzle of my life. When I first heard of Toastmasters, I did not have to think twice, the person who was telling me about it was preaching to the choir. The first meeting I attended, I was on a roller-coaster journey to public speaking, I couldn't just have enough, if it was food, it was so palatable to my mouth.

Israel Kalyango

 It seemed to be mysterious as mist, yet clear as gold. Being in that session room with such wonderful speakers made the adrenaline in my body rush, the excitement I had gave me goose bumps the whole time I was in the session. If I was dating, I had found 'THE ONE.'

I enrolled as a toastmaster and had a life changing experience. I was born anew! My confidence level shot up like an over filled cup of wine. My eloquence, articulation and hands for the English language saw a tremendous growth.  I am the last born at home so  being a mentor to anyone was a far-fetched thought, however,  as a toastmaster,  my mentorship skills have  mushroomed to an uncontrollable level in that, I do mentor even those way older than me! I guess this is leadership learnt from Toastmasters.

Toastmasters has given me such a great identity that am so proud of who I am.
At this juncture, I choose to end off as I would go on and on because more achievements, successes are yet to come given the opportunities that toastmasters is unveiling and availing to me!i

KALYANGO ISRAEL
(A proud Toastmaster)

Our next meeting is Friday 12 August from 6;00pm at Protea Hotel Kampala .

Don't miss the Toastmasters challenge on Thursday 25 August at Maria's place in Kampala Ntinda.

Follow us on Twitter @KampalaTM

So, You Think You Can Speak?

Everyday, we seek opportunities to articulate ourselves better. Our Vice President Education , Gilbert Rutebemberwa, shares ways of navigating this ordeal from information on the Toastmasters international website.

A Kampala meeting

 

PUBLIC SPEAKING TIPS

SUCCESSFUL SPEECHES

Whether you're talking to a small group of people or speaking to a large audience, you want to be sure your speech is memorable and enjoyable. Follow these five easy tips to help ensure your speech delivers:

·         Be prepared. Your audience is giving you their time and consideration, so rehearse enough to be confident you'll leave a good impression.

·         Start strong. Begin your speech with a powerful opening that will grab your audience's attention, such as a startling fact or statistic, an interesting story or a funny joke.

·         Be conversational. Avoid reading your speech word for word. Instead, refer to notes or points from an outline to help your speech have a more free-flowing, conversational tone.

·         Speak with passion. If you're truly invested in what you're saying, you'll be better able to keep your audience's attention.

·         Be patient. It's easy to get frustrated if you make a mistake. But remember that public speaking is not easy and it takes time to hone your skills. Keep practicing and you will reach your goals.

 

1.    PREPARING A SPEECH

Preparing for a speech is one of the best ways to ensure you give an effective presentation. Try these tips to help you properly prepare:

• Organize your speech in a logical sequence: opening, main points, summary.
• Practice and rehearse a speech frequently prior to delivering it. Ask friends to be your audience, or practice in front of a mirror. Be sure to use a timer to help you pace your speech.
• Become familiar with the stage or the setting where the speech will take place. Get a sense of the size of the stage, where any steps or obstacles might be, and where to enter and exit.
• Choose comfortable clothes to wear, but always maintain a professional appearance.
• Visual aids should fit a speech, whether they are funny, serious or technical. The main goal of visual aids is to help the audience understand what is being said, and reinforce the points of a speech in unique and interesting ways.

2.    GESTURES AND BODY LANGUAGE

Speakers generate a great amount of emotion and interest through the use of non-verbal communication, often called gestures or body language. A speaker's body can be an effective tool for emphasizing and clarifying the words they use, while reinforcing their sincerity and enthusiasm. Here are a few tips on how to use gestures effectively:

• Eye contact establishes an immediate bond with an audience, especially when a speaker focuses in on individual listeners rather than just gazing over the audience as a whole.
• Control mannerisms. Mannerisms are the nervous expressions a speaker might not be aware of such as putting their hands in their pockets, nodding their head excessively, or using filler words like um and ah too often.
• Put verbs in to action when speaking to an audience by physically acting them out with the hands, face or entire body.
• Avoid insincere gestures by involving the entire body as much as possible in the movement and matching facial expressions to it.
• Move around the stage as topics change and move toward the audience when asking questions, making critical connections, or offering a revelation.

Submitted by Gilbert Rutebemberwa,

Vice President Education  2016-2017,

Kampala Toastmasters.

RULES TO THE TOASTMASTERS CHALLENGE

THE TOASMASTERS CHALLENGE AT THE #BABISHAI2016 POETRY FESTIVAL

THURSDAY 25 AUGUST 5:30PM AT MARIA’S PLACE NTINDA ENTRY FEE IS 5,000/-

The Toastmasters Challenge is an intellectual battle of words between Kampala Toastmasters and poets. Poets in Kampala have created a positive shift in the creative industry. Through their inventiveness, Kampala flourishes with rich verse. Kampala Toastmasters Club is part of an international organization that trains in public speaking and effective communication. They meet every last Tuesday and every second Friday of the month at Protea Hotel in Kampala.

Tom Jalio, one of the judges

Meet the contestants:-

Moderator: Phillip Matogo

Poets

1.       L-Ness  Lydia  (Kenya)

2.       Winnie Apio (Uganda)

3.       Fahima Kimbugwe  (Uganda)

4.       Mark Gordon Slam Poet (Uganda)

5.       Jordey Lonyo (Uganda)

Kampala Toastmasters

1.       Connie Nshemereirwe (Uganda)

2.       Abubakar Matanda (Uganda

3.       Davis Tashobya (Uganda)

4.       Stephano Kiyemba (Uganda)

5.       Paul Kavuma (Uganda)

Meet the Judges

Lekpele Nyamalon (Liberia)

Phillipa Nanyondo (Uganda)

Tom Jalio (Kenya)

THE RULES TO THE GAME

ROUND ONE is a knock-out round where two toastmasters and two poets will leave

Each of the ten contestants has between 3-5 minutes to present their speech or poem on any topic of their choice. Their presentations will be timed and any piece below 2 and a half minutes or above 5 and a half minutes, will be immediately disqualified.

There will be time cards.

Green time card will flag at 3 minutes

Yellow time card will flag at 4 minutes

Red time card will flag at 5 minutes

Judging Criteria:

        I.            Relevance of message

      II.            Eloquence and Enunciation

    III.            Creativity

    IV.            Connection with audience

      V.            The oomph factor/originality

ROUND TWO is also a knock-out round where two toastmasters and two poets will also leave

In round two, each of the 6 contestants has between 3-5 minutes to present their speech or poem on any topic of their choice. This time they are permitted to use a prop of their choice to enhance their presentation. Their presentations will be timed and any piece below 2 and a half minutes or above 5 and a half minutes, will be immediately disqualified.

There will be time cards.

Green time card will flag at 3 minutes

Yellow time card will flag at 4 minutes

Red time card will flag at 5 minutes

Criteria:

        I.            Relevance of message

      II.            Eloquence and Enunciation

    III.            Appropriate and creative usage of prop

    IV.            Connection with audience

      V.            The oomph factor/originality

FINAL ROUND THREE is AUDIENCE SELECTION.

In round three, each of the 2 final contestants has between 3-5 minutes to present their speech or poem on any topic selected by the audience. This time the two finalists will leave the area while the audience selects a topic. The finalists will then pick a random number in a hat to decide who goes first. Their presentations must be based on the given topic chosen by the audience and they will have 2 minutes to prepare. They will be timed and any piece below 2 and a half minutes or above 5 and a half minutes, will be immediately disqualified.

There will be time cards.

Green time card will flag at 3 minutes

Yellow time card will flag at 4 minutes

Red time card will flag at 5 minutes

The audience will then select the winner.

The winner will receive a card to the award-giving  dinner on Friday 26 August at Fang Fang Restaurant and a book of their choice.

Follow us on Twitter @KampalaTM

LYNDA NABAYIINDA WERE, KAMPALA TOASTMASTERS CLUB PRESIDENT READY FOR ACTION

Embracing Leadership is such a joy and honor!

We are half way the year 2016 and things just keep looking brighter and better for a young beautiful woman. That is me. - Lynda Nabayiinda Were I was elected as their club president 2016-17. 

President Were

What a great honor and privilege to serve a group of highly intellectual, professional and focused people; who take personal development so seriously that they day after day endeavor to become good public speakers and leaders.

Of course I cannot wallow in the humility for long as I have only 12 months together with my executive committee to set the years’ objectives and achieve them for the growth of the club members and toastmasters as a whole in Uganda.

My picture of success for my tenure would be to get us distinguished club status award, to have more participants in an international contest, have more local competitions exposing the club and see more members get their competent communication and competent leadership awards.  Our biggest victory perhaps would be to support Ugandan professionals access more opportunities to Toastmasters clubs across the country. And that implies opening and chartering at least 2 gavel clubs and other Toastmasters clubs in and out of Kampala.

I envision Kampala Toastmasters Club continuing to grow and attract individuals that truly want to become better leaders and public speakers. And I will joyfully continue in the paths my former and immediate past presidents have trodden, of peer support &create the awe of belonging to a public speaking club and make it worthwhile for one to be a Toastmaster.

I am cognizant of the fact that managing a voluntary club is no easy feat, and we may once in a while lose focus and feel disconnected with one another as we hustle with our daily life but activities such as retreats, celebrating milestones or key events that bring us together outside of the formal Toastmaster meetings will be able to help us bridge that gap and glue us together when other challenges crop up.

I believe that what should make us proud will not be so much the actual goals we attain, but rather the process that we go through in order to attain them.

Let this year be a year where we each as individuals significantly progress in our communication and leadership projects, participate in upcoming events for our and other clubsand purposefully make time and be committed to support the new clubs that are definitely going to sprout.

Cheers, Lynda

Join our Toastmasters Challenge on Thursday 25th August

The Toastmasters challenge is an intellectual battle of words between Kampala Toastmasters and spoken word poets. Don't miss

Our new twitter handle is @KampalaTM

Our facebook page is at Kampala Toastmasters Club.