"Did you notice that the meeting no. 321st perfectly corresponds to countdown 3,2,1? That's because we are not just celebrating 1, 2, 3 but 5 momentous occasions!"
Joseph, the Toastmaster of the Evening, then asked everyone to stand up with a colored paper on their hands. As he mentioned each occasion (thanking 2017, welcoming 2018, Qatar National Day, Christmas), they tore the paper in half & it went on until the 5th occasion (launching of the 1st issue of the newsletter for this term) & the paper became small pieces. Along with a real confetti popper, they threw the torn paper in the air which filled the room with a big bang, glitters and colors! Festive, indeed. It was followed by introducing the role players: Grammarian (Ganesh), Timer (Kavitha) & Ah Counter (Arjay). He also guided everyone as to how the meeting would flow, from Prepared Speeches, Table Topics, Break, Exchange Gifts to Evaluation Session.
Joseph did not start the first session, Prepared Speeches, without explaining the theme: Share A Grab or Grab A Share. He pointed out that sharing a grab is a an act of kindness that goes a long way not only to the person who receives it, but moreso to the person who gives it. He gave a vivid example how sharing his grab of knowledge with his students/trainees as a teacher/trainer makes him happy in life. In this "fragment" (word of the day), 3 speakers shared their grab of wisdom that made us all inspired. Jessie talked about her meaningful trip in Santorini, Dennis persuaded us the value of time & relationships & Kynah (returning toastmaster) introduced Fil & Com and a broken bucket which inspired us to appreciate our weaknesses & turn them into strengths.
In the 2nd segment, Table Topics, Joseph introduced it by explaining the other half of the theme, Grab A Share, the other side of the coin that many people usually frown upon. He said that if sharing a grab is an act of kindness, grabbing a share is an act of humility. By grabbing a share, we allow those who share a grab to go back to our innate capacity to love & in this session, the audience grabbed a share from 4 Table Topics speakers. Leo, the TT master, inflated 6 colorful balloons that the speakers had to pop to know the question hidden inside. Kit, Ganesh, Tag and a guest, Divya, showcased their on-the-spot speaking abilities.
After the Table Topics, everybody enjoyed a delicious array of sandwiches, juices, tea and coffee, all the while socializing with guests and catching up with members. 15 minutes later, Joseph called everyone to form a circle in the middle in front of their respective gifts. Soon as the song Jingle Bells played in the background, they danced, clapped and sang around the circle & when the music stopped, the gift in front of them was the gift they'd take home. It was fun!
Finally, in the Evaluation session, 3rd segment, Joseph introduced the equation of life which is an Act of Kindness (sharing a grab) + an Act of Humility (grabbing a share) equals the Act of Humanity (to love and be loved). What a perfect segue for Tag, General Evaluator, when she said that it is love that gathered us that night & it is love when we evaluate to motivate. Tag then called the 3 speech evaluators, Noor, DTM Luis and Nadim, to give their due evaluations as well as the role players to give their reports before she gave her final remarks. Tag said that time after time, Filcom only gets better and better & it is because of the positive, friendly environment that we foster.
The meeting did not end without the business session where Joseph, VP-PR, presented the Volume 3 Issue 1 of The Edge, official newsletter. Here, the awards were also given to:
1. Best Speaker - Dennis
2. Best Table Topics Speaker - Tag
3. Best Evaluator - Rasheed (evaluator for Table Topics)
And of course, the obligatory group photo was taken! - End
Wishing you all a Happy Qatar Day, Merry Christmas & Blessed 2018!
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