Name            

:

TM Muneeswaran

Club                  

:

Al Jazira Toastmasters

Toastmastering Achievements

:

Represented Division ‘H’ at DTAC Kuwait in May 2010 and won 3^rd Place at Pre-DTAC run-off.

Humorous Speech Contest Winner at Division ‘H’ Contest 2009-2010 held at Abu Dhabi in April 2010.

Humorous Speech Contest Finalist at Division ‘H’ Contest 2008-2009.

Q.

When and why did you join Toastmaster club?

A.  

I joined Al Jazira Toastmasters in August 2008 hoping to improve my communication skills and to get various possible opportunities to stay away from my family.

Q.

What were the biggest challenges that you faced while writing and presenting your speech and how did you overcome them?

A.  

I remember giving my icebreaker speech (first speech project) on 11/11/08; unfortunately two members from the audience laughed once, I later came to know that they were guests at the meeting.  After I gave my first two projects, my club members said “though you look very serious, you have a funny bone and you must participate in the humorous speech contest”.  After getting it confirmed with my family doctor that there was no such foreign material in my body, I took part in the humorous speech contest and the judges gave me the first prize in the area contest 2009.   I lost in division contest that year.  This year too I participated in the contest and the judges selected me as the champion speaker in the Division ‘H’ for the horror speech contest and also I got the third prize in the pre-DTAC.

The biggest challenge was to identify the audience, who laugh when there were punches.  Many times, the audience stare at you after you deliver your best punch line.  Sometimes you even feel like running away from the stage.  You would never know about the audience response and outcome of the speech.  This is the real challenge in preparing the script for humorous speech.  Based on my experience one can never finalise a humorous speech script, it keeps on evolving and improving till you step away from the stage.

Q.

What does it mean to be the winner of this contest and what are your plans for the next competition?

A.  

I feel one’s home club is the best place to get trained in any stream of speeches.  I got everything from my club and through my mentor.  Home club is the best place to fail and improve ones communication and leadership skills.  One should always be open to suggestions, sometimes the best suggestions might come from the least expected quarters.  Winning contests is not about how experienced you are, it’s all about striking a chord with the audience on that day.

Q.

Any suggestions/guidance for your fellow Toastmasters.

A.  

All my club members tell me, that I never take winning or losing seriously, probably that’s my forte.  As far as concepts for humorous speeches are concerned, mother-in-law bashing, wife bashing and google searching are really passé, concepts are there but nothing works better than self depreciating humour.  

We should always keep in mind that participating in contests is to grow and not to win, but at the same time we must give our best always to improve our skills.