Friends, Infoscions, Toastmasters ..

This is my Presidential speech delivered on 23 Jan, 2001 at the Installation Ceremony of new officers attended by Chief Guest – Ms Hema Ravichandar, Head HR, Infosys.

In the beginning of the last century, to be precise in the year 1903, a young man graduated from Wesleyan University, Illinois with big dreams. As the director of Education at YMCA, he soon realized the need for training in communication skills amongst the young people. So, he started a group called the Toastmasters Club because the activities resembled a banquet with Toast and after-dinner speakers. I hope many of us present here know about whom I’m talking about. Yes, Ladies & Gentlemen, Mr Ralphs Smedley whose brain child is what we are inheriting today.

Yet it was not an easy task for this man, working as he was part time for Toastmasters. Wherever he went he started in his capacity a Toastmasters club and helped people understand the benefits of improving their communication skills. Unfortunately, when he left, the clubs died. Not despairing he continued. It was not until Oct 22, 1924 in Santa Ana YMCA basement that his idea finally caught on. Today every new club that is born, every new member who joins the Toastmasters pays tribute to this great visionary whose vision was – “To make oral communication a worldwide reality”.

Looking back to that day in Sept, 2000 when I was just a couple of months old in Infosys – a naïve, shy & curious as I was at that time, I attended the first meeting of Toastmasters after reading about it on the bulletin board. Little did I realize that day, sitting in one of the end chairs that one day I would assume responsibility of holding the torch of such a renowned and prestigious movement like Toastmasters here in Infosys.

We have come a long way since the time when people would talk of some cooking classes happening in Infosys every fortnight. The Charter ceremony in May, quarter-century meeting in September is important milestones in the history of our club. Just over a year old and with increasing participation from other fellow Infoscions, all of us in the club realized the need to assess ourselves and come to a point where we can leapfrog into the future. So while the founder directors of our company were setting the vision of this company 10 years hence, all the members of our club got together and set the vision for ourselves. The VISION 2003 – Newspaper headlines – “Infosys spearheads Toastmasters Movement in India” - the day when each of our DCs will boast of having a TM club. Not only that, we have set goals and roadmap for achieving the same. The goal – “To be the best TM club in India”. And in our heart of hearts we believe not only in software but in communication & leadership skills we shall be in the forefront.

From now on – Wednesday will no longer be called just Wednesday but Toastmasters Wednesday – yes from next week onwards we shall be having meeting every week in order to cater to the growing number of members. Not only that we are finalizing upon the Annual Toastmasters calendar with special events, debates and inter TM club meet wherein everyone can participate. Opening up branches in various DCs is also being chalked out.

We have all read out the deltas in Mathematics, the small changes that are negligible but needs to be considered. TM is one such movement that will give you the deltas in your life which over a period of time will add up to give you self-confidence and personality that is so desirous. With me is a fine team of committed and enthusiastic TM who has made it their motto to work towards the club growth – your growth and success. We need your ardent support and encouragement to make this dream a success!!