ARE YOU WATERING YOUR OWN GRASS?

Toastmasters and Guests pose for a group photo after the 9th Ntinda Toastmasters Club meeting 

Ntinda Toastmasters Club, sponsored by Bukoto Toastmasters Club, convened its 9^th meeting on Thursday 13^th September 2018. 

The Toastmasters meeting was hosted by Lydia Kobusinge, Vice President Public Relations Bukoto Toastmasters Club and passionate about advocacy for the needs of vulnerable persons. She explained the meaning of the meeting theme "Water Your Own Grass" as focusing one's efforts towards improving their lives and whatever else they are responsible for.

It’s easy to look over at your neighbor's grass and see something you don’t have-a bigger house,a newer car,a “happier” marriage, better job with all the perks, better clothes, better social life and travel plans,among others.

sadly, however,as you look at other people’s grass, yours becomes browner by the minute, lifeless, ugly and before long you begin to wish for a new car(yet you just bought one), job, relationship, you name it.

“You’re listening to 101.1 FM Ntinda Toastmasters Club”, Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva’s opening to her advanced speech Hello Mr. DJ.She enthralled us with her tales of her experience running the morning show Masters of the Dawn between 6-10am on Power FM. She recounted how she,on a daily basis,brushed her teeth,polished her nails and engaged in other titivating endeavors; while simultaneously hosting the show. She soon gave up this habit after she hosted Keturah Kamugasa, the ever resplendent New Vision editor of the magazine, Bride and Groom and lead reporter of the Fashion Police. “Our bodies are the temple of the Lord”, she emphasized, and we must treat them as such. She was also fortunate to interview the actor John Amos, famous for the sitcom Good Times. Her job was not all rosy, for one thing, she had to sit through horrible musical performances as aspiring musicians sought to gain fame. The key highlight of her radio days was that her days were unconventional, that had her thinking “What will today bring?” Whatever you’re doing right now, make it your own; water your own grass, so to speak. She, for example, woke the entire Kampala as a master of the dawn-releasing beautiful lyrics through the air waves, offering relationship advice, you name it.

Beverley is the founding President, Bukoto Toastmasters Club and the current Public Relations Manager, East Africa Toastmasters Territorial Council. She is also a published author and the Founder, Babishai Niwe Poetry Foundation that supports poetry across Africa.

Hope Kansiime, delivering her 2^nd Pathways speech Find the Gem informed the audience that there is a gem in every relationship, if you look really closely. She narrated her relationship with a dashing doctor who had that je ne sais quoi. He was her motivator and comforter;and she believed that she would marry him. Imagine her outrage when he admitted that he had been stringing her along because he had been in a distant relationship. All her anger, however, dissipated when she listed the “Lessons I learnt from Doctor”.She was astonished about what she had actually learnt from him. She hinted at three lessons this doctor impressed upon her:look beyond all stereotypes and seek to appreciate people as they are. Secondly, your character is continually evolving-let yourself grow and accept the changes that life throws at you. Lastly, you need to find something inside of you that inspires you, water that and let it flourish. Imagine, all these lessons from one relationship! Sort the gem from the rubble, yes, those bad relationships were not in vain! I bet you want to pull out that notebook. Hope is the Vice President Education, Bukoto Toastmasters Club and a Communications officer at the umbrella network of Civil Society Organizations advocating for effective education.

Finally,Dr. Juliet Nakku delivered her Pathways icebreaker speech I am Here for a Purpose to introduce herself to the Toastmasters and guests present. A near death experience that landed her in the intensive care unit jolted her into reflection on very serious questions. ”Who was she? What was she here on earth for? What should she be doing?” She has always been a leader, ranging from class monitor, to food prefect, and currently the President Elect of Uganda Psychiatrists Association. Joining Toastmasters, therefore is no surprise, as it is where leaders are made. With Toastmasters, she should be empowered to chart her future,inspire others and live a purposeful life. “Effort and courage without purpose is not enough”–John F. Kennedy. As she left the stage, she left us pondering “Do you know your purpose?” Dr. Juliet is a member of Ntinda Toastmasters Club, the deputy director of a large referral hospital and President Elect of the Uganda Psychiatrists Association.

Juliet Nakku emerged the better speaker in this meeting.

Lydia provided advice on how to water one’s grass-appreciate whatever you have and get to work! Do you want to be revered as an expert in your profession? Stay up late at night, wake up early, and take more professional risks. Do you want a svelte or muscular body? Eat those greens, exercise and drink lots of water!

In her conclusion, if you must look around at other people’s grass, ensure that your purpose is for inspiration (how can I do better)—not in place of tending to and appreciating what you already have. The grass is greener where you water it. Are you watering yours?

“You have exactly ONE life in which to do everything you’ll ever do. Act accordingly”-Colin Wright

Are you looking for a Toastmasters Club around Ntinda? Look no further than the Ntinda Toastmasters Club .You can follow the club on facebook at Ntinda Toastmasters Club.

WHERE IS YOUR ATTITUDE TAKING YOU?

Some of the feedback from the guests that attended the 29^th Bukoto Toastmasters meeting:

“I loved the warmth I received from the Toastmasters,this is a great space to be apart of.”

“I love the confidence and the knowledge exuded by the speakers and Toastmasters in their speech.”

“I have just finalized my Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations, joining this club will be very critical in enabling me hone my communication and leadership skills.”

Teddy Kavuma,Toastmaster of the Evening

Bukoto Toastmasters Club organized its 29^th meeting at the Naguru Skyz Hotel on 4^th September 2018. Naguru Skyz Hotel offers a five star treatment, from offering a breathtaking ambience to internalize the exceptional speeches and relevant feedback, to providing a drink and bite of your choice after a long tiring day.

The meeting host, Teddy Kavuma is professional Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and one of Bukoto Toastmasters’ newest members. The evening’s theme was “Attitude: A Ball in Your Hands.” Her key message was that it is best to change our attitude, when we can change nothing else. Life is largely a series of things we cannot control, we can, however control the attitude we respond with.

Dorothy Okoboi delivers her speech during the meeting 

The meeting featured two speeches,one of which was Dorothy Okoboi's Pathways Icebreaker speech.This speech introduces the new Toastmaster to the rest of the Toastmasters. Dorothy is a bilingual marketer turned tour operator. Her speech titled A Journey of Many Firsts introduced Dorothy as the last born, thoroughly pampered by her family especially her father, a sub-county chief. Alas,her father's death and the ensuing trouble in starting all over again when her father's relatives helped themselves to his property. The story had a silver lining, though, because this experience bolstered her strength and grit. Furthermore, her dainty feet captivated her suitor, now her husband, and the rest is history. The guests and Toastmasters were moved by her distressing experience, but of course hastened to catch a glimpse of her dainty feet that brought her great happiness. Dainty feet can get you a happily ever after.Do you have dainty feet? If you do not , you must have some other distinct feature that is sure to attract attention, or already has.

Connie Nshemereirwe awes the audience with Every Day Magic

Connie Nshemereirwe, with Everyday Magic, wove the tale of a fast growing friendship with a couple that hosted her during her pursuit of her PhD fellowship in the Netherlands. This friendship, however, crumbled because Connie failed to call them to communicate a change of plans on the day of their previously scheduled get together.The hosts interpreted this as an evident manifestation of Connie's distrust in the bond that the three of them had struck over time."Why couldn't you pick up the phone and call?" they asked.It has been four years since Connie received that email that forever severed this relationship, and the guilt still lingers. You should have seen the disbelief on the meeting’s faces to learn that failure to effectively communicate can cost you a relationship this important.To each his own. Connie’s immense regret and the futility of undoing the past reminds me of the phrase “What’s Done is Done!” in William Shakespeare’s play-Macbeth. You cannot take it back, but you can move towards the future determined to learn from your past mistakes. Her parting shot was “If you encounter magic, embrace it, nurture it, trust it, because you may miss it.” What magic are you undervaluing?Connie is an independent Science and Policy Facilitator and the Toastmaster Area Director for Uganda.

In light of the exceptional speeches delivered, both speakers received Toastmasters lapels.

The Master Evaluator and the president of the Club, Jesse Ainebyoona stressed that altitude, not aptitude determines your altitude. Simply put, your attitude, not ability, determines how high you rise.

Would you like to become a Toastmaster? You can visit Bukoto Toastmasters Club every first Tuesday of the month and third Wednesday of the month. In fact, you can join us this September on Wednesday 19^th September 2018 at Naguru Skyz Hotel at 6:30pm. Bring a friend along.

Lydia Kobusinge
Vice President Public Relations, Bukoto Toastmasters Club

BUKOTO: YOU KNOW YOU WANT THIS!!!!!

Beverley Namboze Nsengiyunva ,Bukoto Toastmasters Founding President

Some foundations are borne from soggy and unsightly cement; layered between brick upon brick. These foundations, often strong, are built to create a formidable building that can weather harsh storms and intruders. Bukoto Toastmasters Club was borne from a vision of a diverse leadership future and buckets upon buckets of tears. In 2016, after joining Kampala Toastmasters, I represented the club in the Best of Toastmasters East Africa competition, which was held in Nairobi. The Uganda delegation that traveled with me were buoyant and jittery; great combination as a show of support.

While in Nairobi, I witnessed some of the most risqué, unforgettable and confident speakers I had ever met. Alongside this, we were surrounded by bountiful members of Toastmasters from the region. Kenya was overflowing with dozens of clubs and Rwanda too, boasted of a handful. Why was Uganda only represented by one club, then? Having begun in 2014, I knew it was time for Uganda’s only club, Kampala Toastmasters, full of vibrancy and potential, to start a new one. Returning to Kampala with my semi-finalist badge of honor from the highly competitive contest, I pondered over the twelve hour bus journey back home, about how to start a new club.

It was clear to me that there was need for another club. First of all, to accommodate the growing number of guests at Kampala Toastmasters but also to challenge ourselves to reach a higher potential and invest in other professionals through public speaking and leadership. That is how Bukoto Toastmasters Club was conceived. We often received comments from guests at Kampala Toastmasters Club, that there were a high number of interested members living in the Bukoto area. Following the advice from several leaders in the region, I knew that I had to identify a leadership team, a location for the new club and also drive the purpose eloquently and consistently. Connie Nshemereirwe, the only Advanced speaker in Uganda at the time, was my easy first pick. On explaining to her the importance of a new club as a sign of growth, as a new challenge to raise our potential and to also serve a new community of professionals, she agreed and joined as the Vice President of Education. Had I known that there were months of anguish and tears ahead from starting a new club, I would probably have let go and settled for the status quo. I’m not a status quo kind of woman, though and neither is Connie, so onward we went.

Alliance Françise offices, was our first venue of choice and before long, we called for our first meeting on November 1, 2016. Our initial executive committee was filled with friends and associates. Presiding over as the Founding President was daunting. I recall being handed the gavel and my first words: “Welcome to Bukoto Toastmasters Club’s first meeting.” Imagine that! I must have slammed the gavel on my thumb but I was numbed to the throbbing pain. There were over fifteen pairs of eyes following my every step. Over fifteen sets of ears listening to my every word; some of them waiting for a mishap so that they could say, “I told you so.” Sweaty palms and shaky voice aside, the meeting was filled with 90% of Kampala Toastmasters Club members. The overwhelming flight of stairs to the venue meeting place did not deter them from celebrating with us. They were our sponsors. A new club. It was worthwhile and they saw a magnificent future in it.

The meeting was unblemished. My Competent Communicator Project 6 entitled: Viva la Mexico, was amongst the speeches, alongside Irene Naikaali’s speech on leadership. It was pertinent that I won first prize. It gave the necessary boost of morale to this new venture. That however, was, the easy part.

I cannot recall how many times Connie and I had to shuffle the Executive Committee. Some of the initial members remained clueless even after six months of duty, leaving us to commit to the bulk of this unappreciated role. And then, despite our relentless advertising and near begging to the public to become a part of the membership, it was not until a year after, that we finally chartered to become a recognized club under the number 06633885. My WhatsApp was my place of fortitude. I remember sending daily messages to each guest, to relatives and acquaintances about this new public speaking and leadership space that was opening. And that as the Founding President, it would be a club like no other. For a minimal fee, their lives would change forever, their marriages would improve and their work places would become more fun that they had ever been. It was all about pulling tricks out of a hat and we finally received the numbers necessary to charter our club. Before that though, was the grueling process of chartering. With a copious amount of paper work, sifting through membership forms, bank registration forms and a new constitution, my head became giddy with the enormity of the chore.

It was on a Sunday afternoon, when I sent a boda-boda transport man to assist with completing this lofty chore. He was one of the convenient transport messengers I used to deliver documents for my work, when I was in need of a timely service. I called the boda-boda man, who arrived promptly on his motorbike at my home. I placed into his hands a large envelope with the Toastmasters Constitution and a dozen other forms for the Executive Committee to sign. He dutifully visited every home of each committee member, made them sign the documents and returned each form to me, meticulously. The Monday after that memorable Sunday, Bukoto Toastmasters was officially chartered with our number, 06633885. The victory didn’t end there. Patrick Bitature, on hearing of this new club, offered us a free venue at his new plush hotel, Skyz Hotel, just in the Bukoto/Naguru area. To say that the tears were worth it, is an understatement.

Would I do it again? Well, out of that revitalized energy, I also began the process of Ntinda Toastmasters Cub, a new club being sponsored by Bukoto. Ntinda meets every second Thursday at Eureka Place and are well on their way to chartering.

Bukoto’s birth story never gets old. I’m honoured to be associated with the steadfast team of this club of impeccable standards. In April this year, I was elected to the position of Public Relations Manager of the entire East Africa Council of Toastmasters. This was only possible because of Bukoto. Thank you! Wanyala! Gracias!

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva CC, CL

Founding President of Bukoto Toastmasters Club

Public Relations Manager, Territorial Council 114