The highly anticipated installation ceremony of the new team of office bearers for Winners Club Toastmasters took place on Saturday, 29th July 2023, at the exquisite Pacific 5 Banquet Hall of The Ocean Pearl Hotel in the city. This grand event, themed ‘The Oscars Soiree,’ marked the beginning of a promising year for the club under the leadership of President TM Shaivi Salian.
Mrs. Corrine Rasquinha, Founder and President of White Doves was the chief guest. She was introduced to the gathering by Dr Malini Hebbar, DTM.
Mrs Corrine Antoinette Rasquinha is a well-known name in Mangalore and embodies compassion. For two decades and counting, the hands-on philanthropic work she does through her world-renowned NGO White Doves has earned her the respect of all Mangaloreans. White Doves provide food, rehabilitation, and more to the destitute street people without discrimination of caste, creed, or gender housing them at The White Doves Psychiatric Nursing and Destitute Home she runs along with her team in Mangalore.
During her keynote address, post the installation of the new team of office bearers, Chief Guest Corrine emphasized that the essence of effective and authentic leadership is practicing what one preaches. She particularly highlighted the crucial role of leadership skills, in the philanthropic world.
Toastmasters Area F3 Director TM Anmol Coelho administered the oath of office to the new team of office bearers for 2023—24, led by President TM Shaivi Salian. The team includes TM Flexon Fernandes (Vice-President–Education), TM K. S. Kamath (Vice-President – Membership), TM Esha Baliga (Vice President – Public Relations), TM Varun Kini (Secretary), Dr. Malini Hebbar, DTM (Treasurer), and TM Praveen Pinto (Sergeant-at-Arms).
In her acceptance speech, TM Shaivi Salian spoke about the benefit of the Toastmasters movement in enhancing communication skills and leadership and sought the support of all for achieving the club goals during her tenure.
Before the installation outgoing President TM Reena Monteiro thanked her teammates and club members for their cooperation and support during her tenure.
An engaging evening – one to cherish.
The evening started with a dance sequence performed by TM Esha Baliga and her team to a medley of songs from Indian movies that have made it big at the Oscars. This was followed by a Toastmasters prayer in the form of a poem composed by Brian Fernandes, DTM. TM Praveen Pinto then welcomed the packed hall in his inimitable style. TM Prateek Bolar, secretary in the erstwhile executive committee presented a report of the activities of the club in the year gone by, after which Rohit Pinto engaged the crowd with his guitar and a couple of hummable numbers egging the crowd to join him in song, which they enthusiastically did!
Vice-President – Membership, TM K. S. Kamath inducted new member Balachandra into the club. Samina Nayak, DTM, and her troupe had the audience on the edge of their seats guessing the names of their fellow members in the segment ‘Toast the Roast.’
Savitha Salian, DTM the Program Quality Director for Toastmasters District 121 is also a member of the Winners Club. She was felicitated by the club for being the first Toastmaster from the Mangalore-Udupi belt to have reached the position of the second-highest-ranking officer in the district.
Dr. Urmila Shetty, DTM proposed a vote of thanks. TM Matharani Mathias delivered an Oscar-themed introduction to the incoming office bearers. Veera Katpitia, DTM, and TM Sakshi Avasthi were the comperes for the evening and they did a splendid job of it!
Area F1 director Rashmika Rajaram, area F5 director Sunitha Pereira, President of Port Town Advanced Toastmasters Dr. Malini Hebbar, Vice President of Proact Toastmasters Sreenidhi Bhat, President of Mangalore Toastmasters club Ranjani Vittaldas, President of Karavali Toastmasters and Let’s Debate Toastmasters club Meera A Rao, President of Bantwal Toastmasters Ahamed Mustafa, Member of Konkani Toastmasters Zita Lobo, guests from other clubs , Anita Cordeiro and Maria Phyllis D’Costa, and the family of the incoming President Shaivi were present and delivered their felicitations to the new officer bearers.
The installation ceremony marked the beginning of a new year of activities for Winners Club Toastmasters, filled with enthusiasm, leadership development, and community impact. Speaking to the press, the e new team of office bearers said, “we are committed to upholding the values of Toastmasters and continuing the legacy of excellence set by our predecessors”.
About Winners Club Toastmasters:
Winners Club Toastmasters is a dynamic organization that aims to empower individuals to become effective communicators and leaders under the aegis of Toastmasters International. Through its supportive and encouraging environment, the club fosters personal growth and enhances public speaking skills. For more information click here.
Visuals from the evening (Click to expand and view the album)
