“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.”
The above quote is something I could relate to in the meeting we had on the topic “Mastering the art of awkward.” The meeting started with a warm welcome by the SAA and the Presidential address. The Toastmaster of the Day (TMOD) Kenmi Liyansa began her introduction speech which took us into her journey of awkwardness. Kenmi Liyansa’s relatable anecdotes about her awkwardness had a way of putting everyone at ease. As she spoke, it was clear that her experiences were not unique, and that we all have moments where we feel like we do not fit in. But rather than dwelling on these uncomfortable moments, Kenmi encouraged us to embrace them and use them as opportunities for growth. By the end of her speech, the room was filled with a sense of camaraderie and understanding, as we all realized that we are not alone in our awkwardness. Kenmi’s words reminded us that it is okay to be imperfect and that sometimes our most uncomfortable moments can lead to the greatest growth and learning experiences.
After Kenmi’s speech concluded, placing us all in an awkward interval, the grammarian came in and introduced the ‘word of the day’: Onomatopoeia, explaining what it means and how to utilise it in our talks. Soon after, the ‘Ah Counter’ and ‘Timer’ for the gathering were summoned to the podium to explain their duties. The Ah Counter emphasized the necessity of eliminating filler words like ‘uh’, ‘ah’, and ‘like’ in our talks, while the Timer reminded us to keep within our time limitation. As the meeting progressed, individual participants took turns delivering their prepared remarks, each one creatively and effectively utilizing the word of the day.
To further strengthen the bonds between the clubs, a collaborative activity was organized. Members worked together in group exercises and impromptu story-making. It was a team-building activity which enhanced the overall experience of the joint meeting.
As a whole, having a joint meeting with Dubai Gavels Club was a fantastic experience that let us make fresh connections and learn from diverse perspectives. It demonstrated the power of bringing varied ideas and perspectives together to provide a platform for inspiration, learning, and cultural exchange.
Thank you, Westford and our club managers, for helping us have this experience.
Ahal Karim
The Elite English School Treasurer – Westford Gavels Club
