Area 67

Achieving with a Sense of Fulfillment

Interviewed by: Saleh Abdullah Alkhamyasi

 Area 67 Governor
ACG/ALB Cyprian Misquith

ACG/ALB Area 67 Governor Cyprian Misquith might be one of those who talk less but definitely do more. He is certainly an advocate of action speaks louder than words. His assuring smile gives those who are surrounding him the glimmer of hope and positive energy. His charismatic leadership made him the center of attraction. He looks at glass half full and insists that when the tough get going, the going ought to get tough.

He has completed his Masters in Commerce from the Mumbai University and is currently employed with W. J. Towell & Co. LLC (Building Materials Division) as the Finance Manager. Despite a busy professional life, he manages to make time for his passions – reading, cricket and tailoring. He represented the Oman Cricket Club from 1986 to 2005 as an opening batsman.

He has chartered, mentored, sponsored and led many clubs. He is the first Toastmaster to start the Gavel Club in Oman during October 2010 under the name ANA GAVEL CLUB OF MUSCAT. This club caters to the younger generation up to the age of 18 years to improve upon their public speaking skills and is actively involved in its growth.

AG Cyprian has a firm belief that traveling to different countries, meeting and  communicating well with people will help serve mankind to create peace and harmony in the world we live in.

Let talk met this role model leader at his meticulously well organized area contests and extended an invitation for him to share his toastmasters experience with our readers. He wholeheartedly welcomed our initiative and open the door wide open. He walked down the memory lane and recalled his early days as a toastmaster and tsunami of change that came afterwards in his life.

Our conversation with him was an eye opening, thought provoking and by all means inspiring. It has proceeded as highlighted in the following lines:

 

·        I liked the event that was conducted and thought of joining this wonderful and nourishing platform, as I felt I was nervous when facing an audience.

·        Staring at those who were participating on the stage, I figured that one day I might be dragged out there unprepared. I said Cyprian failing to plan is planning to fail so it is your choice.

·        I am a person with specific targets set for me while joining any activity and I am determined to improve upon myself.

·        It is also the great motivation and praises that you receive from your fellow Toastmasters with specific improvement techniques on one’s presentation and speaking skills that has kept me in the forum for so long.

·        Toastmasters helped me program my overall lifestyle. I understood the essence of time and put it into effect at my office. It improved upon the way I present myself to people or treat them.

·        As a leader you are able to get work done by motivating and guiding people in a crisp, smooth and efficient manner.

·        Being passionate, focused and target driven enabled me along with the area council team and clubs’ members to charter new clubs in the area, increase membership in the clubs and continuously strive to improve the quality of the session to ensure high value for our members.

·        I see an opportunity in every challenge that is given to me.

·        I would like scoring a century, that is 100+ new members in Area 67, which should be very close to the Division target for this year.

·        I expect beautiful & handsome contestants with a lot of powerful and hilarious messages to take home for the audience.

·         I have experienced a tsunami of change in me after joining Toastmasters.

 

·        When and why did you join Toastmasters?

I joined Toastmasters after experiencing a demonstration session held by the Toastmasters of Ghala Parish in the Ruwi Church Hall with DTM M.V. Jose being at the helm of affairs. I liked the session that was conducted and thought of joining this wonderful and nourishing platform, as I felt I was nervous when facing an audience. Therefore, staring at those who were participating on the stage, I figured that one day I might be dragged out there unprepared. I said Cyprian failing to plan is planning to fail so it is your choice.  Subsequently I became a Charter member of Petrus Toastmasters Club which was chartered in January 2003.

·        What has made you stay since then?

I am a person with specific targets set for me while joining any activity and I am determined to improve upon myself. It is also the great motivation and praises that you receive from your fellow Toastmasters with specific improvement techniques on one’s presentation and speaking skills that has kept me in the forum for so long. You would agree that such a mutually supportive & positive learning environment is a rare commodity.

·        Tell us how did Toastmasters impact your life in general?

Toastmasters helped me program my overall lifestyle. I understood the essence of time and put it into effect at my office. It improved upon the way I present myself to people or treat them. In fact, a sales lady in the office said, I like the way you speak and present yourself among a group of people.  You are very clear with the message you want to convey and it’s a pleasure conversing with you.

·        Toastmasters is described as “where leaders are made” why is that?

When you are able to communicate clearly, that is where the people listening to you are able to understand the work you have delegated, thus as a leader you are able to get work done by motivating and guiding people  in a crisp, smooth and efficient manner. You automatically become a leader. Please visit abctoastmasters.webs.com for more details of the leader in me.

·        Which club do you belong to and what roles did you serve before the current one?

I am a Charter member of ABC Toastmasters Club, a club that was initiated by CTM Clarence Pinto and me during June 2009 with the help of 6 of the Mangalorean community members and am the Sponsor and Mentor.  I was the Vice President – Education of Petrus Toastmasters Club during 2004. I have been the President of ABC Toastmasters Club during 2010 – 2011. The ANA Gavel Club of Muscat was born during October 2010 under my leadership, this is the first officially registered Gavel Club in Oman. I am also a Charter member of the Distinguished Speakers Toastmasters Club which was formed during May 2010.

·        Tell us about your current role as an Area Governor, what does the role add to your experience and how are you impacting the clubs under you through it?

The Area Governor’s role for me was a hard fought battle and after taking over as Area 67 Governor it has definitely improved upon my typing skills on the laptop, as Toastmasters International reporting systems have to be followed and complied with. I have been able to do them successfully and motivate the club leaders in guiding and discussing with them to achieve their club goals. It has given me great leadership opportunities and allowed me to mingle with the other club leaders and experienced Toastmasters at the Division level. It has made me touch more lives and transform their paths to more positive and enriching direction.  Being passionate, Focused and target driven enabled me along with the area council team and clubs’ members to charter new clubs in the area, increase membership in the clubs and continuously strive to improve the quality of the session to ensure high value for our members.

 

·        What are some of the challenges you are encountering this year and how do you intend to overcome it?

I see an opportunity in every challenge that is given to me, the existing clubs are performing well and the club President’s should be able to deliver their commitments given to me at the Area Council meetings. However, the 2 new clubs, Ray Toastmasters Club chartered on the 30th of September 2012 with 24 members at present and LTEM Toastmasters Club chartered on the 20^th of February 2013 with 22 members are the achievements during this year. It is a challenge for me to nurture and guide them in the future so that they become strong clubs.  We already have two mentors for each club, who attend the weekly meetings and are totally dedicated towards the betterment of the new clubs.

·        What legacy do you want to leave behind at the end of your tenure?

I would like scoring a century , that is 100+ new members in Area 67, which should be very close to the Division target for this year. Till date the new members at Area 67 is 79 and I am confident with the support of all my Area council members and Division representatives, I should be able to achieve this goal for the betterment of the Toastmasters fraternity in the Sultanate of Oman.

·        What do you expect to see in OTAC 2013?

I expect beautiful & handsome contestants with a lot of powerful and hilarious messages to take home for the audience. I also value that feedback is very important and to do that we require alert judges and completion of the program on prompt & timely basis.

·        A last word to conclude with?

To rejuvenate the spirit of our readers I want to wrap up with this dynamic quote. ‘IF YOU CAN DREAM IT, YOU CAN DO IT – WALT DISNEY. I have experienced a tsunami of change in me after joining Toastmasters. It has changed my personality, people definitely see me as a Toastmaster who is different from the rest of the world. I always tell people that if you want to admire the change in you - JOIN TOASTMASTERS and you will see for yourselves that it is definitely where leaders are made.

 

Area Governor

AG Cyprian Misquith

   Area 67 Clubs

   ABC Toastmasters

 

   Al Hassan Toastmasters

 

   Khimji Toastmasters

   Domina Toastmasters