My First DOTTS

Three days before the October edition of DOTTS (check my last post what its all about), Keren (A Colleague) walked to my desk and whispered “Ese, we will want you to coordinate DOTTS this Friday” I startled ….looked around me and came back to look at her face and asked, “why should I do it?” I startled not because I couldn’t do what she was asking me to do, but I realised I haven’t been to any of the DOTTS editions and didn’t even know how it was like. Moreover I was barely a month old with this wonderful and amazing family who call ourselves DOERS.

When Keren left my table I started to ponder. I haven’t hosted any program in ages and how was I going to do this.? Truth is I didn’t prepare until the day came. Few hours to the event, I was handed the programme outline and a BIO of the guest speaker.

At about 6:00pm we all began to head towards the venue so that our guests wouldn’t  meet an empty hall. When I entered the hall I could count about 6 to 10 people who were interacting. Before the programme began there was time for networking while guests were served with some sandwich and pastries and some drinks to gulp on if you were hungry like I was. That was just timely because most of us were tired and hungry we couldn’t help but do justice.

A lot more people trooped in during the network session as we figured it was time to set the ball rolling. I signaled the guest as I spoke through the microphone that we will begin in 5, just to prep them to be snappy about their snacks and head to their seats so we can commence.

Beginning with a prayer and a brief introduction of what DOTTS is all about, I got my audience looking and listening to me with rapt attention. The nervousness was gone and I just had to flow. I interacted with a few and smiled to the crowd which made them connect with me. Since I hadn’t been to any of the editions, I had the opportunity to make this my way and have a style that will make everyone comfortable. Before I could finish telling the audience about DOTTS, KSM walks in and I begin to feel a bit nervous. Why do I have to feel intimidated because our guest of honour is in? Come on Ese….you’ve got this!

After the introduction, he took the floor. As usual he broke the ice with a joke. There was never a dull moment through his presentation. He just had to flow with us.

KSM shared fond memories growing up and how he was always among the last in school. In fact his teacher referred to him as “Tiwee”(in his own word meaning you are dumb). His father described him as a boy who did things haphazardly but accurately (what a description). He shared with us most of what he went through growing up from how he realised he had Sickle cell, which made him not to be able to go to Mfantsipim, which was his choice for school but had to be in PRESEC for a year thankfully at that same time his father was the moderator of the Presbyterian church.

I wish I could go on and on to tell you about all that he shared with us that evening. Ahaaa….before I forget, he was in NAFTI for a year and it was there that his creativity kicked. He played a one man show playing seven characters. He confessed that he hadn’t had any show of that nature. Can you a imagine? ADONBILIVIT! One person playing seven characters. How did he do that? Trust me that must be a lot of work.

After that particular show, a man from the crowd met him and advised he furthers his education in the United States. There he studied Drama and Communications. It was in the United States that he figured a drastic change and became a higher performer.

I can go on and on and on…during his presentation he will chip in jokes here and there…of course you had to expect that from someone who has a very high sense of humor. I learnt a few things which included that: whether or not the system doesn’t favour you, you need to question the “HOW” in that case you are not limiting your creativity to knowledge. No matter how knowledgeable you are if you don’t apply it to creativity, it won’t work. We need to take more than just learning we need to apply. It makes us better people.

My first DOTTS was just amazing. I give God the glory that I made my bosses and colleagues proud. Everybody was proud of me and I was happy I "killed" it.

The next edition of DOTTS will be on November 27th. We will have Sheikh Larry Awal who will share with us The Myth about Islamic Terrorism. I cant wait for that day.

This event is free to attend. Visit http://www.xylo.mobi/ to get a ticket. 

I surely will keep you posted. 

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