Saudi Arabia: The only advanced club of Jubail, Al Awal Advanced Toastmasters held a special meeting on 9th January 2016 at Al-Jude Village, Jubail to felicitate recently crowned World Champion of Public Speaking-2015 Toastmaster Mohammed Al Qahtani in Las Vegas, USA, bas well as celebrated its third anniversary.
The special meeting opened by TM VCS Nair reading the mission statement of Toastmasters International and introduced the ever energetic Mangalorean Presiding officer DTM Shameer Ahmed Kudroli.
The Shameer welcomed the gathering and emphasized the importance and different meeting format of Advanced Club and its benefit to the members.
He further stressed that, many of its members are seasoned toastmasters, having achieved the high level of Distinguished Toastmasters (DTM) and some are new to the programme. Advanced club are only for those who have achieved their competent communicator (CC) at another club.
‘We believe that by pairing a new member with an experienced member, wisdom and skills can be passed on, and fresh eyes can provide insight. Growth and development rates are higher and faster which result in exciting and stimulating meetings. Let us work as ONE TEAM-ONE GOAL to make the advanced club a paradigm to all the other clubs of Jubail Fraternity’.
He then invited the founder president of the club and S@A TM Waheed Latif to honor the club by a toast, TM Waheed explained how advanced club was formed in a short period of time in Jubail. After the toast, invited world champion Mohammed, Division L Director DTM Venkatesan, Division E representative DTM Aziz Siddiqui and Al Awal Executive committee to release the half yearly newsletter.
Subsequently, viewing the International winning speech with acceptance speech through the video, the question answer and audience interaction with world champion was moderated by TM Waheed Latif. This segment got the huge response from the audience. WCPS TM Mohammed answered all the questions with humble and humility.
Addressing the gathering WCPS TM Mohammed said that family is utmost important in his life than anything else. And stressed that nothing is impossible if we have the goal and determination to achieve it with go for it attitude.
Audience was enthralled with TM Mohammed’s answers for the questions they asked.
Mohammed grew up with a stutter and deals with it occasionally. He says that even though the stage empowers him and rids him of the impediment, his vocal delivery will never be his strong point, and neither will his stage presence. But that’s fine.
Cake cutting ceremony was held to share the joy of becoming the world champion with Jubail fraternity.
Veteran toastmaster like DTM Jacob Kuriakose, DTM Suresh Kumar, TM N V Arasu, DTM Venkatesan, and DTM Aziz Siddiqui spoke on the occasion.
On behalf of Al-Awal excom and members, President DTM Shameer Ahmed with VP Education TM Abdullah Khalili, VP Public Relations TM VCS Nair, Secretary TM Fahad Al Nasser Treasurer TM Zainuddin and Sergeant at Arms TM Waheed Latif presented a plaque as gesture of gratitude to world champion. TM Mohammed with President presented a plaque to TM Fahad Al Nasser.
Al Awal members are currently serving the fraternity in topmost level, DTM Khaled Matlagaitu as International Director and DTM Abdullah Al Shareef as District 79 Director-Saudi Arabia. Their contribution have been immensely appreciated by the fraternity.
TM VCS Nair delivered the vote of thanks.