ALKHOBAR, 26 March 2005 — It was a display of what Toastmasters are all about. At the group’s two-day annual conference, more than 450 delegates and guests were treated to a variety of quality speeches and workshops.

They also got the rare chance to hear a speech from Dr. Randy Harvey, the world champion speaker. He bested 30,000 contestants last year to win the Toastmaster’s “World Championship of Public Speaking.” The conference, which was held at the Gulf Meridien Hotel, concluded yesterday with an educational workshop and speech competitions.

“It’s truly a mega event because this is the first time all of the 14 clubs in the Eastern Province are jointly hosting it under the Toastmasters International, District 79, Division F banner,” said conference chairman Anil Madan.

“Success is not an accident. It is the result of our attitude,” said Saif Ali Sheikh, Division F governor. “Toastmasters is a complete university, and continuous, persistent participation gives a positive attitude.”

He added that there were 600 members in the Eastern Province, and employees from more than 25 companies were participating in the Toastmasters workshop. The keynote speaker, Dr. Randy Harvey, came all the way from Sherwood, Oregon, to attend the conference. His oratory demonstrated why he became world champion. Wit, humor, sentimentality, simplicity, drama and a little bit of singing dominated his speech. Harvey also answered questions from the audience, and he gave them public-speaking tips.

“The secret to being a good speaker is to know who you are, what you are about and how you got there,” Harvey said. “You cannot speak from the heart unless you have answered these questions.”

When asked to recommend a book on public speaking, he said, “Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln” by James C. Humes was a great book and cost under $20.

Harvey, who has two bachelor’s, one master’s and a Ph.D., now is getting a degree in law. When asked what he would tell the people in America about Saudis, Harvey, who was visiting the Kingdom for the first time said, “I will tell them. They are the same just like us. It is the same heart that beats in Oregon or Saudi Arabia.”

Dr. Ibrahim Al-Mishari, information technology vice president of Saudi Aramco, was the guest of honor. In his address, he outlined the importance of effective communication, which he said has become one of the most important tools for the 21st century. He shared interesting anecdotes about dealing with media, the importance of networking and time management. He also emphasized that we must enjoy the things we do.

The conference featured a speech competition. The humorous ones really got the audience laughing. Here are a few examples:

“My boss agrees to give me the following day off- usually on a Wednesday.”

“When I told my husband I wanted to go somewhere I had never been for our 10th wedding anniversary. He held my hand and took me to the kitchen.”

“My mother and sisters are teachers so I vowed never to marry a teacher. When my dream girl said she was an accountant I was ecstatic ... until I came to Saudi Arabia and she not only became a teacher, she opened her own school at home!”

Toastmasters Clubs welcome all people interested in improving their public speaking skills in a pleasant, supportive environment. With 37 clubs across Saudi Arabia, it’s easy to find one near you. For additional information visit the website at http://www.toastmasters.org