JUBAIL, 1 March 2008 — In a rare gesture of solidarity, Toastmasters in Division F gathered under the umbrella of Global Toastmasters Club in Jubail to celebrate the 130th Anniversary of Ralph C. Smedley, the founder of Toastmasters International.
The Global Toastmasters Club in Jubail is the first club in the Gulf region to organize such a unique function to pay homage to the visionary who founded this communication and leadership training organization.
The day also coincided with the 5th anniversary celebration of Global Toastmasters. Prominent toastmasters from Area-17 proposed special toasts to commemorate the visionary Smedley who founded it with a philanthropic mindset to help men and women learn the arts of speaking, listening, and thinking — vital skills that promote self-actualization, enhance leadership potential, foster human understanding, and contribute to the betterment of mankind.
Global Toastmasters President Mohammed Yunus Saleem welcomed the gathering and said that Global Toastmasters was founded on the very same ethos of Ralph Smedley and has maintained a pluralistic membership consisting of Saudis, Indians, Pakistanis, Sri Lankans and Sudanese.
He expressed his gratitude to club sponsors P.G.R. Nair and Waheed Lateef and Club mentors J. Kumar and N.V. Arasu for their leadership in organizing the event.
