JEDDAH, 7 April — The Toastmasters clubs in the Kingdom have chosen their contestants in the Gulf Toastmaster District Convention in Muscat, Oman on April 11-12.
Ben Guerra, the Toastmasters’ area governor for Saudi West (Jeddah), said the contestants are all first placers in the Division A finals held recently in Jeddah.
They are S.R.Sridhar of Taj Club, who won in the evaluation contest; Graham Meakins of the Riyadh Toast Masters, table topics; Yogi Desai of Kohinoor Club, humorous speech; and S.P.V. Sakti of Saudi East Club, prepared speech.
They will be competing with the winners from Divisions B and C, comprised of the different Toastmasters clubs in other parts of the Gulf region. Winners in the Oman Convention will represent the region in the worldwide contest of the Toastmasters International.
Guerra said the representatives were chosen during the Division A Convention on March 22 at the Al-Hamra Sofitel Hotel in Jeddah.
The other winners were as follows:
Evaluation: Jameel Mazhar, Desert Diamonds, second place; and Noriza B. Guerra, Tanglaw, third place.
Table Topics: Matthews Kurien of Saudi East, second place; Nenita Palmero, Tanglaw, third place; and Jamila M. Fernandez, Mabuhay, fourth place.
Humorous Speech: Matthews Kurien, Saudi East, second place; K.G. Guna, Hope Toastmasters, third place; and Zaheer Ahmed, Desert Diamonds, fourth place.
Prepared Speech: Anthea Mendonca, Taj Clubs, second place; Nenita Palmero, Tanglaw, third place; and Jamil Mazhar, Desert Diamonds, fourth place.
Division A is composed of four areas in the Kingdom plus Jordan. Each area, headed by a governor, is in turn composed of various clubs.
Not just speakers
Toastmasters clubs have been spreading over the past 10 few years in the Gulf region, propagated by expatriate professionals who believe in the Toastmasters International’s credo that effective communication could enhance leadership potentials, foster human understanding, and contributes to the betterment of mankind.
Toastmasters International, based in California, was founded in 1924. It has now 7,000 clubs and over 180,000 members worldwide.
To be a good speaker, according to Toastmasters International, one should also be a thinker and good listener.
So during the March 22 contest hosted by the Saudi West area, the toastmasters invited distinguished guests to speak before them.
One of the speakers was Arab News editor-in-chief Khaleed Al- Maeena, who emphasized that media practitioners and toastmasters have a lot of things in common, most important of which is better communication.
"The only way by which we can have a better communication is by providing an arena of a more balanced and truthful communication," he said.
"Better communication will contribute to a betterment of mankind, for the whole world belongs to all of us regardless of religion, belief and cultures," he added.
In his inspirational message, Philippine Consul General Kadatuan Usop highlighted the significance of effective communication as "a key element to make this world a better place for all of us."
Division A governor Syed Abu Zafar, in his opening address, said the Saudi West area was chosen to host the division’s first convention because they were the most organized so far.
Saudi West is composed of Tanglaw, the Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers - Western Region chapter, Hope and Al-Hekma, according Danny Abenes, chair of the convention’s administration committee. Abenes himself is the incumbent president of Tanglaw club, the first to formed in the area.
Another highlight of the occasion was the awarding of certificates of appreciation to the convention’s primary sponsors: Saudi Business Machines Ltd (Jufalli), Skyfreight Forwarders headed by Emy de Guzman, Internet@Kape of Ronald Mangua). Also giving support were Astra Farms, Hewlett Packard,Toastmaster Kadir and Premier Cargo Services.
In his closing address, Tanglaw founding president Ben Guerra paid tribute to the members of the Saudi West for their wholehearted support.
Among the convention officials were Mathews Kurien, adviser; Saudi East Toastmaster governor Imtiaz Ahmed, co-c;hairman; and Prabhat Kapoor, chief convention coordinator and secretary of the Gulf Toastmaster District Council.
