JEDDAH, 23 April — Ben P. Guerra added another line to his growing resumé when he was recently elected governor of the newly created Saudi West Area of Toastmasters International.
The Saudi West Area is composed of five clubs in Jeddah, namely, “Tanglaw,” Hope, Al-Hekma, Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers (PSME), and the newly formed Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) club. In all, these clubs have a membership of more than 150.
Guerra is not new to handling pioneering leadership assignments. In 1995, he founded, together with Ruben Datu, the “Tanglaw” Toastmasters Club, the first club established in Jeddah.
Guerra, a CPA by profession, was also among the founders of the Western Region chapter of the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA).
He currently holds a competent toastmaster (CTM) rating. On top of the various awards he had received what he cherishes most is the 1995 International Taped Speech Contest trophy he won.
Guerra is credited by his peers of having introduced toastmastering to many Filipinos and other expatriates in Jeddah. He, however, is also quick to give credit to others.
“I firmly believe in joint efforts... anything will not happen without a joint effort,” he said.
The other officers of the new area are: Robert Vargas, assistant governor for marketing; Joey Villanueva, assistant governor for education; and Myla Abenes, area secretary.
As the first governor of the area, Guerra has set his sights in strengthening existing clubs in Jeddah. He also yearns to garner, for the area, a “distinguished area award,” in the next two to three years.
Guerra said that joining a Toastmasters club is beneficial especially for those who believe in their leadership potentials. Club members are trained not only in public speaking and effective communication but in leadership skills as well.
Founded by a small group of toastmasters in California in 1924, Toastmasters International now has more than 180,000 individual members and over 7,000 clubs worldwide.
