Toastmaster clubs play a significant role in developing the communication and leadership skills of individuals and enhancing their self-confidence.

This is the view of Abdullah Filimban, a gasoline complex and sulfur block superintendent at Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Company (Yasref).

Speaking to Arab News on the sidelines of the Division G Conference of Toastmasters in Jeddah, he said many Saudis including senior executives now enthusiastically participate in the program. “Many Saudi executives are proud of this program because they are aware of its multifarious benefits,” he said.

Filimban said communication and leadership skills are essential for the success of any person, including parents, teachers, students, business executives and presidents of companies. “These skills help enhance our self-confidence, which is essential for our success in life.”

Filimban, a former Division D governor, urged Saudis and expatriates to join the program for their self-development. “Every member should know that this program is for his own personal development and work hard with full commitment to become a successful Toastmaster.”

He said many Saudi companies and executives promote Toastmaster clubs. Saudi Aramco sponsors Al-Sharm Toastmasters Club in Yanbu. “An improvement in skills cannot be measured in a few months. I used to tell my colleagues that we are improving slowly but surely. We may not recognize our improvement but others will.”

D. T. M. Saifuddeen, current governor of Division G, said there are 24 clubs in his division. “We can see fast development in Toastmaster clubs in the Kingdom. Five years back there was only one division in Jeddah and now there are four. Saudi Arabia has become a district with 11 divisions,” he told Arab News.

The conference had four speech contests in English and Arabic (humorous speech, table topic, international speech and speech evaluation). Arabic contests were held for the first time. There are four Arabic clubs under Division G in Abha, Makkah and Jeddah.

“Winners of this contest will go to the district conference in Riyadh, which is scheduled for May 28 to 30,” the governor said. The district winners will then go to the international conference in Malaysia slated for August.

At present there about 523 members in Division G and half of them are Saudis. There are exclusive clubs for Dar Al-Hekma, Effat College and King Abdulaziz University. “We are planning to establish another club for the College of Business and Administration,” he said. “We have set up gavel clubs for students of Indian, Philippine and Sri Lankan schools in Jeddah,” Saifuddeen said.