Qatar Toastmasters Leaders Empowered at Executive Meeting to Achieve Global Excellence

English , Qatar - قطر , Snippets , / Sunday, September 29th, 2024

Doha, Qatar – On Friday, 13th September 2024, Toastmasters District 116, Qatar, successfully hosted its second District Executive Committee Meeting (DECM-2) for the 2024-25 term. The meeting, held at the Hikmah Meeting Room, Crowne Plaza – The Business Park, Doha, was attended by District head table leaders, Division Directors, Area Directors, and other senior members. The day-long event, which began at 8:00 a.m., was filled with discussions, reports, presentations, and training sessions aimed at assessing the progress of the District and charting a path forward.

District Director Sabeena M K, DTM, officially opened the meeting with a welcome address, setting the stage for the event’s objectives. District Administration Manager Mani Roy, DTM, set the tone of the meeting and shared important meeting etiquettes, ensuring a professional and organized atmosphere throughout the day. Program Quality Director Alar Mel Mangai, DTM, delivered the district mission, reinforcing its importance, which focuses on building new clubs and supporting all clubs in achieving excellence. Quorum of the meeting was confirmed by District Logistics Manager Rajini Nallapaneni, DTM, ensuring that the meeting’s proceedings were in order. The meeting adhered to parliamentary procedures under the guidance of Parliamentarian Thayalan K, DTM, ensuring that discussions were conducted in an organized and structured manner.

The session proceeded with reports from the District’s eight Division Directors, each providing insights into the progress within their respective Divisions. These reports highlighted key achievements, current challenges, and plans for future development. Division A Director Lloyd Pineda, Division B Director Seema Bhardwaj, DTM, Division C Director Asokan Karuvan Kandy, Division D report delivered by Bindu Pillai on behalf of Division D Director Smitha Bindu Punnen, Division E Director Nijas Noor, Division F Director Thirumurugan Kandhan, DTM, Division G report presented by Feroz Ahmed on behalf of Division G Director Shoba Raj, and Division H Director Zeenathun Nisha Sathar, DTM, shared their detailed updates, offering a comprehensive overview of the District’s ongoing efforts to support club growth and member engagement.

In addition to the Division Directors, Area Directors were also in attendance, contributing valuable insights regarding the health and performance of clubs across the District. Their participation added depth to the discussions about the District’s current standing and future direction.

Key District leaders delivered presentations on a variety of essential topics throughout the morning. Saleh Mohammed Al Bakri, Head of Arabic Clubs Affairs, gave an update on the activities and growth of Arabic-speaking clubs. Public Relations Manager Amina Khanum outlined strategies for enhancing the visibility of the District and its clubs, while Finance Manager Nirlep Bhatt provided a financial report, detailing the District’s current financial health and future projections. Club Growth Director Sherwin Olimpo, DTM, emphasized the importance of building new clubs and increasing member retention, and Program Quality Director Alar Mel Mangai, DTM, discussed initiatives aimed at improving the quality of club meetings and educational programs.

A focus of the meeting was the District Success Plan, Goals and Strategies by District Director Sabeena M K, DTM, which outlines the strategic initiatives for the year. Following this, a Question & Answer session allowed attendees to engage directly with the District leadership, offering an opportunity for clarification and discussion on the various topics presented.

A highlight of the meeting was the introduction of Hamad Al Yafei as the District 116 DTAC Chair for 2024-2025, where he shared an exciting preview of his plans for the upcoming year with the District Leadership. A seasoned project management professional Hamad brings extensive experience in leading strategic initiatives, promising a fresh and dynamic approach to this year’s DTAC.

In the afternoon, four impactful training sessions were conducted, aimed at equipping District leaders with the necessary tools for success. Sherwin Olimpo, DTM, led a session titled “Finding NEMO,” which focused on innovative strategies for club growth and member outreach. Program Quality Director Alar Mel Mangai, DTM, presented a session on “Enhancing Club Quality,” where she provided practical tips for improving the quality of club meetings and member experiences. Additionally, Mohammed Murad, DTM, Past International President (2014-2015), shared his insights on what leadership in Toastmasters is truly about through his module “It’s All About You,” while Thayalan K, DTM, Past District Director (2020-2021), delivered an insightful training session that focused on the importance of collaborative efforts in leadership through his module “Together, Towards Tomorrow.”

The meeting concluded with District Director Sabeena M K, DTM, delivering a powerful module titled “Leaving a Legacy.” In her session, she helped attendees visualize the District’s ambitious goal of achieving the prestigious status of World No. 1 and being recognized as Smedley Distinguished by the end of the year. Her motivational presentation inspired leaders to commit to excellence and take actionable steps toward realizing this vision.

District Trio members also shared their reflections on the meeting’s success. Immediate Past District Director Ravishankar J, DTM, remarked, “The energy and dedication displayed by our members today reaffirm our collective commitment to achieving greatness in every aspect of Toastmasters.” Club Growth Director Sherwin Olimpo, DTM, noted, “The training sessions today have equipped us with the tools to drive club growth and foster member engagement. We are now better prepared to meet our District goals.” Program Quality Director Alar Mel Mangai, DTM, added, “It was inspiring to see so many leaders coming together with a shared vision. Our collaborative efforts will undoubtedly enhance the quality of our clubs and programs.”

The event was further supported by the Photography team members, Sajeev Kumar and Venugopal Raghavan, who captured the significant moments of the day. The Digital Facilitation Team, led by Harinath Kodavalla, ensured smooth virtual access for attendees who joined online.

For more information about Toastmasters District 116 and its ongoing programs and initiatives, please visit www.d116.org.

About Toastmasters District 116, Qatar
Toastmasters District 116 is dedicated to empowering individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. With a mission to build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence, the District serves as a hub for personal growth and leadership development for its members across Qatar.