Jeddah Elite Ladies Toastmaster Club recently conducted its 55th meeting in a local restaurant in Jeddah. Jeddah Elite Ladies Toastmasters was founded in June 2013 by Distinguished Toastmaster Shanti Laxman, an experienced toastmaster since 2000, and it has grown steadily ever since and now boasts of 26 vibrant ladies from different countries like India, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka. "Toastmasters is a nonprofit educational organization that operates clubs worldwide for the purpose of helping members improve their communication, public speaking and leadership skills," said TM Shanti Lakshman. "In Toastmasters, there is no instructor, only facilitators. There is no teacher-student relationship here. It is the perfect place for people who are terrified of public speaking, people who never got a chance to be on the stage and finally want to face their fear. This place provides support, motivation and encouragement; and members take their own time to progress slowly at their own pace and level of comfort," she said. The meeting was called to order by TM Nusaibah, the Sergeant at Arms. TM Shakira Begum, the Presiding Officer welcomed the guests. She read the minutes of the previous meeting and gave a brief introduction of the meeting. She discussed about the program and the Evaluating Team and introduced the Theme of the meeting. TM Shakira being the Toastmaster of the evening elaborated on the theme, ‘Recognize your Opportunity', illustrating a short story with a moral, elaborating that the opportunities lies within reach and we need to recognize it. Vice President of the Club, TM Rayeesa Tabassum welcomed and thanked the members and guests for their cooperation and coordination. TM Mariyam, acted as the Grammarian and the ‘Ah' Counter and TM Anusuya acted as the Timer. TM Nusaibah acted as the General Evaluator. ‘Camaraderie', was the word of the evening given to the toastmasters to use it in their speeches all through the event. TM Dr. Azra Kirmani, delivered her Project 8 entitled, ‘The Incredible India', using Visual Aids. She described the beautiful city ‘Hyderabad' and its famous monuments and places. Azra explained the beauty of famous monument Charminar and gave a brief explanation about the Salarjung Museum. There was an interesting Table topic Speaking session too, where TM Tasneem Aseef, Table Topic Master, invited the Table Topic Speakers on the dias and the speakers were asked to randomly speak on an unknown topic. TM Rabeya spoke the three things that she would never leave in life, ‘Trust, Honesty and Sincerity'. TM Shanti spoke on the topic, ‘Happiness is in giving', TM Anusuya spoke on, ‘To try is better than not to participate'. TM Munawarunnisa Nazneen was the Best Table Topic Speaker with her heartwarming speech on ‘Which is the best place she would like to visit and why?' Nazneen expressed her views that she is in the best place of Makkah and Madinah but if given a chance she would visit her motherland, her parents, where in she finds utmost contentment and self-satisfaction. The Award Master, TM Mariam, along with the Presiding Officer, awarded the Best Prepared Speech Speaker, The Best Table Topic Speaker and the Best Evaluator, keeping in view the complete Grammarian and the Timer report. TM Rayeesa Tabassum and TM Rabiya Mohiddin and the members of the club elaborated that the fear of public speaking can be debilitating for most people. Whether standing in front of a class, giving an office presentation, or simply introducing yourself at a gathering, or within a group of friends. If you are a quiet sufferer, and would like to overcome your fear, Toastmasters may be just the place for you. TM Shakira appreciated and thanked all for their valuable presence and she discussed about the upcoming Division Conference to be held shortly on March 18, where in three areas are going to contests, Area 18 , Area 34, Area 37. From each area, two contestants will be participating in four categories, the Best Speakers, Best Table Topic Speakers, the Best Evaluators, the Best Humorous Speakers.
