From left: LGET Joey 1 villanueva, district secretary; Shuja M. Sheriff, immediate past district governor; Saif Ali Sheikh, new district governor; LGM Abdullah A. Al Sharif and PRO Delfin Federrico. — Courtesy photo JEDDAH — Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. The membership of Toastmasters is 280,000. These members improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending one of the 13,500 clubs in 116 countries that make up the global network of toastmasters meeting locations. The world comprises 88 districts and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is known as District 79. There are 180 corporates (Saudi Aramco, Saudi Electricity Company, Sabic and many leading private sector) and community clubs that are benefiting from it. Every club provides a supportive and positive learning experience as members are empowered to develop communication and leadership skills, resulting in greater self-confidence and personal growth.
Every year clubs are directly involved in the election process to elect the District 79 leaders. A ceremony recently took place to pass the baton to the newly elected District 79 (Saudi Arabia) leaders. Toastmaster International District 79 announced the newly elected leaders for the term July 2013 – June 2014. District 79 New Governor DTM Saif Ali Sheikh honored the New District Officers LGET Joey I villanueva, LGM Abdullah Al-Sharif, PRO Delfin Federrico, District Secretary Shuja M. Sheriff and District Treasurer T. V. Sunder. While addressing the district council officers meeting, which included division governors and area governors, he motivated his team in high spirits. District 79 Governor DTM Sheikh elaborated the forthcoming challenges of quality education where leaders should apply for a strategic educating/training methodology and practical approaches in the periodic educational meeting for the benefits of all the members who joined to be eloquent communicators and distinguished leaders. To retain the current membership, he advised all the leaders to introduce a Blue Ocean Strategy approach that will keep the members loyal and interested, and will keep investing their time, efforts and talents in continuously coaching and mentoring new/existing members. He emphasized to make District 79 the Number 1 district in the world by enhancing the existing system of meeting and maintaining the Standard Key Performance Indicators and maintain throughout the year. Apply the continuous improvement process in each division and area in order to excel/meet the TMI Standard Requirements. He further said that building bridges of understanding and unity will reduce the gap in District 79 culture and personality behavior, thus providing some understanding and unity among the diverse members which will break the barriers and lead to becoming a highly motivated team. The outgoing District Governor DTM Nazeer Gazaq honored the New District Governor DTM Sheikh with a pin and passed on flag. He advised the new leaders to RISE (Respect, Integrity, Service and Excellence) and follow the legacy. He appreciated the contribution done by Past District Secretary TM Akanke Abdul Khaliq and honored her for the job done on the website. He thanked and appreciated all the division governors and area governors for the contribution done to Toastmasters fraternity.
DTM Sheikh has decorated 11 New Division Governors and 42 New Area Governors of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with TMI Pin. District Secretary Shuja Mohammed Sheriff opened the meeting in Riyadh Palace Hotel on June 21. There was training for District Council officers done by LGET Joey I Villanueva on “Develop Successful Teams” and “Thrive in District Recognition Program.” The other training program was conducted by LGM TM Abdullah A. Al Sharif on “Enhance Club Quality” and “Establish and Support New Clubs.” — SG
