Interview with DTM Maria Victoria Ferrer, District 20 Governor

Interview with DTM Maria Victoria Ferrer, District 20 Governor (Elect)
by TM Ahsan Jalal, Division L PRO on 27 June 2013

1. How did you come to know about Toastmasters?

I learned about Toastmasters in Amman when I met the wife of the Philippine Ambassador for the first time in 1998.  She introduced me to another Filipina who wanted to establish a Toastmasters Club.  I read the magazines she gave me.  I called her the next day and told her “let’s organize the club”!  I was in love with the concept of Toastmasters.

2. Brief us about your Toastmasters journey

We, together with my friend founded the first Toastmasters Club (All women’s) in Jordan in 1998.  I was elected as the Charter President.  My friend who was a Toastmasters in the Philippines mentored me in all aspects.  That is why I am a strong advocate of mentoring.  I had to leave Jordan and move to Qatar and there I founded several clubs more.  I completed my DTM, became an Area and Division Governor.  In 2009, my husband decided to go back to Jordan.  I declared my candidacy as a Lt Governor for Marketing in November 2010.  I won in May, 2011.  My journey as a District Officer had continued until I was declared the District Governor for the year 2013-2014 after winning the election last May 10, 2013.  I must say I am blessed all throughout my Toastmasters journey.

3. What challenges you faced and sacrifices you made to reach here?

There were many challenges that I faced.  I remember the time when I had to balance my responsibilities as a wife and a mother, a Training Consultant, and a Toastmaster.  My priority was to make sure my home was organized and I was available when my family needed me.  I followed up on my children’s studies and I would always give them advice.  I had the blessing from my family to pursue my passion-Toastmasters.  I would always be positive even if at times I felt I had no more energy.  I would then visualize myself helping others change their lives-Toastmasters did it for me.  So I was certain it would help others too!

4. Tell us about your educational background

I graduated with honors in Behavioral Science in the Philippines.  I decided to pursue my Masteral Degree in Development Communication.  I graduated as the top two in my class in 2011.  I am presently taking up my Doctoral studies in Communication from the University of the Philippines.    

Participation for Bank Dhofar demo meeting & Judges training

Dear Presidents, 

Warm Greetings!

Please encourage our members to participate in the demo meeting, being presented for Bank Dhofar..  Members, who are willing to take up any role or deliver a project speech can contact me or our Past Division Governor, DTM George Thomas.

Secondly, as you are aware, our Judges Training has been scheduled to be held on 23rd August. All members who have completed 6 or more project speeches are eligible to attend the Judges Training. This would give an excellent opportunity for our members to be part of the judging panel for the forthcoming contests at various levels. Accordingly, please identify and encourage members who have completed 4/5 projects to give the next couple of projects so that they can also be part of this training.

As was done for the Club Officers training, let us encourage maximum participation for the Judges Training as well. Accordingly, I would request you to kindly collect the list of participants and provide the same at your earliest convenience.

I appreciate those of you, who have already downloaded and forwarded the membership roaster to be submitted to our Division Office. I would like to remind to those who are yet to submit the same, to do so ASAP. Thank you.

Happy toastmastering and warm regards,


Jinachandran
+968 99413992
Area Governor [Elect], Area 24
Division - L [Learn to Lead]
http://www.tmdivisionoman.blogspot.com/

Judges training on 23rd August

Dear Area Governor's

You all did a great Job during the C.O.T . Now it is Time for next action.That is Judges training.   Judges Training will be focused , intense & will be at least for  full day & will be held    tentatively on  Friday, August 23rd, 2013.  We need your support to get the names of members who have completed and will complete 6 projects by 22nd Aug and we request all the VP(E)' S off the clubs to  furnish the details of all those members who are attending and I would like to encourage even the Participants who would like to take part in the contest to be present ( completion of 6 projects is mandatory)

Regards

Clita Veena Crasta, DTM
Assst.Division Governor ( E &T)
E-mail: clitaveena@hotmail.com; clitaveena@live.com
(GSM) +968 96254753
Division “L” Blog: http://www.tmdivisionoman.blogspot.com/

Dear Leaders,

"Learn and Lead" gives a unique opportunity to one and all. Division L, Started very good beginning and i am sure together we can make a wonderful leaders. Tomorrow's success depends on today's effort. I wish you all the very best for the future programs and have a great day. 



Alexander Vincent Sequeira 
Area 67 Governor, District-20, Division "L" Oman
president ABC TM'S Club 2012-2013
Past: Vice President Education ABC Club 2011-2012

1st round of Club officer training Completed successfully

Greetings from your Division Governor L ( Elect) DTM Srikumar Pai,

Dear leaders,
 

I am extremely happy to inform you that for the first time in Oman toastmasters COT ( Club Officers Training), all the 14 clubs under Division L are eligible for the first round of DCP points. As required, minimum 4 club officers attended from various clubs on Friday, 14th June. Some clubs were represented by all 7 club officers. Hence we need not conduct club officers training again.  Our second round of COT will be conducted in December. When the club officers attend both the rounds they will satisfy one goal of DCP.  The clubs which represented all 7 club officers ( in both rounds) , were eligible for "Super 7" awards.

 Please note the following points
 

* Blog site: Our Lieutenant Governor ( Marketing) for 2013-14 TM Yasser Sulaiman inaugurated our Division L Blog site. http://www.tmdivisionoman.blogspot.com . Please visit this site regularly to get more information about our division achievements.
 

* Judges training: We will be arranging judges training on Friday, 23rd August. Please ask the members who have completed at least 6 project speeches to attend this education session. Other members are also welcome as per the seating availability. More details will be available soon.
 

* Installation: Division installation ceremony will be held on Friday, 13th September 2013. More details will be available soon
 

I take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your support and co-operation extended for conducting our first  round of COT successfully. 

My Special thanks to Asst.Div Governor DTM Clita Crasta, Area Governors and Club Presidents. Let us all join together to take this Division L  to greater heights and " Learn to Lead"

Regards,

 

L.Srikumar Pai, DTM
B.Sc (Engg.), MIE, MIWWA,MICI
Civil Engineer & CAD Specialist
Division Governor- L ( Elect) “ Learn to Lead”
Area Governor ( 2010-2011)
Past President  ( Khimji & Excel Oman Toastmasters )
Sponsor & Mentor - KTI Gavel club
Sponsor: Khimji, Al Adrak &  Elite toastmasters
Mobile No.99325357
Website: www.srikumar.com
Division “L” Blog: http://www.tmdivisionoman.blogspot.com/
Email: toastmasterpai@gmail.com

A few tips for planning an effective year ahead...

Dear Leaders [President/VP-E/VP-M],

Warm Greetings!

At the outset, let me wholeheartedly appreciate your prompt support in providing the various initial information required by the Area/Division Offices and enrolling maximum number of turnouts for the recently held Club Officers Training. A big thank you to all.

It was indeed a pleasure meeting you all at the Club Officers Training. I would like to share with you some tips from my experience, which I am sure, will help you plan and implement as the tenure progresses:

Ø  Although the General Evaluator would be recommending measures for the overall improvement of the quality of the meetings, I would recommend you, as Presidents, also to keep a close observation and take a couple of minutes before you adjourn the meeting, to recommend areas for improvement, if any, missed out by the General Evaluator. Always encourage all members to bring guests. Acknowledge the member who brings guest by giving some token of appreciation, when the guests eventually join the club [you can give away an enthusiasm ribbon].

Ø  If there is shortage of members, it is advisable to conduct a membership campaign, wherein you can ask, in a particular session, all members to positively bring one friend each as guest. If not all, a few will surely join the club.

Ø  Please prepare small kits with the following information and pass on the same to each guest, so that he/she will be encouraged to join the club:

o    Mission of a Toastmasters Club, Mission of TMI, some free promotion materials [these can be collected from TMI website]

o    Advantages of joining a Toastmasters Club [I have attached simple one. You can edit and incorporate more points, as you deem appropriate]

o    Membership application form and the business card of VP-M for contacting.  Keep such envelops [guest kits] ready at all times.

Ø  VP-Ms are kindly advised to make sure that each guest attending the meeting are very well taken care of, warmly welcomed, make them feel at home,  so that he/she gets motivated to attend the meeting again and eventually join as a member. VP-M should maintain the Attendance and Guest Registers. All guests should receive an encouraging mail, following their attending the meeting from the VP-membership. Needless to mention, all positive communication pays off the result.

A big thank you for all your efforts

Dear Trainers, Area Governor's, presidents , VP(E)s, Club officers,  & members

A big thank you for all your efforts and your support towards COT : Club officers training . I take this opportunity on behalf of our Dear Div L Gov DTM Sri kumar Pai to say  Thank you and we look forward for your continuous support through out this year and coming years too.

Our Special  thanks and appreciation to TM Yaseer & TM Lawerence

THANK YOU



With warm Regards & Good Wishes

Clita Veena Crasta, DTM
VP Membership - DSTM Club
I. P. Area Governor - Area 67, Division: D, District: 20  
Chartered Member of Distinguished Speakers Toastmaster Club (DSTM)
Founder President of DSTM Club
Club: 1426419, Area: 64, Division: D, District: 20 
Chartered Member, ABC Toastmasters Club 
Club: 1353103, Area: 67, Division: D, District: 20
E-mail: clitaveena@hotmail.com; clitaveena@live.com 
(GSM) +968 96254753 

Thank you Club officers

Dear Presidents, VP(E)s, Club officers,  & members,


A very big thank you for your support towards COT Training.   I will look forward for your continued support through out this year to take our Area and Division to greater heights and aim to achieve Presidents Distinguished recognition.  Together we will "Learn & Lead ". 

THANK YOU




Alex Crasta, ACG, ALB  
Area Governor - Area 64 (2013-14)
Charter Member - Distinguished Speakers Toastmaster Club (DSTM) 
Club: 1426419, Area: 64, Division: D, District: 20 
Charter Member - ABC Toastmasters Club
Club: 1353103, Area: 67, Division: D, District: 20
Toastmasters Member ID 00530545
E-mail: toastmastercrasta@gmail.com
           crastaalex@hotmail.com
(GSM) +968 92885484

Toastmasters Q&A: Yasser Abdullah Sulaiman, ACS, CL

This is the article about TM Yasser Sulaiman, Lieutenant  Governor Marketing , 
District 20,  published in TMI Magazine for the month of June 2013

Q.When and why did you join toastmasters?

A: I was a member of a self-development group, when one of the members discovered Toastmasters. The concept appealed to everyone in our group, and so in 1999 we chartered the first Toastmasters club in the country of Oman: Muscat Club.

Q: Since joining Toastmasters, how have you grown as a communicator and leader?
A: Toastmasters had a significant impact on my career. Through its educational program, I discovered my talent for training. By attending Toastmasters meetings, I learned more about people, perspectives and events. Toastmasters empowered me with self-confidence, creativity and people skills, and helped me become the person I am today.

Q: What do you like best about your club?
A: I am attracted to the energy and richness brought about by the diversity of club members, including those in my home club, New Track Toastmasters, in Muscat—they have fertile minds and powerful imaginations.