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.    

5. How does your educational background complement Toastmasters program

My educational background helped me deal with Toastmasters from all walks of life; it also helped me deal positively with different cultures.  My studies in Development Communication had enhanced my knowledge in research, marketing and using the Social media tools among others.  I have the confidence to implement what I have learned in the university and combine it with the knowledge I gained from Toastmasters.  It’s a perfect combination.  I believe that one should not stop learning- studying is a continuous process.  It is an opportunity which we should take advantage of- everyday of our lives.  Just like in Toastmasters-whenever we interact we learn something new.  Others also learn from us.  It is all about sharing and learning and having the best of intentions for others.

6. Tell us about your professional life

My passion is training.  I changed my career from a Human Resources Manager to a Training Consultant in several American Universities in Qatar in 2003.  Toastmasters gave me that privilege.  I was accepted in Education City, Qatar on the basis of my ties with Toastmasters!  I conduct personality development workshops, management, marketing, leadership, customer service among other things.  I enjoy the most delivering summer workshops for children from 5 to 10 years old and teenagers from 11 to 16 years old in Qatar.  I must say I have a 100% success rate!  I have been doing the workshops for 10 years now.  What a joy when I see the parents and children happy with the results and the changes on the children and sometimes their parents too!

7. How do you strike a balance between work and Toastmasters?

I am a very busy person.  Thank God!  I have my own beauty center in Amman.  My children and I are involved in real estate, aside from myself doing training and not to forget my numerous Toastmasters activities.  I make sure that I have ample time for everything.  We have a family meeting every week so that we don’t miss out on what we need to do, what we need to decide on, and what important matters we should discuss.  We just have to make sure that we practice time management.  So far so good!

8. What changes has toastmasters introduced in your life to make you carry on?

There are so many changes I have experienced in my life as a Toastmaster.  I learned to be confident in everything I do.  I practice proper time management.  I have developed patience, perseverance and tolerance.  I can speak knowing that I can convey the right message.  In the last three years, I learned to speak the Arabic language.  I can express myself in the “Arabic way”.  I would need so many pages to write all the positive changes I have experienced.

9. What does achieving DTM award mean to you?

I achieved the DTM title while I was in Qatar.  The VP Education in my club called Doha Toastmasters was a leader who knew how to convince his members to pursue their communication and leadership track.  He challenged me to pursue my DTM.  Having the title of a DTM means more responsibilities in mentoring others.  We are role models to budding members.  I had delivered my 5^th Competent Communicator Manual and I am happy that others could learn from me.

10. What you do in your spare time?

I love going regularly to a fitness class called Zumba Toning where we use weights.  I also go to my beauty center and talk to the clients.  I get to practice speaking in the Arabic language.  It is also my opportunity to market Toastmasters.  Of course, I also attend numerous Toastmasters meetings in Amman.

11. Tell us about your reading habits? And what are you reading right now?

I love to read.  But right now I am focusing on reading everything and anything about Toastmasters Policies and Protocol which I believe is very important.  I am going through the leadership manual, the District Finance Corner among other readings provided by Toastmasters that would make me more knowledgeable.  I know that my responsibility as a District Governor is an enormous task.  I have to serve our leaders and members in the best possible way.

12. What do you like to see in DTAC 2014?

I can foresee that DTAC 2014 would be one of the best DTAC in District 20 history.  I am hoping that we could have a winner in the Toastmasters Annual Conference to be held in Malaysia in 2014 –he or she should come from District 20.  I look forward to substantial and educational sessions that are needed by our leaders and members.  We hope we can have more volunteers for the speech contests especially judges.

13. What is your advice for the budding Toastmasters?

Visit as many clubs as possible.  Learning from different styles is a plus factor.  I used to ask several mentors to give me advice.  Aside from my evaluator during the meeting, I would ask other Toastmasters to evaluate me.  I would request my evaluator to focus on the points for improvement instead of praising me.  Be consistent in attending club meetings and delivering your speech projects.  If you stop for a while, the tendency is you lose the momentum and it takes time for you to go back to the “wanting to” phase.

14. How do we actually manage a club to ensure continuity and success?

We have to promote and conduct the “Moment of Truth” Module.  It is a module that every club needs.  It is an eye opener for every club to succeed.  Make sure that your meetings are quality oriented.  Are the members (especially the new ones) happy with what the club has to offer?  Do the leaders ask the members their needs?  Are the leaders constantly in touch with the members?  These are some of the factors to be seriously considered.

15. What is your expectation from Oman and Division L in the coming year?

Oman has a special place in my heart.  I am sure the newly formed Division L will climb up the ladder of success.  We want to see Division L get the President Distinguished Division Award!

16. What is your vision as a District Governor?

My vision for District 20 before or by the end of June, 2014 is for it to become a President’s Distinguished District.  I would like our members to experience quality meetings and earn quality educational awards.  I can foresee more dynamic clubs that would hone its members with their communication and leadership skills.  We shall have more members enjoy the benefits of Toastmasters.  All the clubs in District 20 will be Distinguished Status before or by the end of June 30, 2014.

17. How should we promote toastmaster as an educational vehicle for developing Communication & leadership skills and fostering self-confidence and personal growth?

We promote by example.  The best way to convince anyone about Toastmasters is showing the change in ourselves and the positive improvement in every Toastmaster.  We have membership building contests which we should implement as it is a great vehicle to ask non Toastmasters to join.  I speak about Toastmasters wherever I go.  I remember in March 2003 where we experienced a bomb blast inside the theater in Qatar.  I was with my husband and my children.  I had glass splinters and blood on my body.  When we reached the emergency department, I started talking about Toastmasters to the other patients while waiting for a doctor to attend to me.  Today I laugh at myself for doing that.  Guess what? I was able to convince three ladies to join a Toastmasters club!

18. Your concluding remarks

It is an honor and privilege for me to be the District Governor for 2013-2014.  I remember my father used to tell me “You may have a title, but are you going to produce positive results?  Would you be able to give benefits to the people you are leading?  You should not be after the glory of the title, rather you should plan, take action and make sure that whatever you visualize is the same vision that the members fully believe in.”  I keep that advice close to my heart.

My dear leaders and members, I am asking for your support and your involvement for the growth and success of District 20.  We can do this together! 

Thank you Division PRO Ahsan Jalal for the interview.  My warmest regards to our beloved leaders and members of Division L!