By Abdul Rahman M. Baig
Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH — DTM Rashid Ali Rawther, District 79 Program Quality Director (2015-2016) welcomed the guests and thanked all Toastmasters for their excellent performance and support in achieving the district goals during the Saudi Arabia District 79 Western Region Toastmasters annual recognition and awarding celebration in Trident hotel recently for the best performed Toastmasters Leaders and clubs.
DTM Abdullah Al-Shareef, District 79 Director (2015-2016) said that there has been very high achievement in District 79 last year compared to previous years and thanked all District leaders and members for their excellent performance. The number of paid clubs has been increased from 238 to 299 with 25.63% growth, paid membership from 12,108 to 15,295 with 26.3% growth and got distinguished club status for 194 clubs (81.51%), which are the highest achievements in the history of Saudi Arabia Toastmasters District 79.
Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Shareef said, “I am quite happy to meet all the leaders of Western Region Toastmasters. I hope our District will continue to be a leading District in the world in this year too and the years to come. We present the district awards annually to the clubs and Leaders who have accomplished good work during the year."
Rashid Ali said, “Being humbled in achievements, showing gratitude for each and every one elevates a person in stature, draws respect, and attracts love, affection and warmth. Therefore, we, as Toastmasters learning to interact and communicate in the best possible way, shall show our gratitude in every walk and talk of life, excel in performance and enjoy self-satisfaction of achievement.”
He also revealed that the phenomenal growth of Toastmasters clubs in the Western region resulted in having a separate new District exclusively. There will be two Toastmasters districts from July 1, 2017, which will be an opportunity to send two District champions for World Championship for Public Speaking in USA (one from Western region and other from East and Central regions) instead of only one District champion from Saudi Arabia.
Later, the winners of the year were announced and given certificates, mementos, plaques and medals from Toastmasters International USA by DTM Abdullah Shareef and DTM Rashid Ali. The District Director Service Award was presented to DTM Rashid Ali Rawther, in recognition of his dedicated service and leadership as Program Quality Director for 2015-16.
The PQD’s Division Director of the Year Award was presented to DTM Abdul Basit Qari, Division I Director for achieving the highest result among all 17 Divisions in the District. The Area Director of the Year Awards was presented to TM Soliman Khaled Bazarah, Area 73 Director and TM Ghadah A. Almuzaini, Area 30 Director. The District Toastmaster of the Year Award was presented to TM Osama Tawi from Nesma Holding Toastmasters Club.
The Club President of the Year awards were presented to 6 club presidents in recognition of their exceptional leadership and devoted service for the year 2015-16. They are TM Omar A. Fattah from Tanglaw Toastmasters Club, TM Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Amri from Nesma Holding Toastmasters Club, TM Jimmichan Indikkuzhiyil from PACE TM Club, TM Aisha Gomaah from Quba TM Club, TM Abdulrahman Omar Hawsawi from MAKKAH Toastmasters Club and TM Faisal Mofrh Habtar from Shabab Aseer TM Club.
The President’s Distinguished Club Awards were presented to Nesma Holding Toastmasters Club, Tanglaw Toastmasters Club, PACE Toastmasters Club, Quba Toastmasters Club, Makkah Toastmasters Club and Shabab Aseer Toastmasters Club for achieving 9 Distinguished Club Points with maintaining over 30 members in the year 2015-2016. Dar Al Hekma University Toastmasters Club, Effat University Toastmasters Club, Al Nibras Toastmasters Club, Abdul Latif Jameel Talk masters, Eagle Toastmasters Club, Voice Toastmasters Club, Pace Advanced Toastmasters Club, Jeddah Malayalam Toastmasters Club, Rabigh Malayalam Toastmasters Club, Izhaar Urdu Toastmasters Club, Rabigh Leadership Club, Al Madina Toastmasters Club, Al Hejrah Toastmasters Club, Rawafed Toastmasters Club and Abha Arabic Toastmasters Club for achieving 9 DCP.
The Distinguished Toastmasters (DTM) awards for the year 2015-2016 were given to DTM Jawad Fazal from Prince Sultan College Toastmasters Club, Jeddah under Area 11, Division C, DTM Shanthi Latchoumanane from Jeddah Elite Ladies Toastmasters Club under Area 18, Division H and DTM Alan C. Herradura from TEA Club (Toast of Excellence Advanced) under Area 10, Division I.
The Triple Crown Awards for the year 2015-2016 were given to TM Baraa Alhayek, TM Mohammed Aljuffri, TM Ghadah A. Almuzaini, TM Omar A. Fattah, TM Faisal Mofrh Habtar, TM Mohammad Zouhair Hafzah, TM Syed Nasir Khursheed, TM Venecio Vocalos Legaspi, TM Ovais Mushtaq, TM Abdulaziz Ahmed Shwaikan, TM Lakshman Sockalingam and TM Zainab Mohsin Mulji for their projects presented in one year.
