Latest news with #ToastmastersInternational
Qatar Tribune
09-08-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
District 116 Toastmasters kicks off 2025-2026 with empowering leadership, PR initiatives
Darlene Regis District 116 Toastmasters has launched its new program year with a series of impactful events focused on leadership, Public Relations (PR) skills, and district-wide collaboration. Notably, the organization is proudly led by Filipino Toastmasters, whose vision and dedication continue to inspire and drive the district's success. From the PR Bootcamp to leadership and planning sessions, these initiatives highlight the organization's dedication to empowering members and clubs for continued success. Here's a look at the key highlights that are shaping the district's dynamic year ahead. First Executive Meeting On June 20, 2025, District 116 Toastmasters held its first District Executive Committee Meeting (DECM1), uniting District Headtable, Division Directors, Area Directors to align goals, strategies, and responsibilities for the year. Held at Embassy Suites Doha Old Town, the meeting laid a strong foundation, with District Director Alar Mel Mangai, DTM, opening with a message of unity: 'When leaders are aligned with purpose, the impact ripples across every club and member.' Key agenda points included success plans, budgets, strategic priorities, and division targets. Leaders emphasized training, mentorship, club growth, and PR initiatives. The meeting gave Division and Area Directors a chance to share insights and plans. Program Quality Director Sherwin Olimpo, DTM stressed training and mentorship, Club Growth Director Eman Salameh, DTM outlined club-building initiatives, and PR Manager Leo Ortega, DTM shared a roadmap for storytelling and brand visibility. PR Bootcamp District 116 Toastmasters successfully concluded its Ultimate Next-Level PR Bootcamp on July 25, 2025, a hands-on event that united PR Officers, Club Leaders, and PR enthusiasts for a day of learning and collaboration. Featuring expert sessions on branding, social media, design, and campaign analytics by trainers Kumaran CS, Diana May Tangente-Ortega, and Fritz O'niel Cabunilas, Jr., the bootcamp provided hands-on experience through interactive booths and a PR kit for participants. Club Officers Training 1 District 116 successfully hosted Club Officers Training 1 on June 13, 2025, at DPS Monarch International School, preparing leaders to empower members for the 2025–2026 year. Over 300 club leaders attended practical sessions on leadership, club management, membership, and member experience, led by experienced District Officers and Distinguished Toastmasters. COT1 also offered a networking platform for leaders to share best practices and ideas. The event ended with a call to lead with purpose. The organization looks forward to COT2, continuing to empower leaders. About Toastmasters International Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organization that builds confidence and public speaking skills through a global network of clubs. Members practice speeches, impromptu speaking, and feedback in supportive environments to reach personal and professional goals. Founded in 1924 and based in Colorado, it has over 270,000 members in 14,000+ clubs across 150 countries.
Borneo Post
06-08-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Kota Kinabalu Advanced Toastmasters Club achieves President's Distinguished Status
Kota Kinabalu Advanced Toastmasters Club members at the last meeting for the 2024-2025 term. KOTA KINABALU (Aug 6): In line with its longstanding tradition of excellence, the Kota Kinabalu Advanced Toastmasters Club has once again earned the prestigious President's Distinguished Club Award, for the 2024–2025 term, under the leadership of President Rachel Chan. The club attained a perfect score of 10 out of 10 Distinguished Club Programme (DCP) goals, the highest recognition bestowed by Toastmasters International, a global organisation dedicated to developing communication and leadership skills. The DCP goals serve as the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for all Toastmasters clubs worldwide. Achieving all ten goals reflects the club's outstanding performance in fulfilling Toastmasters' mission of empowering members to become more effective communicators and leaders. In accordance with Toastmasters protocol, the club presidency is held for a one-year term. Rachel Chan's tenure concluded on 30 June 2025, and the club is now led by President Ibranik Iskandarian Peter. He, along with his Executive Committee for the 2025–2026 term, will be officially installed on 5 September 2025 at the club's installation dinner to be held at the Hakka Hall, Kota Kinabalu, in conjunction with the silver jubilee celebration of the club. Supporting Rachel Chan during the 2024–2025 term were the following Executive Committee members: Vice President Education Dr Elizabeth Ong, Vice President Membership Ibranik Iskandarian Peter, Vice President Public Relations Walter Sundang Alex, Secretary and Immediate Past President Dr Mexmollen Marcus, Treasurer Faridah Suffian and Sergeant-At-Arms Amir Aliff Amri. The club also benefited from the guidance of its advisors, Past Presidents Abu Bakar Sheriff, Fatimah Yassin and Dr Richard Gontusan.
Irish Independent
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Tralee man James bags himself Toastmasters International's highest award
'The DTM award signifies James has demonstrated outstanding service and accomplishment in leadership and communication skills and has used these skills to help others in their self development efforts.' noted Toastmasters International Chief Executive Officer Daniel Rex in the official citation of this award. James completed two separate education programs in Motivational Strategies and Leadership Development as well as fulfilled important leadership roles at local, regional and across the UK and Ireland. During this time he also received two District 71 (UK and Ireland) personal awards for Vice President Public Relations of the Year in 2021 and 'Above and Beyond' for distinguished services to the District in 2024. James is well known locally for his commitment to volunteering at numerous Festivals, charitable fundraising, artistic performances and local promotional events which was recognised by a Tralee Municipal District and Kerry County Council Civic Award last year. He, together with fellow Curator Bryan Carr, are currently working towards their fourth TEDxTralee Conference to be held in Siamsa Tire, Tralee on Saturday October 18 2025. These talks, promoting Tralee and its partners, have now been watched by a worldwide online audience of well over three and a quarter million views at 'I have always seen my Toastmaster Education, my voluntary activities and professional experiences to be mutually beneficial and complimentary. Nothing of importance is ever achieved in isolation, and I am fortunate beyond words to be supported by family, friends and colleagues in all aspects of my various interests and activities' said James To celebrate his DTM, James is doing a fundraising abseil 140 feet down Croke Park on Friday June 27 in aid of Debra Ireland – the Butterfly Skin charity, for whom he has raised awareness and much needed funds for the past number of years. Donations can be made on James Facebook Page or at the link here: 'I wanted to mark this award with a bang, albeit a controlled one. I can think of no more worthwhile cause than Debra Ireland, who help those affected by EB, their families and also support research into causes and potential treatments. All donations are gratefully received,' said James.
Mid East Info
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
From Abu Dhabi to Amman: District 105 Toastmasters Take the Spotlight at DTAC 2025
Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Toastmasters from four countries came together with members from Oman, Abu Dhabi, Jordan, and Palestine in Amman for DTAC 2025, the District 105 Annual Conference. Held under the theme 'Rise to Inspire,' the event showcased the region's dedication to empowering confident communicators and leaders, with strong representation from Abu Dhabi and other regions. The conference was led by TM Mohammed Al-Kiswani and his team in Jordan. With over 250 attendees, the two-day event brought together diverse voices to celebrate courage, connection, and growth. Members shared stories, stepped boldly into the spotlight, and transformed fear into confidence – proving once again the power of Toastmasters to uplift and inspire. Keynote Inspiration One of the featured keynote speakers was Mohammed Murad, DTM from Dubai, a previous International President of Toastmasters International. His thought-provoking session, 'Leadership: Reality or Illusion?' invited attendees to reflect on the essence of authentic leadership, leaving the audience inspired and introspective. Elevating Voices Through Speech Contests Four captivating English contests filled the conference with laughter, insight, and inspiration. The champions who rose to the occasion were: Evaluation Contest Champion – TM Agnik Bose (Oman) – TM Agnik Bose (Oman) Humorous Speech Contest Champion – TM Thomas John (Oman) – TM Thomas John (Oman) Table Topics Contest Champion – TM Krishan Kumar (Oman) – TM Krishan Kumar (Oman) International Speech Contest Champion – TM Rasiah Raslyn Agatha (Abu Dhabi) Running simultaneously, the Arabic Speech Contest showcased District 105's linguistic diversity, reinforcing Toastmasters' commitment to empowering voices in every language and ensuring regional representation across the district. The Defining Moment A deeply moving moment was the recognition of 94-year-old DTM Haifa Al Bashir, honored for 25 years of Toastmasters service. Though she arrived in a wheelchair, her energy lit up the room. With a twinkle in her eye, she declared, 'I came prepared to give a BIG speech,' and delivered one that resonated with every listener. She was joined by fellow Silver Jubilee honorees: TM Mary Shawareb, DTM Haifa Sharaiha, DTM Maisoun Armouti, and TM Raghad Keilani – all celebrated for their lifelong commitment and contributions. Leadership Recognition and Awards District Director Saiju Victor, DTM expressed heartfelt appreciation to all members, clubs, and leaders whose efforts led to District 105 achieving Distinguished District status. He also welcomed the incoming district leaders for the 2025–2026 term. The District Annual Awards honored excellence in Program Quality, Club Growth and Public Relations presented by: Program Quality Director Cyprian Misquith, DTM Club Growth Director Ramanujam Raghavan, DTM Public Relations Manager TM Maria Theresa de Mesa Mendoza Looking Ahead: DTAC 2026 Abu Dhabi The exciting announcement of DTAC 2026 to be held in Abu Dhabi, led by Chair TM Hadi Ali with Toastmasters from Abu Dhabi took the stage in a stunning display of unity. With its cultural richness and innovative spirit, DTAC 2026 promises an immersive and inspiring experience – an event the District is already looking forward to. About District 105 Toastmasters: District 105 is a part of Toastmasters International, supporting members across Oman, Abu Dhabi, Jordan and Palestine in developing public speaking and leadership skills. With the District's tagline 'Learn and Enjoy' the district offers a supportive and fun environment for personal and professional growth through the globally recognized Pathways educational program. With a strong focus on integrity, respect, service, and excellence, District 105 empowers individuals to become confident communicators and effective leaders in their communities.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Meet Luisa Montalvo, the World Champion for Public Speaking 2024
In 2013, Luisa Montalvo says she remembers walking into a Toastmasters meeting in South Texas having seen a flyer put up on the door of a library. 'Everyone there immediately introduced themselves. It was very inviting, and an automatic warm feeling,' she recalled. While she had briefly been a part of a Toastmasters Club for a few years from 1989 at her workplace, the club wound up, and she did not join another club until 2013. 'I realised I should have gone looking for a club then, but once I walked into the library meeting, I knew I should be a part of this again,' she said. Recognised as the World Champion for Public Speaking by Toastmasters International in 2024, Luisa was in Chennai over the weekend to be a part of Toastmasters International District 120's annual conference Discover 2025. Comprising over 4,000 members from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, District 120 spans 175 community, corporate, and college clubs. The people in Chennai, Luisa said, were warm and receptive. 'What Toastmasters often winds up being without you noticing is that you become part of a family. You can go anywhere in the world and meet people, and when you come back the next year, all of you once again catch up and bond,' she said. Stating that the beauty of Toastmasters is how supportive they are as a group, Luisa said that they do not believe in shame, guilt, or embarrassment and instead, thrive in a positive environment. 'The reason most people join is to become a better public speaker and the best way to do that is to be able to practice in front of an audience and get constructive feedback. This is done in the Toastmaster club meetings, where the evaluators tell you about what you did great and where you can improve,' she said. 'While many people do think they will become a good public speaker and then leave, they never do. They end up becoming so much more,' she added. At the conference, several young members took up the stage, to participate in the finale of the district championships speaking contests in different formats. Luisa too emphasised on the positive impact this would have on youngsters, enabling them to build confidence and leadership roles. 'When you go job hunting with Toastmasters on your resume, it sets you apart since it tells the employer you are looking to improve yourself, she says. 'Whether you are a teacher looking to improve your confidence, or someone who wants to do presentations better at work, this will help any kind of fear with regard to public speaking,' she adds. The Hindu was the print media partner for this event
