Islamabad Toastmasters, a local pubic speaking training club, celebrated the 85th anniversary of Toastmasters International on November 3rd at NICS near Lok Virsa. The colorful event was attended by a large members from all over the country and guests.
Toastmasters International was founded in October 1924 when a group of men assembled by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley met in the basement of the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, U.S.A., forming a club “to afford practice and training in the art of public speaking and in presiding over meetings, and to promote sociability and good fellowship among its members.” The group took the name “Toastmasters.” Islamabad Toastmasters Club is a local chapter of Toastmasters International. Today, Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization which gives its members the opportunity to develop and improve their public speaking abilities through local club meetings, training seminars and speech contests. Toastmasters International includes more than 199,000 men and women in more than 9,300 clubs in more than 70 countries.
President, Islamabad Toastmasters Club, Toastmaster Mohsin Lodhi, welcomed the members and guests and told them a brief history of Toastmasters. Toastmaster of the evening was Distinguished Toastmaster, Mazhar Jamil, who talked about the benefits of the Toastmasters program and how it can help members polish their speaking and leadership skills. Topicsmaster was Toastmaster Nauman Faridi who invited different members and guests to speak on a random topic related to Toastmasters. This was followed by an outstanding speech from the Advanced Competent Communicator Series by former club President, Maliha Elahi. General Evaluator was Toastmaster Arshad Hamid who called different role-players to present their evaluation and feedback.
The award for best table topics speaker went to Toastmaster Mumtaz Anwar, the award for best speaker went to Toastmaster Maliha Elahi, the award for best evaluator went to Toastmaster Mohsin Lodhi, and the big 3 award went to Distinguished Toastmaster Mazhar Jamil. Before wrapping up the meeting, the president asked for feedback from guests which was very positive and a majority of the guests pledged that they would love joining the club. The meeting was followed by a sumptuous dinner and cake cutting.
Islamabad Toastmasters meets every Tuesday at NICS near Lok Virsa at 6.45 PM. Club website is at http://islamabad.toastmasters.pk.