Spectacular DTAC 2022

District Toastmasters Annual Conference 2022

TM Juliet Gladies

The magnificent District Toastmaster Annual Convention took place in the Torch, Ballroom, Doha, Qatar on 13th and 14th May 2022. Being my first-ever exposure to the grandeur event, I was spellbound to meet all the toastmasters in galore under one roof. It was a unique experience for all the toastmasters to walk the banner parade across the big convention hall and made the club members feel united. As the event was hosted in person after the pandemic and the toastmasters had an opportunity to meet each other in person, participants in DTAC 2022 were more than excited to meet and greet.

CELEBRATE EVERY TINY VICTORY

The event was graced by the Immediate Past President of Toastmaster International Richard Peck and his wife DTM Bettyann Peck. He highlighted the importance of focusing on our initiatives for self-improvement through the opportunities in toastmaster meetings, pathways and contests. I had an opportunity of having a discussion with DTM Bettyann over an hour during the coffee break and was enthused by her humble and affectionate nature. DTM Mansoor Moideen, District 116 Director for 2021-2022 gave his speech on “His dream” of his own district being the best in the world. The most important lesson I learnt from all the elite leaders is to be a ‘go to person’ , willing to help, always charged, visionary with humbleness.

I was moved by the World Champion of Public Speaking 2015, Mohammed Qahtani’s key note speech “Power of words” and his training sessions and I was inspired to improve my speaking skills through the Toastmasters fraternity. There were many other training sessions by the experts and the participants were fully engaged throughout the day.

The nerve-wracking district finals on International Speech Contest, Evaluation contest, Table Topic Contest and Humorous contest for 2022 were conducted in a very professional and systematic way and all the contestants performed fabulously making their club and division-flags fly high. What impressed me a lot was the support given by the club members and the fellow toastmasters to the contestants! The audience were continuously cheering and applauding to all the contestants, encouraging them to perform at their best.

There was a splendid “Awards Ceremony” conducted and I was enthralled by the numerous awards given to so many toastmasters, clubs and divisions for their outstanding contribution, service and expertise to Toastmasters society. It was an amazing gesture by Toastmaster International to encourage all the toastmasters to climb higher, move farther with passion, grit and determination.

I was proud of my very own Club ToastEd and its members who were able to receive numerous awards in DTAC 2022. Club ToastEd received the Vibrant Club Award, Young Achiever Award, Ribbon for the Home Club of the Director and reached 9 goals to be the President’s Distinguished as on June 2022, within 6 months since the club was chartered in December 2021.