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The Vox#36

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ISSUE #36 - YOUNG ADULT

2024 - 2025 OFFICERS

President

TMMustafaMohamed VPEducation

TMSaraTaher

VPMembership

TMDakshinPradeep

VPPublicRelations

TMMaramAlAradi

Secretary TMMeshalAlqassab

Treasurer

TMJoelEbenezer

SergeantAtArms

TMAllwinFernandes

ImmediatePastPresident

TMBeenaMC

2025 - 2026 OFFICERS

President

TMNajlaHameed

VPEducation

TMSaraTaher

VPMembership

TMJoelEbenezer

VPPublicRelations

TMMustafaMohamed

Secretary TMLiyanaLijinesh

Treasurer

TMNabihaHussain

SergeantAtArms

TMMeshalAlqassab

ImmediatePastPresident

TMMustafaMohamed

TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL

TI is a nonprofit educational organization founded in 1924 by Dr Ralph C Smedley It helps individuals improve public speaking, communication, and leadership skills through over 16,000 clubs in 140+ countries Its Pathways learning experience educational program offers structured projects to build confidence, storytelling,personalandprofessionaldevelopment

TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL MISSION

We empower individuals to become more effective communicatorsandleaders

CLUB MISSION

We provide a supportive and positive learning experience in which members are empowered to developcommunicationandleadershipskills,resulting ingreaterself-confidenceandpersonalgrowth

TI CORE VALUES

Wemeetevery1 and3 WednesdaysoftheMonthat 7:30PMatFraserSuitesDiplomaticArea

RSVPTMDakshinon+97335362814

YOU CAN US FINDS ON....

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS

Dear YATers, TMers, and readers,

Frantically typing on the keyboard right now is yours truly the current president TM Mustafa Wow never thought I would ever say I am president of anything! Alas, here we are Why did I take on this role? It’s simple, YAT needed me to and I couldn’t say no Club presidency does not exactly exist within the boundaries of my comfort zone, it is difficult enough to be a serious challenge. However, it is also not impossible to take a jab at. The most important thing to me was to have a good team, and boy was I teamed with such a good one! From the get-go I knew that the club would be in good hands with the amazing capabilities of TM Sara, Dakshin, Maram, Meshal, Joel, and Allwin. These officers are the real reason to the success of this term

My main focus entering into this term was one thing: HAVE. GREAT. MEETINGS! This to me is the most important aspect in any Toastmasters club, successful meetings = a successful club. The aim was to ensure our members are satisfied with how our meetings go, and for our guests to clearly see what YAT is all about, making it the place to be.

Looking back, I am very happy with what we have achieved this term: We conducted a plethora of exciting and varied meetings.

We gained 5 new members and reinstated one more.

We achieved the Select Distinguished status in the Toastmasters Distinguished Club Program.

We had 4 of our members participating in the contests up to the Division level

We PR-ed like crazy and swooped PR awards left n’ right

I just have to put this out there, I am very proud of myself for taking up this responsibility, and dare I say; conquer it! I am also equally proud of my fellow officers for doing a perfect job with their roles, this term is nothing without every single one of you. I am also incredibly proud of our members for making our club always a lively and growth-centered environment, and to our newest members for taking that leap into Toastmasters. The founder of Toastmasters Dr. Ralph C. Smedley once said: “Your Toastmasters club is your laboratory in which to try experiments in better communication” , so go on, take on this journey, experiment, and I am sure you will find amazing new discoveries awaiting you. I promise this shall be an incredible journey.

To our upcoming club president and officers, I wish you all the best and I am looking forward to yet another successful term in the prestigious club of YAT. For now, enjoy reading this newsletter!

Adios! ��

WELCOME! NEW MEMBER HIGHLIGHT

1. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO JOIN TOASTMASTERS?

The friendly and open nature of the club.

2. IF YOU COULD GIVE A SPEECH ON ANY TOPIC WITHOUT PREPARATION, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

3. MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OR YATER SO FAR?

The support, encouragement and guidance the YATer's gave me when I did my first table topics and speech.

About my friendship with the two most amazing people I have met when I was a kid.

4. AN UNEXPECTED THING YOU HAVE LEARNT SINCE JOINING TOASTMASTERS?

That not everyone will judge you for your lack of ability in stand in front of prople and speak. Sweet, loving and creative.

6. A PERSONAL GOAL YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE THROUGH TOASTMASTERS?

Being able to talk to people more confidently and overcome my nerveness and stage fear

WELCOME! NEW MEMBER HIGHLIGHT

TM DUAA ABUDEEB

1. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO JOIN TOASTMASTERS?

To get rid of my stage fear

5. DESCRIBE YOURSELF USING ONLY THREE WORDS.

Boost my self-confidence.

WELCOME! NEW MEMBER HIGHLIGHT

1. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO JOIN TOASTMASTERS?

The main reason for me to join as toastmaster was to get over my anxiety when I stand to speak in front of a crowd and also to communicate with the right content within a short period of time.

2. IF YOU COULD GIVE A SPEECH ON ANY TOPIC WITHOUT PREPARATION, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

The topic that would first come to my mind would be on how the universe works and what role do we play in this vast universe and how our lives are intertwined with the laws of nature.

3. MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OR YATER SO FAR?

The most memorable moment was when I visited the first YAT meeting as a guest the way I was welcomed and the response I got after I was given a short topic to talk about which made me confident in realising this is the right place to be

4. AN UNEXPECTED THING YOU HAVE LEARNT SINCE JOINING TOASTMASTERS?

The art of giving a beautiful speech in a brilliant way, having emotions and laughter, all combined within a short duration.

WELCOME! NEW MEMBER HIGHLIGHT

TM NABIHA HUSSAIN

1. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO JOIN TOASTMASTERS?

SometimesistutterwhenI’manxious&wantedtoworkonmyspeakingskills Afewfriends even mentioned that I come off a bit too quiet when sharing my thoughts, so I figured this wastheperfectplacetopractice&grow

2. IF YOU COULD GIVE A SPEECH ON ANY TOPIC WITHOUT PREPARATION, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I could speak endlessly about arches This elemental design feature captivates me because ofitsversatility&themyriadwaysitcanshape&transformaspace

3. MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OR YATER SO FAR?

During the Valentine’s-themed meeting I really appreciated the anonymousletters–hearingsuchgenuine,motivatingwordsfromfellow membersmeantalot,&itinspiredmetoliveuptotheir encouragement.

4. AN UNEXPECTED THING YOU HAVE LEARNT SINCE JOINING TOASTMASTERS?

Iwaspleasantlysurprisedbytheemphasisonevaluation. Everyaspectofourspeechesisthoughtfullyconsidered, andtheconstructivefeedbackreceivedisimmediately putintopracticeatsubsequentmeetings

5. DESCRIBE YOURSELF USING ONLY THREE WORDS.

Reflective Inquisitive Anxious

6. A PERSONAL GOAL YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE THROUGH TOASTMASTERS?

Masteringtheartofpersuasion.Iwanttolearn smartwaystouseitsoIcanmakemyeveryday conversationsmoreengaging&effective.

WELCOME! NEW MEMBER HIGHLIGHT

TM ALI JASIM

1. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO JOIN TOASTMASTERS?

The amazing encouraging environment where I can try new thing, practically when it comes to leadership and communication

WITHOUT R?

grammarian's I was actually t taught me to ments.

YOU HAVE MASTERS?

e feels complee in the audiewhen you're the

URSELF USING HREE WORDS.

tive quiet.

OAL YOU HOPE EVE THROUGH ASTMASTERS?

modulation, in ence effectively.

MEMES AT YAT

GOTTA MAKE ‘EM LAUGH

PRINCESS, PACIFIST,

History remembers Noor Inayat Khan as a woman of contradictions

She was Noor-un-Nisa to her family, Nora Baker to her allies and Jeanne Renier to her foes She was a pacifist who served in the armed forces She was a gifted harpist and piano player with chilblains-riddled fingers She was a half-Indian, half-American soldier who served as a British agent against the German occupation of France Above all, she was a woman of spirit who carried her fierce vulnerability and childlike innocence to the grave

Daughter

On 1st January 1914, Noor was born as the first of four children to Inayat Khan, a professor of musicology, singer, veena exponent, poet, philosopher and Sufi mystic He was a descendant of Tipu Sultan, former ruler of the Mysore Kingdom, and Maulabakhsh Sho’le Khan, a pioneer of classical Hindustani music Her mother, Ameena Begum was a poet and Sufism spiritual guide – an American who had formerly been Inayat’s musical prodigy

Schoolgirl

When the First World War broke out, her family left Russia for London where Noor began her schooling in Notting Hill At the age of 6, Noor was

again uprooted as the family settled in Sureness in France This time at Fazal Manzil, the home of a benefactor. Her classmates and neighbors were drawn to the dreamy, softspoken, and sensitive girl, whose face radiated grace despite her physical clumsiness Then tragedy struck While on a pilgrimage to India, Inayat Khan passed away and Noor took charge of the family, comforting her bereaved mother and siblings

Adolescence

Noor studied Child Psychology at the College of Sorbonne She also underwent musical tutelage with famed composer Nadia Boulanger in both harp and piano, for whom she would frequently develop compositions for commercial use Parallelly, she published her writings, a collection of short stories in French and English, contributed to several periodicals, and featured on French radio During the invasion of France in the Second World War circa 1940, the family headed back to England

between Indians and the British Besides, they could always commit to the Indian Independence movement afterwards For Noor, however, that day would never come

War Efforts

The War proved to be a turning point in Noor’s life The pacifist ideals her father’s Sufism espoused, paled against the anger that rose within her in response to the horrific treatment of the Jews in the hands of the Nazis She found the pogroms fundamentally repulsive and in opposition to all principles of religious harmony Conflicted, she made a pact with her brother Vilayat to fight Nazi oppression in every way possible, without directly killing anyone He chose minesweeping, she chose something far more dangerous: to become a covert radio operator For both Noor and Vilayat, there was a second internal conflict Growing up, the British Empire had been the enemy; the marauder who had colonized their beloved India, and kept her from her independence As descendants of the great Tipu Sultan, the famed Tiger of Mysore; it felt wrong to fight alongside the British But a greater cause was at hand As Noor assured Vilayat, the cause for justice outweighed the call for patriotism She also felt that Indians meriting military distinction and committing acts of valour would create a bridge

SOE Training

Noor was trained as a Special Operations Executive Her instructors were unsure of the nervous smallframed woman They found her disposition temperamental and her childlike personality too naive Her evaluations suggested ineptitude on several fronts: she was clumsy and unsuitable for jumping, her appearance made her easily distinguishable in a crowd and her chilblains made her typing heavyhanded The escaping officer who conducted her mock Gestapo interrogation, the penultimate part of her training, called her session unbearable Fear had left her blanched and nearly speechless It was almost uniformly assumed that she was unsuitable for fieldwork The intelligence officer for her section, Vera Atkins, thought differently She saw Noor’s commitment and her longing to more actively participate in the prosecution of the war When the decision was made to send a female wireless operator into occupied territory – Noor was Vera’s first choice The urgency of the requirement that Noor would leave with her training incomplete but the

SOLDIER, SPY

team had no alternative

Spy

On 17 June 1943, a terrified Noor flew into France with several other recruits They were received by Henri Déricourt, a Frenchman working for SOE From that day on, Noor was to publicly become Jeanne-Marie Renier, a children’s nurse To her SOE colleagues, she would be Madeline, the Allies’ first secret female Wireless Telegraphy (W/T) operator Tragedy, however, struck almost immediately A week into her posting, the Nazis had managed to round up virtually every active Parisian spy Noor escaped but was left as the only radio operator in the entire region Worried for her safety, London offered her extradition Noor flat-out refused until a replacement could be found For almost four months, she singlehandedly ran the operatives’ communications, relaying all of the spy traffic information back to London, work that was typically done by six people She deftly evaded the Gestapo, changing her location and appearance daily Despite the laborious efforts involved, she lasted three times as long as the typical wartime operator

She was eventually captured, when Dericourt, who had been working as a double agent, betrayed her for 100,000 francs She went down fighting: clawing, kicking and biting her captors Just hours into her imprisonment, she made her first escape attempt, running nimbly across the slippery roof tiles The Nazis threatened her with harsher punishment She appeared compliant – only to feed them lie after lie Her second escape attempt only failed because of a surprise air raid by the British army

When she refused to sign a declaration renouncing future escape attempts, the Nazis knew they had a dangerous individual at hand Unwilling to take more risks, they reclassified her as extremely dangerous, shackled her in chains and punished her with solitary confinement The other prisoners only knew who she was because she scratched messages on the bottom of the food bowl Even the interroga-

-ations grew more painful –transitioning from sober questioning to extreme physical violence Yet, Noor held her ground, defiant in her meekness

immediately but the Nazis had different plans for her She was subjected to a full day of brutal beatings and extreme physical torture before being shot in the head Bystanders say that even at the moment of her death, her grit showed through Liberte – she shouted as the shots fell Moments later, her lifeless body dropped slowly to the ground and a resilient spirit was vanquished forever

Legacy

In 1949, Noor Khan posthumously received the George Cross, Britain’s highest award for wartime gallantry The French awarded her a Croix de Guerre for her valour In 2012, Princess Anne unveiled a bronze bust of Noor in Gordon Gardens It is the first to Muslim or Asian women In 2020, she became the man of South Asian descent blue plaque honouring her n The plaque adorns her home, 4 Taviton Street, ury, the address she d on her food bowls while *

Execution

On September 12th 1944, Noor and 3 of her fellow agents were transferred to the Dachau concentration camp to be executed Noor’s companions were shot almost

warrior in its truest sen- se, story reminds us that can accompany gentleness ham-fisted young woman come the military’s greatest communications asset That a softspoken artist could bravely endure unspeakable torture That a mixed-race Indian Muslim princess would be lauded by the British for her valour And that a woman of spirit lives on after she’s passed.

Noor was survived by her mother and siblings Following the War, her brother Vilayat would return to his pacifist roots, becoming the spiritual successor to their father’s sect of Western Sufism Her other brother Hidayat would go on to become a classical musician of repute – known for the pioneering blend of western harmonies with eastern ragas in his compositions Her sister Khair-unNisa (Claire) would go on to be a pianist, nurse and author

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS:

BY TM JOEL EBENEZER

There’s a moment, sometimes subtle, sometimes deafening, when you realize you’re not where you’re supposed to be It creeps up quietly You’re going through the motions, ticking the boxes, achieving what you’re supposed to achieve and yet, something feels misaligned Like you’re a puzzle piece in the wrong box, forced to fit into an image you never agreed to build You think, maybe I’m just not there yet Maybe if I just work harder, keep following the plan, keep moving forward, I’ll eventually arrive at the mythical “right place”

But the perfect place is an illusion It doesn’t exist

Even if you could snap your fingers and wake up where you think you want to be, there’s a good chance you’d still feel the same Because it was never really about the destination It was always about the direction

The Dangerous Comfort of the Herd

It’s natural to seek structure Systems make life easier There’s comfort in rhythm, in knowing that someone else has mapped things out It’s why we gravitate toward jobs with clear ladders, relationships with clear rules, beliefs with clear boundaries But that structure, the herd, the pattern, the path has a dark side: it can stop you from thinking It replaces self-direction with social proof If everyone else is doing it, it must be right

Right? Not always

Humans are creatures of habit, sure But more than that, we’re creatures of pattern And pattern recognition our superpower can become a trap

The Illusion of Pattern

Your brain loves patterns Not because they’re correct, but because they’re fast It’s always trying to get somewhere before you’ve even decided where you’re going

Try this:

You’re in a dark room There’s one match left You see a candle, a lamp, and a fireplace What do you light first?

Most people instinctively pick the candle or the lamp Feels logical, right? It’s not The correct answer is: you light the match first It’s a simple trick, but it reveals something deeper: we often react based on context and expectation, not clarity We skip steps We trust the pattern We follow the suggestion That’s fine when it’s a riddle It’s dangerous when it’s your life We do this all the time trust the job that looks stable, the partner who says the right things, the path that everyone else seems to be on But when you stop and actually look, you realize you haven’t been deciding You’ve been assuming And assumptions make great shortcuts, right up until you find yourself lost

A Different Kind of Sheep Story

We love stories about rebels, about heroes who break the mold

But in real life, being different isn’t glamorous It’s isolating It’s uncomfortable It’s unpopular Still, sometimes the only way forward is to leave the path entirely So here’s a different kind of sheep story There’s a flock A shepherd A daily routine The sheep follow the shepherd through the grasslands, trusting him to lead them to food, to safety, to wherever it is they’re supposed to go Among them are two black sheep not special in any grand sense, just different enough to ask questions

“Where are we going?” “Why do we trust him?” “Have you ever seen what’s at the end of this path?”

Most of the flock dismisses them “Why worry? We’ve made it this far” The grass is green The shepherd is kind Everything’s working Why break it?

But the questions don’t go away So the black sheep leaves Not with a fight Not with a dramatic speech Just a quiet exit one evening, up toward higher ground, while the rest of the flock prepares to follow the shepherd again The next morning, the two black sheep watch from a ridge, expecting to see their former flock grazing peacefully Instead, they see a fenced compound Silent Still No chaos Just the shepherd, calmly guiding the flock through a narrow gate Outside the fence, nailed to a wooden post, is a weathered sign:

That’s it No threat No screaming Just a line of sheep, quietly entering the place they were always headed They don’t know what’s behind the fence But they know what it isn’t

A BLACK SHEEP’S GUIDE TO SURVIVAL

It isn’t freedom It isn’t grass It isn’t good

The two black sheep don’t speak There’s nothing to say They weren’t lucky They weren’t chosen They were just willing to ask And that was enough

-ur instincts doesn’t mean giving in to every passing feeling It’s not impulsiveness It’s not stubbornness. It’s not “doing your own research” on YouTube and declaring yourself free Instinct is quieter than that It’s the hum in the background that starts to sound off-key It’s the way your stomach drops in meetings where no one says what they’re thinking

It’s the flicker of doubt when everyone’s excited, but you’re not

It’s your mind working ahead of your words

just surviving, but deciding

The black sheep didn’t become heroes. They just became free. And in doing so, they saw the truth that the rest of the flock missed entirely:

You don’t get to complain about the destination if you never questioned the map

Safety Is a Story

We’re told to play it safe

To follow the rules To wait our turn To stay in line

The people who leave the line are painted as risky Irresponsible Rebellious But often, they’re the only ones seeing clearly

The flock didn’t fail because it followed the wrong leader It failed because it stopped asking questions.

It wasn’t eaten by wolves It was led to destruction by the very figure meant to protect it

That’s not a parable That’s reality

In work, in relationships, in institutions people get misled not because they’re weak, but because they’re comfortable They confuse consistency with truth And they confuse leadership with loyalty They stay because everyone else is staying Because someone else seems sure Because fear is quieter when it’s shared

But the danger doesn’t go away just because no one’s talking about it

Instinct Isn’t Emotion It’s Intelligence You Haven’t Articulated

Let’s clear something up: trusting yo-

And if you ignore it long enough, it doesn’t go away It just gets buried under routine and rationalization Until one day, you look up and you’re halfway through a path you don’t remember choosing

Trusting your instinct is not about rejecting structure It is about interrogating it

It’s about choosing why and if you follow, not just who

So What Now?

Let’s not romanticize this.

Leaving the path is terrifying You lose the comfort of certainty You lose the warm nods of approval You might lose your status, your income, your audience But what you gain is agency

You gain the right to build something that’s actually yours To walk a path that’s uncertain, but honest And to discover what you’re capable of when you’re not

So ask yourself:

Am I where I want to be? Or am I just where I ended up? If I left the path tomorrow, what would I lose?

And what would I finally stop pretending to need?

Because maybe the scariest thing about stepping away from the herd isn’t the wolves

LIVIN’ BOUGIE LIKE

ear reader, if you know me then your time has come to get bougie If you don’t know me then buckle up, you are in for a ride Today I woke up on the right side of my queen-sized bed and I decided to stop gatekeeping my secrets So here is, SASO’s TOP 5 SECRETS TO LIVE BOUGIE

1. MONEY WHO?

First things first, let’s establish that YOUR worth is NOT determined by how much money is saved in your account OR how much cash is folded in your wallet Something that cannot be bought is a gentle, caring, loving and an empathetic heart that you own Do not be fooled and sell your core values to look bougie or worthy

GOLD LIKE YOU CAN ONLY BE INVESTED RATHER THAN SOLD!

Because you know what’s NOT bougie? The cops running behind you! Once our needs are done, we can now unleash our rich-life energy

3. BUDGET THEN JUDGE IT

People think that budgeting should be done ONLY if you are planning to buy a car, a house or diamonds but in my world, everything needs to be budgeted You will make an excel sheet and list down all the things you would like to do from getting manicure to eating BHD 50/- rib eye steak

2. SPEND SMART NOT HARD

One thing we will need to learn is to distinguish between our wants and needs In simple words, wants can wait, needs cannot wait So, let’s make it a rule that once that income hit the account, we pay our bills, loans and utilities

Next, you will group your activities in a way that each week will have one high budget activity + one low budget activity (or two if you are rich enough to do so LOL) – if you are on a tight budget then get one fancy activity on one week and the next week shall be a low budget activity.

This technique will allow you to sustain your bougieness till end of the month instead of spending all your money in the same week you got paid!

4. CREDITS NOT DEBTS

Learn the credit card game but aim to always play the game safely!

I know, sometimes life gets rough You wake up one day to a weird sound coming from your aircondition unit, or you drive your car and its start shaking or you catch flu from your careless coworker These unexpected scenarios can eat a big bite from your income that you

THE BADDIE

5. MINDSET GAME

I am a true believer in law of attraction or …. Fake it till you make it LOL I believe that a people should train their brains the way they train their muscles Because this actually works The more you carry yourself in

Once you truly believe that this is the life you belong to, then the whole universe INCLUDING YOU will work towards arranging this life to yourself

WONDERS OF THE ISLES:

ATIMELESS ESCAPE TO THE UNITED KINGDOM

From cobbled streets and centuriesold castles to vibrant cities and serene countryside, the UK offers a journey where history, art, and nature weave together beautifully My recent travels across England and Scotland opened doors to rich heritage, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable moments

THE PERFECT BLEND OF HISTORY AND HUSTLE, LONDON IS A MUST FOR EVERY TRAVELER’S BUCKET LIST.

A GLIMPSE INTO ROYAL HISTORY

At the Mary Queen of Scots exhibit, Scotland’s royal past came alive The sculpture and storytelling surrounding one of the most iconic monarchs revealed the depth of the nation's legacy It's more than a visit it's a connection to the soul of Scotland

STEPPING BACK IN TIME AT EDINBURGH CASTLE

In Edinburgh, time seemed to slow down Walking through the arched stone gateway of the castle, I was transported to an era of kings, battles, and myths The Royal Mile bustled with bagpipes and heritage, while the view from the castle courtyard offered a breathtaking sweep of the city below

LONDON: THE CITY OF ICONS

London dazzled with its classic charm and modern pulse

Whether it was the striking sight of Big Ben or the artistic grandeur of The National Gallery, every step felt cinematic Strolling through Trafalgar Square and riding past the iconic black cabs was like living inside a postcard

Edinburgh combines medieval majesty with modern warmth it’s a city that lingers in your heart

HIGHLAND RETREAT: WATERFALLS AND WILDERNESS

The Scottish Highlands were nothing short of magical The winding roads led to postcard-worthy vistas, and the quiet was a luxury Among the highlights was a stunning waterfall, hidden amidst rugged cliffs powerful, serene, and humbling all at once

This was nature at its most dramatic, raw, and beautiful

EXPLORING THE CHARM OF THE UK & SCOTLAND

MOMENTS IN THE MOORLANDS

A tiny purple thistle, plucked gently during a peaceful Highland stop, symbolized the strength and beauty of the land. Surrounded by rolling hills and lochs, the Highlands offer a serenity that words can’t capture only experience can

If you crave tranquility and timeless beauty, this is your haven

THE HIGHLANDS: UNTAMED BEAUTY

From Edinburgh, I joined a small group to explore the Scottish Highlands Glencoe, with its haunting beauty, felt like a painting brought to life We drove past lochs and hills that seemed to breathe with ancient spirit

In Fort Augustus, I sat beside Loch Ness, hoping for a mythical sighting, but instead found something more profound: stillness

WHY THE UK & SCOTLAND DESERVE A SPOT ON YOUR TRAVEL LIST

Beyond the famous sights and dramatic scenery, what makes the UK and Scotland memorable is the blend of culture, character, and charm. From sipping tea in London to hiking hills in Glencoe, every experience invites you to pause, admire, and feel grateful

HELPFUL TRAVEL TIPS

When to Go: Late spring to early fall (May–September) for comfortable weather and scenic beauty

Pack Smart: Layers are essential, especially in Scotland where sunshine can turn to mist in minutes UK weather shifts quickly

Don’t Miss: A West End show in London, the view from Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, and a whisky tasting tour in the Highlands

Getting Around: Trains are efficient; book in advance In Scotland, guided tours or renting a car are ideal for reaching remote spots

Trains are scenic and efficient book early for good deals

Speak to locals they have the best stories

Leave space for spontaneity some of the best things are unplanned.

Trust your gut your intuition is your best travel buddy

UNCLE, YOU ARE LEGEND BY ALL MEANS. THANKS FOR BEING THERE.

FOR SOME REASON YOUR SECOND/LAST NAME REMINDS ME OF LIGHTNING/THUNDER. IT MIGHT JUST BE FROM YOUR STRONG PRESENCE ON STAGE OR THE “ZER” AT THE END OF THE NAME.

SOMETIMES I JUST WANT TO STOP HER AND TELL HER DAMN YOU’RE SO BEAUTIFUL BUT I AM GIRL AND SHE MIGHT TAKE IT THE WRONG WAY SO HERE WE ARE! BLESS YOUR FAMILY’S GENES FOR BIRTHING THIS DIVINE GIFT TO OUR EYES AND HEART.

TMLiyanaLijineshi

HEY MIMI, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE THE DEFINITION OF BACKBONE. HAVING YOU AROUND THE CLUB OR EVEN OUTSIDE GIVES ME SO MUCH COMFORT! YOU ARE SUCH A WHITEHEART PERSON AND I PRAY NOTHING OTHER THAN ALL THE GOOD THINGS TO YOU! I KNOW THE BABY WILL BE SOOOO LOVED XXOO THE BOLD AND HANDSOME MAN SHINING WITH HIS INCREDIBLE SPEECHES! KEEP GOING MESHAL!!

TMMeshalAlqassab

THE MAN THE GIF THE PIGEON GUARANTEED TO BRING A LAUGH IN ANY SITUATION, EVEN WHEN ITS MOST INAPPROPRIATE �� BUT WHY SHALT WE NOT LAUGH ONE SHUD ASK... PERHAPS THE SIRE TARO HAS ALREADY CRACKED THE CODE TO LIFE, IF WE CAN'T LAUGH ABOUT IT, IF WE CAN'T HAVE FUN WITH IT, WHAT GOOD IS IT ANYWAYYYYYY

TMMohammedTarradah

DTMAhmedRizvi
TMJoelEbenezeri
TMMaramAlAradii

A YAT VALENTINE’S DAY TRADITION

IF YOU WENT TO WHATEVER GOT TALENT TO SHOW YOUR TALENT, YOU WOULD SIT DOWN TO JUDGE TALENTS INSTEAD.

FROM DAY ONE, YOU POTENTIAL CAN BE SEEN, AND IT’S LIMITLESS

TMNabihaHussain

IF YOUR NAME WAS MALAK, IT WOULD ALL MAKE SENSE (ASK YOUR ARABIC FRIENDS TO GET IT)

SUCHFRIVOLOUS,METICULOUSANDSUSPENTORYMAGNITUDEOFAPERSON,ONEWHO EXEMPLIFIESTHESHEERESSENCEOFAFLOATINGFLUFFER,EVERLASTINGINITSMANNER, OVERGLOWINGINITSGLORY!THEMOREIWORRYTHEMOREILORETHESTORYOFAWORN WORMINATORNLORRY NEETI,YOUARETHESUNTHATSETSINTHEWEST,LONGINGFORITS INEVITABLERISEINTHEEAST,WEEATWHENWEFEAST,MRBEAST PLACINGSUCH HUMOROUSSPEECHTOATANGENT,SHEISTRULYAHEARTWARMINGSOUL,IWISHTOKNOW MORE,BUTTHISSOULMIGHTBEMEANTTOLEAVETHEBEIGESANDSINTOTHEGREEN FORESTS,INALLCASES,ALLTHEVERYBESTTOYOUMYFAIRLADY �� TMNeetiJoshua

YOUR ENERGY IS AS CONTAGIOUS AS YOUR SMILE! YOU BRING A SPECIAL LIGHT TO EVERY MEETING, MAKING YAT A PLACE FILLED WITH WARMTH AND JOY. KEEP SHINING!

TMMusatafaMohamed
TMNajlaHameed

E X C O M

As we approach the end of the term 2024-2025, I am exhilarated to report that the term has been going absolutely great!

Our club is in great standing in terms of DCP achievements, membership stats, and PR performance. Our financials are up to date, meetings are proceeding as planned and all logistics are set

Most importantly we are having successful meetings with plenty of guests and attendance

I’m equally thrilled to report that we have just successfully carried out the club elections and have the next officers set for 2025-2026, led by the breathtakingly dashing and mightily capable incoming president TM Najla Hameed

I am very proud of this ExCom team who all the success is owed to, it has been an absolute pleasure to serve among you <3

VP EDUCATION

This term definitely brought a lot to the table and exceeded my expectations Even though I as the VPE was not really hopeful at the start, I love that I have been proved wrong and the members surprised me with their amazing performance Starting with DCP, our members managed to collect 4 points from the Pathways and the main contributors are (TM Joel Ebenezer, TM Neeti Joshua, TM Zainab Muhammed, TM Allwin Fernandes, TM Meshal Alqassab, TM Najla Hameed) Achieving 4 out 6 educational DCP points along with other goals, we are ending the term as select distinguished in addition to having 100% pathways adoption level, We would like to bring to the spotlight that for the first time ever in our club, two members are eligible for Triple Crown Award and these two iconic speakers are TM Neeti Joshua and TM Joel Ebenezer!! **very loud round of applause**

During my term, I was eager to contribute to our club’s vibrancy by fostering a welcoming environment for new members and supporting our existing ones.

I had immense joy and pleasure every time I conducted the induction process Leading the Toastmasters pledge during these ceremonies filled me with immense pride and excitement, as I witnessed individuals take their first steps toward personal growth

This role specifically got me hooked to it due to it's similarities with a Sales executive role

As I pass the baton to the next VPM, I am excited to see our club continue to thrive My time in this role has reinforced my belief in the power of Toastmasters to transform lives through communication and leadership I encourage every member to consider taking on a leadership role, it’s a remarkable opportunity to grow, contribute, and make a lasting impact

This term in numbers:

3

REPORTS...

Let me start by saying that this term was full of PR momentum We have successfully conducted a PRxMembership Campaign under the Solgan “Be a Speaker, Be a Leader, Be a Toastmaster” Since our participation in District 20 PR Awards in September, we have secured more than 20 PR Awards be it on Club or member levels The Memes were on fire this term and I am glad many members are excited to partake in the awards This term, in order to assist the VP Membership further, I have been sending individual meeting invitations on Instagram to our followers at the rate of 60+ invites and it has been working wonders We are having a steady followers growth in 3 out 4 social media platforms being Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube while Facebook is slowly growing We have successfully revived our YouTube Channel thanks to the monthly video highlights and members videos and we have gained since the start of the term 11 subscribers So, please be sure to always: like, comment, and share all our posts to expand our reach and have more guests

Being an EXCOM member for the term 2024/25 provided me with valuable experience in teamwork and highlighted the importance of communication in making the club a big success As it was my first time, I took on the role of Secretary The sheer responsibility this role carried made me realize the necessity of attending meetings, keeping sheets updated, and listening carefully to every single detail One of my tasks was tracking Toastmaster of the Year points, and observing the friendly competition throughout the year added an exciting and motivating dynamic Nonetheless, it was never a hectic or an overwhelming role, but definitely a fun and rewarding one that I would genuinely consider taking up again in the future

NeetiJoshua

JoelEbenezer

MaramAlaradi

MeshalAlqassab

NajlaHameed

MustafaMohamed

SaraTaher

DakshinPradeep

VP PUBLIC RELATIONS

S E C R E T A R Y

Thank you all for keeping YAT stable in financial waters no icebergs, no SOS signals, just smooth sailing

Because of your timely payments, we’ve maintained a solid financial standing, helping us plan events, celebrate milestones, and aim higher every term I’ve updated all records, balanced the books, and I’m happy to report: no missing coins, no suspicious expenses

Let’s keep this momentum going Encourage friends to join more members means more strength, more ideas, and a thriving club

Till then, stay sharp, stay active and yes, stay paid!

Serving as the Sergeant at Arms taught me two important life lessons being organized and punctual My key responsibility was to ensure the meeting venue was ready, the materials were in place, and everything started on time Through this, I truly learned the value of preparation and commitment On days I couldn't make it, my fellow EXCOM members stepped in and made sure everything ran smoothly something I’m deeply grateful for

Regarding our inventory, most items are in order, but a few ribbons have run out and need reprinting The timer device is also broken and needs repair Other than that, our supplies are well-maintained This role was an amazing experience and helped me grow both personally and professionally

TOYPointsYATRace

SOME OF THE GUESTS THAT GRACED US WITH THEIR PRESENCE

ToastmastersTurns100

A CENTURY OF EMPOWERING VOICES

In 2024, Toastmasters International proudly celebrates its 100th anniversary, a remarkable milestone in its mission to empower individuals to become confident speakers and effective leaders Founded in 1924 by Dr Ralph C Smedley in Santa Ana, California, Toastmasters began as a small club to help people improve their communication skills A century later, it has evolved into a global movement with over 16,000 clubs in 145 countries

This centennial is not just a celebration of history but a tribute to every member who has taken the microphone with courage, grown through feedback, and inspired others As Toastmasters steps into its next century, it continues to ignite the power of voice; one speech, one leader, and one club at a time

For 100 years, Toastmasters has been a training ground for millions who sought personal and professional growth Through its proven education program, members develop skills in public speaking, leadership, active listening, and critical thinking, all in a supportive, learn-by-doing environment Be a Speaker. Be a

YAT GOES OUTDOORS

WHY JOIN TOASTMASTERS?

COMMAND THE STAGE

Learn to speak with confidence, clarity, and influence, whether it's a boardroom or a big crowd

LEAD WITH IMPACT

Step into leadership roles that challenge you to think strategically, inspire others, and get results

UNLOCK UNSHAKABLE CONFIDENCE

Turn nervous energy into unstoppable self-belief through consistent practice and encouragement

COMMUNICATE LIKE A PRO

Master the art of clear, compelling, and persuasive communication in any situation

GROW WITH EVERY SPEECH

Get real, constructive feedback that accelerates your progress, no fluff, just growth

BUILD A POWERFUL NETWORK

Join a global community of driven professionals who support, challenge, and elevate each other

Chief Editor: TM Maram Al Aradi © ALL RIGHTS RESERVED TO YOUNG ADULT TOASTMASTERS - CB-01682476

YOUNG ADULT TOASTMASTERS CLUB NEWSLETTER

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WHERE LEADERS ARE MADE

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