GROUP PHOTO: Sunita Saini, President ICC Eves, sitting centre, Raghavan, third from right, Ravi Kumar, second from left, Rajeshwar, third from left, with ICC Eves and Division executives.

By Umer Nangiana

A seven-member executive committee and a new President for ICC Eves Toastmasters Club recently took oath for 2015-16. The outgoing president Asha Shiju administered oath to the newly elected members and formally handed over the responsibilities to the new president Sunita Saini and the executive committee.
In an instillation ceremony conducted by Area 68 Director Susmita Pattnaik, the incoming president Sunita assured club members and senior division officials to carry on the legacy set by her predecessors.
“The benchmark that has been set by the club would be definitely taken a step further,” said Sunita. She thanked the club members for demonstrating their trust in her.
The ICC Eves toastmaster club is a local chapter of Toastmasters International, a non-profit organisation that gives its members the opportunity to develop and improve their public speaking and leadership capabilities.
Like-minded women meet up at a common place and have quality meetings to develop effective communicators and leaders among women as per the Toastmasters International guidelines. All members are encouraged to take on opportunities as speakers and role players to enhance their capabilities in a non-threatening motivating environment.
The newly elected leaders include Sunita Saini as President, Kanthi Ravichandran as Vice-President Education, Padmini Sadagopan as Vice President-Membership, Prathibha Ramesh as Vice-President Public Relations, Girija Chari as Club Secretary, Rifna Sadath as Treasurer, Maimoona Abubaker as Sargent at Arms and Asha Shiju.
Lesiley Mathew conducted the meeting which was held under the theme ‘Leadership.’ Past Division Director and Veteran Toastmaster Rajeshwar Sundaresan was the keynote speaker of the evening. Susan Mathew also presented her advance project on the occasion.
The evening became memorable when Mou Bera was invited to receive Toastmasters fraternity’s highest educational achievement, the status of Distinguished Toastmasters (DTM). Raghavan and Ravi Kumar felicitated her on her distinction and the audience gave a standing ovation in line with the Toastmasters tradition.
“I am extremely thankful to everyone at the club for all the help. I will use my experience and education towards building and developing a progressive society,” said Mou Bera, paying her gratitude to all for helping her in her achievement.
Raghavan formally congratulated the recipient and acknowledged her dedication and persuasiveness.
On the eve of installation of new team of the club, five women joined as new members of the club providing a boost to the club executives. ICC Eves Toastmasters is the only women’s club for self-development, communication and leadership skills development in Qatar. The members meet on the second and fourth Mondays of every month.
Present on the occasion of the instillation ceremony were Division and Area executives including NV Raghavan, Division ‘Q’ Director Ravi Kumar, Division ‘E’ Director Thayalan, Anil Nair, Ashraf Siddiqui, Media Manager Rajeshwar Sunderesan and Mou Bera.
The club promotes ‘learning by doing’ attitude. It provides a platform to its members to excel individually and also as a team. ICC Eves has over the years produced great speakers and leaders.
The Eves club has always been crowned as Presidents Distinguished Club. A toastmaster club dedicated to ladies, it was founded in May 2009 by Vijaya Monteiro. Today, ICC Eves is one of the strongest toastmaster clubs in Division Q, District 20 with many dynamic champion speakers.