Gulf Times
 
Doha, May 12: THIS year's Qatar Toastmasters Annual Convention (QTAC 2008) was held at the Regency Hall in a grand fashion in the presence of district governor Phillip D'Mello, division governor M I Farid, keynote speaker Dr Shaukat Chandana, guests and Toastmasters from all the other clubs in Qatar.

Out of the 23 clubs which competed in the annual Falcon Awards, ICC-One Toastmasters Club made a nearly clean sweep of winning five out of six awards. The sixth award went to Qtel Toastmasters for being the “most improved club”. This club is sponsored and mentored by ICC-One.

Atiya Farid, who grew up in the ranks and made her presence felt and guided the club as the immediate past president, was chosen as the Toastmaster of the year and for producing the best newsletter, Expressions. She conducts youth leadership programmes and speech craft programmes.
Vijaya Monteiro, an expert in conducting speech craft programmes for companies, was voted as the “leader of the year”.

She has served as area governor of Area 43, and has set up three new clubs, including one in Mumbai. .
Ashfaque Deshmukh, vice president, public relations, who introduced innovative ideas and was instrumental in introducing the ICC-One quiz trivia the ICC-One website was voted as the “best webmaster of the year” (www.icconetoastmasters.org).

ICC-One, which has the best Toastmaster of the year and the leader of the year as members, was voted as the best club for the year.