On October 16, members of Area 20, Division E, District 20, hosted an open house event that showcased the communication and leadership development opportunities offered by Toastmasters. The gathering brought together members from four local clubs—Desert Pioneers, Dreamweavers, Durrar, and Insan—and attracted guests interested in exploring the organization’s activities.
The event was spearheaded by Event Chair Mohammad Hussain and opened with welcoming remarks from Sergeants at Arms Ramees Chalatti and Mohamed Azam. Abrar Al-Qallaf, serving as Toastmaster of the Day, guided the proceedings with a smooth and engaging presence, ensuring the program maintained momentum throughout.
Timers Mohamed Shabeer and Hanadi Gassan played a key role behind the scenes by monitoring speaker times closely, keeping the meeting on schedule and demonstrating the importance of time management within Toastmasters sessions. The program featured a prepared speech titled “Two Letter Word” delivered by Razan Al-Tamimi, which combined humor with thoughtful messaging and received an insightful evaluation from Vishal Edward Khan, DTM. His feedback underscored the value of constructive critique in helping speakers refine their skills.
Complementing the speeches, the event also offered a workshop titled “Success That Fits Your Life,” led by Hanan Haloush, encouraging participants to define and pursue personal growth according to their individual goals. Presentations by Raymond Pereira, DTM, and Club Growth Director Heba Al-Nakkas, DTM, provided newcomers with an overview of Toastmasters’ role in developing communication and leadership capabilities.
Following a short break, attendees were invited to participate in an impromptu speaking session facilitated by Topicsmaster Venkatakrishnan Nurani, giving guests an opportunity to experience public speaking firsthand.
The smooth execution of the event was supported by logistics lead Dareen Alhajjar, DTM, who managed venue arrangements and hospitality details such as refreshments and guest gifts. Maria Josol ensured an efficient onboarding process for visitors, while Dr. Sahar Helmi closed the evening with a vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of speakers, role players, organizers, and attendees.
Public Relations Officer Habeeba Ifham was credited with promoting the open house effectively through creative outreach efforts, helping to attract a wider audience ahead of the gathering. Area Director Wafiq Anwar led the initiative with the goal of delivering an event that reflected a collective pride among all participants. Event Chair Mohammad Hussain described the day as “a ton of fun, learning, and a wonderful experience,” encapsulating the spirit of the occasion.