A Memorable Milestone in Leadership Training
by Mohamed Shiraz, TM
IPP-VPED, Desert Pioneers Toastmasters Club
It was truly a great experience to be part of the first in-person Club Officers Training held in Kuwait since the pandemic! It instantly took me back to my very first Club Officers Training in 2019 at SIMS Kuwait, the last one before COVID struck. I vividly remember the energy in the room, the valuable knowledge that was shared, and the motivation provided by the leaders. It left a lasting impact on me.
When we started planning this session, we had high aspirations. Being the first in person session after 5 long years, we thought, let’s make it grand. Maybe a fancy hotel, top-notch amenities, and delicious food to treat everyone. But as life often reminds us, we plan, and God disposes. Things don’t turn out the way we imagined. Instead of luxury, we only had the option of choosing a much simpler venue.
And yet, I’m grateful to God and to the organization for making this possible. Finding a space for nearly 150 people, especially at such short notice in summer, where most of the management was on holiday and without a budget, was quite a challenge. I realized something important that day. It’s not the venue that makes the event special, rather it is the people. It is our bonding, our passion for learning, our drive to support each other and the love and care we share that made it truly unforgettable.
It was a distinct honour to serve as a trainer this time, working alongside dedicated and passionate individuals. Toastmasters truly lives up to its motto “Where Leaders Are Made”. District 20 could have easily chosen seasoned presenters, but instead, they chose to give emerging leaders like us the chance to shine, which I greatly appreciate, and I am inspired to continue contributing to this incredible journey.
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TM Mohamed Shiraz — a dedicated Toastmaster since 2019, who has served as Club excom roles, Area Director, and Division Director. He has coached clubs, led Speechcraft programs, and inspired members across the district to grow as communicators and leaders.