PETAL - FCC VANITHA TOASTMASTERS CLUB

THE PETAL Tenacious Let’s Salute the Women Who Show Us What Leadership Means Margaret Page, DTM (Toastmasters Intl President 2021-22)

MESSAGE Shadhiya Shareef Editor , FCC vanitha Toastmaster Club Accept no one's definition of your life, define yourself. Life is a journey filled with lessons, hardships, heartaches, joys, celebrations and special moments that will ultimately lead us to our destination, our purpose in life. The road will not always be smooth; in fact, throughout our travels, we will encounter many challenges. Some of these challenges will test our courage, strengths, weaknesses, and faith. Along the way, we may stumble upon obstacles that will come between the paths that we are destined to take. Presenting before you the second newsletter of FCC Vanitha Toastmasters Club which contains articles by International President 2021-2022 Margaret Page DTM, our club members & detailed description of club activites. Each member is an asset to our club, hence efforts have been put forward to recognize their victories. Taking this oppurtunity to thank the support given by our President Sabeena Abdul Jaleel, Mallika Nair, Anu Pumalkumar & whole editorial team. Looking forward. THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 2

MESSAGE Margaret Page, DTM International President 2021-2022 Please allow me to contribute the following. Before you begin reading this article about the women who have made a difference in my life, I want to take a moment to celebrate the women of FCC Vanita. As a mother who worked to find success while raising children, I understand how difficult it is to juggle the needs of family while focusing on personal growth and career. Please trust me when I tell you that you will come through this period in your life with superpowers. You will discover you are an expert multitasker, organizer, scheduler, confident, and cheerleader. You will have untold amounts of empathy, dedication, and love to share. By focusing on your own success and your own development, you will set an example for your children and your community. The road may be rough at times, but it is one that women alone learn how to navigate expertly. I’d particularly like to congratulate Shadhiya Shareef, your newsletter editor and her editorial team, for helping to bring these words to you — she and her team, along with the rest of your club members who are focused on a better life, is making the world a brighter place for all of us. Building Back Stronger Together! THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 3

MESSAGE Ravishankar J Club Growth Director “You can do anything if you have enthusiasm.” – Henry Ford Happy New Year Dear FCC Vanitha Toastmasters, Enthusiasm swells in my heart when I think of the Toastmasters of this Club. All members here are uniquely talented super damsels in town who has not only crafted success consistently in creating multiple opportunities for the members to discover themselves effectively but & are a strong contributor to District 116 progress towards excellence as well. The efforts are distinct & from Club membership growth, the guest to member conversion is impressive. I am happy the club is on course to achieve PDC status. Member’s enthusiasms complimenting a strong supportive environment to meet Club mission. The Club members exhibit miracles when it comes program quality, member’s achievements & challenging for leadership roles in District. All this only prove the above quote by Henry Ford. This Club is a happening place which enhances true experience for members and guests as well. The collaborative hard work & results reflect the propelling roles executed effective leaders in your team. It gives me great pleasure to share my heart felt message in the second edition of your Club’s newsletter for this term, “The PETAL”. I wish every reader gain valuable takeaways & all members bloom with continued success in this term and beyond. THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 4

MESSAGE SIBY JOSEPH Area Director Success is yours if you enjoy what you do The Washington Post says that only 13% of the people worldwide like the job what they do. Circumstances may force us to do those jobs for our livelihood which we may not actually enjoy. We may not have a choice all the time, yet why not spare some time to do something that we love? As toastmasters, we are all here for our passion in public speaking. In the same, if we enjoy performing speeches or taking up leadership roles, we can achieve success. In 2018, without any external recommendation, I joined Toastmasters merely upon the sight of a piece of news on the paper, solely for my passion to speak. Soon after, I became the VPE of the club. After completion of one year, I had to leave the country. Thereafter, I returned in March 2020 and by then, the club was filled with new faces. Back then I thought that mingling with a new group would be difficult and needless to say, COVID-19 overtaking our lives made the process harder. At that juncture, I wished to not rejoin, but the then President Muneera did not wait for my request to officially add me to the club and to my surprise, I became a member who suddenly created friendships with all the fellow toastmasters despite the limitations posed by an online platform. I was also elected as the VPM for the new term which gave me the opportunity to chat with and inspire all those members who newly stepped into the club. Thereafter, past Area 6 Director Aparna entrusted me with a new responsibility- Assistant AD (PQD). My first important task in this role was to organize a confluence meeting which was a great experience to acquaint myself with area council members and all the three clubs in the area. THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 5

MESSAGE It gave me an opportunity to organize an event by leading a team while facing several challenges which I overcame. Yet another major event organized was Online Essay Writing Competition under the banner of the newly formed Al Zaheem Club. That gave me an experience to learn how to execute an online event outside Toastmasters for the community. I was able to organize it seamlessly with the support of Al Zaheem Club members with whom I quickly created friendly relations. Mentoring a new club was another great experience in my leadership journey. Quite surprisingly, at the end of the term, I secured the title of Division B Toastmaster of the Year Award without taking any conscious effort for the same. Actually I was enjoying all these activities- whether it is taking up roles in meetings, completing a path in pathways, organizing events, competing in contests, mentoring, sponsoring, or making promo video as short film- which eventually led me to the award. Toastmasters is a platform where we can develop our communication as well as leadership skills in a stress-free environment. This is the only platform where we get a chance to speak right from the day we join, even if that be as a guest. In toastmasters, each and every member gets a chance to be in a leadership role. The only question is, are you willing to accept it? Mentors are here to give you the right direction and opportunities are not scarce for whatever talent you may have. You may even create opportunities if you choose to be a leader. Taking up a leadership role will itself make you a confident speaker. I realize it to be true being the Area Director this year. But whatever you do, if you enjoy it, your creativity starts working and you shall be successful. THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 6

MESSAGE Sabeena Abdul Jaleel President – FCC Vanitha Toastmasters club & Asst Area 6 Director PQD My journey with toastmaster for the year 2020 -2021 & 2022 are very very special. Years of reformation loaded with super excitement, exploration, development, responsibilities, stiffness, learning and much more. Last year as the VPE of FCC Vanitha Toastmasters Club I’m very much proud that we had a delightful journey of excellence with an exceptional demonstration of talents from our members which steers FCC into further heights of recognition in District 116. it’s an awesome experience where we mutually won the hearts of our members through teamwork and mutual respect by supporting, learning, and growing together. This term 2021-2022 I grab the role of President with more confident and great expectation. But things are not the same as last year. Last year I managed to handle everything very smoothly, as all our members were very much comfortable with the online platform. But the situation changes slowly, in this term even though we are 32 in membership our meeting attendance are running in an average of 15. We the ExCom is trying to bring back more live moments and we are confident that we can go ahead to translate each of our vision into reality by influencing and inspiring each other’s throughout this journey. The Strength of a Team is each individual member, and the strength of each member is the team. That’s my impression with FCCVTM. As a president I’m much happy for the amazing achievements of this term at the mid of the term as we are recognized with Smedley award, best flier award for the month of October and November 2021 , and we achieved select distinguished status by THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 7

MESSAGE securing 8/10 DCP Goals. My Hearty congratulation to all my team. What else we need to be proud; all these add our values. I’m much gratified and confident that we can repeat the story of Excellence with the support and guidance of District 116 by achieving the club vision by accomplishing our individual goals and to reach further heights of leadership and effective communication. My sincere gratitude to DTM Margeret Page, International President of Toastmasters International for her gentle contribution to PETAl “Let’s Salute the Women Who Show Us What Leadership Means” and messages to our dear members. Thank You DTM Margaret Page for your unconditional care and love and keeping us motivating and inspiring with your wise words. My Sincere thanks and appreciation to our District 116 Dignitaries who always guide us to make the best and your support to our chief editor and team with your messages. My sincere thanks and gratitude to our families, without their support we can’t move a single step forward. Being a wife, mom, sister, friend, employee and so on, we all are wearing different hats for different roles in our daily life. We all are unique and are courageous enough to embrace our responsibility in toastmaster for our self-development without escaping ourselves from our major roles. Hats off to you dears I would like to congratulate My beloved VPPR TM Shadiya and her editorial team to come forward to bring out the next volume of Newsletter PETAL. I wish all the very best for them as amidst of the pandemic and other personal commitment it’s really a herculean task to complete a project, but as a champion they all are determined, and they will succeed. Wishing you all the very best. Stay blessed!! THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 8

EDITORIAL EXCOM 2022 TEAM '22 P SHADHIYA SHAREEF A P S MALLIKA NAIR R T E SABEENA ABDUL JALEEL S P I R PRIYANKA RAJAN D E E S N I T D E SABEENA ABDUL JALEEL N T MALLIKA NAIR V V V P P P E M P D E U U M B C B L A E I T R C I S O H R N I E P L A NIJANA P P DILBA MIDLAJ T I O N S SHADHIYA SHAREEF ST S ER E CE R RA G ES E TU A AR N RE T YR @ PRIYANKA RAJAN NIMITHA ANEESH A R M S SONA NASEEM SREEKALA GOPINATH JINEN THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 9

TABLE OF CONTENTS MESSAGES MARGARET PAGE RAVISHANKAR 03 I N T E R N A T I O N A L P R E S I D E N T 2 0 2 1 - 2 0 2 2 SABEENA ABDUL JALEEL 04 C L U B G R O W T H D I R E C T O R 07 P R E S I D E N T – F C C V A N I T H A T O A S T M A S T E R C L U B & ASST AREA 6 DIRECTOR PQD 11 L E T ’ S S A L U T E T H E W O M E N W H O S H O W U S MARGARET PAGE SREEKALA GOPINATH JINEN WHAT LEADERSHIP MEANS SONA NASEEM 13 C A T E R P I L L A R T O B U T T E R F L Y 14 W H Y T O A S T M A S T E R S ? 15 “ E D U C A T I O N S O W S N O T S E E D S I N Y O U , B U T M A K E S S H A S N A N A D U K A N D Y YOUR SEEDS GROW.” BEST FLYERS OF THE MONTH MEETING FLYERS SPECIAL MOMENTS QATAR NATIONAL DAY GATHERING HYBRID MEETING GLIMPSES BEST MOMENT IN TOASTMASTERS SPEECH CONTESTS (CLUB & AREA LEVEL) CONTEST GLIMPSES AREA LEVEL CONTEST WINNERS ONLINE MEETING GLIMPSES LEVEL COMPLETIONS RECOGNITIONS OUTSIDE CLUB ACHIEVEMENT SERVING COMMUNITY THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 10

ARTICLE Let’s Salute the Women Who Show Us What Leadership Means Margaret Page International President 2021-2022 When my mother was growing up in the Netherlands, men were prized. As one of 14 children — and the fifth girl in a row — she learned early on that men were more valuable. During the week, they would do the heavy work in the potato and cabbage fields and help with the cows; on Sundays they were able to enjoy long discussions about politics and the economy. My mother learned early on that her role was to embroider, knit, and do “useful women’s work.” So it’s no surprise that she deferred to my father as head of the household. My brothers were expected to take on much bigger challenges than I was. And yet it was my mother who, as I get older, served as an inspiration. Even though she wasn’t raised to take on leadership positions, she did — as a volunteer for the union, the Poppy Fund, the Royal Canadian Legion, and the local hospital. She taught knitting to fellow seniors well into her 90s. My role models are the women, like my mother, who serve with a disregard for personal glory. They do the hard work of community building day in and day out. Their efforts are even more astonishing and valuable because they come from a true sense of leadership, an innate need to build up the people around them and to leave the world better than they found it. I could write pages upon pages about the remarkable women I have met over the years, but today I will mention just three Toastmasters leaders who stand out. THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 11

1 ARTICLE Cathie Roy is barely five feet tall, but her personality dwarfs her small stature. Cathie was the editor of a community newspaper and taught me big lessons about accountability. From Cathie, I learned how to meet a deadline, how to take my work seriously, how to hold others to a high standard, and how to laugh at life. She could go from stern to laughing so hard that tears streamed down her face in the space of a few minutes — what a remarkable talent for living in the moment! Have you ever experienced an instant connection with someone? That’s how I felt when I met Dawn Miller. When Dawn joined my Toastmasters Club on the Sunshine Coast in 2004, she offered a welcome breath of fresh air and inspired me through her communication skills and positive outlook. I was on the verge of quitting Toastmasters, but Dawn motivated me to push myself, carry-on and contribute. Dawn does not complain (never!). Inspite, of all the physical challenges she faces. She is dedicated and has served Toastmasters selflessly and tirelessly. Through her, I have learned how to tap into my creativity and to always focus on my vision for the future. Lark Doley doesn’t channel or mimic a male style of leadership. She simply doesn’t have to. She understands that, as women, our superpower lies in collaboration. Lark was Toastmasters International President from 2018-2019, and I watched with amazement as she pulled everyone’s ideas together while acknowledging their contributions. She does so out of a true sense of gratitude for both the obvious wins and the not- so-obvious lessons. I have been blessed to watch this servant leader in action. Who are the women who have inspired you? Your club is a great place to share the stories and lessons of the women who have shaped who you are. Paying tribute to them acknowledges them and reminds us all to salute those who deserve our respect. THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 12

ARTICLE Caterpillar to Butterfly Sreekala Gopinath Jinen FCC Member For the first time, as a guest I joined the Qatar Malayalam toastmasters online meeting two years ago,during the pandemic period. When I was voted unanimously as best table topics speaker then, could you imagine how overwhelming a moment that was to me? Since then I had started dreaming to be part of toastmasters international. It's the fulfillment of my dream. \"Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.\". words of Vince Lombardi, who was an American football coach. Yes.. I dream to be excellent in all the possible realms I could.. Hence I am here at Toastmasters international. My skills need mending and glazing whereas my shortcomings and obstructions have to be either erased or discarded. I have started dreaming of a refined self. \"Amazing things happen when women help other women\". FCC vanitha toastmasters club proves it right. \"Once we figure out how respect tastes , it definitely tastes better than attention.\" In toastmasters club , we can simply move on without any embarrassment . In a place where we can be us, where no one judges us, where we are the masters of ourselves , our confidence level boosts up and we dare to choose the life and likes we prioritize. This is what I strongly feel once I am inside FCC vanitha toastmasters club. I could overcome everything that meant to destroy me. Sharing my immense delight , expectations and euphor as a toastmaster, I wish our team that , our voice together may change our world. Every toastmaster here is the one who realized and remembered what we are and then our world started to change. \" Just when the caterpillar thought her life was over, she became a butterfly\". THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 13

ARTICLE WHY TOASTMASTERS? Sona Naseem FCC Member Since childhood I always admired people who made public speeches. An attempt which I felt as hard as a stone. An attempt which I felt that only the most courageous ones could do. An attempt which I felt like the most impossible for me. For my schoolmates who did public speeches, I used to feel them as superheroes and superwomen. I am a girl who never liked to come out of my comfort zone. Why to break the comfort zone? I never knew the reason to it. A number of questions arose when I tried to do something challenging. First question being why am I doing this as I was feeling complete butterflies in my stomach. Another question was, what if I make some mistakes, what will others think and why to make a buffoon of myself. I definitely enjoyed my state of comfort zone. Going to school or college and then back home. I enjoyed the life of no worries and no challenges. Enjoy my homely meal, little bit of daily study and then back to sleep. I disliked any change to this monotonous routine. When it was time to face campus placements or jobs, I failed. And it was then, I realizedit’s time to stand on your own feet. But failure is not the dead-end. Failure is a knock on your door to make you think that it is time for self-realization. It is time to think broadly and work for yourself.And finally, to break your comfort zone. THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 14

ARTICLE “Education sows not seeds in you, But makes your seeds grow.” Shasna Nadukandy FCC Member While going through extreme challenges in my life and Covid pandemic issues, it was total relief and pleasure for me, when the VPE Ms. Sabeena invited me to Join FCC Vanita Toastmasters team. It’s a great relaxation when we are surrounded by people with our level of perception. It was also a strong mental support for me , when you are stuck with real life challenges and true colors of peoples in our bad times. It was my strong desire to surround myself with dreamers, doers , believers and thinkers, since I no longer allow the negative things in my life to spoil all the good things in my life , since I choose to be happy. “ As Michelle Obama said, There is no limit to what we as women can accomplish.” I admire most of the members of FCC Vanita Toastmasters team. My goal is to be more assertive, courage’s, bold and strong to withstand all life fluctuations, so that I can remove all the fears and boundaries that is limiting my skills , abilities and passions. As we all know there is lot of difference between knowledge and wisdom. Each one of us are unique in their own skills passions and attitudes. The love and support from FCC team, bond us together, Empowering each women for success and wisdom. Now to all the fields and boundaries I say, “Hum Honge Kamyab, Hum Honge Kamyab” We Shall over come , We shall over come O Deep in my heart, I do believe We Shall Over come Some day…. THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 15

ARTICLE Joining toastmasters is a turning point in my life. But not just joining toastmasters, I have to put in constant efforts to complete my paths and levels. What I have realized till now is that it is very difficult to take the initial step to do something different. But after you are into it, you will feel the pleasure and joy on the change in your daily routine. You get to meet new friends, new people. You get to know the adventures of others and astonishingly realize that there are many people like you out there, sailing on the same boat and working hard for their own betterment and upliftment. And ultimately you get to know yourself and your skills. We have to make use of every opportunity that comes by. Even if you fail, it doesn’t matter because failures are always life lessons letting you to learn and grow. And thus, this will help you to become better version of yourself. I believe that success does not come within the comforts of your life. It comes from the discomforts in your life. You should start feeling comfortable with the difficulties you face in your life for being a successful person. THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 16

ARTICLE MEETING FLYERS THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 17

BEST FLYERS OF THE MONTH October '21 November'21 \"Start where you are, Use what you have, Do what you can\" - Arthur Ashe THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 18

November '21 HYBRID MEETING GLIMPSES T H E P E T A L | F E B R U A R Y ' 2 2 19

December '21 QATAR NATIONAL DAY GATHERING THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 20

January '22 SPECIAL MOMENTS When our Past Presdent Mallika Nair visited Qatar.. THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 21

SPEECH CONTESTS Club Level WINNERS THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 22

February '22 CONTEST GLIMPSES Area Level THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 23

ARTICLE February '22 AREA LEVEL CONTEST WINNERS THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 24

BEST MOMENT IN TOASTMASTERS THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 25

ONLINE MEETING GLIMPSES THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 26

LEVEL COMPLETIONS PATHWAY COMPLETION APARNA RANISH THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 27

RECOGNITIONS \"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.\" THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 28

OUTSIDE CLUB ACHIEVEMENT Do what you love to do, and be around things that make you smile APARNA RANISH Gardening - Her passion MALLIKA NAIR Running fishery farm in her hometown SAMEEHA NABEEL Running a plant nursery in her hometown THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 29

OUTSIDE CLUB ACHIEVEMENT \"As long as you keep going, you'll keep getting better. And as you get better, you gain more confidence. That alone is success.\" NUFAISA M.R First Prize in Inter-district Badminton tournament conducted by Cultural Forum, Qatar SANA NASEEM First Prize in Speech Contest, Open Book Exam Consolation Prize in Quran Class Contests conducted by Women India , Qatar THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 30

SERVING COMMUNITY “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” NUFAISA MR SANA NASEEM Vice President, Nadumuttam- Cultural Forum Vice President, Thrissur Dist, Cultural Forum SHADHIYA SHAREEF NIJANA P P President, Nadumuttam (Mamoura Area) - Cultural Forum Secretary , Nadumuttam (Ain Khalid Area) - Cultural Forum THE PETAL | FEBRUARY '22 31

WE CHOOSE THE