Let Us Talk Episode 6

Victorious Vicky: A Toastmaster with a Zeal for Achievements

Interviewed by: Saleh Abdullah Alkhamyasi

Our guest this week is humble, simple and always on the run. She tackles her challenges with undeterred confidence blended with a deft touch of humor. Her affiliation with toastmasters started in 1998. A Training Consultant by profession. She works for the Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar and New York Training Center in Amman, Jordan. she teaches management, marketing, communication, leadership, personality development and conduct summer workshops for The International Academy for Intercultural Development (IAID) in Qatar every summer for children ages 5 to 10 and teens from 11 to 18 years old. She graduated with an AB in Behavioral Science and a Master’s Degree in Development Communication. Victoria is a woman with big dreams among which is earning a PhD Degree in Communications. She is currently a member in five clubs and was a founder president for many clubs in Qatar and Jordan. Last year she was our LGM and has honored OTAC with her presence in May 2012. This time she was elected as LG for Education and Training. Those who know her will attest that she is a cheerful and target driven toastmaster. A leader and an inspirer in her own right, DTM Maria Victoria Ferrer affectionately called Vicky is by all means a toastmaster with a zeal for achievements.

DTM Maria Victoria Ferrer
LG for Education and Training

Let us talk approached our LG for Education and Training as she landed from a trip to the Toastmasters Annual Convention. She wholeheartedly welcomed our invitation and let the windows fully opened so the breeze of her wisdom can mesmerize our hearts and uplift our spirits. Our conversation touched upon various topics for the benefits of our toastmasters. The path of our dialogue led us to the following outcomes:

• I loved the concept of learning and developing communication and leadership at the same time. I knew I needed it.
• I realized that at the end of the day-it is not about myself. It is about sharing, mentoring and coaching others who are in need of building their confidence and developing their skills.
• Becoming a communicator and a leader starts within my family.
• If everyone was a Toastmaster, there would be no world conflict”. How true!
• I am currently a member of 5 clubs in Jordan.
• I know that Division D will be a role model once again this term.
• The purpose of joining a speech contest is for the TM to raise the bar in terms of his ability and skills as a speaker.
• An excellent communicator is a good leader. An excellent leader is a good communicator.

When and why did you join toastmasters?

I joined Toastmasters in 1998. I loved the concept of learning and developing communication and leadership at the same time. I knew I needed it.

What has made you stay since then?

Living in the Toastmasters world is an extraordinary experience. Developing leadership and communication skills with positive and motivating fellow toastmasters are gifts to self-improvement. I realized that at the end of the day-it is not about myself. It is about sharing, mentoring and coaching others who are in need of building their confidence and developing their skills. And at the same time I am constantly reaping more knowledge and experience. I have a family of Toastmasters from all walks of life and from different parts of the world. Isn’t that a blessing?

Tell us how did toastmasters impact your life in general?

I cannot tell you how much Toastmasters has changed my life. It has helped me gain more confidence, it made me courageous to deal with so many challenges I have encountered in my personal life, and I have the opportunity to learn new things every day and appreciate its value.

Toastmasters is described as a hub “where leaders are made” why is that?

Toastmasters provide us with the foundation in building ourselves to become a better person. Going through both the communication and leadership tracks are the best ways in developing ourselves to become skilled in every aspect of our lives. I realized that becoming a communicator and a leader starts within my family. How am I managing the family challenges and decision making? Are my children being guided by myself in the right way? Are they being developed as good communicators and leaders as well? Leadership should start within the family and then it is implemented externally- to the TM clubs, areas, divisions and district. Eventually we become a positive contributor to our community –to our society. A fellow Toastmaster mentioned to me while I was in Orlando Florida for the 2012 TM Convention “if everyone was a Toastmaster, there would be no world conflict”. How true! I realized the need for a stronger leadership in me when my dear husband passed away. I had to take up the challenges and move on. I had to be the Father and Mother of my children. I made sure we were working on the right path. So far, my children and I have surpassed most of the hurdles. I owe it to God, to my family and to Toastmasters.

Which club do you belong to and what roles did you serve before the current one?

I was the President and co-founder of the first club in Jordan in 1999 –called the International Toastmasters Club of Jordan. I was also the President and Founder of Filcom International and Al Noor TM Clubs in Qatar in 2002 and 2003. I am the Founder President of a newly chartered club called Speak Up and Shape Club and the President of Black Iris TM Club for the year 2012-2013. Both clubs are based in Jordan. I am currently a member of 5 clubs in Jordan.

Tell us about your role as LGET?

Some of my roles are (as written in the District Leader Manual):

• Strive for accomplishment of district educational goals and achievement of Distinguished District status.
• Promote achievement of educational awards for all members.
• Together with my district leadership team, participate in district leader training sessions
• Plan, organize, and direct district training programs.
• Ensure that division, area, and club officers are properly trained to fulfill their roles and responsibilities.

How could clubs and areas improve the quality of the sessions?

It is important to give more effort in providing variety to themes, offering creative ways of planning for the meetings, making sure the sessions are educational and yet enjoyable. I have been to club meetings where all the role players are so formal and serious. Why can’t we include humor in the meetings? Why can’t the meeting be entertaining? The officers and members should warmly welcome the guests to encourage them to join the club. Well prepared meetings are always a must.

What are your expectations from Division D?

Division D has supported my role as the LGM in 2011-2012 by chartering many clubs and gaining more members. Your division has contributed to the success of District 20 last year. I know that Division D will be a role model once again this term. I hope that every member would work for an educational award both from the communication and leadership track. Let’s take advantage of what Toastmasters has to offer. Let us encourage old and new members to move forward. DTMs, why don’t you start with your CC manual once more? I have met Toastmasters who have become DTMs for at least three times!

As an LGET what is in your agenda what do you want to achieve?

District 20 aims to be a President’s Distinguished District. If all clubs strive to become distinguished we can make it. Stretching our goals by becoming a President’s Distinguished Club would even be exceptional! Let’s work together and succeed together! The feeling of going up the stage to receive the Select Distinguished Award (we ranked No 7 in the world last 2011-2012) in Orlando Florida is indescribable! DG Alex and I received the awards on behalf of all leaders and members of District 20! We lost to District 34 (Mexico) by a few points. We could have landed as No 6 and could have been a recipient of the President’s Distinguished District! This time we won’t let that happen. As DG Alex would say “let’s do today’s work –today”!

Tell us about the psychology of contest and how a contestant can learn to celebrate winning and cope with falling behind?

The purpose of joining a speech contest is for the TM to raise the bar in terms of his ability and skills as a speaker. It is a privilege to compete and to focus on being the best. We learn as we go along. We improve on our weaknesses and refine our strengths. It is not a matter of winning or losing –it is the learning experience that goes along with it. The most important aspects are preparing for the speech contest, the countless rehearsals, the contribution and dedication of the mentors and the positive and encouraging support of the club, area, division, and district. That is what matters! The bottom line is the contestant has improved his skills as a speaker through the experience of joining the contest. Other Toastmasters can learn so much by watching.

A Last word you want to conclude with?

Thank you for giving me the opportunity in contributing to your Division interactive section “let us talk”. Honestly speaking it is a very creative step for sharing knowledge and enlightening each other. I truly appreciate it.

I urge our members to take advantage of the Toastmasters program. My suggestion is take up both the communication and leadership track. Aim to be an officer in your club, visualize yourself as an Area Governor, a Division Governor and even a District Officer. Don’t forget to work on your communication track. An excellent communicator is a good leader. An excellent leader is a good communicator. You can fulfill your dreams if you set your heart on it. I wanted to run for the LGM position after my husband passed away in 2010. I focused on how I could accomplish it. I did it! You can do it too! After all we belong to Toastmasters-where leaders are made!