Doha, 02 June 2022

RICHARD Peck, past World President of Toastmasters International (2020-2021), a prestigious self developing communication and leadership worldwide forum, was recently on a visit to Qatar. His wife, Bettyann Peck, was chief guest at a two-day District 116 (Qatar) Annual Educational Conference that was recently held at the Torch Hotel Doha.

Richard Peck said that Qatar as District in Toastmasters International (TMI) worldwide fraternity, has been number one for the past three years in a row.

He said that it will remain steady and strong in future as well. “They have got a five-year strategic plan and are continuously working to ensure they maintain their top position on the world level.”

The former worldwide president of TMI said the local leadership has a plan to have international president from Qatar. “When you have a team working that way, that’s the only way you can achieve since everyone is looking in the same direction,”

DTM Peck said. Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) is the highest educational attainment during the course of learning and practicing communication skill, while the world’s stewardship is the highest position to earn while working on leadership journey.

“I have observed that there’s unlimited growth in Qatar as the majority are expatriates and as they continue to come in, there is constant need to improve communication and leadership skills. As such, it’s endless as I could see in this area. There is a possibility of having two districts in Qatar because of the ongoing growth.”

He said there is huge potential for further growth in District 116 as there are untapped areas including large a corporate sector and educational institutions. “The requirement is to develop the confidence level of teachers to face their students. it’s the job of the leaders to identify those who require self development and provide them the platform.”

Replying to a question on how District 116 Qatar is different from other 125 districts around the world, he said that as a past president one looks at each district with uniqueness. “There are a number of districts in the United States and each of these districts has its own uniqueness. So it’s not about comparing country from country or district to district. The basic requirement is to watch improvement in a member. We are a member-based organisation and one has to look at the
stand point, members gaining confidence. With regular practice, leaders and speakers both improve.”

He said the body language and delivery of words are two ways of sending a message, and each member of the audience sees it in a different way.

About the difference between communicator and leader, he said one can be a great communicator without being a leader but one cannot be a great leader without
being a good communicator. “A leader must know how to pass on a message,” he explained.

Bettyann Peck, spouse of the DTM, holds highest educational recognition in TMI fraternity as DTM (Distinguish Toastmaster), like her DTM husband who also
held highest leadership position as World President Toastmasters International for the year 2020-2021.

They got married in 2001 and it was only around 2016 that she got influenced and wanted to develop her communications skills while accompanying her husband on various visits participating in speech contests or attending Toastmasters directors meetings. On her husband’s advice, she joined another club to
groom herself.

Richard Peck has been a telecommunication engineer by profession, one of the three siblings of a small family. During his college tenure, on advice of his college counsel, he started writing a brief on the books he was reading. He could not understand at that time why his counsel was persuading him to develop writing skills until he became an engineer and had to make professional presentations.

It was in 2006 when he got influenced by Les Brown, a well known motivational speaker, as he heard him. He started dreaming to become a speaker like him.
It was on his advice that Richard Peck joined Toastmasters Club and his journey continues.

Talking about his first visit to Qatar, he said he is an open minded person and whenever he travels he enjoys meeting people. “I have been interacting with
individuals in Qatar. Qatar is a friendly and warm country and people are absolutely wonderful, engaged and amazing hospitable. Great stories to share, great cultures to explore.”

Pictures: 2022 Annual Division 116 Conference