Gulf war had its own devastating effects on the whole of the world in general and Middle East in particular. One of the silver linings of this cloud was the formation of 'OASIS' Toastmasters club'. Until the end of 1990, Dhahran Toastmasters were offering membership to interested non-Aramco employees. During Gulf war, since Aramco recreation restricted membership in Dhahran Toastmasters only to Aramco employees, the non-Aramco membership along with few Aramcons decided to continue their Toastmasters membership by founding a new club. Thus a group of committed, dedicated and determined group of individuals gave birth to this unique club 'OASIS' Toastmasters club. Though the club started its meetings in early 1991, the club was officially chartered in June 1991 with 21 charter members.

Down the memory lane

Since then the Oasis Toastmasters club, Al Khobar has been quenching the thirst of its members and inducting the guests as members every now and then. On June 15, 2006, the club did commemorate its 15th anniversary and is looking forward to marching ahead towards its 16th successful year of service to its members.

The milestones achieved by the Oasis club in the past 15 years of its existence are many. Within two years after it was chartered, TM Mathews Kurien of Oasis Toastmasters club won the second place of the World Championship award for the International Taped Speech Contest for the year 1993, organized by the Toastmasters International, California. Since then Oasis members have bagged 6 more International Taped Speech contest awards in the past 12 years. Besides DTM Mathews Kurien, the other winners are TM Austin Nevis, TM Ronald Olivera (twice), TM Kris Pandit, TM Shashikala Prasad and TM Satish Kini. It was the Oasis Toastmasters that sponsored the Gulf Toastmasters Annual Convention for the year 1996 under the Chairmanship of TM Satish Kini with great success and had its member TM Mathews Kurien elected as the first Governor for the provisional Toastmasters District under formation in the Gulf. The Club has over the years provided leaders at various levels like District Governor DTM Mathews Kurien, Lt. Governor Marketing DTM Austin Nevis, Division Governor TM Saif Ali Sheikh, 2 Area Governors TM Saif Ali Sheikh and TM Feroze Fazal (Governor Elect Area 32), Long term Strategic Planning Chairman for the District DTM Mathews Kurien and District Education Committee Chairmen - DTM Mathews Kurien (2003-2004) & TM Saif Ali Sheikh (2005-2006). DTM Mathews Kurien has again been nominated as District Education Committee Chairman for 2006/2007. TM Saif Ali Sheikh was chosen as the best Area Governor of District 79 for the year 2003/2004. This club sponsored a new Toastmasters club in Jubail called Jubail Toastmasters leading to the formation of a Provisional Area in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia in 1998. The club has also sponsored other clubs in the region such as Sahara Toastmasters Club, Dammam Toastmaster Club and Zamil Toastmasters Club to name a few and still continues to do so. It earnestly continues to work towards the growth of new Toastmasters Clubs in the region. When Rahima Academy organized annual speech clinics for their students, the club dispatched its members over the years for providing expert assistance. Oasis Toastmasters have conducted a number of workshops on various subjects. The club has also conducted many speech craft programs and other educational program for various educational institutions.

The first newsletter of the Club was released in October 2002 under the Presidentship of TM Saif Ali Sheikh by V.P. P.R DTM Austin Nevis and the Club Website & online newsletter Launched in 2004 under the Presidency of TM. Satish Kini by V.P. PR TM Anil Madan.

In March 2005, Oasis Toastmasters Club contributed in a major way to the huge success of the Division F annual conference. TM Saif Ali Sheikh, the Division F Governor, TM Anil Madan, the Conference Chairman, and the members who contributed towards this conference deserve credit for its grand success.

In March 2006, again Oasis Toastmasters Club played a major role in the success of the Division F Annual Conference.

The membership in Oasis Toastmasters is open to any national according to the club’s Constitution & Bylaws but subject to the age limit of 18 years as prescribed by the parent body, the Toastmasters International. The Oasis Toastmasters has been serving its members and the community without any prejudices and proved its worth like an oasis in a land of oases giving opportunities to all concerned who would like to learn the art of public speaking and leadership skills.

Oasis Toastmasters would like to remember all those pioneering members who contributed to the establishment of this club and its successful existence through the years. Oasis Toastmasters, in a sense may be the second club that continued its existence like the Dhahran Toastmasters in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. However, it may be said that it was never second to any other club in the Gulf in terms of quality and professionalism. We wish the Oasis club (and its members) which has a Golden Past….Glorious Future!

TM Syed Yunus and TM Mathews Kurien.