New Jersey: Youth leadership program, one of the initiatives of World Malayalee Council America Region’s Students Engagement Platform (SEP), along with Toastmasters was successfully completed this week. The program was extended over 2 weeks with 8 sessions. 16 high school students participated in this program and benefited from this leadership program. The online program was sponsored by Good Souls Toastmasters of Paterson, New Jersey. It was inaugurated by Mr. Somesh Chablani, DTM, the youth leadership Chair of Toastmasters International, District83. The program was coordinated by Mr. Thomas Thottukadavil, DTM
and Mrs. Maria Thottukadavil, CC, both founding members of Good SoulsToastmasters.
Joanna George, Sanjana Kaloth, Calvin Cherian, Anjali Anil Nair, Jayden Thomas, Ojas Rana, Nimay Sathees, and Teja Mareddy were elected as officers during the program.
Those participating in the Youth Leadership course were, Calvin Cherian, Ananya Raghunath, Sanjana Kaloth, Rithvik Rajesh, Alayna Zayb, Anjali Anil Nair, Nimay Sathees, Chinmayi Mahesh, Jayden Thomas, Giah Jaison, Tanvi Mareddy, Teja Mareddy, Ojas Rana, Noah Peter, Kalyani Anil, Dave Pinto, and Joanna George.
Mr. Philip Thomas, Chairman of WMC addressed the students during session#8 and stressed the importance of developing communication and leadership skills early on in life. The skills that they develop will last throughout their lives.
The Youth Leadership program is a program developed by Toastmasters International with the purpose of developing Communication and leadership skills among the youth. The program focuses on the assessment of current skills and helps the participants improve their communication and leadership skills through 8 different sessions. They also learn about parliamentary procedures by taking on roles as Chairman, Secretary, etc.
The World Malayalee Council under the leadership of Mr. Sudhir Nambiar and Mr. Pinto Kannampally hosted the online program. The Good Souls Toastmasters under the leadership of President Rosalin Thottumari sponsored the program. Paul Varghese, Leo Thottumari, Janette Markert, Manju Pulickal, and Somesh Chablani volunteered as speakers for different topics.
A typical Youth Leadership Program can be provided in any community in the USA in concert with a Toastmasters club operating in that area. The local clubs can be found through the website www.toastmasters.org. For more details, visit www.WMCAmerica.org/ylp
