Jibu Mohan Nair
Toastmasters member since : 2019
Education: Post Graduate in Master of Computer Application
Toastmasters offices held and terms of service:
- Assistant Division Director, Club Growth: 2024 – 2025
- Club Treasurer: 2024 – 2025
- Area Director: 2023 – 2024
- Club VP Education: 2022 – 2023
- Club Treasurer: 2021 – 2022
- Club Treasurer: 2020 – 2021
Toastmasters honors and recognition:
- Outstanding Member, 2023 – 2024
- Distinguished Area Director, 2023 – 2024
- 2 Time achiever of Triple Crown
- Mentor and Sponsor credits for Allianz Services Toastmasters Club
- Mentor credit for DCSMAT TRIVANDRUM Toastmasters
- Leadership Development 3 (LD3)
- Innovative Planning 5 (IP5)
Relevant work experience and how it relates to Toastmasters and your role as a District leader:
For the past years I have been associating with Toastmasters in different roles within the club and outside the club. My involvement spans from club-level support, assisting club presidents with their needs, to the Area, Division, and District levels. This includes serving as Chief Judge, Voting judge, Contest roles, Meeting roles, evaluating speeches at club level and taking on various other responsibilities. I’ve always been ready to lend a hand, readily offering my assistance to club officers and District Leaders whenever needed. This has helped me to gain more knowledge in Toastmasters and improve my capabilities personally and also to extend my network of people. I have been part of the Internal Conflict Resolution Committee when a discrepancy in club leadership arose.
What experience do you have in strategic planning?
Strategic planning is essential and needs to be implemented at every level, from club execom to the highest leadership roles. I believe I have always contributed my 2 cents in the strategic planning at the club level, hence H&R Block TM seems to be achieving the “Presidents Distinguished Award” for the past 6 years. At the club level when the member attendance in session was turning out to be a challenge for our club, as a VP-Education I talked to each and every member and understood what was there issue. Based on the input I recommended some changes in the way we conduct the session and the time. This helped our club to be back on track with 70%-80% attendance. Another one strategic move which I implemented at the club level is appointing associates for the club roles, so that we get a succession of excom without any hesitance. As an Area Director, when one of my club was not consistent and was at the edge of suspension, I gathered some old members and new members from inside and outside India and re-branded the club to be an online community club and ran it for the entire length of my period.
What experience do you have in the area of finance?
As treasurer of the H&R Block club for three terms, I was responsible for managing the club’s finances. This included developing and presenting the annual budget, which I increased by an average of 20% each year. This growth was justified by the increased membership(both new and renewals), annual District and Division meet, internal club expenses etc. To secure budget approval, I prepared detailed proposals demonstrating the need for the increased funding, stating how the additional resources would be allocated to support club activities and achieve our goals for membership, new path and internal speech competition. This experience I believe has improved my skills in budget planning, financial forecasting, and also persuasive communication, as I had to justify and explain the financial needs of the club to management and eventually got it approved.
What experience do you have in developing procedures?
When I joined my current team as a Product Manager, I understood the team was not following the proper agile principles and the process of conducting the sprint ceremonies was missing. I wanted to correct it and hence had a discussion with my Project manager. First, I conducted a thorough analysis of the current process, identifying bottlenecks and areas for improvement. The experience from my previous organization where process was at top-notch and with the knowledge as a Certified Scrum Master, I had defined the entire process the team needs to follow. The more challenging action was the change management, which I took charge off. Instead of implementing all at once, I decided to implement things sprint by sprint – incremental.
What lessons did you learn from previous leadership positions?
While serving in the role of an AD, I had learned to identify when to speak up and when to keep silent. Why consistency is important. Another quality what I learned was how to solve conflicts. I was part of the Internal conflict Resolution Committee which was onlooking issues between toastmasters members. Another key lesson I learned was the critical role of open and honest communication with members.
Why do you want to serve as a District leader?
I believe this role will allow me to officially foster and further develop the exceptional camaraderie that Division G is known for. Toastmasters has significantly impacted my personal and professional development, now I feel its time to give back to the community on a larger scale. I am also excited about the s the challenge of leadership at the Division level. I believe I have the skills and vision to contribute to the overall growth and success of my Division and District 121, which I acquired through my long standing and leadership commitment and experience. I believe there is new learning in each role one takes up. One step at a time I have been learning these from all of the leadership roles I have taken at the club level and outside the club.
In your opinion, what are the District mission’s major objectives and how would you work to achieve them?
I believe I can contribute to District’s mission in several ways, focusing on the core elements: empowering individuals and building/supporting clubs. I have always been available whenever there was a demo meeting for a new club for the past 2-3 years within our Division. Have initiated and been part of the initial discussion itself for many clubs, which improves my experience of pitching in introducing Toastmasters for new clubs. Unless we explore new horizons and domains, we cant keep progressing at the same time bringing in more engagements within the existing clubs also is crucial.
Additional information about yourself:
I have consistently provided support to Toastmasters members across club, Area, Division, and District levels. I believe in actively creating opportunities for others, an action that demands both risk-taking and a unique way of thinking.