It has been a busy period for all our leaders, working hard to support our members. Over 750 Club Officers went through Club Officer Training, and 131 clubs had four or more Officers trained. Special recognition goes to 35 clubs that had all seven Club Officers trained (see below).
Your leaders have also been busy doing Club Success Plans and, as of 20th September, 118 of these have been completed and submitted. These are living documents to be viewed and amended throughout the year. This is the club’s strategic plan, setting out how they will achieve Distinguished status this year, working, of course, with every member as they complete their speeches and club meeting roles.
A key to this, of course, is having every member on Pathways. Pathways is important for demonstrating progress as it provides a structured framework, and tracking skills developed over time. A few months ago I gave a speech that didn’t quite hit the mark, for me or for my evaluator. So, for my next Level 3 speech, I chose storytelling, and just by following the structure and Pathways guidance, I improved no end. As a District we are on a mission to get at least 90% of members onto Pathways so they too can benefit from the education programme and see real progress. To help achieve this, every month our District DCP and Pathways Lead, Nadya Abdi, DTM, will be doing a Pathways section in the newsletter, so please do have a read below.
Another key point is of course completing education awards that go towards the Distinguished Club Programme. Do read the article below from Anthony Garvey. VPEd for Shilling Speakers. Shilling achieved Smedley Distinguished last year with 10 DCP points.
We had an energetic and engaged second round of District Officer Training for Division and Area Directors at the beginning of September, creating a balance between Leadership, Team-work and information relevant to their roles. A key topic was Contests and I know many of you are already involved in either competing, judging, being a functionary or observing as an audience member. Your Area and Division Directors are busy organising their Contests too. I love contest time and I am delighted to confirm that the District Executive Committee (DEC) signed it off and …..
Save the Date
The District Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contest will be on Saturday 21st November in London.
And
The District Conference holding the International Speech and Evaluation Contest will be on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th May. You asked and we listened so this year we are avoiding the Bank Holiday weekend. Please also save this date in your diaries.
We will need volunteers to help run both these events and we still need a District Conference Director……is this YOU?
Pathways: Your Progress. Your Achievement. Our Support.
By Nadya Abdi, DTM, District 91 Pathways Education Lead
Every Toastmasters journey begins with joining a club and taking the stage for that first speech or stepping into a meeting role. Through these experiences, we build our communication and leadership skills within the Toastmasters education programme.
This year, our District 91 Pathways focus is about strengthening understanding, widening access and celebrating progress. Working with Division Directors, Area Directors and club leaders, we will provide practical support and resources that strengthen club success and member development. Together, we want more members to access the Pathways Education Programme, progress through their chosen path and have each achievement recognised and celebrated.
Across District 91, progress is already happening. Of our 4,348 unique members, 3,551 are enrolled in Pathways. Since 1 July, members from 104 clubs have recorded 222 education awards, including four new Distinguished Toastmasters (DTM) awards.
During the year, we will offer Pathways Bitesize sessions and Pathways Check ins for members, club officers and District leaders. These sessions will provide clear, practical guidance on Pathways and member progress.
We will also offer Individual Club Data Review sessions for Vice Presidents Education (VPEs) and club officers. These sessions will support clubs review and reconcile education records, check member progress and understand how club systems and Toastmasters International systems connect.
Each month, we will share a Pathways achievement summary, recognise member and club achievements, and feature personal stories through Pathways in My Words.
Whether we are just beginning, returning to our learning or working towards our next milestone, there is a place for us on this journey.
Our progress matters. Our achievements deserve to be celebrated. Together, we will have a year ahead of opportunities to enjoy our learning, celebrate every milestone and grow together.
In the spirit of Ralph C. Smedley, “We learn in moments of enjoyment.”
“The Individual Club Data Review session gave us a clearer view of our members’ Pathways progress. We discovered that several members were closer to completing their path levels than we had realised. Accurate, up-to-date records now support better planning and more effective member support”
Tung Tse, Vice President Education (VPE), Kings Cross Speakers
“The 1-to-1 Individual Club Data Review session gave us a comprehensive view of our membership, Pathways and Easy-Speak records. By comparing information across Club Central, Base Camp and Easy-Speak, we identified gaps in members’ education records and areas requiring follow-up. I now have a clear picture of where our members are in their Pathways journey and a focused plan for supporting their progress in the months ahead.”
Colleen Frank, Vice President Education (VPE), Barking Toastmasters Club
Congratulations Time (July & August)
Some members have been busy already and I want to congratulate the following:
DTM Completion
Celia Edwards
David Howarth
Lucinda Brooks
Valerija Slavina
Triple Crown:
Celia Edwards
Marc Lottig
Stella Meadows
5 DCP Goals
1st London Toastmasters
City of London Toastmasters
Congratulations to the following clubs who had all Seven Club Officers Trained
| Div | Area | Club Name |
|---|---|---|
| J | 4 | Aylesbury Speakers |
| J | 4 | Berkhamsted Speakers Club |
| D | 14 | Bouncing Onward DTM Toastmasters Club |
| J | 10 | Cardiff Toastmasters |
| J | 4 | Chiltern Speakers Club |
| C | 25 | City of London Toastmasters Club |
| B | 8 | Excalibur Online Global Speakers |
| B | 9 | Excalibur Speakers |
| B | 8 | Experience French |
| C | 34 | FTI Consulting UK |
| A | 42 | Hallmark Speakers |
| A | 1 | Hamwic Speakers |
| D | 61 | Harrovian Speakers Toastmasters |
| J | 4 | Hemel Speakers Club |
| D | 61 | HOD Speakers Club |
| B | 52 | Holborn Speakers |
| H | 37 | Kent Speakers Club |
| B | 18 | Kings Speakers |
| H | 35 | Lewisham Speakers Club |
| H | 15 | Liberty Speakers Club |
| B | 6 | London Olympians Speakers Toastmasters Club |
| L | 23 | London Toastmasters |
| B | 18 | London Victorians |
| L | 23 | MLP London Bridge Speakers |
| L | 56 | Northern Lights Speakers Club |
| L | 16 | PMI UK Toastmasters Club |
| H | 15 | Purley Speakers |
| A | 42 | Salisbury Online Speakers |
| B | 9 | Society Speakers |
| C | 34 | St Pauls Speakers |
| J | 4 | Thame Speakers |
| D | 20 | West London Speakers Club |
| L | 56 | Winchmore Hill Speakers |
| L | 56 | Woodford Green Speakers |
| J | 11 | Worcester Speakers |
A special mention to Division J, Area 04 where all five clubs had all seven Officers trained. Well done Guys.
Does your club want more DCP Points? Anthony Garvey, VPEd, Shilling Speakers
If you are on the Committee, especially if you are Vice President of Education (VPEd), at your club and you’d like to get more DCP points, here are some tips for you. Check where every club member is on their Toastmasters journey. Once you have this information to hand, ask yourself what each could reasonably achieve over the Toastmaster year. If, like Shilling Speakers, you have members from many different countries, you’ll need to combine the information you learn from the UK-based Easyspeak (or its equivalent) with the data you access on Basecamp Manager. Once you have identified members who are most likely to achieve DCP points, you can set a goal for your club for the year. Speak with the members you have earmarked to achieve DCP points to make sure they are comfortable with the goals you have set. Identify those closest to achieving a goal and schedule them in early in the Toastmasters year to deliver a speech or carry out a role. At Shilling Speakers, we often fill roles six to eight weeks in advance of a meeting. Don’t just think in terms of earning DCP points. Keep everyone in the club moving forward. Don’t just think about speaking slots either – your members have roles to complete too.
Achieving goals 7 and 8 (attracting eight new members) is important. We believe in getting new members involved straight away, doing a role or delivering an Icebreaker. Having a fresh intake of new members generates a steady stream of Level 1s. If you inherited a well-run club from the previous VPEd, like I did at Shilling Speakers, you will have a crop of last year’s Level1s, many of whom are prime candidates to complete a Level 2. It also helps if you have a speaking dynamo in your club (we have a few), who can deliver ten or twelve speeches and roles in a year and perhaps earn a triple crown award. Although achieving your DCP points goal is important, don’t forget to open up the speaking slots and roles to all members. Your main task as a Committee member and VPEd is to make the meetings as interesting, entertaining and educational as possible, so you retain and involve your members and attract a healthy stream of new guests. Good luck!
Last Updated on 25th September 2026 by Jeevan George