Saturday, 24th October 2026, was a special day for Toastmasters Division D as we came together for our Division Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contests.
The day started with messages of good wishes from across the Toastmasters community. What a wonderful way to begin! Messages like these fills you with energy, positivity and the belief that it’s going to be a great day.
The weather, however, had other plans! Heavy rain, train delays and road disruptions threatened to make things difficult. But none of that dampened the enthusiasm. People started arriving as soon as the doors opened, ready for a morning of speeches, laughter, learning and connection.
Dynamic Division D, as it is popularly known, is recognised for its energy, enthusiasm and adaptability.
Division D was among the first divisions in District 91 to host its autumn contests, and there was plenty of anticipation. As one of the largest divisions in District 91 in terms of the number of clubs we serve, it includes community clubs, corporate clubs and online clubs. 31 clubs across six Areas, each of which had successfully completed its Area contests.
This brought together six contestants for the Humorous Speech Contest and six for the Table Topics Contest, each representing their Area on the Division stage.
And what a contest it was!
Our brilliant contestants entertained us with original humour, clever storytelling and witty, intelligent responses to Table Topics questions. There was laughter, applause and plenty of admiration for the courage and talent on display. Watching our Area champions step onto the Division stage was a proud moment.
The event offered more than contests alone.
We had an engaging and interactive workshop, brilliantly delivered by Pablo Garcia Estevez DTM, Past Region 2 Advisor and Past District 107 Director. His session explored a practical four-step framework, MIND, for creating psychological safety for leaders. Through relatable Toastmasters scenarios, group discussions and practical approaches to leadership challenges, Pablo brought the topic to life. The workshop was warmly received, offering participants something valuable to take back to their clubs and leadership roles.
Beyond the stage, the atmosphere was equally wonderful. People connected over food and refreshments, caught up with familiar faces and made new connections. Everywhere I looked, there were cheerful conversations, smiles and that unmistakable Toastmasters energy.
So, what does it take to bring an event like this together, other than 2 months of planning and preparation?
I genuinely love meeting people and bringing people together. As a Division Director organising the Division contests is part of my role and I took it up as an exciting opportunity. My previous experience as an Area Director certainly came in handy, and reflecting on the journey, three things made a real difference.
First, building the right team. The Contest Chairs — Tom Manning from Watford Speakers and Julia Petrova from Woking Speakers were first timers. Both brought wonderful energy, sincerity and a willingness to learn. We were fortunate to have District Chief Judge Paul Walsh DTM as our Chief Judge. His expertise, guidance and support on all things ‘contests’ were invaluable. Once the core team was in place, I genuinely felt that half the battle was won!
Second, reaching and engaging our members. Though initially sceptical about making the contest a paid event, I came around to realise that charging a nominal fee towards the event could encourage a greater sense of commitment and attention. The response exceeded expectations — all tickets sold out within three days of going live on Eventbrite!
I strongly believe that making information available to members in a timely manner creates awareness and opens doors to opportunities they might otherwise miss.
Third, creating an experience beyond the competition. Including a leadership workshop was an important part of planning. We wanted attendees to enjoy the contests, but also leave with fresh ideas, practical learning and something they could apply in their own Toastmasters journey. Seeing the enthusiastic participation in Pablo’s workshop reinforced how valuable that decision was.
Of course, no Division event comes together through the efforts of a handful of people – it needs a village!
We had a fantastic team of volunteers, and one of the most heartwarming experiences was having people approach me to offer their help. That willingness to contribute, without even being asked, says so much about our community. A special mention must go to our six Area Directors — Jeevan George John (D14), Lilian Nandi (D20), Tom Hostetler (D21), Hassan Aden (D29), Rafael Guzman (D53) and Ramesh Halai (D61). They worked tirelessly behind the scenes, stepped into different roles and kept everything moving, like the many cogs of a well-oiled wheel.
We were also delighted to be joined by District 91 Director Seema Menon DTM, Program Quality Director Lynne Gayer DTM, Past District Director Rupa Dutta DTM and Past District Director Helena Boden DTM. Their presence and support added to the occasion.
And that brings me to something I discovered recently.
Someone introduced me to a lovely expression — ‘Toastmasters Happiness’.
Ever since hearing it, I’ve realised that it perfectly describes something I’ve felt at so many Toastmasters events but never quite had a name for. The joy of reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting new people, learning from one another and feeling part of something bigger than ourselves.
Saturday was a wonderful reminder of that feeling.
I feel humbled, grateful and inspired by the turnout at our event. Every person who attended made a conscious choice to give us their time, energy and attention. They came to support their clubs, fellow members and contestants, and perhaps most importantly, to invest in their own learning and growth.
Last but not least, an event of this scale naturally comes with its fair share of planning, coordination and hard work. There is strategising, planning, ideating, unblocking blockers and then lots of bringing people together — if that is something you would like to be part of, just say the word!
Yes, it was hard work but when people come up afterwards to share lovely testimonials, tell you how much they enjoyed themselves and how wonderful the experience was, every bit of effort feels worthwhile.
And perhaps that is what Toastmasters Happiness is all about!
Kanti Doshi
Division D Director – D91
Last Updated on 27th October 2026 by Suhas Kumar