April Reflections – PQD

April has been a powerful reminder of what makes our district truly special, our members and our leaders who are volunteers working towards a common goal.

Our recent District Officer Training was a resounding success, not just in execution, but in spirit. What stood out most was seeing our Area Directors and Division Directors lead exceptional training sessions on topics such as Area Director visits, Succession Planning and Pitfalls. The ever-engaging Quizmaster even tested our knowledge, with the added allure of sweets!

There is something incredibly inspiring about leaders who actively contribute, share and elevate others. It reinforced a simple truth: Toastmasters doesn’t just build leaders for today; it nurtures a strong and capable leadership pipeline for the future.

Across the district, Division Contests have now been successfully completed. These contests are more than competitions, they showcase courage and excellence. Having had the privilege of attending some division contests, I witnessed firsthand the dedication of contestants, the commitment of organisers and the supportive energy of our members. The standard of our speakers continues to rise, and with it, so does the pride we feel as a district.

On a personal note, one of the highlights this month was revisiting Toastmasters at BBC – this time not as a sponsor, but simply as a proud Toastmaster. Hearing the President share his personal story with such vulnerability was deeply reassuring as it reinforced what Toastmasters truly stands for: a safe space to share, make mistakes and grow together as a community which is especially meaningful in times when there is uncertainty and change around us. Experiencing the club from this perspective was both nostalgic and fulfilling, reminding me of the journeys we take within Toastmasters and the lasting impact we create.

 

Another exciting development has been the collaboration between Toastmasters and Rotary through Speechcraft initiatives organised at PMI Toastmasters Club. These programs are opening up meaningful avenues for impact by combining communication, leadership and community service. It is encouraging to see how these partnerships are expanding our reach and empowering individuals beyond our immediate network.

Celebrating Excellence

Heartfelt congratulations to all our Quarterly Incentive winning clubs for Q3.
https://d91toastmasters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Q3-Results.xlsx.pdf

We celebrate your success and look forward to seeing even more clubs achieve excellence and finish the year strong.
We also take this moment to celebrate the incredible achievements across our district:

Education Awards

Member Achievements

Level 1 401
Level 2 236
Level 3 150
Level 4 108
Level 5 56
Triple Crown 35
Distinguished Toastmaster 9
Total 995

We are hopeful that soon we will also celebrate Accredited Speaker achievements within our district — an exciting milestone to look forward to.

We are incredibly proud to welcome our third Smedley Distinguished Club,  Bloomberg London Toastmasters (Division C, Area 5) to our growing list of excellence!

They now join the ranks of our outstanding clubs:
Tube Talk Toastmasters (Division B, Area 8)
Sustainable Speakers Online (Division D, Area 20)

Here’s to continuing to inspire voices across our community!

Triple Crown Award Winners (the ones that were achieved at the end of March included)

Month Club Name Member Name
Mar-26 PMI UK Toastmasters Club Grace Nabatanzi
Mar-26 London Olympian Speakers Toastmasters Club Jyothi Banday, VC2
Apr-26 Bloomberg London Toastmasters Nivetha Sundar
Apr-26 Shilling Speakers Anthony Garvey, DTM
Apr-26 Surbiton Speakers Deon Barnard, PI2
Apr-26 Cardiff Toastmasters Jean Gamester, DTM, PID
Apr-26 Wokingham Speakers Steve Catchick, DTM
Apr-26 Experience French Suzanne S. Auchterlonie, EH4

Your dedication to personal growth continues to inspire us all.

Root to Rise Conference

We are counting days until our upcoming Root to Rise Conference. With an inspiring lineup of exceptional speakers, debate session, panel discussions, an AI track exploring the future of communication and leadership, the conference promises to be a space for collaboration and celebration. Book your tickets now:
https://conference.d91toastmasters.org.uk/

It is a fantastic opportunity to learn, connect and grow and we look forward to seeing many of you there.

As we move forward, let’s carry this momentum with us, continuing to support one another, simplify where we can and build sustainably for the future.

Here’s to finishing the year strong, together.

Last Updated on 29th April 2026 by Allen Paul

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