Malcolm Braganza: March’s Area Director of the Month

by

From a challenging area to full engagement, Malcolm shares what made the difference

This month, we recognise Malcolm (H55) as our Area Director of the Month for March.

With all clubs renewed and in good standing, strong engagement across the Area, and consistent performance across training and reporting, Malcolm’s leadership has helped turn H55 into a highly active and connected Area.

We spoke to Malcolm to learn more about his journey and approach.

For members who may not know you yet, could you tell us a little about your Toastmasters journey?

I joined my corporate club, db Toastmasters, back in 2019. I loved it immediately and wondered why it had taken me so long to join. After a short time, I joined the committee and immersed myself in many club roles. Eventually became President.

As an IT Programme Manager, I felt Toastmasters would help strengthen my networking and leadership skills, while also I could help younger staff develop confidence in public speaking.

In 2022, I moved to Hove and joined Brighton & Hove Speakers. I also served on the committee there, which I hope to revisit when I complete my Area Director tenure in June.

H55 was previously a challenging area, but is now fully engaged and in good standing. What do you think made the biggest difference?

Thank you for acknowledging that. It is still work in progress, but I believe the biggest factors have been communication, accountability, my persistence, and a sprinkling of luck and hope along the way.

Visiting clubs regularly and fully immersing yourself in their culture makes a real difference. Increasing membership, maintaining retention, and ensuring people are enjoying themselves are all key ingredients to success.

How did you keep clubs motivated and engaged throughout the year?

Every club has its own dynamic, personality, and local makeup. Motivation comes from member involvement, achievement, and creating an enjoyable learning environment.

Contests and club goals also help give members something to work towards. I try to encourage cross-club participation, which has been especially valuable in building engagement and connection across the Area.

You’ve achieved strong results across renewals, training, and reporting. Did you follow a specific approach or system to stay on track?

Membership renewals have been a challenge for many clubs this year, as every club has its own strengths and areas for improvement. Guests only really become members by interaction and seeing!

I always try to make guests feel welcomed and giving them a personal touch is vital. Club Officer Training is also extremely important, along with planning ahead, keeping the year in focus, and seeking support and collaboration from fellow Area Directors.

What challenges did you face along the way, and how did you overcome them?

Being a Toastmasters leader is not about perfection. It’s about trying to share your experience, guidance, and support in a positive way. Not everyone will always appreciate it, and there are often challenges around time, effort, and availability as we are all volunteers!

However, we are always stronger when working together towards a common goal. As they say: no pain, no gain. It’s also about ownership and responsibility.

One of my proudest moments was seeing the President of one of our most improved clubs step forward to take on the Area Director role next year. I’m very happy to support and encourage him on that journey.

What advice would you give to other Area Directors who want to improve engagement in their areas?

There is no “cookie-cutter” approach because every club has its own unique makeup and dynamic. However, ensuring that every member feels engaged, valued, and able to see progress in their journey is essential.

Club accountability is also very important. When everyone fulfils their role and works together as a team, the positive energy and results naturally shine through.

Finally, what has been the most rewarding part of serving as an Area Director this year?

I’m very much a people person, so engaging with all the clubs has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve enjoyed helping to run Area and Division contests, meeting fellow District Officers, and successfully mentoring the newly chartered BBC club in London.

And of course, continuing my own journey towards achieving my DTM has been another important and rewarding part of the experience. Plus of course getting AD of the month was a nice accolade and a nice surprise dinner treat locally!!

 

From Conference to Club Growth: What’s Next This Month – April CGD Update

by

Another busy month has passed. The Global Toastmasters campaign and our second digital campaign both came to a close. Our Tube campaign was featured in the Region 10 newsletter. Renewals closed at the ed of March, though late payers are still coming in. The talk up Toastmasters incentive closed at the end of March and we excitedly await confirmation from Toastmasters
International for confirmation of the winning clubs.

On top of all that we are in the middle of contest season with Areas and Divisions running some fabulous sessions. I was delighted to attend both Division H (Feature pic) and J this time around. The joyful J’s made sure we didn’t go hungry with a wonderful array of cakes which were delicious, thankyou.

Root to Rise
I’m very much looking forward to seeing all the Division contest winners at our ‘Root to Rise’ Conference on 2-3 rd May at the De Vere Latimer Hotel. I have my ticket, do you have yours? It will be a wonderful celebration as we welcome in the new District Leaders (see article below), congratulate our speaking finalists and enjoy keynotes from talented professionals.

Club Anniversaries
I love a celebration and I hope these clubs are celebrating their club anniversaries.
Whether 1 or 20 years it is great achievement.

Congratulations go to:

Club Month Years
Canary Wharf Communicators Club April 2006 20
Angel Speakers April 2011 15
Woodford Green Speakers April 2011 15
Ascot and Bracknell April 2016 10
Columbia Threadneedle Investments April 2025 1
HSBC 8CS London Toastmasters April 2025 1

April data – Based on the Official Charter Date

Beat the Clock
Celebrating your success is a fabulous way of bringing people together so why not join in the May incentive, Beat the Clock. Starting on the 1 st May and running until 30 th June. Clubs will be recognised by both TMI and District 91 where we offer £25 to 25 clubs who bring in five new, dual or reinstated members. And it is rare we get 25 clubs! Many clubs are planning Open Houses to help increase membership, so go on, invite your friends, family and colleagues, let them see the wonders of Toastmasters and what it can do for them.

 

Remember you can bring guests to both in person, hybrid and online clubs. Sustainable Speakers is an online specialist club with speeches all about sustainability. Running at over 30 members they
keep their membership high through inviting guests. See their article below.

Club Mentoring
We always look to increase membership to share what we know with others. We also look to increase clubs and very soon we will be adding a few more clubs to our Toastmasters family so watch this space.

When new clubs come on board we want to, not just welcome them but support them so they get the best possible experience. We do that by assigning Mentors to each club. We usually add two for
a period of six months, which is just six meetings each. Could you help a new club and be a mentor?

Become a Club Mentor

You can become a Club Mentor if…….

  • You’ve been a Toastmaster for a while and have completed two pathways levels.
  • You’ve been a club Officer
  • You are looking for a short-term project
  • You’d like to attain your Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award
  • You’d just recognise the value of new clubs bringing more opportunities to people to grow within this amazing organisation you’ve found your own voice in

Once you are mentoring, Simon McKee and / or Casper Willcock our Club Coach and Club Mentor Leads will be there to support you in your journey too. Interested then email Simon McKee at
Mckeesimon@gmail.com and the team will find the right new club for you to work with.

What is a Trio Member?
Mentoring is one way of stepping up to leadership and there are many others. The other day someone asked me ‘When you joined Toastmasters, did you always want to be a Trio member?’ That made me laugh, as back then I had no idea what a Trio member was and I guess many of you don’t either.

The Trio: Lynne Gayer-Club Growth Director, Seema Menon-Programme Quality Director, Debbie Williams-District Director,

When Members join Toastmasters they join a Club. A Club belongs to an Area that belongs to a Division that belongs to a District that belongs to a Region that belongs to Toastmasters International. Clubs have anything from 8 members upwards it could be as many as 80 or more. An Area has four to six clubs, a Division has four to six Areas and a District can have up to nine Divisions. We are District 91, UK South and we are part of Region 10, along with seven other Districts, including District 71 which covers the other part of the UK, Scotland and Ireland.

Clubs have Club Officers who run the meetings and support their members. Areas have Area Directors who provide support to their clubs, organise Club Officer Training and the Area Contests. The Division Director supports the Area Directors, ensures everything goes to plan, the Division goals are met and organises the Division Contests. The District and achievement of its goals are the responsibility of the District Leadership team. Like every other leader they are both members and volunteers. The three main roles at District level, the Trio, are the District Director, Programme Quality Director and the Club Growth Director. The Trio are supported by the Public Relations Manager, the Finance Manager, the Administration Manager and the Immediate Past District Director. Many of these having additional teams to cover everything that needs to be done, so there are plenty of opportunities to step up to help.
No one can join Toastmasters and suddenly become a Trio member. Like several other positions they have had to have done various roles first so they have an understanding of Toastmasters. The roles,
just like a club Officers, last for a year. Whereas the Area Director positions are elected at Area Council meetings in April. The Trio roles and Division Directors are positions that are elected at the
May conference by members of the District Council. The District Council includes current District Leaders, Division Directors, Area Directors, Club President and Club Vice Presidents Education.

 

L to R Back row – Steve Vear-Immediate Past District Director, Deborah Stevens-Administration Manager, Guler Gortis-Finance Manager, Allen Paul-Public Relations Manager
Front row- The Trio: Seema Menon-Programme Quality Director, Debbie Williams-District Director, Lynne Gayer-Club Growth Director.

Beyond the Click: Building Real Community in an Online Toastmasters Club

 

Sustainable Speakers is one of only a handful of Toastmasters clubs with a focus on sustainability. Founded in 2023 by Colette Ainscough, Kavita Dulai, and Shirley Gallagher, we meet on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month, and as a fully online club, our members span the globe. That global reach, however, comes with a unique challenge: the passive guest, hidden behind a turned-off camera, who vanishes the moment the meeting ends.

Public Relations and Membership are very much a team effort, each led by one of our founders. Colette (VPPR) leads branding and outreach, including AI-assisted identification of sustainability-focused NGOs and SDG organisations, supported by a small PR team. In parallel, Kavita (VPM) leads membership conversion with her own team, ensuring no interested guest slips through the net. Together, they form two halves of the same pipeline: Colette fills the room, Kavita makes people want to stay.

The Math of Online Growth: 15% is the New 100%

For those accustomed to face-to-face clubs, a 15% conversion rate might sound modest. In a physical club, conversion can approach 100%, a guest who travels to a venue has already committed. Online, the front door is the entire world, but so is the competition. Guests can join silently, cameras off, and disappear with a single click. A 10% conversion rate is generally considered strong for virtual clubs. At 15%, Sustainable Speakers is comfortably ahead of the curve, and the results speak for themselves. Since chartering in August 2023 with 20 members, we have grown to a community of 32, a 60% increase driven not by transfers from other clubs, but by genuinely new voices.

Our “Sandwich” Strategy

True growth means attracting people who have never set foot in a Toastmasters meeting before. To do this, we have built a system that we feel works very well:

  • The 15-Minute Warm-Up: Guests are encouraged to join early and find a live, relaxed conversation already underway, not a silent screen and a countdown
  • The Option to Engage: Guests may join Table Topics, but there’s no Cameras off is always respected. We meet people where they are.
  • After Eight: Once the formal meeting ends at 8:00 PM, the timer pressure Guests unmute, turn on their cameras, and discover we’re a community of real people. This is where visits become memberships.

The final piece is persistence. Within 24 hours of the After Eight chat, Kavita or Ron reaches out personally to the guests, not with a membership form, but with a conversation. A one-to-one Zoom call to understand the guest’s goals, hear their story, and show them where they fit. Guests who take that call almost always join.

Since chartering in August 2023 with 20 members, Sustainable Speakers has grown to 32, a 60% increase- and built one genuine connection at a time. If your club is wrestling with online conversion, the answer might be simpler than you think: stop trying to convert guests, and start trying to know them.

 

Top Tip from Kevin Harrington Area Director

Are you on the Toastmasters education programme, Pathways?

  •  If not, don’t be robbed, that is what you pay for. With the education programme you will
    see progress in your communication, presentation and leadership skills.
  • You will want to keep renewing to gain more and more and you will. That is the reason so
    many of us stay and renew, year after year. Pick a path and give it a go.

    •  To log into your Toastmasters Pathways education program, visit toastmasters.org,
      log in with your email and password, then click “Go to Base Camp” under the Pathways banner. Select “Log in as a Member” to access your curriculum, education transcript, and digital projects

 

 

Nearly 1,000 Achievements… And We’re Not Done Yet – April Reflections – PQD

by

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.

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.

Lessons from Hosting “Ditch the Nerves”: Thank Goodness I Ditched the Nerves

by

My Toastmasters journey began in 2015 in India, and as I moved for work to Malaysia and now in the United Kingdom, the journey continued, including becoming a Distinguished Toastmaster in 2021. Along the way, I have been a member of community clubs, corporate clubs, language clubs, virtual clubs each adding something unique to my growth.

However, this article is not about the geographical journey. It is about where it pushed me personally, completely out of my comfort zone.

When I was approached to host the District 91 podcast series Ditch the Nerves, my reaction was mixed, excited about the opportunity, yet apprehensive about whether I had the technical skills. I accepted the role not because I was good at it, but precisely because I was not. And in a world where digital communication and on-camera presence are increasingly important, I saw this as a structured opportunity to learn by doing.

After hosting six episodes in the past six months, three key learnings stand out.

1. Toastmasters is Where ‘Oops’ is Encouraged
This experience reinforced a core belief: Toastmasters is one of the safest environments for learning something new. I stepped into this role with more questions than answers. I had limited experience with social media, no background in podcast hosting, and no technical exposure to video production or editing. There were technical struggles, frustrating moments and plenty of small mistakes along the way. But what stood out was that none of it felt uncomfortable in the way failure often does elsewhere. Instead, I could experiment and fail, which allowed me the much-needed space to gain new skills.

A common tendency is to wait until one feels fully prepared before taking on new responsibilities. Toastmasters works on the opposite principle. It is designed for individuals who are not yet ready but are willing to learn.

Progress begins with practice, not perfection.

2. Unfortunately, No Fast Track Exists.. I Tried
I had assumed the most difficult aspect would be video production and editing. I was wrong. With today’s accessible tools and resources, I was able to learn basic video editing through
trial and error. Of course, improvement is ongoing.

Rather, I had assumed I would be comfortable being the host. I was wrong. Being on camera, actively listening, and responding to the guest in real time – turned out to be my biggest stretch.

Learning lies in living it.

3. Every Expert Was Once a Beginner
A meaningful aspect of this role was the opportunity to interact with senior leaders of Toastmasters International, who have demonstrated high achievement within Toastmasters and beyond. Yet, what stood out most was their humility, simplicity, and openness in sharing their personal journeys.

They spoke candidly about how they often started from scratch, facing the same uncertainties and challenges that many of us experience today. Their stories of early struggles reinforced
an important realization: no one is born as an expert communicator or leader; struggles are real.

Mastery comes through mistakes, mindfulness, and meaningful practice.

Ditch the Nerves!
Hosting Ditch the Nerves helped me do exactly that, ditch the fear of not knowing, not being ready, and not being perfect. If you are considering taking up a role in the coming term, my advice is simple: go for it. You will gain far more than you think, and certainly more than you give.

Madhurantika Moulick, DTM
Immediate Past President
Riverside Communicators
District 91, Area D 29

Member Spotlight: Alistair Driscoll’s Journey from New Member to DTM and Club President

by

My Toastmasters journey began in October 2018 when I joined Voice of Wales in Usk as a brand-new member. I had no public speaking experience to speak of, but I knew that if I wanted to grow as a professional and as a leader, I needed to get comfortable being uncomfortable. What I did not expect was just how much Toastmasters would shape the direction of my life.

The Early Days at Voice of Wales

Voice of Wales gave me my foundation. I threw myself into every meeting role I could, learning the mechanics of structured speaking, impromptu Table Topics, and the art of giving and receiving evaluations. Within a year I had taken on the role of Vice President Education (July 2019 to June 2020), responsible for scheduling meetings and supporting fellow members through their Pathways projects. It was my first real taste of servant leadership, and I was hooked.

Stepping Up to Club President

In July 2020, I became President of Voice of Wales. This was right in the middle of the pandemic, so my entire presidential year was virtual. Rather than seeing that as a limitation, we embraced it. We focused on member engagement, educational quality, and building a supportive environment, even through a screen. By the end of the term, we had earned the President’s Distinguished Award, the highest club recognition Toastmasters International bestows. That achievement belongs to every member who showed up, contributed, and kept the club thriving during an incredibly
challenging period.

Founding Toast Titans

The pandemic proved that online Toastmasters could work brilliantly. In 2024, I took that conviction a step further and co-founded Toast Titans, a corporate online Toastmasters club. I served as Corporate Club Sponsor from June to November 2024, handling the initial setup: recruiting our charter members, organising the first meetings, and guiding the club through the chartering process. From there, I moved into the role of Corporate Club Mentor (from January 2024), supporting club officers, maintaining meeting quality, and helping the club become self-sufficient. In July 2025, I became President of Toast Titans, a role I hold today. It has been enormously rewarding to build a club from scratch and watch members grow in
confidence week after week.

Mentoring Beyond My Own Clubs

Alongside my work with Toast Titans, I have also served as Corporate Club Mentor for Tribal Masters Galway since January 2024. Mentoring another club in a different country has given me a broader perspective on what makes clubs succeed. The fundamentals are always the same: ongoing support, quality meetings, strong officer training, and a culture where people genuinely want to help each other improve.

Achieving the Distinguished Toastmaster Award

In December 2024, I was awarded the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) designation, the highest honour in Toastmasters International. Earning it requires completing advanced educational projects, serving in multiple leadership roles, and mentoring others. It took me just over six years from joining as a complete beginner, and it represents everything I value about this organisation: continuous learning, leadership through service, and the commitment to help others find their voice.

Three Things I Have Learned Along the Way

1. Start before you are ready. I joined Toastmasters with zero public speaking experience. Every role I took on felt like a stretch at the time. The growth happens in the stretch. If you are waiting until you feel ready, you will be waiting forever.

2. Leadership is service. The best club officers I have worked with are the ones who show up to make the meeting better for everyone else. Whether you are scheduling speakers, mentoring a new member, or simply giving a thoughtful evaluation, you are leading.

3. Build community deliberately. A club is only as strong as the connections between its members. Social moments, genuine encouragement, and celebrating each other’s progress are not extras. They are the foundation.

Looking Ahead

Toastmasters has given me skills I use every single day in my professional life as Global Sales Enablement Manager at HID Global, where I regularly present to stakeholders, coach sales teams, and design learning programmes. It has also given me friendships, a sense of purpose outside of work, and the confidence to put myself forward for things I once would have avoided. If you are reading this and thinking about joining a club, getting more involved, or taking on a leadership role, my advice is simple: say yes now and figure out the rest as you go. That is exactly what I did in 2018, and it has been one of the best
decisions of my life.

Alistair Driscoll, DTM
President, Toast Titans | Member, Voice of Wales