Club Spotlight: Hamwic Speakers Celebrates 15 Years of Excellence

Hamwic Speakers recently celebrated their 15th Year Anniversary.

An eventful and packed meeting, joined by Ken and Margaret Amy, and all past presidents over the 15 years and the current presidents from Spinnaker Speakers, Solent Speakers, and our Area Director! It was just incredible to experience the murmurs of laughter and conversation amongst the group as friendships rekindled and being made. We also had six guests join us for the first or second time (I do wonder what they were thinking following their attendance!).

We had a panel event where we heard insights and top tips for our public speaking and leadership journeys whether we were new members or long-time members. We heard and were inspired by the story of passion, dedication and collaboration from the surrounding clubs to help Hamwic Speakers put their roots down. The underlying theme was that working together and not alone, is what has made our club thrive, with every member and every volunteer committee member coming together is super important in our community.

It was such a wonderful celebration, and I look forward to our 20th celebration in 2029.

Division Spotlight: A Conversation with Lynne, Division B Director

Tell us a bit about yourself

My career background is very varied and I have worked in the hospitality sector as a Manager, large corporates as an International Director living in Singapore, public sector as a Non-Executive Director, self-employed as a personal consultant and currently in the not for profit sector.   The role I have now involves working with a large number of volunteers and I would never have got the job without Toastmasters where all leadership roles are voluntary.

What has been your Toastmasters journey

It started 17 years ago with a friend taking me along to a meeting, to be honest I didn’t really know what I was going to. I decided to go again and this time I was asked to do a Table Topic and amazingly I won.  Within a couple of months I was on the committee as VPPR, a role I knew nothing about but I soon picked it up and within a year I was President, followed by Area Director.  I have also been President of Excalibur, an advanced club, where I am still a member. I take great pleasure in helping others develop and grow and to that end I have been a club mentor as well as mentoring many individuals.  I have also helped hundreds of people with their evaluations, running workshops, having won the UK and Ireland (D71) Evaluation Championship several years ago.

What are you currently doing in D91

This year I took on the Division B Director role. It’s the largest Division in D91 with 28 clubs so it keeps us pretty busy.   I love being part of the wider District Executive Team, as well as supporting my wonderful team of six*, who are working really hard to support their clubs, and together we really do want to make Division B a Division of Excellence.   We love visiting clubs and seeing how each one has its own special vibe.  There have been a few challenges, such as more than 20% of members not on Pathways which is such a shame as that is the education program that people pay for when they join.  Having a structure speech by speech really does build confidence and develops verbal communication skills so we are currently running a project to get everyone onto Pathways now and in the future.

Delighted to say that there are members submitting completion of their Pathways projects helping their clubs to become Distinguished and the first three are London Athenians, London Cardinals and London Toastmasters.

We welcomed two newly chartered clubs The Good Growth Club and Product Madness and we are really excited to see how we can help them develop..

We also have to congratulate four clubs on their longevity.  104 London Debaters and London Victorians both celebrating 10 years. London Cardinals on 20 years and London Athenians on 30 years.  What a great achievement.

Most of the Club contests are now complete so we are busy preparing for Area contests and the Division contest on the 23rd November.  On the morning of 23rd, working with Division C, there will be a series of interactive workshops open to all members.

*The amazing Division B Team : B6 Casper Wilcock, B8 Sabeer Peerbaccus, B9 Mary-Anne Ledger, B18 Krystyna Zarzycka, B52 Urszula Pozimska and Simon Mckee Asst. Div Dir.

What do you most enjoy

There are evenings when I feel, ugh it’s raining outside, do I really want to go to a Toastmasters meeting?  But I always do because without fail I come out buzzing whether I am participating or an audience member.  I get inspired by other members; their journey’s, their stories and the fact they give it a go. Which is probably why I am still a member and still enjoying what Toastmasters has to offer.

What are your challenges

Personally I always think of a challenge as an opportunity and I like to be challenged. Sometimes it forces me to think a little differently.  If anything, time is my challenge, with a full-time job, Toastmasters and a family life I do have to do a bit of juggling, but I enjoy it and I get a great sense of satisfaction when everything falls into place.

How has your experience in Toastmasters helped you in your day job

When I was interviewed for my current role in a charity it was like being in front of a firing squad but all that Table Topics practice came into its own. The fact I had been a volunteer amongst other volunteer leaders also helped. These days I enjoy standing up and speaking so I do get asked to do a lot of presentations on behalf of the company.   I also work with clients giving them instant feedback as well as facilitating training sessions, all skills I honed at club and leadership meetings. Thank you Toastmasters!

 

Seema Menon Celebrates Membership Milestones and Incentives in D91

Hello, Toastmasters Champions!

As we close out October, I want to shout out the incredible dedication each of you has shown in growing and energizing our Toastmasters family. From hosting open houses and inviting new members to showing up week after week with a contagious positive spirit—your hard work is the fuel driving us forward!

“Get Your Money!” (thanks for the inspiration, Division Director Pearl ): We’ve got some fantastic incentives on offer for our clubs, so jump in and take advantage. Check out the full list on our incentives page here.

  • Great Golden Quarter Incentive:We heard your feedback, and it’s clear—not only should 100% member renewal be celebrated, but 80% and 90% renewal rates should shine too! Thrilled to announce that 14 clubs have earned the Great Golden Quarter incentive, with special kudos to LSBU Public Speakers Club (B8) and Harrovian Speakers Club (L61) for hitting that 100% renewal by September 15th. Winning clubs, keep an eye out for an email with details on claiming your £40 voucher—make sure to claim it within 30 days! You can see the list of winning clubs
Division Area Club Name Eligiblity
B 8 LSBU Public Speakers Club 100% or more
L 61 Harrovian Speakers Toastmasters 100% or more
A 46 Wessex Speakers Club 90% or more
D 21 Maidenhead Speakers Club 90% or more
H 35 Beckenham Communicators 90% or more
J 4 Thame Speakers 90% or more
J 7 Oxford Speakers Club 90% or more
B 6 London Olympians Speakers Toastmasters Club 80% or more
B 8 London Toastmasters 80% or more
B 18 London Cardinals 80% or more
C 5 Bloomberg London Toastmasters 80% or more
C 34 FTI Consulting UK 80% or more
H 35 Bromley Speakers 80% or more
J 22 Infineum Milton Hill Speakers 80% or more

 

  • Smedley Award Success:Hats off to the 7 clubs that won the Smedley Award this year! Central London Toastmasters (B9) and London Toastmasters (B8) led the charge, adding 17 and 15 new members, respectively. Winners, watch for your email with voucher claim instructions (again, 30 days to redeem).

Growing Membership: We recently hosted a panel on “Growing Membership” with Division Directors sharing some brilliant “Back to Basics” strategies. Catch the recording on the District 91 YouTube channel—it’s packed with ideas to help your club thrive. Plus, our pledge to “Bring a Friend” is going strong. Will you bring a friend to your next meeting?

In October, six clubs hosted Open Houses with solid membership conversions. Shoutout to our Club Growth lead for Open Houses, Ariane Allin, who’s hosting a webinar on February 23, 2025. She’ll be sharing success stories and top tips to help you grow your club before the next renewal cycle.

It’s incredible to see clubs welcoming new faces and adding a spark of energy to meetings across the district. The passion for personal and professional growth we share is what brings us together and keeps us pushing forward.

As we progress through the second quarter of the Toastmasters year, let’s keep the momentum going! Try something new to attract members or plan a themed meeting to boost engagement. Some clubs host wedding speech workshops, group hikes, or comedy nights—it’s all about building that camaraderie! Sometimes small actions, like checking your club’s online details or personally inviting guests to join the club after the meeting, can make a world of difference.

Remember, you’re not in this alone. We’re all here to support each other. If you need tips, resources, or just a boost of motivation, reach out to your club leaders.

Happy Anniversary! To all clubs chartered in October, happy birthday, with a special shoutout to London Athenian Speakers Toastmasters Club, celebrating a fantastic 30 years this month!

Let’s keep building our clubs and make this a journey we’re all proud to be part of.

With gratitude and excitement for the future,

 

Warm regards

Seema Menon, DTM

D91 Club Growth Director

Member Spotlight: Jill Segal’s Journey from Classical Music to Corporate Club Training Leader

When our D91 PDQ, Debbie Williams, asked me whether I could do her a favour I jumped at the chance … as long as that chance was something I had not yet done within my 15 TM years of experience. Debbie knew her target and that I could handle the role which I discovered had the rather grand title of Corporate Club Officer Training Lead!  

Well, the only formal training I ever had was as a barrister and I never practiced it! Which is strange as I feel that I have done pretty well in life reinventing the wheel for myself – everything I have done is without a formal qualification.  Instead, I have had curiosity, passion and persistence. I wouldn’t say that always works but the failure that inevitable cropped up in my life only bolstered the persistence and built in resilience as well.  

So, when I champion Toastmasters it is not only living proof that curiosity, passion and persistence can work for me but from my perspective I have seen very many other people who have been transformed by pushing themselves outside their comfort zones and changing the path of their life.  

Which brings me back to why I was someone who could enjoy putting together the Corporate COTS. I have been in the classical music world since the 1990s and part of what I did when I was an agent, looking after the careers of international concert artists, was promoting and producing concerts in many London venues as well as a few abroad and a small number of orchestral tours. Added to that, with a second passion being theatre, I produced a couple of plays on the London fringe. Now, in the immediate present, I am very involved with the production of a multi-concert music festival in Italy. Curiosity, passion and persistence still prevail. 

 

Stepping Into the Second Half: Training, Tools, and Triumphs

Time moves fast, and as we move into the second half of our Toastmasters year, there’s a lot on the horizon to prepare for and celebrate! Here’s an update on upcoming training, new tools, recent contests, and some important updates on club incentives. 

 

Club Officer Training Round 2: Strengthen Your Leadership Skills 

Round 2 of Club Officer Training (COT) is just around the corner, offering a valuable opportunity to refresh your skills, exchange ideas, and prepare for the second half of the year. The training period starts on 1st November 2024 and ends on 28th February 2025.  Attending COT sessions is an invaluable step toward club success. Let’s come together, learn, and prepare for a strong finish to the year.  All details will be posted in the district91 calendar.   

A lot of work goes into arranging club officer training, and we’re pleased to offer specialized sessions just for our corporate clubs. Behind the scenes, someone has been working tirelessly to tailor this training for corporate club officers. Please join us in welcoming the District 91 Corporate Club Training Lead, Jill Segal, who has been instrumental in crafting a relevant and impactful program for our corporate clubs. Jill’s dedication and insights will make a meaningful difference for our corporate club officers this year.  Read further about Jill here. 

In the meantime, please see below details of Corporate Club Officer Training taking place next month.   

 

 

New Base Camp: Elevate Your Pathways Journey 

In major news, Toastmasters International recently launched the newly redesigned Base Camp platform, which brings an improved, streamlined experience for all members working in the Pathways program. The updated platform allows for smoother navigation, making it easier to track your goals, complete projects, and find resources as you progress. If you haven’t had a chance, log in to explore these updates — your learning journey just got even better! 

 

Celebrating Club-Level Contests: Congratulations to All! 

A heartfelt congratulations to all clubs who have held their Humorous Speech and Table Topics contests so far. We’ve seen some fantastic speeches and quick-witted responses, highlighting the talent and skill across our district. Thank you to every participant, judge, and contest official who made these contests possible. Now, as we move to the Area and Division contests, we invite everyone to show their support by attending and cheering on contestants as they represent their clubs. 

Club Success Plan Incentive: Update and Apology 

I’d also like to extend my sincere apologies for the delayed notification regarding the incentive for submitting Club Success Plans. I understand that many of you have been eagerly awaiting this announcement, and I regret the hold-up. Unfortunately, some of the information is incomplete, which has prevented me from finalising the list of winners. Please know I am working to resolve this and hope to make an announcement very soon. 

 

District 91 Conference 2-4 May 2025 

Please save the date and register your interest now to stay updated with the latest news, ticket details, and opportunities to attend or volunteer at the D91conference! 

 

Thank you all for your continued dedication and patience as we work to make this an outstanding year for all our clubs and members. 

 

Here to serve 

Debbie Williams 

Program Quality Director, 2024-2025 

District 91