The Explorers’ Cup Continues Its Journey

Following its brief stay at the Toasted Sandwich, the Explorers’ Cup quickly returned home to Gatwick Speakers, but not for long. At the very successful open evening on 5th February, the intrepid trio of Catherine Cannon, Mike Mead and Andy Hammond claimed the trophy on behalf of County Communicators in Chichester.

It was a fantastic evening, with many visiting Toastmasters giving their support and several guests, resulting in two new members and three more on the brink of joining. The catering was up to the usual high standard we always enjoy when we have events at Gatwick, although not to be expected at every club meeting!

The Explorers’ Cup has stayed in the south east so far – who will come and claim it from elsewhere in the District? Remember, you need three visiting club members to take on meeting roles at the host club in order to claim the trophy.

County Communicators meets every Wednesday lunch time at county Hall, Chichester. You will need to give advance warning of your visit as it is not open to the public. Email them on County.communicators@westsussex.gov.uk for further details.

Less than 1% of Toastmasters members go on to achieve their Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award, so achieving three DTMs is indeed an amazing accomplishment. In this article, Meg Heyworth shares her journey to completing three DTMs.

I joined Toastmasters International in March 2002 at Brighton & Hove Speakers’ Club as my speaking skills were slipping through not using them. It was a very good way to get me back to speed with my speaking skills, however I also found that doing the manuals also helped me overcome my problems with Dyslexia and Dyspraxia both of which prevented me from giving good verbal interviews when applying for jobs.

My confidence improved and I really enjoyed watching other club members grow as a result of feedback and mentoring. When I moved away from Brighton I decided that rather than stop going to a club I would start one nearer to where I lived.

Eastbourne Speakers Club was chartered in January 2007 after 2 years of building club membership from nothing. This was an amazing chance to start earning awards towards a DTM.

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Pedro Casillas (District Director)

At the D91 Autumn Conference to be held at the Hilton Hotel, Gatwick Airport on 4 November, we will be holding our first District Council Meeting for the 2017-18 Toastmaster’s year (the agenda for District Council can be found on the D91 website).

The District Council is made up of Club Presidents, Club Vice Presidents Education, Area Directors, Division Directors and District Leadership Team members and its purpose is for the D91, District Leadership team (DLT) to share our plans and goals with members and to ask that they be accepted.  We will, for example, be presenting the D91 Budget, which we will be believe will help the whole of the District to continue to grow and prosper. Other items include a review of the District Success Plan and a chance to hear from all District Leaders.

Ahead of District Council we would like all Club Presidents to review all Agenda items and all the documentation which can be found on the link above so that you will have a better idea of what it is that you will be asked to vote on.

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