Clubs, Coaches, and Community Driving District 91 Forward !

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I love November, maybe because it’s my birthday month and I always have a little celebration, or maybe because it’s the chance to bring out some of my colourful winter jumpers or maybe because this year it’s been Contest time. Others complain that November is ‘just cold’. I encourage you instead to see it as an opportunity to snuggle up with a nice hot chocolate, a cosy blanket and the chance to sit down with the latest District newsletter or Toastmasters magazine, there is so much to read and discover.

November has certainly been busy for all the club growth team. From visiting division contests, assigning mentors and coaches, running drop in sessions, organising demo meetings, emailing clubs with all their incentive wins and so much more.

Meet the team behind the scenes.

I kicked off the month visiting Division contests and having the honour of recognising clubs and members on their achievements. It was an absolute delight to be invited to both Division D with Division Director Smita Narayan and Division A with Division Director Yogendra Paranjpe. I’m very much looking forward to seeing all the winners at the District contest.

Division contests are just one way of showing guests the brilliance of toastmasters and I was delighted to see non toastmasters in the audience. Another way is to celebrate a club anniversary which City of London did earlier this month. Do read their 30th anniversary article below.

Moving from established clubs to newbies. Last month we introduced ‘Toastmasters at the BBC’ and it’s wonderful to hear their enthusiasm, what they have gained already in just a few meetings and the benefit of meeting people from their own organisations who they would never have met otherwise. They appreciate the support being offered by Division B director, Mary-Anne Ledger and Area Director Riccardo Ginevri. Casper Willcock, our Mentor lead, is delighted to have found great support for this new club in newly appointed Mentors, Ricardo Ginevri and Malcolm Braganza. We are sure they will achieve great things in no time.

Behind the scenes, our Demo Lead, Ramesh Halai is the master at organising meetings for a potential new club so they can see how a club meeting runs and the roles involved. We have several in the pipeline and with the help from Kate Jones and Lydia McDowall, we are working hard to turn these into Chartered clubs, so watch this space.

Since renewals, across our district, several clubs are working hard to regain stability, rebuild membership, and re-energise their meetings. Several of these clubs have been assigned Club Coaches to help them get back up to full strength.  Want to know more about what Club Coaches do, the benefits to both the Club and the Coach, then read the article here by Simon McKee.

Club growth is always a focus and we are continuing the ‘How to grow your club series’ of drop-in sessions. Emmanuel Karamagi has already presented Speechcraft.

Future drop-ins will include: Club growth strategies, Club Marketing and Running an Open House, so do watch out for further information on these sessions.

We have a wonderful mix of clubs including Corporate Clubs and Arnaud Sartre, our Corporate Lead is looking to see how we can strengthen our relationships with Corporate Sponsors to ensure these clubs continue to thrive. If you are in a Corporate Club, do you ever invite the Executive Sponsor along? Encourage them to attend even just part of a meeting to see what you do, how much you have progressed and the wonderful benefits a Toastmasters Club has to offer.

Several clubs this month would have been in receipt of vouchers in recognition of achieving various incentives. Congratulations all you winning Clubs, well done! It is no simple task to simply send out a voucher it is in fact quite a complicated process with lots of moving parts and the fab duo of Shubham Jain, Jeevan George John assisted by Janet Alkema have worked incredibly hard to simplify the process so you receive both an email, a voucher and details on how to claim, so please ensure you do. (Claim that is).

City of London 30th Anniversary 

Club Anniversaries so far this year

Congratulations to all the other clubs below who have celebrated a milestone Anniversary this Toastmasters year so far. Whether 1 year, 5, 10 or more it is great achievement.  Celebrate your success.  It’s a fabulous way of bringing people together.

Based on the Official Charter Date

Club Month Years
London Corinthians November 1990 35
City of London November 1995 30
Croydon Communicators September 2005 20
Windsor Speakers August 2005 20
Kings Cross Speakers September 2015 10
Paddington Toastmasters August 2015 10
Liberty Speakers October 2020 5
Wye Knot Speakers July 2020 5
Sky Osterley Toastmasters November 2024 1

Top Tip of the month

Want to grow your membership – celebrate a club anniversary.  A great opportunity to reconnect with less regular members and past members. To bring in guests, past and new and showcase what you do.

That just leaves me to say, wrap up warm, take care in the ice and keep telling all your friends about Toastmasters!

 

Helping Every Voice Be Heard, Every Person Feel Seen, and Every Connection Inspire Growth !

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If you’ve expressed interest in mentoring this year, you’ve probably heard from Edeje Onwude.

Since joining Chiltern Speakers in April 2024, Edeje has hit the ground running  VPM for her club, lead for our webinar series last year, and PR Director for the District Conference in June.
Her latest challenge? Rolling out our first district-wide Mentor Buddy Programme. With 70 mentee applications and 45 matches made, she’s now looking for more mentors to support the 25 still waiting.

Meet Edeje Onwude

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a global communications professional with experience across EMEA markets, including roles at Coca-Cola and Reckitt. For the past 15 years, I’ve worked at the intersection of brand and culture; connecting business goals with employee, stakeholder and customer needs through stories that inspire action. Whether it’s aligning internal narratives, building trust through change or translating purpose into everyday behaviours, I make sure words and actions point in the same direction. Outside of work, I sit on the board of the International Association of Business
Communicators (IABC) UK & Ireland chapter, where I lead our mentoring programme and student engagement efforts. I also volunteer with organisations that matter to me, including Cancer Research UK, UN Women UK and the Diana Award. In my spare time, I read, write, enjoy deep conversations – and raise two brilliant children who challenge and inspire me daily.

What have you been doing for D91?


Since joining Toastmasters in April 2024, I’ve taken on several leadership roles: Vice President Membership at Chiltern Speakers, District 91 Webinar Manager, and PR Director for the District Conference in June. Most recently, I’ve been coordinating the new Mentor Buddy Programme; a peer- to-peer initiative that connects members who want to grow with more experienced Toastmasters who are willing to support them. We received 70 mentee applications; a clear sign of interest and ambition across the district and have so far matched 45. The remaining 25 are on a waiting list while we continue to look for more mentors.  Sign up to be a mentor

What have you most enjoyed?
Seeing the enthusiasm from both sides; those keen to learn and those happy to give their time, has been the highlight. It’s a good reminder of what Toastmasters is about. And it’s shown me how even a short, focused conversation can have a lasting impact when someone feels listened to and supported.

What has been most challenging?

Meeting the level of demand. Many members are already balancing club roles and other commitments, so it hasn’t been easy to find enough mentors. That’s why we’re still actively looking for more. Even offering a handful of sessions can make a meaningful difference.

How has this experience helped you personally or professionally?

For the past 18 months I have been navigating a career pivot, this work has kept me rooted in purpose. It’s given me a chance to apply core skills; stakeholder engagement, communication, coordination, while also developing new ones. More
broadly, it’s reinforced the power of peer support and the importance of having a clear goal, whatever stage you’re at.

Would you like to get involved?
If you’re a member with a bit of experience and a willingness to support someone else’s development, we’d love your help. We currently have 25 mentees waiting to be matched. You don’t need to commit a huge amount of time – just bring a bit of curiosity, openness, and a few hours to help someone take their next step.

To express interest, fill in this short form, or feel free to come and have a chat with me at the District Contest Finals on 23 November.

 

November’s Flow With the Fall: A Celebration of Commitment and Community

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My dear toastmasters,

Flow with the Fall on 23rd November was a beautiful blend of connection, celebration and inspiration. We want to thank each one of you who joined us and made the day truly special. The energy in the room reflected the very best of our Toastmasters community.

Workshops That Uplifted Us

Our two keynote speakers delivered sessions that resonated deeply:

Chris Hatfield – Reframing Self-Talk

Chris encouraged us to shift our inner dialogue from “I have to” to “I want to”, empowering us to lead with intention. In a generous gesture, he gifted his book Sales Psyche to every contestant, because in our eyes, they were already winners.

Andrew Oseyami – Beyond the Club

Andrew invited us to reflect on what Toastmasters can mean beyond the four walls of our clubs. His session encouraged meaningful connection and intentional engagement with each other.

We were honoured to be joined by Region Advisor Lilian Shaftacola, who sat down with Rekha Mathew, our district podcast host, for a fireside chat. Together, they shared practical, heartfelt tips on strengthening member engagement and building vibrant clubs.

Contest Excellence

The stage was set and our contestants delivered phenomenal performances.

District 91 Humorous Speech Contest Winners

  1. Danny Wang
  2. Isaac Baker
  3. Yii Foong Tien

A special spotlight on Danny Wang, our champion, a new member who has been with District 91 for only nine months. His achievement shows that you don’t need to wait for the “perfect moment” to enter a contest, serve as a leader or even join a club. Talent grows when we step forward and Danny’s courage is an inspiration to all our new and aspiring members.

District 91 Table Topics Contest Winners

  1. Chris Billington
  2. Milo Warshaw
  3. Shenaz Banu

A particularly heartwarming moment came from Chris, a new dad, who welcomed his baby just last Sunday and chose to be with us on Sunday. His dedication and passion for Toastmasters shone through – especially when he went on to win the District Table Topics Contest. What a story to share with his baby!

Corporate Clubs and Community spirit

We also celebrate HSBC 8CS Toastmasters Club, our young corporate club just seven months old, who proudly cheered their member, a District Humorous Speech Finalist. Their commitment to excellence and support for their member reflects the strength of corporate clubs. Your performances raised the bar and made us immensely proud.

Our sincere thanks also to Toast Titans Club from HID Global, who generously gifted books and pens to our attendees, perfect for capturing insights from the day’s workshops and speeches.

Looking Forward

The season of growth continues, and we have plenty lined up:

We have several drop-in sessions planned over the next couple of months.
If there’s anything specific you’d like to learn more about, let us know and we’ll organise a session for you.

Club Officer Training round 2 sessions are coming up soon. Whether you’re a current club officer, considering stepping into leadership or simply curious about what the role entails, please visit our District Calendar to view dates and register.

Even the District Leadership Team undergoes training with our Region Advisor because learning never stops in Toastmasters.

If you’d like to know more about becoming an Accredited Speaker do reach out to Clare Crowther, our district lead who hosted an engaging, interactive session at the Flow with the Fall event.

If you’re interested in mentorship, either to receive a Mentor Buddy or to serve as a mentor, please visit our district website (https://d91toastmasters.org.uk/members/resources/mentoring/) for details.

A Note of Gratitude

To our conference team, contest functionaries, district leaders, venue hosts and each member who attended – thank you.


To those who cheered, learned, laughed, networked and contributed – you proved that even in the face of doubts, challenges (compounded by rains and train closures) and naysayers, this community stands strong.

We’re thrilled to share that this event has already inspired two toastmaster members to volunteer as Contest Chairs for 2026. That spark of motivation is exactly what we hoped this event would ignite.

When we show up for each other, extraordinary things happen. Flow with the Fall succeeded because of YOU.

The full album for the District Contest can be found on our Facebook page.

A Journey of Camaraderie, Support, and Saying Yes – The Story of a London Cardinal!  

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It’s all about Camaraderie and Support…and saying Yes!

Joining London Cardinals

It was 2004 and I was looking to join a Toastmasters club in London. I had the good fortune to go to a ‘Demo’ meeting of London Cardinals, co-founded by the legendary Nigel and Gilly Cutts. They were setting up a new club as London Corinthians was ‘Bursting’ with members.

– As well as the Cutts, the Cookes, the Craddocks, the Sellmans and a young chap called Simon Bucknall became Founder Members.

I am still a proud member of London Cardinals, the ‘Oldest Swinger in Town! It’s changed of course but the implicit values of Nigel and Gilly are ever present – Having Quality meetings and speeches, Supporting each other, and Truly Caring for each other.

Every great opportunity begins with a Yes!

I smiled when I read District Director, Debbie Williams’ article in the September Newsletter. I remember saying ‘Yes!’ for various roles –

  • Secretary, VPE, President at London Cardinals.
  • Area Director B6, Division B ‘Governor’ (Now Director and in those days, Division B was all of London’s 40 odd clubs!)

Each role was exhilarating and I was  lucky to have support, such as my Division Governor mentor, Andy O’Sullivan!…….After those roles, I took a rest!

Look beyond your club

Little did any of us know that fellow London Cardinals founder member Simon Bucknall would be a 3 time International Speech Contest   Champion, the  first time being 2006 when we were part of District 71,  which was  The British Isles  –  more than 300 clubs!

I went to my 1st  International Convention in Washington D.C. with son Michael,  to support Simon, along with other ‘Cardinalians’ – What a wonderful experience…….

My 2nd International Convention was 2014, Kuala Lumpur.  It’s my dear wife Judy’s home town, and it was  a ‘No brainer’ to go. How lucky to be  in the auditorium to see one of the greatest speeches in the World Championship of Public Speaking  ‘I see something’ by Dananjaya Hettiararchi.  He did an online workshop for London Cardinals on a Sunday afternoon in 2024 – What a delightful chap!

In Kuala Lumpur, I  hooked up with the incoming District 91 inaugural District Leadership Team, as I felt it was time for me to give something back. Hilary Briggs, District Director, asked me to be Chair District Alignment Committee, a  role I held for 5 years. I  enjoyed the role, liaising with District Leadership and attending District Conferences and of course, always being supported in the role.

My 3rd  International Convention in 2017 was perhaps the most memorable. Simon was District International Speech Contest Champion for the 3rd  time.   The International Convention was in Vancouver and I went  with Judy and our daughter Sarah.  Vancouver is a lovely place and even better, Simon came 2nd in the World Championship! The best moment ever in Toastmasters!

So proud

London Cardinals was so successful, regularly 50-60 membership  until around 2016……and then  we started leaking members for no apparent reason. When COVID hit, we were struggling at 20ish  members. I am so proud of our leaders since, such as Zeph Fanton, Mo Al Bayati, Marijana Bosniak, Joel Morales, Lai Yee and Preety Gheera. Through their leadership, we survived  COVID, with inspiring online meetings and have   thrived since as an innovative  hybrid club (which enables me to retain my membership!)

And so to today

Last year, I volunteered to support a corporate club, FTI Consulting, in their autumn contests.  It’s where I first met Debbie Williams, who was also supporting them.

Over Christmas, Debbie invited me to chair the District Humorous Speech Contest at the District Conference in May. It was so much fun,  attending a District Conference once more, chairing the Contest and meeting up with Toastmaster pals, such as Seema Menon, Jean Gamester, Vanessa King and  Lynne Gayer.

Soon after Seema, now Programme Quality Director, invited me to be District Chief Judge for 2025/2026. I wasn’t sure what it entailed but  I followed the mantra of just say ‘Yes!

What are my reflections over 21 years?

  1. It’s about Camaraderie.

I reflect so fondly on the friendships old and new,  from 2004 to today…..and tomorrow!

  1. It’s about Support

I could not have delivered any of the Toastmaster roles without support and  I strive to give support as best I can.

  1. It’s about saying ‘Yes!’

By saying yes, I have had wonderful experiences, I have  been  to places I could only have dreamt of and my Life has been enriched……… Try it some time!

Why Now’s the Best Time to Grow Your Club

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Hello our wonderful members of District 91.  October maybe getting colder but our clubs are hotting up.

Firstly, a massive welcome to our newest club, Toastmasters at the BBC. 

A huge congratulations to the President, John Cameron-Mcintosh, the committee and all the members for bringing this club to fruition. Plus a big thank you to all the Toastmasters that supported the charter process, this wouldn’t have happened without you. If you have an idea for a new club either in your community or at your place of work, please do let us know.  club.growth.director@d91toastmasters.org.uk

Congratulations also to our Smedley Club Winners

  • 1st London Toastmasters
  • Bristol Central Speakers
  • Central London Toastmasters
  • City Of London Toastmasters Club
  • Holborn Speakers
  • London Business School Public Speaking Club
  • London Victorians
  • Nothavon Speakers Toastmasters Club
  • North Oxford Speakers
  • Riverside Communicators
  • UK Speakers and Leaders Toastmasters

This achievement shows how committed and hardworking your club members are. It also shows the great work you’re doing to grow and include more people in your community. By welcoming new members and different ideas, your club becomes even stronger and more rewarding for everyone.

Congratulations on this well-earned recognition! May your clubs continue to thrive and inspire others in the Toastmasters family.

Celebrating their first Anniversary

  • Arthur J Gallagher London Toastmasters
  • LSEG

Whats coming up

Over the next few months we will be running ‘How to Grow your Club’ series which started with the interactive session on ‘Mastering Social Media’ on 26th October run by the talented Allen Paul. If you were unable to attend you can watch the recording here:

One of the tips shared was to add members ‘My Why’ to the clubs social media posts.  Why you joined and why you stay at Toastmasters.  Here is ‘My Why’

and we want to hear yours.  It takes just 30 seconds to do a quick video, share it with your club and please also send it to Allen Paul for the Districts Social Media, allen@district91toastmasters.org

You can also grow your club by running a Speech craft session. TOP TIP from The Speakers of Croydon Toastmasters Club – Run a Speechcraft session at least once a year.  They have been doing it for over 10 years and every time they have 8 to 10 new members join, proof that Speechcraft works!. To understand more about what a Speechcraft session involves and how you can help read the article below by Speechcraft expert Emmanuel Karamagi.  There will also be a drop-in panel session coming soon.

What is Speechcraft?

Speechcraft is a short-term, practical public speaking program developed by Toastmasters International. It is delivered by experienced members, who teach the fundamentals of communication, public speaking, and leadership to non-members in a supportive Toastmasters environment. Delivered in digital form as a Speechcraft Bundle, the program allows up to five non-members to participate in structured sessions over four, six, or eight weeks, guided by experienced Toastmasters. Although the focus is on skill development, the ultimate goal of Speechcraft is to convert participants into active club members. In this sense, it is a powerful membership growth tool for clubs.

How to Run a Speechcraft Program and Its Benefits

  1. The Club’s Role

The idea of hosting a Speechcraft program usually starts at a club leadership meeting, where the executive committee discusses membership-building strategies. Once approved, the club decides the program’s structure (duration,format, etc.) and appoints a Speechcraft Coordinator, who becomes the key driver of the initiative in general and the equivalent of the Toastmaster of the day in each session.

Benefits at this stage include:

  • Involving the entire club leadership in a meaningful, strategic decision-making
  • Giving officers practical ways to contribute: for example:
  • Treasurer: Advises on and manages participant fees.
  • VP Public Relations: Promotes the program across various platforms such as social media and other communication channels thus attracting participants to the program.
  • VP Education: Designs the agenda, oversees quality, and ensures alignment with Speechcraft requirements.
  • The President: Inspires participation and ensures the club is showcased positively.

Each club officer plays a role in ensuring the success of the program, which builds teamwork and promotes shared ownership of club growth. Members can help out with these activities too.

  1. Role of the Speechcraft Coordinator

Once appointed, the Speechcraft Coordinator:

  • Establishes communication channels (WhatsApp, email, etc.) between the participants and the program key helpers such as guides.
  • Recruits Speechcraft Guides (ideally one per participant) from the club to act as mentors.
  • Manages logistics, leads sessions, and keeps the program on track.

Benefits of being a Speechcraft Coordinator include:

  • Enhances leadership and communication skills.
  • Increases confidence in managing teams and projects.
  • Proven track record of serving as a stepping-stone to other leadership roles within Toastmasters.
  1. The Membership’s Role

Not every member will serve in an official capacity, but every member has a part to play:

  • By attending sessions, supportive numbers provide a better learning experience.
  • Volunteering in roles such as Timer, Evaluator, or Table Topics Master hence participants have a front seat experience of how roles in a regular meeting are performed.
  • Being present to showcase the club’s culture, this is very important because a-would-be member buys not only into the benefits of participating in Speechcraft but the also comradely of the club.

Benefits to club members:

  • Increases member engagement and retention.
  • Strengthens the sense of community and ownership.
  • Members often take pride in contributing to others’ growth — a deeply fulfilling experience.

Past members in those clubs where Speechcraft is often used as a membership growth tool usually return to toastmasters, either to the host club or another, drawn back by the impact of positive, growth-oriented experiences like Speechcraft.

Conclusion

Speechcraft is far more than a membership-building tool. When well planned and executed, it becomes:

  • A platform for member participation
  • A training ground for future leaders thus a succession tool
  • A unifier that strengthens club cohesion

Each participant, guide, and observer is actively invested in creating a supportive environment and that mutual investment often leads to the long-term health and vitality of the club. I cannot recommend this program enough to any club that wants. Emmanuel Karamagi has been a Toastmaster since 2015, a member of The Speakers of Croydon Toastmasters Club, and has served in various leadership roles at both club and district level. Currently, serving as the Speechcraft Lead on the Club Growth Director’s Team for the 2025–2026 term and happy to help any club and memberwho wants to conduct a speechcraft. He can be contacted on emmanuelkaramagi@gmail.com

With gratitude,

Lynne Gayor, DTM
Club Growth Director, District 91