My Dear Toastmasters,

Where did September go? Q1 is almost over and when I look back, I’m amazed at how much our District leaders have achieved over the summer – planning, training, meeting, listening, visiting clubs and preparing for what lies ahead. And I’m extremely proud to be part of this team.

We’ve held our first District Executive Committee meeting and our first District Council meeting, both finishing on a positive note, with some learning along the way to help us keep improving. Our District Success Plan and budget have been approved, giving us a clear foundation for the year ahead.

Before District Council Meeting

After District Council Meeting

Now comes the exciting part: putting those plans into action.

Helping Our Clubs Succeed

September is an important month for our clubs too.

If your club hasn’t yet submitted your Club Success Plan, please make it a priority before 30 September and if it interests you, you can view it on the dashboard

It is one of the criteria for ensuring that your club achieves Distinguished Club status. More importantly, it helps your club agree where you want to go and how you’ll get there.

And don’t forget to renew your membership and encouraging your friends, colleagues and family to join your club by 30 September, so that your club achieves Smedley Award recognition. Every renewal counts. Behind every membership payment is you, choosing to continue your journey as a better leader and communicator as well as helping your club thrive.

Clarity Creates Action

Last Sunday, we brought our Division Directors together for a leadership session.

Yogi, our past Division Director, shared a fantastic session on Clarity and Transparent Communication on how we give clear direction, so people know exactly what is expected, what they need to do and why it matters.

It made us stop and think. We came away motivated to change the way we communicate with our Division Directors, making our messages clearer and hopefully, easier to act on. It’s about making sure people know what matters- keeping the main thing, the main thing.

District Leadership Sequence Change 2027-2028 onwards

Starting with the 2027-2028 election cycle, the District leadership sequence is undergoing a change from:

District Director → Program Quality Director → Club Growth Director

to:

District Director → Club Growth Director → Program Quality Director

The sequence is changing, however, the roles stay the same.

The District Director will remain the highest-ranking officer, followed by the Club Growth Director and then the Program Quality Director.

Under the new sequence, candidates for District Director will normally need to have completed a full term as Club Growth Director. For one transition year 2027-2028, there are exceptions in place giving current leaders a pathway to continue their leadership journey with grace.

Taking the Leap

I’ve also been enjoying visiting clubs and seeing our members in action.

It was inspiring to see John(Immediate Past President) at Toastmasters at the BBC and hear his message about keeping focused on the goal despite the multiple challenges organisations face in turbulent times. Look out for his message on why you should set up a Toastmasters club at your workplace. His message whether he will charter a club knowing what he knows now is “ I absolutely will”

At MLP London Bridge Speakers, while meeting Nick(Area Director), I took part in their Table Topics contest & won it too , where the question was: What three words describe your summer?

My answer was in three phrases rather than three words!

Moving into the stretch zone.

Overcoming limiting beliefs.

Unconditional faith.

And using this success in other situations. The last one came from something rather personal.

While in Whistler, Vancouver, I finally did something I had wanted to do for years, yet had never quite gathered the courage to do: Bungee Jumping.

This time, I did it. Standing on that platform reminded me that overcoming one limiting belief can give you the confidence to tackle another.

Sometimes, we just need to take the leap.

And Now… Let’s Go!

Let’s support each other.

Let’s support our clubs.

And let’s work together towards becoming a Smedley Distinguished District.

Because behind every goal is a member.

Supportive. Simplify. Sustainable.

Warm regards,

Seema Menon, DTM
District Director, District 91, 2026–27

There are moments in leadership that stay with you.

For me, one of those moments happened in Vancouver.

Standing alongside Toastmasters from around the world, each carrying a flag representing a country at the Convention opening ceremony, I was reminded of the extraordinary diversity of our organisation. Hundreds of people from different cultures, backgrounds and walks of life, united by a shared belief: People can become more confident, capable communicators and leaders when they are given the opportunity, encouragement and support to grow.

That is what Toastmasters means to me.

And after an inspiring week, I have come back with one thought firmly in my mind:

We have an incredible opportunity in District 91 this year.

The International Convention gave us a chance to step back from the day-to-day running of our clubs and District and see the bigger picture.

There are now 13,708 clubs and 265,512 members across 93 districts, with more than 101,000 education awards achieved in 2025-26.

Behind every number is a member.

Someone who found the courage to speak. Someone who learned to lead. Someone who became more confident at work. Someone who found friendship and connection. Perhaps someone who walked into a Toastmasters meeting feeling nervous and walked out thinking: Maybe I can do this. That is the impact we should never lose sight of.

 Proud moments for District 91

Alongside Lynne and Alison, I had the privilege of attending two days of District Leader training before the Convention. It was an intense and inspiring opportunity to learn, share ideas and connect with leaders from across the world.

We were incredibly proud to see District 91 recognised as a Distinguished District, as well as being recognised in the top three Districts with the highest number of clubs with 20+ members. Debbie, our Immediate Past District Director, led the team to receive the award on behalf of District 91.

 And then came another very special moment:

Jean Gamester, DTM, from District 91 was elected First Vice President of Toastmasters International for 2026-27.

A tremendous achievement, Jean, congratulations!

It is a wonderful reminder that members from our own District can make an impact far beyond their individual clubs.

 The World Champion is from our Region!

One of the highlights of Convention is always the World Championship of Public Speaking. Eight speakers, having progressed through the Toastmasters contest journey from Club to Area, Division, District and Region, reached the World Championship stage.

This year’s World Champion is Dirceu D’Silva from District 59, Region 10, with his winning speech, “Best Decision Ever.” And I love that he is from our Region.

His journey began, just like every other contestant’s, with a decision to stand up and speak. Perhaps there is a future World Champion sitting in one of our District 91 clubs today.

When we create the environment and provide the opportunity, we encourage members to step forward. And then we support them to discover what they are capable of achieving.

 Turning strategy into action

 Over the past few weeks, we have been developing our District Success Plan and Budget. But a strategy on a page doesn’t create success. People do.

Our strategy comes alive in our clubs, in the welcoming meeting, the first speech, the completed Path, the new leader and the member who asks for help and finds someone ready to support them.

That is why our immediate priority is Club Success Plans. Just as we have a plan for District success, every club needs a meaningful plan that creates its own trajectory towards excellence. These are due by the end of September, with special recognition for early submissions.

We are also focused on new club growth, with recognition opportunities for clubs chartered before the end of September. If there is a gap at your workplace or community for a toastmasters club, let’s work together to make it happen.

 Your Voice Matters

 On 19 September, we will hold our first District Council meeting of the year, following the District Executive Committee meeting on 6 September.

District Council is an important part of how District 91 is governed and gives our clubs a voice in District business. I encourage every Club President and Vice President Education to register and attend. If you have questions, please speak to your Area or Division Director, or contact me.

 The people behind the progress

 Every District leader has chosen to give their time, energy and expertise to serve our members.

To our District Leadership Team, Area Directors and Division Directors – thank you for everything you do, most of which happens quietly behind the scenes.

A special thank you to Violet Karamagi, our Finance Manager, for her expertise and commitment to our budget work.

And to Deborah Williams, our Administration Manager and Suhas Kumar, our Public Relations Manager, thank you for the incredible collaboration over these first few weeks. You have helped us communicate effectively and make the District run smoothly.

I am genuinely proud to lead this team.

 1-1-3-1 Challenge

At the Convention, we were challenged to embrace the 1-1-3-1 Challenge:

1 – Invite someone.
Invite 1 person who could benefit from Toastmasters.

1 – Ask for help.
Ask 1 person to support you. None of us has to do everything alone.

3 – Recognise people.
Recognise 3 people for the contribution they make.

1 – Celebrate one success.
Stop and celebrate 1 thing you or your club has achieved.

Then do it again.

 Vancouver reminded me how big Toastmasters is. District 91 reminds me why it matters. And let’s make this a year we can all look back on and say:

We made a difference.

Are you ready?

I am.