District 91 Celebrates Distinguished District Achievement and Outstanding Member Contributions

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We Are a Distinguished District!
District 91 has achieved Distinguished District status for the 2025-2026 program year, a reflection of the commitment, passion and teamwork demonstrated by our members, club officers, and district leaders throughout the Toastmasters year.  This achievement belongs to everyone who has contributed to the success of our clubs and members.  Here is a message from International President, Aletta Rochat, DTM.
The Hall of Fame provided an opportunity to recognise the individuals whose leadership, service and dedication have made an exceptional contribution to District 91 over the past year. From those working quietly behind the scenes to those leading at district and international level, each recipient has helped strengthen our district and support our members.
Congratulations to our 2025–2026 award recipients which included:
Distinguished Service Award – Website Team: Rob Dewing, Janet Alkema DTM and Amy Jones DTM
District Innovation Award -Rory Graves DTM
Distinguished Alignment Service Recognition – Barbara Saph DTM
District Ambassador Award (those members from District 91 contributing outside of the District): Jean Gamester DTM, Second Vice President, Toastmasters International; Patrick Oluyidi DTM, International Director, Region 11; Helena Boden-Brewer DTM, Region Advisor, Region 11, Steve Vear DTM.
Translator of the Year:  Annelise Lepage
Division Director of the Year: Yogendra Paranjpe, Division A
Area Director of the Year: Muriel Teisseire, L27
District Director’s Award: Allen Paul Pulikkal DTM, District Public Relations Manager
Toastmaster of the Year: Deborah Stevens: District Administration Manager
We were delighted that International Director for Region 10, Francesco Fedele DTM was able to join for our celebrations.
The afternoon also celebrated further awards and certificates for excellence in club growth, programme quality, and public relations, while recognising the invaluable contribution of every member of the District Leadership Team. Their dedication, together with the commitment of volunteers across the district, has helped District 91 continue to thrive. This collective effort was reflected in our achievements this year.
Additionally, five Divisions and twenty-five Areas finished Distinguished or above, demonstrating the strength and commitment of leaders and clubs across the district.
As another successful Toastmasters year draws to a close, the Hall of Fame was a fitting opportunity to celebrate the volunteers whose leadership, service and dedication made these achievements possible. Every award and certificate presented reflected not only individual excellence, but also the collective spirit that has driven District 91 forward.

Congratulations once again to all our award recipients and thank you to every member who has contributed to making District 91 a Distinguished District. Together, we have much to celebrate and an excellent platform to build on in the year ahead.

Yours in service
Debbie Williams DTM
Immediate Past District Director 2026-2027
District 91

Growing Stronger Together: Club Growth Priorities and Member Opportunities for 2026–27

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Club growth remains at the heart of everything we do, it is not only about increasing membership numbers; it is about strengthening our clubs, supporting our volunteers, and creating welcoming, active environments where people want to belong and grow.

As a District we are doing ok BUT surely we want to do more, this year the District is aiming for Smedley Distinguished, this means we need;

A Club Net Growth of 14 clubs from a Base of 176 to 190, this figure doesn’t take into account the loss of any clubs, currently we have 22 Clubs under 12 members, these all need coaches, so please contact me if you are interested in helping these clubs remain Active. 

Club Payments to increase by 766 from 9570 to 10336, these are made up of new members, re-instated and renewals. If we can get as many new members, as possible, in before the April renewals this will mean they count for 3 payments.  

We now have the increase in renewals, with a short time to get renewals in before the price goes up. Where possible get club members to pay before 2nd August and to renew for 12 months, thereby saving $24 (£18 at todays rate of exchange). 

We have some incentives to help with renewals 

If 75% of Clubs obtain 75% renewals in one Area for 6 months by August 3rd 26 they will get Humorous and Topic Contest trophies for their Area Contest. If they renew for

If 75% of Clubs obtain 75% renewals by August 3rd 26 for 12 months in one Area they will get trophies for all 4 Contests for their Area Contest.

Any club that adds 8 new or reinstated members paying up to 31st March 27 by 31st August 26 they not only complete 2 of the DCP points, they also achieve Smedley Award and in addition will get a Superstar Trophy and a Certificate.

Please Note : Any payments after 3rd August 26 will be at the New rate.

Clubs that charter by 30th September 26 and pay for 6 months up to March 27 will get $150 worth Goodies.

Clubs that charter by 30th September 26 and pay 12 months up to September 27 will get $200 worth of goodies for the club.

Even better Charter clubs can use the old renewal rate if they charter before the 30th September 2026.

My focus as Club Growth Director is to help clubs grow and maintain sustainable growth. This includes sharing ideas that work, supporting membership campaigns, helping clubs identify opportunities, and Divisions appointing a Division Club Growth Director to help both District and Members to find opportunities for new clubs. Our goal this year is to get at least one viable new club lead per area and to charter at least 2 new clubs per Division.

I encourage every club to take a fresh look at how it presents itself to prospective members. Is your message clear? Are visitors followed up promptly? Do you contact members if they haven’t attended for a while? Do you contact members before renewal to check they are renewing, sometimes all it takes is a quick message or phone call to make that member feel valued. 

It is every Members responsibility to build and retain members and Clubs, as stated in the Toastmasters Promise, which you signed up to when you joined.

Are you on Pathways Level 4 or 5 or even going for your DTM, do you need to be a sponsor or mentor for a club? Do you want to be a coach? We need you!

If anyone has any ideas for Club Growth or Membership Retention and Growth please contact me. 

Alison Morris DTM  clubgrowthdirector@d91toastmasters.org.uk 

Celebrating a Year of Growth, Connection and Possibility – District 91 Club Growth Update – June 2026

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As we reach the end of another Toastmasters year, it is the perfect moment to reflect on what we
have achieved together.

Club Growth is about more than numbers. It is about creating opportunities for people to discover their voice, build confidence, develop leadership skills and find a supportive community. Every guest who attended an open house, every member who renewed, every club that welcomed someone new, and every leader who invested their time has contributed to our collective achievements.

This year, District 91 celebrated the chartering of new clubs, membership growth across our District, and countless successful open houses that introduced Toastmasters to new audiences. These
achievements are a testament to the dedication, passion and commitment of our members and leaders.

To every club that hosted an open house: thank you for opening your doors and sharing the Toastmasters experience.

To every member who invited a guest: thank you for being an ambassador for personal growth.

To every club officer, Area Director and Division Director who supported club-building initiatives: thank you for helping our clubs thrive.

A special thank you goes to the Club Growth Team:

Your enthusiasm, creativity and unwavering commitment have made a real difference throughout the year. It has been a privilege to work alongside you and witness the impact you have made across District 91.

While we celebrate our achievements, we also look forward with excitement. The coming year brings new opportunities to strengthen existing clubs, support membership growth, charter new
clubs and introduce even more people to the life-changing benefits of Toastmasters.

Growth starts with a conversation, an invitation and a willingness to share our experience with others. Together, we can continue building strong clubs that transform lives.

Thank you for making this Toastmasters year such a success. Whether you joined recently or have been part of the journey for many years, your contribution matters.

Congratulations on everything we have achieved so far and best wishes to all our incoming leaders. I look forward to seeing District 91 continue to grow, inspire and achieve even greater success in the year ahead.

Together, we have grown. Together, we will achieve even more. THANK YOU.

Here from member, Eleni Kyrtsia, and her Toastmasters story

Membership Growth

So worth celebrating……..

District 91 is 2nd globally for new membership payments. Incredible achievement.

District 91 has consistently been in the top three globally for total membership payments.

New Clubs

Delighted to welcome our eighth new club this year with several more on the cusp of chartering before year end.

WELCOME – JP Morgan EMEA Solutions

Other clubs that chartered this are year:

  • Richmond and Wandsworth communicators club
  • Toastmasters at the BBC
  • Wells Fargo Toastmasters Club
  • Hemel Speakers Club
  • Ciso Speakers Toastmasters
  • Excalibur Online Global Speakers  (EOGS)
  • Pen Test Parables

Club Celebrations – The building of Excalibur Online Global Speakers and The Charter Party

Read on to discover how Excalibur Online Global Speakers came about.

Somewhere in your Toastmasters journey, the question arrives. You’re sitting in a meeting  you’ve sat in a hundred times, watching it run like clockwork, and a quiet thought slips in:
What if we built our own?
Most of us let that thought pass. It feels like a lot. Twenty charter members, charter paperwork, the very real chance of standing up in front of the room and asking people to commit before there’s anything to commit to. Easier to keep attending the club someone else already built. 

But here’s the thing nobody tells you until you’ve done it….. there is no Pathways project that stretches you the way persuading 20 people to bet on a vision does. If you’ve ever wanted proof that you’ve grown, this is it.  We know, because we just did it.

The hardest persuasion task in Toastmasters

When Andrew Bennett, DTM, pitched the idea of a truly global online advanced club, the vision was simple to say, harder to build: a place where speakers from different continents
and cultures sharpen their craft together at the highest level. Saying it took a sentence.
Delivering it took several months.

The benchmark for chartering is 20 members. That number sounds modest until you try to gather it. Every name is a conversation, an evaluation, a small act of persuasion. It is the most sustained ask most leaders ever make. Excalibur Online Global Speakers didn’t  just hit 20. We chartered with 22 members across four continents, officially recognised on 29 April
2026.

If you take one thing from our story, take this: the milestone is real and reachable. A handful of committed people, the backing of an established club, and a refusal to quit got us there.
The same is available to you.

What the celebration actually taught us


You don’t charter a global club without throwing a party, and ours leaned all the way into the occasion: a virtual red carpet, matching red Zoom backgrounds, and a footprint that lit up in real time. Club Sponsor and Sergeant at Arms Samir Malak, DTM, set the tone the moment people logged in, getting attendees to add their home cities to their Zoom names so our global reach was visible on screen before the meeting even started.

It looked effortless. Thats the lesson. The smooth run wasn't luck. The committee spent time beforehand ironing out the agenda and the technical logistics so that on the day, the host could focus entirely on the people, not the controls. With President Andrew Bennett at the helm, Toastmaster of the Day Daniel Arda facilitating, and VPPR Krishn Ramchurn managing things on Zoom in the background, the event was smoothly led from the first second to the last. When you build a club, this is the muscle you’ll develop: the unglamorous preparation that lets a moment feel magical for everyone in it.

Some of the charter party attendees

And there were moments: Adam Paldyna, President of our sponsoring club, formally presented the Club Charter Certificate. Daniel kept the energy sky-high, at one point leading the whole room in a virtual samba celebration. VPE John Akers ran Table Topics with on- the-spot evaluations in breakout rooms, specifically so that every single guest got a chance to speak, not just the confident few. All 22 members received their Charter Member Certificates, presented by current District 91 Director Debbie Williams DTM and incoming Director (and our own club member) Seema Menon, DTM. Division B Director Mary-Anne Ledger closed the formal proceedings with a specially composed toast, delivered with real warmth and wit.

We were also honoured to welcome Verity Price, DTM, Accredited Speaker and the 2021 World Champion of Public Speaking, who shared her own communication journey and left
the room buzzing with ideas, followed by a Q&A facilitated by Lynne Gayer, DTM. But the most quietly powerful moment of the night wasn’t on the keynote stage. It came from a brand-new member who later described battling his old instinct to stay silent, then speaking up anyway, taking feedback and giving it in return. That is the whole point of a club, compressed into one person’s evening. Build the room, and you create the conditions for that to happen to someone else.

Verity Price DTM, Accredited Speaker and World Champion of Public Speaking 2021

When the formal meeting closed, the real EOGS showed up: our legendary After Party, where everyone stayed to mingle, debrief, and find out exactly how to join. Because here’s what we’d quietly proven over those months: building the club was never the end goal. The room full of people who didn’t want to leave was.

 

Your move

Here’s the uncomfortable, motivating truth: the only thing separating the club in your head from the club on the roster is the decision to start asking. The paperwork is learnable. The
members are persuadable. The party, frankly, is the easy part.
Maybe youre not ready to charter tomorrow. But maybe your club is sitting on its own milestone right now: a member about to earn a DTM, a Distinguished Club Program goal within reach, a contest win worth marking. Those are reasons to gather your people too. Don’t let them pass quietly.

And if you’d like to see what a global charter celebration actually looks like, you can be our guest. Watch the EOGS Charter Party on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/seHPbAb7jlA.

And come visit us live; we meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month at 7:00 PM UK time, on Zoom. All you have to do is drop an email at ExcaliburOnlineGlobalSpeakers@gmail.com or visit us at https://excaliburonline.toastmasterclub.org.
By Krishn Ramchurn, EOGS VPPR

Club Celebrations – Club Anniversaries

Congratulations go to:

Club Month Year Years
London Business School Public Speaking Club June 2001 25
South West Speakers June 2006 20
Verizon EMEA Online Toastmasters Club June 2021 5
JAL Richmond Leaders June 2025 1
UK Speakers and Leaders Toastmasters June 2025 1

June data – Based on the Official Charter Date


Beat the Clock 

And remember there are still a few days to go for the Beat the Clock incentive.  It is a race to the finish, get those last few guests converted to members before 30th June.  Once again, 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. The District needs just a few more members, we can do this, together.

Top Tip from your Club Growth Director, Lynne Gayer DTM

As we transition to our incoming leaders, I encourage every member to continue being an advocate for growth:

  • Invite a guest to your next meeting
  • Support your club’s membership-building efforts
  • Volunteer to help with open houses and club-building activities
  • Mentor new members and help them discover their potential
  • Champion the Toastmasters mission wherever you can

Area Director of the Month – June – Beverly Daniel Blugh

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Recognised as District 91’s Area Director of the Month for June, Beverley Daniel Blugh has become known for her supportive leadership, commitment to her clubs, and genuine passion for helping members grow.

Although she only discovered Toastmasters during the 2020 lockdown, her journey has been one of resilience, service, and transformation. We caught up with Beverley to learn more about her experience, the lessons she’s learned as an Area Director, and the advice she’d like to share with fellow members.

Tell us a little about your Toastmasters journey and how you first became involved.

I first discovered Toastmasters during the lockdown in 2020, arriving with curiosity but also self-doubt, particularly about my voice and how I would be perceived. Confidence was not something I had, it was something I had to build, one courageous step at a time, beginning with my first nervous Table Topics online. What made the difference was the encouragement, patience, and belief of fellow members, who created a safe space to learn, make mistakes, and grow.

There were times I felt disconnected, especially when club leadership changed, but instead of walking away, I chose to step in and serve. Becoming President transformed my perspective, helping me see Toastmasters not just as speeches and meetings, but as service, encouragement leadership, and the power of helping others grow.

This journey also became deeply personal after the passing of my father in 2021. Growing up, I admired his strong, confident voice and assumed it came from his career in the police force. Later, I discovered something I never knew; his appreciation for public speaking, I remembered him asking me to send him a book titled “Speeches & Toast”. At that time, I didn’t understand why it mattered so much to him. Now I do. Toastmasters had helped shaped the confident communicator I admired in my father and years later without realising it, I had followed the same path. In many ways, Toastmasters has shaped me into the confident communicator I once admired in him, a diamond slowly polished through challenge, service, and growth.

Members described you as present, supportive, and always willing to help. What does effective Area Director leadership mean to you?

As a member I embraced the club mission, values and stand by my toast master’s promise. To me, effective Area Director leadership means being accessible, building strong relationships, and empowering club leaders to succeed. It involves not only listening but hearing members’ needs, providing guidance when challenges arise, and celebrating achievements along the way. Modelling behaviour is crucial therefor an effective Area Director leads by example, fosters collaboration, and creates an environment where all clubs feel supported and valued. Ultimately, success is measured not only by DCPs, but by the growth, confidence, and engagement of the people we serve ensuring every member has the chance to thrive with purpose.

What have been the highlights of serving your clubs this year?

The highlights of serving Area B 08 clubs this year have been building strong relationships with club leaders and members. I have witness members grow in confidence and communication skills. I have enjoyed celebrating educational and membership achievements and sharing best practices across the Area. Seeing members attending and contributing to COT, take on leadership roles, deliver impactful speeches, and reach personal milestones has been especially rewarding. Most importantly, it has been fulfilling to contribute to creating positive, supportive environments where members can learn, develop, and succeed.

Every Area Director faces challenges. What was one challenge you encountered, and how did you overcome it?

To be honest, I have not faced many extraordinary challenges beyond the usual journey of growth. What stands out most for me is the importance of connection, enjoyment, and shared experiences. I believe there is always value in coming together more often, learning from one another, and simply having more fun along the way. For me, Toastmasters is not only about development, but also about building joy, friendships, and memorable moments together.

What have your clubs taught you this year?

This year, my clubs have taught me that true leadership is built on patience, consistency, and understanding. Each club operates independently, with its own culture, strengths, and long-standing habits, and I have learned that change is not always immediate or easy to implement. Challenging established routines requires sensitivity, persistence, and respect for the journey each club is on. Rather than forcing change, I have learned the value of influencing through example, encouragement, and collaboration. Most importantly, I have come to appreciate that sustainable growth happens gradually, when people feel supported, included, and inspired to improve together.

What advice would you give to incoming Area Directors?

My advice to incoming Area Directors is to have a clear plan and remember that leadership is about influence, not authority. Every member who walks through our doors carries hopes, fears, and untapped potential. A warm welcome, a few words of encouragement, and genuine belief in someone can change the course of their Toastmasters journey. The quiet member may be battling self-doubt, while the disengaged member may simply be searching for a place to belong. As leaders, our greatest privilege is helping others discover strengths they have not yet seen in themselves.

Is there a leadership lesson from Toastmasters that you have applied outside the organisation?

One of the greatest leadership lessons Toastmasters has taught me is the value of preparation, effective time management, and always having a contingency plan. I have learned not to dwell on “what if” scenarios or remain tied to how things were done in the past, but instead to focus on the opportunities of the present. Toastmasters have strengthened the skills I already possessed while helping me develop many new ones. We all join with our own unique talents and potential. I often say I was a rough diamond, and Toastmasters has helped polish me into a more confident, capable, and effective leader in my own Voluntary Organisation.

What are you most proud of from this Toastmasters year?

What I am most proud of this Toastmasters year is the incredible sense of connection and teamwork we built across Area B08. I have been fortunate to work alongside outstanding leaders; each of whom has helped shape and develop me as a leader. I am particularly proud of how we collaborated to deliver successful; Contests, Club Officer Trainings and fostered relationships built on trust and mutual respect. It was an honour to support others whenever called upon. Above all, I am proud that we came together not just as leaders, but as a genuinely supportive team.

What is one thing members might be surprised to learn about you?

Something members may find interesting about me is that I have had a truly unique and memorable journey. In my early years, I was a dance model in the 1980s and played cricket for Middlesex as one of the fastest bowlers in the district. Through dance and sport, I had the privilege of remarkable experiences, including afternoon tea and dining with the Queen on several occasions. Connections that began during the 1977 Jubilee, invited to the Palace with my PE teacher, who was an African Princess. I look back on these moments with immense pride, as they reflect a life shaped by opportunity, discipline, and unforgettable experiences.

If you could leave one message for the members of District 91, what would it be?

If I could leave one message for the members of D91, it would be to believe in the value you bring to every room you enter. Your voice matters, your growth matters, and your journey matters. In a world that is constantly changing and the diverse challenges, choose kindness, courage, resilience and consistency in how you lead and support others. Remember that every great leader was once a nervous speaker who decided to keep going. Stay connected, stay curious, and keep rising, because when one of us grows, we all grow.

Area Director of the Month – May – Suhas Kumar, DTM

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Tell us a little about your Toastmasters journey. What first brought you to Toastmasters, and what has kept you involved?
Joining Toastmasters was an Accident. I remember it was noon and I was having lunch at my work canteen in June 2010. I was called to the Boardroom. There were a few guests who were asking us questions about ourselves. I later came to know they were from Infosys Toastmasters club and our Club Mentor. I was one of the few to be nominated by our Organisation to be part of Toastmasters. This was new to me. I was made VP Education. We had the CC and CL manuals then. I took my time to visit other clubs to give my Ice Breaker which was for 13 Minutes !!! . I later became the Area Director and did justice to the role. An Area director in the Division had left halfway. Since they were in the same geographical area I overlooked the clubs and made both the Areas Distinguished. I won the Best Area Director Award that year. Leadership in Toastmasters to me was encouraged by Gauri Seshadri, DTM First Vice President Toastmasters International. She has always been a helping hand. A wonderful Mentor.

You’ve served in a variety of leadership roles. What has been your biggest lesson as an Area Director this year?
Planning and Organising are two important factor one should do at the beginning. Get to know the clubs better. There will be a few challenges but do not keep it to yourself. Seek help. Do not Procastinate. Every day is a learning experience.

What do you believe makes a strong and successful club?
Every club should conduct the Moments of Truth. This is where every member voices their opinion. The joint decision results to innovative ideas being generated and every one is happy to contribute for the club.

Looking back on this Toastmasters year, what achievement or moment are you most proud of?
This is when clubs challenged themselves to be Smedleys Distinguished. I am aware they are working on achieving the same.

What have you learned about supporting clubs through challenges and change?
Being transparent during converstions and delivering on time matters. Providing the necessary materials to members to progress in their paths. Links to Ditch the nerves and Drop in sessions to learn more.


You will soon be stepping into the role of District 91 Public Relations Manager. What excites you most about the year ahead?
We will perform as a Team to achieve the District Goals. Make sure every voice is heard. Ensure every member or Club achievement is highlighted. Make social media more vibrant and creative. Ensure every member knows whats happening in the District. I am excited to see how well we can infuse AI in our creatives. There will be more of two way communication with our members through interactive Newsletters and Social Media channels

What opportunities do you see for District 91 to strengthen its communication and visibility?
Ensure every member should be aware of the Social Media platforms within the District. Encourage Clubs and Divisions to showcase every possible memorable and important moment through the social media channels.

What advice would you give to club officers who are taking on leadership roles for the first time?
Never Give Up. Ask for Help when you seem to be lost. Keep it Simple. Learn from Mistakes.

What is one thing members might be surprised to learn about you?
I really enjoy meeting friends and others for lunch and a visit. That is my best medicine to talk with others.

Finally, what are your goals for District 91 as incoming PR Manager?
To ensure that every communication is passed District-Wide Reach and create a strong brand engagement . Everyone has a Story to Tell. We will hear them out and publicise on our District Social Media channels.