Eleni Kyrtsia: April’s Area Director of the Month

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Eleni Kyrtsia, from Area C5 has been recognised as Area Director of the Month for April for her dedication, consistency, and support to clubs, including helping Markel return after 10 months of hard work.

We asked Eleni about the recognition, the journey with Markel, and what she has learned about supporting clubs as an Area Director.

Congratulations on being recognised as Area Director of the Month for April. What did this recognition mean to you?

Thank you Allen. I’ve been a member of Toastmasters for more than three years now, and this community means a lot to me, my club Wharf speakers is like a little family to me. The recognition was a very welcome surprise, it was nice to see the effort and support given to clubs being acknowledged.

Markel came back after 10 months of hard work. What kept you believing that the club could return?

I think with Markel, it was always about the intention from the members to keep the club alive. They never gave me a doubt that it wouldn’t happen. Of course, there are always blockers, people are busy, things get missed, life happens, but when people are truly convinced things will work out, that creates reassurance and doesn’t leave room for ambiguity. It was clear that Markel wasn’t ready to close its doors; it just needed a bit more time and support to get things back on track.

What would you say to another Area Director supporting a club through a difficult period?

Don’t underestimate the importance of simply being present and consistent. Things don’t usually change overnight, so being understanding and helping maintain a positive attitude despite the challenges can go a long way. Sometimes clubs don’t need someone to step in and sort out everything immediately, they need support and encouragement. Sticking around when things seem to slip away helps more than people think.

What has this experience taught you about supporting different clubs?

Every club is different. They all have different needs, challenges, pace and way of doing things. So there’s no one size fits all approach for Area Directors when supporting clubs. We have to meet them where they are, understand what success looks like for them, and help them move forward in a way that is realistic and sustainable for them. This way the progress they make is way more meaningful for their members and will have a more lasting impact.

What message would you like to share with members and leaders across the District?

Every person I’ve spoken to in Toastmasters talks about the value it brings to their life. It becomes a community, and sometimes even a family, where people help each other grow into stronger versions of themselves and into the people they want to become. What a privilege it is to witness and share that kind of growth with others on their journey. Every time we show up for ourselves in some way, we move a little closer to the version of ourselves we want to become. And every time we help someone else, we help them move closer too. Clubs grow because of the effort, care, and dedication of the people within them. There is something really special about preserving and nurturing those safe spaces for growth.

Eleni’s story is a reminder that club support is not always about quick fixes. Sometimes, it is about presence, patience, consistency, and believing in a club long enough for it to find its way back.

How One Humorous Speech Led to BBC Radio

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Danny Wang, our District Humorous Speech Champion, recently took his speaking journey beyond the Toastmasters stage and onto BBC Radio Berkshire. We asked Danny about his contest speech, the unexpected radio call, and what other clubs can learn from sharing real human stories with local media.

What was your humorous speech about, and why do you think it connected with the audience?

Honestly, the whole speech was just me exposing my own chaos. I basically talked about something stupid I did, exaggerated it slightly (but also… not really), and people related because everyone’s life is a bit of a mess. The audience laughed because they saw themselves in it – or at least saw someone doing worse than them, which is always comforting. We’ve all been through a ‘frugal’ phase or something somewhat obsessed. I think the Donald Trump impression was the cherry on top though.

How did the BBC Radio opportunity come about?

I got into work one morning, and as I was making my coffee I got a call from an unknown number. I picked up, and it was BBC Radio Berkshire! It went along the lines of ‘hey, ya wanna speak on the radio in a sec’ and I was like, ‘hell yeah’. They were doing a bit about public speaking, and crushing fears – I guess they had found my club or seen my newspaper article.

Was speaking on radio different from speaking at Toastmasters?

Yeah, massively. In Toastmasters you can see people’s faces. On radio, you’re basically just talking on the phone. Kind of felt like speaking to senior management. Also, no clapping. Very rude.

What was the reaction from people around you after the radio appearance?

I pre-warned my colleagues and mum I’d be on the radio. They all listened in sneakily and sent some wholesome messages after. It was funny because I actually went to a meeting room in the office and my colleagues were watching me whilst listening to it – if that makes sense?

Why should clubs consider approaching local radio stations with their stories?

Because radio stations are desperate for local stories that aren’t about potholes or lost cats. Toastmasters can have a goldmine of vocational, weird, wholesome, human stories. They want that stuff.

What kind of stories do you think radio stations would be interested in?

Anything that’s: personal, slightly funny, slightly chaotic or involves someone overcoming something. If it sounds like something your friend would tell you in the pub, I reckon they’d love it.

What advice would you give to clubs approaching local media?

I did not approach them myself, so I’m not sure what the perfect approach would be. I’d say don’t send them a 500-word essay. Don’t be formal. Don’t say “we would like to enquire about media opportunities”. Just talk like a human. And don’t pitch “we meet every second Tuesday” – pitch an actual story. Local if possible!

What did this experience show you about Toastmasters beyond the club room?

That nobody outside Toastmasters knows what we do… but once they hear about it, they’re weirdly interested. People love self-improvement stories, especially when they’re not preachy.

What is next for you?

God, there’s so many things. Few big goals of mine are to get onto the international stage, actually make work on my startup, climb a couple mountains, do well at work – the usual, ya know? Then after that, some sleep. Haven’t been getting enough of that recently. Then maybe more speaking, more comedy, maybe another contest, maybe something completely random. I’m just saying yes to things and seeing what happens.

Danny’s story is a reminder that clubs do not always need a “perfect” story to approach local media. Sometimes the best stories are personal, funny, chaotic, local, and human.

Celebrating Our Corporate Recognition Award Recipients

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Each year, members of Toastmasters International’s Board of Directors present this distinguished honour to a chosen few corporate sponsors around the world, in recognition of their commitment to the ongoing professional development of their employees.

There are moments in a District’s history that stand out as truly exceptional, and this is one of them. The Corporate Recognition Award is presented only when a District receives a visit from a Toastmasters International Director. Last month, Francesco Fedele, International Director for Region 10, visited District 91 to present the awards.

The award recognises organisations that have supported a Toastmasters club within our District for a minimum of two years and have gone beyond simply providing space or funding, actively embedding Toastmasters into their culture of professional growth.

This year, we are proud to announce not one but two recipients from our District: PA Consulting and HID Global.

PA Consulting is a global innovation and transformation consultancy, combining expertise in strategy, technology, engineering and design to help organisations across both the public and private sectors tackle complex challenges. Founded in 1943 and headquartered in London, the firm operates across more than 14 countries. Francesco Fedele DTM presented the award to Helen Mullings, Chief People Officer, who spoke warmly of the impact Toastmasters has had at the company.

HID Global is a worldwide leader in trusted identity solutions, providing the technology that millions of people in more than 100 countries use every day to securely access physical and digital places. The company offers products and services spanning access control, digital security, biometric identification and card printing, serving industries from healthcare and government to financial services and beyond. Francesco Fedele DTM presented the award to Joan Kennedy, Vice President of Human Resources, who accepted with great pride on behalf of HID Global.

What makes this moment even more special is the company they keep. In the history of our District, only one corporate club had previously earned this distinction: Bloomberg. For two organisations to join that legacy in the same year is truly extraordinary.

“Corporations who sponsor a Toastmasters club are making an investment in the future of their employees and their organisations. Toastmasters can help build the next generation of any organisation’s leaders and communicators. Thank you for supporting your team members through the Toastmasters programme,” says Daniel Rex, Chief Executive Officer, Toastmasters International.

As District Director, it is my honour to recognise the outstanding commitment of both PA Consulting and HID Global to their employees’ development and to the strength of our Toastmasters community.

Please join me in extending our heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to everyone at both organisations who has made this possible.

 

Debbie Williams DTM

District Director 2025-2026

District 91

Malcolm Braganza: March’s Area Director of the Month

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From a challenging area to full engagement, Malcolm shares what made the difference

This month, we recognise Malcolm (H55) as our Area Director of the Month for March.

With all clubs renewed and in good standing, strong engagement across the Area, and consistent performance across training and reporting, Malcolm’s leadership has helped turn H55 into a highly active and connected Area.

We spoke to Malcolm to learn more about his journey and approach.

For members who may not know you yet, could you tell us a little about your Toastmasters journey?

I joined my corporate club, db Toastmasters, back in 2019. I loved it immediately and wondered why it had taken me so long to join. After a short time, I joined the committee and immersed myself in many club roles. Eventually became President.

As an IT Programme Manager, I felt Toastmasters would help strengthen my networking and leadership skills, while also I could help younger staff develop confidence in public speaking.

In 2022, I moved to Hove and joined Brighton & Hove Speakers. I also served on the committee there, which I hope to revisit when I complete my Area Director tenure in June.

H55 was previously a challenging area, but is now fully engaged and in good standing. What do you think made the biggest difference?

Thank you for acknowledging that. It is still work in progress, but I believe the biggest factors have been communication, accountability, my persistence, and a sprinkling of luck and hope along the way.

Visiting clubs regularly and fully immersing yourself in their culture makes a real difference. Increasing membership, maintaining retention, and ensuring people are enjoying themselves are all key ingredients to success.

How did you keep clubs motivated and engaged throughout the year?

Every club has its own dynamic, personality, and local makeup. Motivation comes from member involvement, achievement, and creating an enjoyable learning environment.

Contests and club goals also help give members something to work towards. I try to encourage cross-club participation, which has been especially valuable in building engagement and connection across the Area.

You’ve achieved strong results across renewals, training, and reporting. Did you follow a specific approach or system to stay on track?

Membership renewals have been a challenge for many clubs this year, as every club has its own strengths and areas for improvement. Guests only really become members by interaction and seeing!

I always try to make guests feel welcomed and giving them a personal touch is vital. Club Officer Training is also extremely important, along with planning ahead, keeping the year in focus, and seeking support and collaboration from fellow Area Directors.

What challenges did you face along the way, and how did you overcome them?

Being a Toastmasters leader is not about perfection. It’s about trying to share your experience, guidance, and support in a positive way. Not everyone will always appreciate it, and there are often challenges around time, effort, and availability as we are all volunteers!

However, we are always stronger when working together towards a common goal. As they say: no pain, no gain. It’s also about ownership and responsibility.

One of my proudest moments was seeing the President of one of our most improved clubs step forward to take on the Area Director role next year. I’m very happy to support and encourage him on that journey.

What advice would you give to other Area Directors who want to improve engagement in their areas?

There is no “cookie-cutter” approach because every club has its own unique makeup and dynamic. However, ensuring that every member feels engaged, valued, and able to see progress in their journey is essential.

Club accountability is also very important. When everyone fulfils their role and works together as a team, the positive energy and results naturally shine through.

Finally, what has been the most rewarding part of serving as an Area Director this year?

I’m very much a people person, so engaging with all the clubs has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve enjoyed helping to run Area and Division contests, meeting fellow District Officers, and successfully mentoring the newly chartered BBC club in London.

And of course, continuing my own journey towards achieving my DTM has been another important and rewarding part of the experience. Plus of course getting AD of the month was a nice accolade and a nice surprise dinner treat locally!!

 

From Conference to Club Growth: What’s Next This Month – April CGD Update

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Another busy month has passed. The Global Toastmasters campaign and our second digital campaign both came to a close. Our Tube campaign was featured in the Region 10 newsletter. Renewals closed at the ed of March, though late payers are still coming in. The talk up Toastmasters incentive closed at the end of March and we excitedly await confirmation from Toastmasters
International for confirmation of the winning clubs.

On top of all that we are in the middle of contest season with Areas and Divisions running some fabulous sessions. I was delighted to attend both Division H (Feature pic) and J this time around. The joyful J’s made sure we didn’t go hungry with a wonderful array of cakes which were delicious, thankyou.

Root to Rise
I’m very much looking forward to seeing all the Division contest winners at our ‘Root to Rise’ Conference on 2-3 rd May at the De Vere Latimer Hotel. I have my ticket, do you have yours? It will be a wonderful celebration as we welcome in the new District Leaders (see article below), congratulate our speaking finalists and enjoy keynotes from talented professionals.

Club Anniversaries
I love a celebration and I hope these clubs are celebrating their club anniversaries.
Whether 1 or 20 years it is great achievement.

Congratulations go to:

Club Month Years
Canary Wharf Communicators Club April 2006 20
Angel Speakers April 2011 15
Woodford Green Speakers April 2011 15
Ascot and Bracknell April 2016 10
Columbia Threadneedle Investments April 2025 1
HSBC 8CS London Toastmasters April 2025 1

April data – Based on the Official Charter Date

Beat the Clock
Celebrating your success is a fabulous way of bringing people together so why not join in the May incentive, Beat the Clock. Starting on the 1 st May and running until 30 th June. 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. And it is rare we get 25 clubs! Many clubs are planning Open Houses to help increase membership, so go on, invite your friends, family and colleagues, let them see the wonders of Toastmasters and what it can do for them.

 

Remember you can bring guests to both in person, hybrid and online clubs. Sustainable Speakers is an online specialist club with speeches all about sustainability. Running at over 30 members they
keep their membership high through inviting guests. See their article below.

Club Mentoring
We always look to increase membership to share what we know with others. We also look to increase clubs and very soon we will be adding a few more clubs to our Toastmasters family so watch this space.

When new clubs come on board we want to, not just welcome them but support them so they get the best possible experience. We do that by assigning Mentors to each club. We usually add two for
a period of six months, which is just six meetings each. Could you help a new club and be a mentor?

Become a Club Mentor

You can become a Club Mentor if…….

  • You’ve been a Toastmaster for a while and have completed two pathways levels.
  • You’ve been a club Officer
  • You are looking for a short-term project
  • You’d like to attain your Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award
  • You’d just recognise the value of new clubs bringing more opportunities to people to grow within this amazing organisation you’ve found your own voice in

Once you are mentoring, Simon McKee and / or Casper Willcock our Club Coach and Club Mentor Leads will be there to support you in your journey too. Interested then email Simon McKee at
Mckeesimon@gmail.com and the team will find the right new club for you to work with.

What is a Trio Member?
Mentoring is one way of stepping up to leadership and there are many others. The other day someone asked me ‘When you joined Toastmasters, did you always want to be a Trio member?’ That made me laugh, as back then I had no idea what a Trio member was and I guess many of you don’t either.

The Trio: Lynne Gayer-Club Growth Director, Seema Menon-Programme Quality Director, Debbie Williams-District Director,

When Members join Toastmasters they join a Club. A Club belongs to an Area that belongs to a Division that belongs to a District that belongs to a Region that belongs to Toastmasters International. Clubs have anything from 8 members upwards it could be as many as 80 or more. An Area has four to six clubs, a Division has four to six Areas and a District can have up to nine Divisions. We are District 91, UK South and we are part of Region 10, along with seven other Districts, including District 71 which covers the other part of the UK, Scotland and Ireland.

Clubs have Club Officers who run the meetings and support their members. Areas have Area Directors who provide support to their clubs, organise Club Officer Training and the Area Contests. The Division Director supports the Area Directors, ensures everything goes to plan, the Division goals are met and organises the Division Contests. The District and achievement of its goals are the responsibility of the District Leadership team. Like every other leader they are both members and volunteers. The three main roles at District level, the Trio, are the District Director, Programme Quality Director and the Club Growth Director. The Trio are supported by the Public Relations Manager, the Finance Manager, the Administration Manager and the Immediate Past District Director. Many of these having additional teams to cover everything that needs to be done, so there are plenty of opportunities to step up to help.
No one can join Toastmasters and suddenly become a Trio member. Like several other positions they have had to have done various roles first so they have an understanding of Toastmasters. The roles,
just like a club Officers, last for a year. Whereas the Area Director positions are elected at Area Council meetings in April. The Trio roles and Division Directors are positions that are elected at the
May conference by members of the District Council. The District Council includes current District Leaders, Division Directors, Area Directors, Club President and Club Vice Presidents Education.

 

L to R Back row – Steve Vear-Immediate Past District Director, Deborah Stevens-Administration Manager, Guler Gortis-Finance Manager, Allen Paul-Public Relations Manager
Front row- The Trio: Seema Menon-Programme Quality Director, Debbie Williams-District Director, Lynne Gayer-Club Growth Director.

Beyond the Click: Building Real Community in an Online Toastmasters Club

 

Sustainable Speakers is one of only a handful of Toastmasters clubs with a focus on sustainability. Founded in 2023 by Colette Ainscough, Kavita Dulai, and Shirley Gallagher, we meet on the 2nd and 4th Monday of every month, and as a fully online club, our members span the globe. That global reach, however, comes with a unique challenge: the passive guest, hidden behind a turned-off camera, who vanishes the moment the meeting ends.

Public Relations and Membership are very much a team effort, each led by one of our founders. Colette (VPPR) leads branding and outreach, including AI-assisted identification of sustainability-focused NGOs and SDG organisations, supported by a small PR team. In parallel, Kavita (VPM) leads membership conversion with her own team, ensuring no interested guest slips through the net. Together, they form two halves of the same pipeline: Colette fills the room, Kavita makes people want to stay.

The Math of Online Growth: 15% is the New 100%

For those accustomed to face-to-face clubs, a 15% conversion rate might sound modest. In a physical club, conversion can approach 100%, a guest who travels to a venue has already committed. Online, the front door is the entire world, but so is the competition. Guests can join silently, cameras off, and disappear with a single click. A 10% conversion rate is generally considered strong for virtual clubs. At 15%, Sustainable Speakers is comfortably ahead of the curve, and the results speak for themselves. Since chartering in August 2023 with 20 members, we have grown to a community of 32, a 60% increase driven not by transfers from other clubs, but by genuinely new voices.

Our “Sandwich” Strategy

True growth means attracting people who have never set foot in a Toastmasters meeting before. To do this, we have built a system that we feel works very well:

  • The 15-Minute Warm-Up: Guests are encouraged to join early and find a live, relaxed conversation already underway, not a silent screen and a countdown
  • The Option to Engage: Guests may join Table Topics, but there’s no Cameras off is always respected. We meet people where they are.
  • After Eight: Once the formal meeting ends at 8:00 PM, the timer pressure Guests unmute, turn on their cameras, and discover we’re a community of real people. This is where visits become memberships.

The final piece is persistence. Within 24 hours of the After Eight chat, Kavita or Ron reaches out personally to the guests, not with a membership form, but with a conversation. A one-to-one Zoom call to understand the guest’s goals, hear their story, and show them where they fit. Guests who take that call almost always join.

Since chartering in August 2023 with 20 members, Sustainable Speakers has grown to 32, a 60% increase- and built one genuine connection at a time. If your club is wrestling with online conversion, the answer might be simpler than you think: stop trying to convert guests, and start trying to know them.

 

Top Tip from Kevin Harrington Area Director

Are you on the Toastmasters education programme, Pathways?

  •  If not, don’t be robbed, that is what you pay for. With the education programme you will
    see progress in your communication, presentation and leadership skills.
  • You will want to keep renewing to gain more and more and you will. That is the reason so
    many of us stay and renew, year after year. Pick a path and give it a go.

    •  To log into your Toastmasters Pathways education program, visit toastmasters.org,
      log in with your email and password, then click “Go to Base Camp” under the Pathways banner. Select “Log in as a Member” to access your curriculum, education transcript, and digital projects