The Laughing Toastmaster – Mind the Mind

by
Mind the Mind - Sonia Aste

Join the Conversation. It’s Mental!

The 10th of October brings Mental Health Awareness Day, and boy do we need it! Just last week a friend of mine called shouting, ‘Meta (aka Facebook) is an evil plan to RULE THE WORLD by Mark Zuckerberg!!’ I’m thinking … Meta? Everyone knows it’s X (aka Twitter) by Elon Musk!

People are going crazy! Oh sorry – I shouldn’t say that, it’s not politically correct. Instead, I’ll use the word LOCA, (crazy in Spanish), that’s OK, isn’t it? Cause of the song? ‘Living la vida loca’? Such a great song about mental health! Thanks Ricky Martin, you made it cool to be crazy!

I should know. I’ve suffered from depression, which in case you’re wondering is like going on a terrible date. You’re exhausted, can’t wait for it to end but you’re expected to say, ‘Everything’s great’!

Today one in every four people will suffer from mental illness at some point in their lives (WHO study). That means in every game of LUDO, one player will be affected. And no, we depressives don’t always play BLUE. 

Statistics have never been higher. Not long ago it was one in every ten people. At least back then I felt unique and extra special! Now everybody is jumping on the mental band wagon and the remote working isn’t helping. You hear things like:

‘Oh, I have desk-phobia! I’m afraid to sit at my desk!’ – that’s not a condition … you just hate your job like the rest of us.

‘I can’t get out of bed. I have climate emergency anxiety! No, it’s not. You just stayed up Netflixing until 4am!

Listen up people! Get your mental health together! Resources are limited and some of us were here first! And for goodness’ sake don’t say, ‘Well, we’re all a little bit mental.’ That’s like telling someone who’s bankrupt, ‘Well, we all have cash problems sometimes.’

They say relaxion techniques help, which is why I took a course called ‘Mindfulness: Creating Inner Peace.’ The only peace I’m getting is if they can help me clear my credit card debt … the course was £150!

Debt collectors aside, MINDLFULLNESS consists of staring into the horizon chanting stuff for hours. That’s all well and good, but what if you have a bladder that’s the size of a walnut? I ended up chanting, ‘I need the toilet, I need the toilet.’

Don’t get me wrong, these techniques help, but there’s something to be said for munching through a jumbo size bag of KETTLE CHIPS (salt & vinegar) until I’m so bloated my face turns into a round, smiling emoji. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper (£2.50).

For those with a sweet tooth, reliable sources say raw cake dough works a treat. Don’t worry about the sickly aftermath, after all, what truly fulfilled life doesn’t include Pepto-Bismol?

What does NOT help is what I call the ‘Happiness Brigade.’ People who insist all we have to do is stay POSITIVE to beat mental health. They’ll say things like, ‘You have so many things to be thankful for,’ yes, but your advice is not one of them. You wouldn’t say to someone with a broken leg, ‘Why can’t you make an effort and go skiing, just start with the kid’s slope?’

It’s time to talk. If you are suffering from mental health issues, come out of the mental health closet and seek help. Don’t wait until it’s so crammed in there you can’t even open the door. By the time I came out there were so many skeletons in there it was like a walk-in graveyard.

For the remaining three at the Ludo board (those not affected), it’s time to listen, something all Toastmasters learn to do with skill. Organizations like MIND, SHOUT, Mental Health Foundation and humble articles like this one are asking you to please join the conversation. Let’s create a world where we can talk about mental health without stigma and without shame.

Now it you’ll excuse me I’m off to dance to Ricky Martin, because despite mental health issues, I can still shake my Bon-Bon.

——

Sonia Aste is a Toastmaster who’s living ‘La Vida Loca.’

More from Sonia on her website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Crafting compelling content to promote your Toastmasters club

by
Division K Director - Nick Ronald - Crafting compelling content to promote your Toastmasters club

I am the Division K Director, a member of Toastmasters for nine years and a professional copywriter. Below are my tips to creating compelling content to promote your Toastmasters club, help attract potential members and engage your current members.

  1. Know your audience
    It is crucial to have a clear understanding of your target audience and tailor your content to them. Who are you trying to attract to your club? What are their needs, interests, and pain points? For example, if your club primarily targets professionals, focus on addressing their career-related concerns and aspirations in your content.
  2. Craft an engaging hook
    The headline and beginning of your content should grab the reader’s attention and build their curiosity. This could be a thought-provoking question, a surprising statistic, or a powerful quote. For instance, “Did you know that public speaking is the number one fear in the world? Imagine conquering that fear and becoming a confident speaker.”
  3. Highlight the benefits
    Clearly communicate specific benefits of joining your club. Potential members want to know what is in it for them. Will they gain valuable communication skills, boost their confidence, or expand their network?
  4. Showcase success stories
    Sharing success stories and testimonials from members can be incredibly persuasive. Real-life examples of how your club has positively impacted individuals can demonstrate the value of joining. For instance, “Meet Sarah, a former timid speaker who, with the support of our club, now confidently delivers presentations at work and has landed her dream job.”
  5. Provide a glimpse of your club activities
    Give potential members a sneak peek into what they can expect. Share photos and videos from meetings to help them visualize it. For example, “Our meetings feature impromptu speaking and also prepared speeches; check out this video clip from one of our recent meetings to see the learning and fun in action!”
  6. Include a call to action
    Always include a clear and compelling call to action (CTA). Tell your readers what you want them to do next. Make it easy for potential members to take the next step. For instance, “Ready to transform your communication skills? Join us at our next meeting this Thursday at 7 PM. RSVP now!”
Nick Ronald
Division K Director 2023-24

From Toastmasters to the Bar

by
Tom Bailey

Thanks Toastmasters, for giving me confidence in my public speaking!

Before joining Toastmasters, I had set my sights on becoming a solicitor, specialising in office work.

Whilst the Bar was mentioned as a potential route whilst I was at University, I never really felt it was for me. In fact, only one other person from my cohort had committed to this path.

I assume as most of my classmates thought, that Barristers were scary and intimidating individuals with unstoppable self-confidence. It was the advocacy element which mostly put me off, the feeling of talking for extended periods of time, trying to sound in control, and most importantly, trying to persuade the Judge and Jury of your client’s case. 

Tom Bailey

Around three years ago, I was given my first spoken law assessment. I had to speak for 15 minutes on criminal law and answer to Judicial intervention.

As a natural introvert, I could not recall speaking for more than 30 seconds at a time, never mind 15 minutes, not to mention in an assessed environment.

I was terrified. The palms of my hands already starting to sweat.

Naturally, my first step was to Google my symptoms.

A video on YouTube provided my medication. Dan Lok, a hugely successful entrepreneur, shared how he had utilised Toastmasters to overcome his severe anxiety while speaking in public. I would encourage you to watch it:

(427) How Toastmasters Inspired Me to Become a Professional Speaker – YouTube

I then Googled Toastmasters and came across a local club in my hometown of Farnham, and, in October 2020, joined Farnham Speakers’ Club.

I was a part of the ‘Zoom’ generation. Whilst seen as an unpopular necessity for most, conducting my first few speeches online, in hindsight, proved to be a blessing in disguise.

I was not walking into a large hall for the first time, delivering a speech. I was not having to project my voice so those at the back could hear.

I was in the comfort of my own home, behind my laptop screen. While still undeniably nerve-wracking at first, I found this to be a less intimidating way to start my public speaking journey. (For those new to public speaking, I would encourage you to join a hybrid or online-only club, at least for your first few speeches).

Gradually, and with the unwavering support of my Toastmasters mentor, Janet Alkema DTM, I worked my way through my first pathway – ‘Engaging Humour.’

Using humour was a great tool for me to break the ice, and my confidence gradually grew and grew.

By the time I had finished my undergraduate degree, less than a year into my Toastmasters journey, I made the decision that I would become a Barrister.

I was transformed, and in July 2023, I was called to the Bar of England and Wales!

Tom Bailey

Time to Give a Little Love to Our D91 Online Clubs

by

“Online clubs are not proper Toastmasters clubs.” I would be quite rich if I had £1 for every time I have heard or seen that in the last few years. I beg to differ: They are ‘proper Toastmasters clubs and in fact they are vitally important to keep our organisation alive and thriving.

Pre-2020, online clubs were serious outliers, most were un-districted although that had started to change, but by early 2020 ALL clubs were either online or closed until they could return to regular meetings. I would like to take a moment to thank all those wonderful Toastmasters who went online, kept their clubs functioning and growing and most probably helped to save our entire organisation from having to rebuild from the ground up.

What did those online Toastmasters clubs discover? Wow! An entire world of clubs to visit, plus a mass of new visitors for their clubs. People joined clubs who would not have been able to join a club before even though they might have had a desperate need to do some confidence building and learn some valuable skills.

I want to be clear here that I am talking about online-only clubs, not hybrid which is a story for another day.

As far as I can gather there are now about 126 online clubs of diverse types worldwide listed on Toastmasters International. I am fairly sure that only one D91 online club is on that list even though I believe there are at least ten online-only clubs in our District, including closed corporate clubs.

As D91 Alignment Chair even I have found it hard to find those clubs, so I am not very hopeful for the public finding an online club if they wanted to find one.

A quick Google search brings up the Toastmasters International website listing for Online-only Clubs, with its one D91 club but little else of any help.

Let me explain why we need to show our online clubs some extra love and attention: Basically we are missing a huge opportunity to gain not only new clubs but also to spread the word about Toastmasters outside its usual demographic of people.

Belonging to an online Toastmasters club in the UK offers several advantages. Just like being a part of any Toastmasters club, they focus on developing communication and leadership skills, plus here are some specific advantages of being a member of an online Toastmasters club:

  • Convenience:  Online clubs offer a convenient platform to work on your speaking skills from the comfort of your own home. You can participate in meetings and events without the need to commute. This not only saves time but also eliminates transportation costs and environmental concerns.
  • Flexibility: Online Toastmasters clubs allow members to attend meetings from anywhere with an Internet connection. This flexibility is particularly useful for individuals with busy schedules or those who live in remote areas.*
  • Diverse Membership: Online clubs often attract members from various locations, backgrounds, and cultures. This diversity can enrich the Toastmasters experience, exposing members to different perspectives and communication styles.
  • Networking Opportunities: Online clubs enable members to connect with professionals from various parts of the UK and worldwide, potentially expanding your professional network.
  • Skill Development: members will be learning skills that are needed increasingly in the workplace.
  • Feedback and Evaluation: Speeches are often recorded at online meetings to give members detailed constructive feedback with the opportunity for them to review their performance and rapidly see where improvements can be made.
  • Personal Growth: Just like a traditional Toastmasters club, the online club can boost self-confidence and self-esteem in speaking and leading in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.
  • Cost-Effective: Online clubs may have lower membership fees compared to in-person clubs since they do not have to rent physical meeting spaces. This makes Toastmasters accessible to a wider range of individuals.
  • Accessibility: Online clubs can be a great possibility for individuals with physical disabilities or other limitations that make attending in-person meetings difficult.
  • Cultural Exposure: If you join an international online club, you can gain exposure to various cultural nuances in communication, which can be a valuable skill in our interconnected world.

Overall, an online Toastmasters club provides an excellent opportunity to enhance your communication and leadership abilities, offering the same benefits as in-person clubs with the added convenience of remote access.

Online clubs can easily become ‘niche’ clubs by specializing in a single interest, humour, a sport, a hobby, advanced speaking skills and the online platform makes it far easier to attract members to those clubs. They can be international or local hubs for rural areas.

Online clubs can attract speakers and presenters from across the world to speak on a wide range of topics. They can attract ex-pats and international visitors as members to add to a club’s diversity.

Who are the prospective members for a locally based online club? People who cannot attend a regular meeting, due to work commitments, caring commitments, costs, transport difficulties, physical, emotional, and mental health issues that make it difficult to travel.

Those who live outside London do not always have reliable regular public transport.

How many people have heard stories of people who take weeks, months or even years before they feel able to visit a club in person? Attending an online club is a gentle way to start the journey of personal development.

There was a recent post on the Toastmasters Facebook group from a member who has just received her DTM with her online club where she is a Division Director in Founders District in USA and ironically, she is based on the Isle of Wight.

I have just had a talk with a member who must leave the club she currently belongs to as she is moving because of a new job in which she will have to do a lot of online presentation. She in now interested in joining an Online Club to help improve her skills.

Online meetings can be vibrant and fun if you choose to make them that way, be available for socializing at the start and end of meetings. Competing is just as viable online as in regular clubs as shown by our District 91 International Speech Contest Winner this year, Anthony Garvey.

Our existing and potential new Online Clubs need attention from us all. Find out where there is an online club so you can point people to it. There are people who do not know about online clubs but would benefit from joining. Regular community clubs are not providing what they want and need.

Online clubs are not something to be hidden aways and shunned as inferior. They are part of the future of Toastmasters.

We can only go forward now and integrate the new, going back was never an option.

Barbara Saph DTM

District 91 Alignment Chair

*Travel costs are £16 every time I visit my nearest in-person-only home club – ed.

 

 

The Dog Days of Summer

by
The Dog Days of Summer

The dog days of summer across Wales and the Thames Valley have been highly productive.  We have 23 of the best clubs in the district supported by five outstanding Area Directors – Debs (J4), Andra (J7), Helyn (J10), John (J11) and Hazel (J22) have all settled into their roles amazingly and thank you to Carolyn for covering for John while he was away.

For those who don’t know where we are, we cover most of the area to the north of the M4 and south of those places where they know “It’s grim up North”.  We cover South Bucks, South Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and South Wales.

We have had a terrific response from our clubs with the Club Officer Training over the last couple of months and have (at time of writing) around 60% of clubs with their DCP point.  Congratulations to Thame for getting all 7 officers trained!  Division J’s TLI with Division A was very well received – especially the DISC workshop from Liz Hobbs. Our final COT session was on the 30th August – an all-District COT to round off the training period.

It’s not just Club Officer Training that has been going on – Cardiff Toastmasters have just run a workshop with Andrew Bennet on how to use your voice in your speech and Berkhamsted have a Humorous Speech workshop with Bob Ferguson on 5th September.

Personally, I can’t wait for contest season to start here in the Division.  We have our area finals in the diary and all roads lead to our division contest on Saturday 4th November which is being held in the East of the Division – hopefully able to announce a venue in the next two weeks.

As well as the existing clubs, I am also working with Oxford International Speakers who are a pre-charter club.  They’re not just a normal club but are an Advanced Club for those who really want to stretch themselves.  If you are a seasoned Toastmaster then this could be the club for you – and as someone who has been in an Advanced Club, I can tell you they are so much fun!

Division J has an amazing history (and the UK’s oldest club) – and you will hear us roaring as fiercely as the Welsh Dragon flying over Cardiff Castle that we are by far the best Division in the District.

Andy Hessey
Division J Director, 2023-2024