December Reflection: Pause, Reset and Rise

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Growth does not always begin with motion. Sometimes it begins with a pause, a moment to reset the mind and rise with intention. 

As we come to the end of December, we also reach an important milestone in our Toastmasters year six months in. This is a powerful moment to pause, reflect and gently reset before we step into the next stretch of the journey. 

Before we rush ahead, we invite you to look back. 

Reflect on Your Toastmasters Journey 

Take a moment to reflect on your journey so far: 

  • What have you learned about yourself as a speaker or leader? 
  • Which moments stretched you and which ones energised you? 
  • What are you most proud of achieving in the last six months? 

Now, set your intention for the rest of the year.
Think about the levels you’d like to complete, the Pathway you may want to embark on or the mentoring journey you’d like to explore as a mentor, a mentee, or both. 

Toastmasters is a safe space to experiment, practise and grow, so this is the perfect time to set ambitious personal goals not aimed at perfection, but progress. 

A Note for Club Officers 

To our club officers, this is also a great time to revisit your Club Success Plan: 

  • How far have you come as a leadership team? 
  • What milestones have you achieved together? 
  • Which member successes are you celebrating as a club? 

Pause to acknowledge both your efforts and your members’ progress so far. 

Rest, Reset and Re-energise 

This season is also an invitation to step out of “doing mode.”
Allow yourself time to switch off, rest and take care of your wellbeing. A rested mind creates space for clarity, creativity and better decision-making as you plan the next phase of your Toastmasters journey. 

Looking Ahead: Root to Rise Conference 

We’re excited to announce that the District 91 Conference 2026 themed Root To Rise will take place on the 2nd and 3rd May 2026 at the beautiful De Vere Latimer Estate, Chesham, HP5 1UG. Set amidst the tranquil Chiltern Hills and steeped in history, this inspiring venue provides the perfect backdrop for a weekend of learning, growth and connection. Ticket details will be released soon! Sharing a promo for you to get an initial preview of the venue.

Why “Root to Rise”?
Root to Rise captures the Toastmasters journey where meaningful growth begins with strong foundations and purposeful learning. Grounded in our core values of integrity, respect, service and excellence, we strengthen our communication, leadership and self-awareness through practice and feedback. As we rise, we grow in confidence, step into leadership, find our voice and expand our impact within our clubs, communities and beyond. This conference invites every Toastmaster to reflect, deepen their learning and rise to what’s next together, as one district. 

Coming Up & Updates 

We have some fantastic drop in sessions planned for January’26 including goal setting, marketing your club, open house, pathways, amongst others Please visit our District Calendar to view dates and register. The Contest Collective Drop-In Session is scheduled for 25 January at 7:00 PM GMT. It offers a great opportunity to learn, ask questions and prepare for upcoming contests. 

Triple Crown & Distinguished Toastmaster Announcements 

Congratulations to our December Triple Crown winner, Giota Koulouri from Legacy Speakers Brixton for the achievement. 

Club Officer Training round 2 sessions have commenced. We have the last round of Corporate and District Club Officer training in January besides the ones offered by Area Directors. Please visit our District Calendar to view dates and register. 

Quarterly Incentives Leaderboard
The leaderboard for this quarter will be updated by the end of December on our website 

We’d Love Your Feedback 

Your voice matters. Please take a moment to share your thoughts by completing our short survey: https://forms.gle/rwaNZQU4cocW5yaX8 

As the year draws to a close, we wish you time to rest and recharge.
May the festive season bring you joy, clarity and renewed energy and may 2026 be filled with growth, courage and meaningful conversations. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and a fantastic year ahead. 

 

Warm wishes
Seema Menon, DTM

Why Club Coaches Matter – And Why District 91 Needs You

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Across District 91, Toastmasters clubs are the heartbeat of our learning community. But even the strongest clubs sometimes face membership dips, leadership turnover, or a loss of momentum. When that happens, one role becomes absolutely vital: the Club Coach.

A Club Coach steps into a club that has 3 to 12 members, offering support, guidance, and a fresh perspective. They bring encouragement, structure, and practical know-how to help rebuild confidence, membership, and club culture. And as many coaches discover, the experience is transformational not just for the club — but for the coach.

What Does a Club Coach Actually Do?

A coach is not a fixer, nor a superhero — they’re a partner. Someone who:

  • Works with the club officers to understand challenges and opportunities
  • Helps rebuild membership and meeting quality
  • Introduces tools, best practices, and fresh ideas
  • Supports the club in generating renewed energy and confidence
  • Encourages members to take ownership of their club’s success
  • Celebrates progress and keeps morale high
  • Helps steer the club toward Distinguished status

Club coaches do not run the club for the members; they empower the members to run the club themselves — confidently, sustainably, and proudly.

How Coaching Grows You as a Leader

One of the most compelling reasons to volunteer as a coach is the personal development you’ll gain.
You will:

  • Strengthen your leadership presence
  • Develop real-world coaching and facilitation skills
  • Learn how to influence without authority
  • Build resilience, patience, diplomacy, and strategic thinking
  • Gain experience managing change and motivating a team
  • Fulfil a requirement toward your DTM (Distinguished Toastmaster) accreditation

And perhaps most importantly, you will make a visible difference in the life of a club and its members.

A Coach’s Perspective — Nick Ronald’s Experience

Nick Ronald, who is currently coaching Tottenham Speakers Club, describes his experience this way:

“Serving as a Toastmasters club coach has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my leadership journey. Having the opportunity to use my own experience, knowledge and skills to support a club struggling with membership challenges to grow and succeed. In the process, I have learnt the importance of understanding the club’s members and motivating them to work together to build the club back up. In the process, I have improved my own leadership and coaching skills.”

Tracey Rodgers, who is currently coaching Ascot & Bracknell Speakers Toastmasters club, describes her experience this way:

“Coaching another club is more than giving guidance—it’s about building connections, expanding your network, and working as a team to help a club thrive. The experience strengthens your leadership skills and reminds you that when we collaborate, everyone grows. If you want to make an impact and grow yourself, become a coach—you’ll gain far more than you give.”

These stories highlight what many already know: coaching transforms not just the club, but the coach as well.

How to Get Involved — We Need You

If you’ve ever thought:

✔ “I’d like to step into more leadership.”
✔ “I want to give back to the organisation that helped me grow.”
✔ “I’m ready to stretch myself and make a difference.”

…then coaching might be the perfect next step.

To express interest or find out which clubs need coaches, simply reach out to me, details below or click the  Club Coaching Link and complete the form and I will be in touch.

We’ll discuss your aspirations, match you with a club that suits your strengths, and support you throughout your coaching journey.

Toastmasters – District 91 Wants You (as a Coach 😊)

The demand for club coaches has never been higher.
Across our district, several clubs are working hard to regain stability, rebuild membership, and re-energise their meetings. These clubs are eager for support — but we simply don’t have enough coaches to meet the need.

If you’re a member who wants to develop your leadership further, stretch your communication skills, and have a real impact on the Toastmasters community, coaching is one of the most meaningful ways you can contribute.

Final Thought

Club coaches are catalysts for transformation.
They help clubs rediscover their identity, reignite their passion, and rebuild their strength. And in doing so, they themselves evolve into stronger, more confident, and more capable leaders.

If you’re ready to grow, give back, and make a meaningful impact — your district needs you.

Simon McKee D91 Club Coach Lead
Email: mckeesimon@gmail.com
Become a Club Coach – Toastmasters UK South – District 91

Division Spotlight – Division A: “Elevate, Collaborate, Celebrate”

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Stretching from Reading to Plymouth, and embracing the vibrant cities of Bath, Bristol, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Southampton, and many more, Division A represents the heart of the South-West, a region where coastlines meet creativity, and communities thrive on connection. Our clubs reflect this rich diversity: from historic university towns to bustling business centres, each brings its own flavour to the Toastmasters experience.

A Team United in Service
At the helm of Division A is Division Director Yogendra Paranjpe, supported by a passionate team of leaders dedicated to helping every club and member succeed:
– Area A1 Director: Yassin George
– Area A17 Director: Kevin Harrington
– Area A19 Director: John Christie, DTM
– Area A42 Director and Assistant Division Director: Rob Dewing
– Area A46 Director: Blake Rumfitt
– Area A62 Director: Kelvin Lam

Our shared goal is simple – to ensure every club feels connected, confident, and celebrated.

Our Focus This Year
Division A’s energy this year is directed toward five key areas:
1. Member Growth – Welcoming new voices and helping them discover confidence through communication.
2. New Club Development – Bringing Toastmasters to new communities and workplaces.
3. Club Excellence – Supporting clubs on their journey toward achieving their goals through mentoring, collaboration and recognition.
4. Member Engagement – Creating opportunities for learning, celebration and connection.
5. Culture & Communication – Strengthening inter-club relationships and promoting a culture of openness and support.

Celebrating Club Highlights
– Five Clubs, namely Hamwic Speakers, Shilling Speakers, Spinnaker Speakers, Salisbury Online Speakers and Northavon Speakers, had all of the 7 club officers trained in the first round of COT.

-Rob Dewing, Area Director of  A42, was the recipient of the District’s Toastmaster of the Year award for the year 2024-2025.

– Barbara Saph, DTM from Hallmark Speakers completed her second DTM and Kevin Harrington from Reading Speakers Club, Svitlana Samko from EMEA Verizon Online, and Abhijeet Rajadhyaksha achieved the Triple Crown.

– In the recently conducted Division Contests, Danny Wang from Reading Speakers Club and Shenaz Banu from Bristol Central Speakers bagged first places in Humorous Speech and Table Topics contests, respectively. They will go on to represent Division A at the District Conference on November 23rd.

Every story of growth, collaboration and courage contributes to Division A’s collective success.

Facing Challenges with Courage
Division A is not immune to the usual challenges of sustaining engagement and balancing hybrid formats — but our members approach these with resilience and creativity. Open communication, shared learning, and unwavering support keep the momentum going, one meeting and one speech at a time.

Looking Ahead
The journey ahead is filled with opportunities:
– Division A Open House Tours to celebrate our clubs’ creativity and community outreach.
– Learning Exchanges that spotlight innovative club practices.
– Recognition Events to celebrate members’ achievements and leadership milestones.

Each initiative helps strengthen the bonds that make Division A not just a collection of clubs, but a family of learners and leaders.

A Message to Our Members
To every member, officer and guest — you are the voice and heartbeat of Division A. Each role you take, each speech you give, and each bit of encouragement you offer adds to the ripple of growth across our Division.

Let’s continue to Elevate, Collaborate, and Celebrate together — because in Division A, we rise by lifting others.

District 91 Welcomes Region 10 Advisor – Lilian Shaftacola

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We were excited to welcome our Region Advisor, Lilian Shaftacola DTM to District 91 this November! Her visit was filled with great conversations, shared insights, and plenty of encouragement for our members and leaders.
She joined our District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting as an observer, giving her a chance to learn more about our goals and the work our leaders are doing this year.
 
She also cheered on contestants at our November District contests, adding to the energy and excitement of both events.
One of the highlights of her visit was spending time with several of our clubs. She connected with members, shared helpful perspectives, and enjoyed seeing the unique spirit each club brings to the Toastmasters experience.
 

We’re grateful for her visit and the positivity she shared throughout her time with us. Her support helps keep our district motivated and moving forward!

Transforming the Guest Journey: How Tube Talk Toastmasters Uses the New Prospective Membership System

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Toastmasters International (TMI) launched the Prospective Member Management system in Club Central in November 2024. This new tool brings clarity, structure and support to one of the most important responsibilities of any club: welcoming guests and guiding them towards membership. At Tube Talk Toastmasters, the system has enhanced our process and strengthened the way we support prospective members.

A Warm and Consistent First Response

The Prospective Membership system stores guest details (name, contact number and email) but does not send messages. Clubs continue to communicate through their official email, ensuring personal engagement. To deliver a consistent and professional welcome, Tube Talk uses a personalised email template. This provides clear meeting information and enables any officer to respond confidently.

Guests who contact us directly by email are encouraged to register onto our Prospective Members list using the ‘Invite a Prospective Member’ option, which send them the official registration link to create their Guest login.
Registration is also available through a QR code displayed on our club meeting flyers and at our club meetings.

Empowering Visitors with the Guest Home Page

Once registered, guests receive access to a Guest Home Page containing information on benefits of joining, how clubs operate and an introduction to the Pathways programme. This supports guests in exploring Toastmasters at their own pace and prepares them for a positive first meeting experience.

” Joining Tube Talk Toastmaster using the online features was incredibly smooth and straightforward. The application process was easy and seamless from my registration to becoming a member.  It has been a brilliant experience”     – Daniella Tilbrook, Tube Talk

Clubs with direct TMI membership payments enabled, including Tube Talk, will see new members appear in the Membership Management section of Club Central as members in good standing once the guest completes the application and pays TMI. Clubs that process payments through the Treasurer will see applications appear in the Pending Payments section until payment is processed.

Note: The Prospective Membership system cannot currently accommodate guests who are existing or former TMI members. It does not accept existing membership numbers. Returning, transferring or reinstating members must follow the standard reinstatement or transfer process rather than the Prospective Members feature.


Stronger Teamwork and Full Visibility

One of the most valuable features of the new system is the shared visibility it offers. All club officers can view the Prospective Members list and track progress using the optional status fields. This allows the committee to work together seamlessly. If the Vice President Membership is unavailable, another officer can continue supporting the guest without delay

If a guest decides not to join, the club can simply select Prospective Member No Longer Interested, which removes them from the active list. Guest profiles that remain inactive for seven months will automatically be removed by TMI.

 The Benefits for Tube Talk

Prospective Membership system has brought several clear advantages to our guests and membership:

  • Better organisation. All guest details are stored in one structured accessible place.
  • A stronger and more consistent guest experience. Every guest receives clear communication and a straightforward pathway.
  • Improved teamwork. Any officer can support the guest journey at any time that is tracked on club central prospective membership
  • A streamlined online application process. Guests complete their membership application directly through their TMI Guest Profile.
  • Reduced administrative work for club officers. Automatic updates and fewer manual entries make membership processing clearer and more efficient.

 Support to Help Your Club Get Started

TMI has produced a selection of useful resources, including a Step-by-Step Tutorial, Webinar Recording, Frequently Asked Questions page  and a Prospective Member Conversion Guide.

At Tube Talk Toastmasters, the Prospective Membership system has enhanced the way we welcome guests. It provides clarity, consistency and confidence, while offering guests a structured and supportive experience from their very first enquiry to the moment they become members.

This system gives you and your club committee the opportunity to continue to transform the guest experience, make your roles more seamless and set every prospective member up for success. Try out the Prospective Membership tool in Club Central and continue to strengthen the way your guests are welcomed, their transition into membership and the way your officers work together.