Here are the minutes of the May 2016 District Council and District Executive Committee.
Updates & Posts
We will be adding more articles to this page. To start: here are articles on speaking and articles giving personal views on the on the power of Toastmasters and an exciting joint meeting between London and Namibia.
If a Toastmasters year is a marathon, it’s time for the sprint finish.
Dear District Leaders,
With 30 days to go to the end of the Toastmasters year, we are one of only seven districts around the world who are distinguished. Third highest number of distinguished clubs, second highest number of clubs that have 20+ members. And overall, doing better than we did this last year.
We have still a lot to do to get to President’s Distinguished District – 2 more clubs to either charter or get to good standing and 351 renewals or new members. Our analysis is that these goals are achievable – it will take a lot of focus to get there.
If a Toastmasters year is a marathon, it’s time for the sprint finish.
A Speechcraft Story
A few months ago, I sent out an email at work inviting colleagues to take part in a Speechcraft course during lunch breaks over 8 weeks. Speechcraft is an 8 week introduction to public speaking from Toastmasters. I knew there would be a few people who would be interested, but I wasn’t sure what kind of response I would get because it’s not a huge organisation – it has about 300 people who are office based.
Well, I didn’t need to wonder for long. Within an hour the course was full. By the end of the day I had a waiting list big enough for 4 groups.
Toastmasters with Different Abilities
Toastmasters with Different Abilities – Facebook Group
A new Facebook group has recently been set up for Toastmasters with different abilities. The purpose of this group is to provide a space where disabled Toastmasters can ask questions and share experiences to support them on their Toastmasters journey.
The group was set up because we realised there was a need for a space where Toastmasters who need to do things a bit differently can find out from others who are in a similar situation how they have dealt with challenges and what solutions they’ve found. This could be valuable to both new and experienced members alike – you never know who might have found the solution to the challenge you’re facing!
If you’d like to join us to get the most out of your Toastmasters experience and help members around the world do the same please come and say hello at Toastmasters with Different Abilities Facebook group!
Excellence in the Face of Adversity! Leadership challenges
From Samir Malak, Area Director, K35
Celebration of Excellence
As we were preparing for the Area Contest, a boy approached me, his face awash with consternation. “When are you going to be finished?” I advised we would certainly be done by 10pm. “But we are having Karate at 8pm in that room.”
“Let me look into that.” I responded, with a smile.