Club Growth Director Archives - Toastmasters UK South

Club Growth – February 2026

24 February 202623 February 2026 by Jeevan George

The days are finally getting longer. It is so nice to leave work when it is not pitch black. The rain may still be persistent but so are we and things are not all doom and gloom. We have several clubs celebrating charter anniversaries from 10 to 30 years. How fantastic. Well done to all the club officers and members over the years who have helped to keep these clubs going. See the chart further down in the article.

We have a winner for the tube selfie campaign. Congratulations goes to Beverley Daniel-Blugh from Legacy Speakers.

The D91 tube, bus and digital awareness campaigns are now at an end with the result that we are currently in the top three globally for new membership payments. There is still a way to go but it is a really positive start. Especially as we are coming up to renewal time. Yes, folks it’s that time again. Clubs have an incentive to renew the base membership number by 15 th March. I have shared why I renew further down in the newsletter. Help your club by renewing now. There is so much to gain.

We have added some new members, now it’s time to add even more. 1^st February to 31^st March is ‘Talk up Toastmasters’ time. There is an incentive for clubs when they add five new, dual or re-instated members between these dates. Invite your friends, family and colleagues along to your next meeting and help your club grow. There are so many benefits to joining from gaining self-confidence, building leadership skills, gaining a competitive advantage in the workplace and so much more. Remember why you joined and share your experiences.

Speakers of Croydon set out to increase membership through their annual Speechcraft in January. Hear from Sonia Botsarova and Laura Jones who led the programme for the first time. Well done guys. See the article further down in the newsletter.

We are not only increasing our membership payments, we have several clubs waiting in the wings getting ready to charter. Some will need demo meetings so do read the article below by Ramesh Halai, the District Corporate Demo Lead. If you can help at a demo they are a great experience.

All clubs need mentors when they charter so they can embed the processes and fully engage in the Toastmasters experience. If you want to support a new club for their first six months or need to complete your DTM then being a Mentor will benefit you, the new members and the new club as a whole. If interested then email District Mentor Lead casper.willcock@gmail.com

Why renew your Toastmasters Membership

A bully of a boss. Redundancy looming. Loss of confidence. I was at a low ebb. My friend took me to this thing called Toastmasters. ‘It will do you good’ she said. The members were engaged and engaging all willing to have ‘a go’, could I do that too? I went back. I did a table topic. I won. I’ve never looked back. Every year for almost 19 years I have learnt something new. I have gained knowledge, experience and skills all of which have led me the job I have now; a senior leader supporting people in the local community. Who knew that would be the result. I love my day job and I love Toastmasters who have offered me so many opportunities to learn, develop and grow and I now help others do the same which is so rewarding. That’s why I renew. What’s your story?

Drop-ins

New Year, New Campaigns, New Opportunities

21 January 202619 January 2026 by Allen Paul

Happy New Year to all our Leaders and members. I hope you feel rested, had the chance to catch up with friends and family or simply had some well-deserved ‘me time’.

Six months down, six months to go before the end of the Toastmasters year and what a start to those six months. As detailed in the December newsletter we kick off January with four campaigns. The London Tube campaign* started on Monday 12th for two weeks, remember to enter the PR draw and send in your selfie. Congratulations to Justyna Rychlicka, President of London Athenians for taking the first Selfie. See Facebook and Linkedin for the Selfie pics.

*See London Tube list below

The Bus campaigns (Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff and Reading) start on Monday 19th for two weeks. Do send in your bus pic to go in the draw, no selfie this time for safety reasons, we don’t want people stepping into roads taking pictures!

The Digital campaign will start w/c 19th and will last for four weeks. The ads will be served across a network of companies online from Auto car to Zoopla, targeted to the five campaign areas as well as being seen on Facebook and Instagram.

The TMI Global campaign on LinkedIn started on the 8th January for 90 days. The goal is for the campaign to reach LinkedIn users within District 91. The focus is brand awareness, to connect with individuals who are not yet members and introduce them to Toastmasters.

The primary goal of all these campaigns is brand awareness. Toastmasters is not an instant purchase; it’s about building familiarity and understanding over time. The aim is for people in D91 to learn about Toastmasters and recognise it as the leader in communication and leadership. This awareness is intended to encourage prospective members to learn more and ultimately visit a club.

Thanks again to campaign team Maria Pardo for the wording, Diane Richardson for the design, Genevieve Stafford Jack for the Socials, Janet Alkema for posters, emails & landing page, Rob Dewing for web page.

This is the perfect time to look at growing your club. Maximise the campaign effort. Look out for the ‘Grow your Club’ drop-in sessions, the articles on ‘Successful Growth Strategies’ and ‘How to Run an Open House’ below. All of which lead nicely to the ‘Talk up Toastmasters’ incentive. The membership building program where clubs earn a banner ribbon, 10% discount code plus a £25 voucher for adding five or more new, dual, or reinstated members between February 1st and March 31st. Ensure your club has updated the contact details* on ‘Find a Club’ so all your friends, family and colleagues can be in touch. *See below for details on how to do this

Growing membership is one side of the coin, growing clubs is another. I am delighted that we have a great opportunity with a new pre-charter community club. Hemel Speakers, set up by experienced toastmasters, is growing by the day. Read the article below. If you are interested in setting up a club, either community or at your place of work, please contact:
club.growth.director@d91toastmasters.org.uk

New clubs need mentors because there are many moving parts, and early guidance makes a big difference. Mentors are experienced Toastmasters who understand how meetings should run, how roles work, and how the Toastmasters program develops members. They help new officers avoid common mistakes and set up the club correctly from the start. Interested in being a Mentor to support a new club?, then read the Mentor article below.

One final word from me this month, remember, renewals are coming up. Please don’t wait until the 31st of March to renew,. Be kind to your Treasurer and renew early, especially if you are a corporate club where the internal processes can take a while. There is still so much to gain from being a member. Renewing your Toastmasters membership keeps your momentum going. It ensures you continue sharpening your speaking and leadership skills, stay connected to a supportive network, and build on the progress you’ve already made toward your personal and professional goals. I have been a member over 18 years now and I am still learning, still gaining, still growing. Join me.

January and February Club Growth Drop in Sessions

Grow your club – Marketing with Maria Pardo 7th Jan – if you missed it you can catch up here

Grow your club – How to run an Open House with Florian Bay 18th Jan

Grow your Club -Prospect to Guest to Member with Nadya Hamedi 15th Feb

Successful Growth Strategies by Kevin Harrington, Area Director A17

Let me start with the bad news. Most people hope I will reveal some secret tricks that will instantly solve their membership problems. it doesn’t work like that. The nearest thing to a silver bullet in club membership growth is simply inviting people to join. It’s remarkable how many clubs forget this basic step.

Before you do anything else, set a specific membership target. Not a vague ‘we need more members’ aspiration, but an actual number. Then, and this is crucial, add 20% to that figure. You are much more likely to hit your target that way.

Get the Basics Right First. It takes considerable effort to persuade a guest to attend a meeting. Don’t waste that investment by having sloppy fundamentals. Before you launch any membership drive, ensure your social media profiles and ‘Find a Club’ information is up to date.
Have quality follow-up processes. Too many clubs lose potential members because nobody maintains contact after the initial inquiry. Set up template emails so your VP Membership can quickly respond with comprehensive information.
Think like Your Prospective Members. To grow membership effectively, understand what prospective members want, what barriers they face, what their career aspirations are, and how their egos might be affecting their decision. Consider their ambitions first. Most people want to communicate and speak better. That’s the message they need to hear. The messaging needs to be warm and reassuring. Make it clear that nobody needs to deliver a speech to 50 strangers on day one!
The Power of Multiple Touchpoints. Something that surprises many club officers: people need multiple interactions with your club before they’ll join. If someone sees one mention of Toastmasters, they’ll likely forget it completely. But if they read about your club in the local paper, hear a friend mention it, see something online, and notice a poster they are more likely to return.
Whilst there are dozens of ways to promote your club, four specific approaches deliver disproportionate results for the effort invested:

Invite your friends, family, colleagues as this involves every member. Run a campaign, hold a contest amongst your members.
Leverage the meeting venue. Put up posters, speak to other community users.
Speak to local Businesses. This strategy requires more confidence, but it is tremendously effective. The key is not to cold-call businesses randomly. Instead, start with where members work. Ask your members for contacts within their companies, particularly HR or training managers. Request an introduction or offer to visit and explain what Toastmasters provides. You can involve the Club Growth Director. club.growth.director@d91toastmasters.org.uk
Open houses are compelling sampling events, read the following article by Florian Bay on’ How to Run and Open House’.

These strategies work when clubs apply them consistently. The key is understanding that this is a long game requiring multiple approaches. Set your ambitious target. Get your basics right. Think from your prospects perspective. Run invite-a-friend campaigns. Leverage your venue and community connections. Approach local businesses strategically. Host compelling open houses. Create multiple touchpoints through various channels. Keep the momentum continuous.

For more information see the You Tube recording on Grow Your Club – Growth Strategies

How to Run an Open House by Florian Bay – Past District 91 director

A Toastmasters Club which doesn’t attracts new members can quickly become stagnant and face a bleak future. This is why the start of the new year is the best time for Clubs to organise an open-house meeting, and get a influx of new energy into its membership.

Why run an open-house meeting?

An open-house meeting is a special event aimed at raising a Club’s profile in its community or company, attracts numerous guests and turns as many as possible into members. It differs to a normal meeting, as energy levels will be higher, the agenda slightly different and pre-meeting marketing significant. 

“But isn’t every meeting an open-house meeting open to guests?” Data shows that most Clubs in District 91 see negative net membership growth each year. So, an open-house meeting is an opportunity to buck this trend. It is finally an opportunity to do an audit of your Clubs marketing presence and bring everything up to date.

How to run an open-house meeting?

Organising an open-house meeting is best run as a team, ideally where possible between 3-5 people. Planning is key and some clubs start 8 -10 weeks before the event takes place to maximise effort. It can be done in less. The step by step guide below is not exhaustive, further information is available on another article I wrote previously.

Step 1 – Form action team and agree on the event date. Additionally decide what your budget to be spent on marketing or catering is. 

Step 2 – Decide on the theme of your event and remember that your target audience may not know about Toastmasters or why it should come to your meeting. “What is in it for me?” must be clear to potential attendees and they must feel as if attending will provide value to them. Here forget about Toastmasters, and focus on how you can convince people to attend en masse. Remember too that energy and fun are key, as my friend Lukas wrote before on the same topic.

Step 3 – Agree on the format of the event. Using a normal meeting agenda is not recommended. Instead focus on having only 2 prepared speeches, a longer amount of time for Table Topics (timings will only be 30s, 45s, 60s to get more people to speak), interactive audience evaluations of the speakers and potentially a short workshop. Aim for the meeting to last no more than 90mins.

Step 4 – Create a registration page for the event on Eventbrite or similar platforms. This page should be live, well before the event, and is a gatekeeper to further steps like marketing campaigns. Charging a small fee for guests to attend can be effective as its builds commitment and could boost attendance.  

Step 5 – Begin marketing the event and publish content regularly. Effective marketing will require several posters for social media and video content. Filming short 1min videos with members on why potential guests should attend, and what value they will gain is best. Be warned that editing videos can take time, although templates can be created on Canva to save time.

Step 6 – Identify speakers and functionaries for the day. You will want to put your best foot forward, so get your best evaluators lined-up for evaluations and a confident Toastmaster. For prepared speeches, having a mix between an icebreaker and an advance speaker is best, as this shows the progress someone can make by joining.

Step 7 – Prepare to sign-up new members and guide guests on the day. Printing out membership forms or sharing a QR code with a link to a membership form is highly recommended. A team of people will also be needed to look after guests on the day.

Step 8 – Run a show on the day and remember to make it fun and high-energy!

Differences from normal meetings

For the Table Topics session, you should ask everyone registering to the meeting this question “Tell us something about you that is unique, funny, interesting or that you are proud of”. 

Gather all answers and have the Table Topics Master select the most interesting ones. When the session runs, the Table Topics Master could for example say “someone here was once stalked by a crocodile” … pause for impact … “Who could this be?” … And then the name of the person who shared this answer.

Evaluations should last the usual 2 to 3 mins, followed by the same amount of time for verbal audience feedback. The evaluator should prompt the audience to participate by asking open-ended questions such as “what did you like about the speech?” and facilitate the session.

It is not recommended to have the Grammarian or General Evaluator roles in an open-house meeting.

Attendance will be larger than at a normal meeting, aim to fill the room and double, triple, quadruple your usual attendance, larger clubs should aim for 50+ people present if possible.

Suggestions for smaller Clubs

It may seem as if running an open-house meeting is only something that larger Clubs can do in light of the efforts needed. However, the concept also works well with smaller Clubs and can provide them with the momentum they need to rebuild their membership. Here is what to do differently:

Only have one prepared speaker – This saves having to find a second speaker and evaluator.

Plan ahead –Time can be spent frontloading the creation of marketing materials for later.

Only market on a single channel – Choose either Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn and stick to it.

Keep post meeting activities simple – You don’t have to serve pizzas or food after the event, as this is only a nice to have and not an essential.

Be prepared to double-up on tasks – The organisers of the open-house should plan to step-in as Toastmaster of the meeting, evaluator and Table Topics Master.

Closing remarks

Quantity has a quality of its own, so if you are looking to attract 50 people to your meeting, market it as if you want to have 100 people attending!

Hemel Speakers: Creating Confidence, Community, and Future Leaders in Hemel Hempstead By Sujanth Sivanesan, Area Director A32, D71

Hemel Speakers is a newly established Toastmasters club that is already making a strong and positive impact within the Hemel Hempstead community. In just three months since its launch, the club has grown to 12 members, with numbers steadily rising as it moves confidently towards becoming chartered in the New Year.

The club was founded by three experienced Toastmasters whose shared vision was to bring the benefits of communication and leadership development to Hemel Hempstead.

Ged Byrne, a long-standing member of West Herts Speakers and Pegasus Speakers, has lived in Hemel for the majority of his life. His motivation to help establish the club was sparked after reading an article that labelled Hemel Hempstead as one of the “ugliest towns” in the UK. In response, Ged wrote passionately about why Hemel is, in fact, a beautiful town, rich in community spirit, green spaces, and potential. This desire to champion his hometown became a driving force behind bringing Toastmasters to the area.

Imke Hoffmann, founder of Harrovian Speakers Club and a member of West Herts Speakers, was equally passionate about the need for a new club. West Herts Speakers had reached maximum capacity and developed a waiting list, highlighting a growing demand for Toastmasters opportunities in the region. Imke saw the creation of Hemel Speakers as a natural and necessary step to ensure more people could benefit from a supportive environment focused on growth and confidence.

Sujanth Sivanesan, also a member of West Herts Speakers Club, had recently moved to Hemel Hempstead and was eager to contribute positively to his new community. With a strong belief in the power of Toastmasters to transform lives, Sujanth was keen to help create a space where individuals could develop as communicators and leaders while forming meaningful local connections.

All three founding members are from District 71 and came together to support the establishment of a new club within District 91, demonstrating the collaborative spirit of Toastmasters across district boundaries. Their shared goal is to help develop confident speakers, effective leaders, and engaged community members in Hemel Hempstead.

Since its inception, Hemel Speakers has welcomed members from diverse backgrounds who are united by a desire for personal development. Through regular meetings, encouragement, and constructive feedback, the club is already helping individuals grow in confidence and capability, skills that extend far beyond the club environment.

As Hemel Speakers continues on its journey towards chartering, it stands as a powerful example of how Toastmasters clubs can strengthen communities and create future leaders at a grassroots level.

Why be a Mentor By Casper Willcock, District 91, Mentor Lead

When is a Club Mentor needed?

With so many Toastmasters clubs there is the likelihood you haven’t started a club. That first Toastmasters meeting that you attended where you thought “Wow, I want to join this!” had probably been going for a few years at least, and had that perfect mix of people learning leadership skills but benefitting from the experienced members in their club.

But how does a new club get to that point? …………………..With a Club Mentor.

For the leader of a newly chartered club, fresh faced and eager, the struggles of gaining new members, navigating Pathways, maintaining momentum and delivering a great Toastmasters experience that gets people coming back each time can be overwhelming! It’s a big ask and, especially if that new club’s leadership is new to the role of President or VPE, it has a steep learning curve.

What does a Club Mentor do?

A Club Mentor will be that early support as the club takes its first steps, guiding and providing that experience so that the new club’s leaders can do the right things right!

It involves being at the end of the phone when the President isn’t sure of the next step, saying “Yes we had a similar issue, and this is what we did and how it worked out.” 

It involves attending their meetings, so you can see firsthand what they need help with and so you can show not just how far Toastmasters can take someone that’s committed, but also how big our community is.

It involves a desire to use your experience to support another Toastmasters club to reach the same heights that I’m sure your own club has.

How’s my experience of mentoring a club been?

After ten years of Toastmastering, I wanted to earn my DTM, and one of the requirements is to be a Club Coach or Club Mentor. I had had some practice getting a club back to a healthy place when I had been an Area Director, and I realised how fulfilling supporting a club could be. The chance to practice a new set of leadership skills called out to me, and I sought a Club Mentoring opportunity. I took on the role as District Mentor Lead and also took on the role of mentoring a new club. These are the steps I took.

I spoke with the Division and Area Directors for the club beforehand, confirming I would be a good fit to mentor the new club.
Was introduced to the Club President and identified as the Club Mentor to Toastmasters International.
I started out with a phone call with the President, this was so I could understand where they were with their Toastmasters journey, and if there was anything I could advise on immediately. I was pleased to find I was talking with an energised and excited Toastmaster, full of ideas but not certain on how all of them could be fulfilled. We spoke at length about how to advertise their club, and how I could join them for their next meeting.
I’ve visited a few times now, acting as an Evaluator or a Toastmaster, showing how far a Toastmasters education can take a persons’ public speaking skills, showing how far reaching our Toastmasters community is.
After each meeting sitting with the club leadership and answering questions, sharing advice and giving tips on how to make the next meeting even better.

It has been the new leadership challenge I hoped for, and much like the joy that I get from being a mentor to someone in my club, seeing the people I’m mentoring develop in their roles is incredibly fulfilling.

Whilst a Club Mentoring role typically lasts six months, I’m sure I’ve gained new friends in the club leadership of the club I’m mentoring which will last long beyond that.

Why should you become a Club Mentor?

You should consider becoming a Toastmasters Club Mentor if…………………….

You’ve been a Toastmaster for a while

You’ve been around the block and have helped your own club face down a variety of challenges

You’d like to attain your Distinguished Toastmaster qualification

You just recognise the value of new clubs bringing more opportunities to people to grow within this amazing organisation you’ve found your voice in

Once you are mentoring, as Club Mentor Lead, I’ll be there to support you in your journey too.

How do you become a Club Mentor?

Speak to the Club Mentor Lead casper.willcock@gmail.com or Club Growth Director club.growth.director@d91toastmasters.org.uk about Club Mentoring opportunities, and we’ll find the right new club for you to work with. Become a Club Mentor

How to Update Club details for Prospects and Guests looking to ‘Find a Club

The club officers, specifically the Club President, Vice President Membership, and Secretary, are the individuals who can access and update the club’s contact email address listed in Club Central on the Toastmasters International website. When a prospective member uses the “Find a Club” page to message a club, an automated email is sent to these three officers. 

The club itself decides which email address to use for general inquiries, and officers can set this information in Club Central.

To update Club’s contact information:

Access Club Central: Navigate to Leadership Central and click on “Club Central”.

Edit Info: Select “Club Contact and Meeting Information” to find the contact email field.

Update & Save: Enter the new email and click “Save” at the bottom.

Note: Please allow up to 24 hours for the update to appear on the website.

Monthly Top Tip From Maria Pardo, President of West London Speakers.

Promoting your club on social media is a great way to attract members. Video your members, one after the other saying one word as to what they gain from being a member and post it on your clubs socials. It’s fun, it helps member engagement, it reinforces why they joined and promotes why others should join too.

London Tube Stations for reference

CAMDEN TOWN	CORRIDOR FROM PLATFORM 1 NORTHBOUND TO ESCALATORS
CHISWICK PARK	DISTRICT LINE PLATFORM 2 EASTBOUND
CLAPHAM COMMON	CORRIDORS BETWEEN FOOT OF ESCALATORS AND PLATFORMS
EASTCOTE	METROPOLITAN LINE PLATFORM 1 WESTBOUND
ELEPHANT & CASTLE	BAKERLOO LINE PLATFORM 3 [TERMINUS]
EUSTON	VICTORIA LINE PLATFORM 4 NORTHBOUND
EUSTON	CORRIDOR BETWEEN VICTORIA/NTHN CITY NB PLAT AND SB PLAT
GREEN PARK	MID LEVEL INTERCHANGE VICTORIA LINE > < JUBILEE LINE
HAMPSTEAD	WAY OUT FROM PLATFORMS TO LIFTS
HOLLOWAY ROAD	PICCADILLY LINE PLATFORM 2 NORTHBOUND
HOXTON (Overground)	CONCOURSE
KILBURN	JUBILEE LINE PLATFORM 2 SOUTHBOUND
KINGS CROSS ST PANCRAS	NORTHERN LINE PLATFORM 8 SOUTHBOUND
LANGDON PARK	PLATFORM 2 SOUTHBOUND
LOUGHTON	CENTRAL LINE PLATFORM 4 EASTBOUND
MANSION HOUSE	CORRIDOR FROM TICKET HALL TO PLATFORMS
OLD STREET	NORTHERN LINE PLATFORM 2 SOUTHBOUND
QUEENS PARK	BAKERLOO LINE PLATFORM 2 SOUTHBOUND
SOUTHGATE	CONCOURSE AT FOOT OF ESCALATORS
ST PAULS	CORRIDOR AT FOOT OF UPPER ESCALATOR TO/FROM WB PLATFORM
STOCKWELL	CROSSPASSAGE (NORTH) BTWN VICTORIA P1 N/B & NORTH P2 N/B
SUDBURY HILL	CROSSBRIDGE FROM TICKET HALL TO WESTBOUND PLATFORM
TOTTENHAM HALE	VICTORIA LINE PLATFORM 1 NORTHBOUND
WARREN STREET	MID LEVEL CONCOURSE AT TOP OF NORTHERN LINE ESCALATORS
WESTBOURNE PARK	HAMMERSMITH & CITY LINE PLATFORM 2 EASTBOUND
WHITE CITY	CENTRAL LINE PLATFORM 4 EASTBOUND

From Three New Clubs to Four Big Campaigns: Club Growth Director update

21 December 202521 December 2025 by Allen Paul

It is hard to believe we are almost six months into the Toastmasters year. I wish to thank every one of you for your time, energy and commitment to Toastmasters. Every speech you do, every meeting you facilitate, every Club, Area or Division you support helps the District grow in some way. We have had the pleasure of welcoming three new clubs into the District. The latest being Wells Fargo who joined at very short notice in December.

Congratulations and welcome Nicola O’Brian, Miran Fernando and the rest of the Wells Fargo team. With a big thanks to Ramesh Halai, the District Demo Lead, for helping to bring this over the line

January, February and March are going to be BIG club growth opportunities not only are we running more ‘Grow your Club’ Drop-in sessions, we have not one, not two but FOUR campaigns to help clubs grow, Bus, Tube, Digital and Global LinkedIn. See below for more information.

These campaigns will lead to many prospects searching for ‘Find a Club’ so please make sure your clubs details are up to date so you don’t miss the opportunity to welcome guests. See below for how.

PLUS, yes there is more, we will be holding a Corporate Summit on 20th January in person, in London to introduce Toastmasters to large organisations who do not yet have a Toastmasters Program. We will share with them the benefits of being able to build communication and leadership skills consistently, at scale, and at low cost, while also strengthening culture and collaboration. Many of our members work in large organisations. If yours does not yet have a TM program please pass on the contact details of the Learning and Development manager or a relevant person to Arnaud Sartre, the District Corporate Lead, who will send them an invite. arnaud.toastmaster@gmail.com

Growth is always top of mind and we have continued the ‘Grow your Club’ Drop-in Sessions. The latest was with Kevin Harrington, Area Director for A17, sharing proven strategies for membership growth. If you missed it you can catch up here.

Don’t miss January’s ‘Grow your Club’ Drop-in Sessions. You can register via the link below.

https://d91toastmasters.org.uk/members/resources/trainer-bureau/

7th January – Grow your Club – Marketing – with Maria Pardo

18th January – Grow your Club – How to run an Open House – with Florian Bay

15th February – Grow your Club – From Prospect to Guest to Member – Nadya Hamedi

Clubs can expand their membership by running an Open House. Do join the Drop-in session in January. In the meantime see below for the benefits of an Open House and hear reasons why your club should run one from both Tunbridge Wells Speakers Club and City of London Toastmasters. Let’s have every club running an Open House, however big or small. Let’s make a difference in people’s lives. For an Open House pack please email Lynnecantorgayer@gmail.com with your name, role and home address four weeks in advance of the event.

As well as an Open House, how about a themed evening. It was a delight to join London Public Speakers on their Alison in Wonderland theme. The Toastmaster was the White Rabbit and the Table Topics Master was the Mad Hatter. (See picture above) Having a themed evening brings fun, energy and provides for an engaging, memorable atmosphere for all, members and guests.

I was joined by Lilian Shaftacola the Districts Regional Advisor who took time out of her busy schedule to visit D91.

She is responsible for Region 10 which covers eight Districts that stretch from Ireland to Russia. See below for her top meeting tips.

There has been lots of activity to help our clubs grow which included incentives for ‘Early Renewals’ and ‘Smedley Award’. Not all the incentives have been claimed, your club has until 31st December to do so, so don’t miss out, claim now.

Once again thank you for everything you do for club growth, every prospect is an opportunity, every guest is an opportunity and every new member has loads of opportunities ahead of them to learn, develop and grow. As we head into 2026, lets make this an incredible Toastmaster year, lets grow our membership, lets grow new clubs and most of all let’s have FUN.

Whatever you celebrate at this time of year, I wish you seasons greetings and a very happy and enjoyable 2026.

Lynne

Campaigns

We are very excited to announce four campaigns to help get the word out about Toastmasters in D91; Tube, Buses, Digital and Global LinkedIn. The perfect time for clubs to spread their reach through; Open Houses, inviting friends, colleagues, posting ‘My Why’ and on social media in general.

For the Tube and Bus campaigns, Allen Paul, our District PR Manager will soon be announcing more information on our socials so keep a look out and be ready to take a picture.

Tube – Starting on Monday 12th January for two weeks at London stations as listed below.

	CAMDEN TOWN	CORRIDOR FROM PLATFORM 1 NORTHBOUND TO ESCALATORS
	CHISWICK PARK	DISTRICT LINE PLATFORM 2 EASTBOUND
	CLAPHAM COMMON	CORRIDORS BETWEEN FOOT OF ESCALATORS AND PLATFORMS
	EASTCOTE	METROPOLITAN LINE PLATFORM 1 WESTBOUND
	ELEPHANT & CASTLE	BAKERLOO LINE PLATFORM 3 [TERMINUS]
	EUSTON	VICTORIA LINE PLATFORM 4 NORTHBOUND
	EUSTON	CORRIDOR BETWEEN VICTORIA/NTHN CITY NB PLAT AND SB PLAT
	GREEN PARK	MID LEVEL INTERCHANGE VICTORIA LINE > < JUBILEE LINE
	HAMPSTEAD	WAY OUT FROM PLATFORMS TO LIFTS
	HOLLOWAY ROAD	PICCADILLY LINE PLATFORM 2 NORTHBOUND
	HOXTON (Overground)	CONCOURSE
	KILBURN	JUBILEE LINE PLATFORM 2 SOUTHBOUND
	KINGS CROSS ST PANCRAS	NORTHERN LINE PLATFORM 8 SOUTHBOUND
	LANGDON PARK	PLATFORM 2 SOUTHBOUND
	LOUGHTON	CENTRAL LINE PLATFORM 4 EASTBOUND
	MANSION HOUSE	CORRIDOR FROM TICKET HALL TO PLATFORMS
	OLD STREET	NORTHERN LINE PLATFORM 2 SOUTHBOUND
	QUEENS PARK	BAKERLOO LINE PLATFORM 2 SOUTHBOUND
	SOUTHGATE	CONCOURSE AT FOOT OF ESCALATORS
	ST PAULS	CORRIDOR AT FOOT OF UPPER ESCALATOR TO/FROM WB PLATFORM
	STOCKWELL	CROSSPASSAGE (NORTH) BTWN VICTORIA P1 N/B & NORTH P2 N/B
	SUDBURY HILL	CROSSBRIDGE FROM TICKET HALL TO WESTBOUND PLATFORM
	TOTTENHAM HALE	VICTORIA LINE PLATFORM 1 NORTHBOUND
	WARREN STREET	MID LEVEL CONCOURSE AT TOP OF NORTHERN LINE ESCALATORS
	WESTBOURNE PARK	HAMMERSMITH & CITY LINE PLATFORM 2 EASTBOUND
	WHITE CITY	CENTRAL LINE PLATFORM 4 EASTBOUND

Buses – Starting on Monday 19th January for two weeks in Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff and Reading. The exact bus routes are not known as these will change daily within the areas.

Digital – Starting on Monday 19th January for four weeks across websites and social media. Matching the four areas of London, Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff and Reading,

Global LinkedIn – Toastmasters international global advertising campaign on LinkedIn in Starting in January for 90 days. D91 has signed up to be part of this and it will run across the District.

No project is managed solo and many players have given up their time to support the Bus, Tube and Digital campaigns be it contractual, financial, marketing or other. Special thanks goes to Diane Richardson for the huge Design effort, Allen Paul for Social Media support, Janet Alkema and Rob Dewing for admin and web support.

How to update club details (for those prospects looking to ‘Find a Club’)

The club officers, specifically the Club President, Vice President Membership, and Secretary, are the individuals who can access and update the club’s contact email address listed in Club Central on the Toastmasters International website. When a prospective member uses the “Find a Club” page to message a club, an automated email is sent to these three officers.

The club itself decides which email address to use for general inquiries, and officers can set this information in Club Central.

To update Club’s contact information:

Log In: Go to toastmasters.org, log in as an officer.
Access Club Central: Navigate to Leadership Central and click on “Club Central”.
Edit Info: Select “Club Contact and Meeting Information” to find the contact email field.
Update & Save: Enter the new email and click “Save” at the bottom.

Note: Please allow up to 24 hours for the update to appear on the website.

Next Drop in Session for ‘Grow your Club’ – Wednesday 7th January 7-8pm – MARKETING

From 14 to 53! How did Maria do this? Join the session and get to know more. Register here

Open House – the benefits

Message from Monika Dragnescu, Tunbridge wells Speakers Club

Benefits for the Club

Attract New Members – An open house is one of the most effective ways to introduce Toastmasters to non-members. Guests can experience a real meeting, making them far more likely to join than from a flyer or online description.

Increase Club Visibility – Hosting an open house raises awareness of your club within the workplace or community and positions it as awelcoming, professional, and active organisation.

Strengthen Club Culture – Planning and hosting the event brings members together around a shared goal, reinforcing teamwork and pride in the club. A reminder here that an Open House is best managed as a Team and not just by one person.

Improve Member Retention – A vibrant club with fresh faces feels more energetic. Existing members often feel re-motivated when they help others begin their Toastmasters journey.

Showcase Club Quality- An open house allows the club to highlight strong speakers, effective evaluations, and a supportive environment, demonstrating the value of membership in real time.

Benefits for Club Members

Build Leadership Skills – Members gain hands-on experience which directly support Toastmasters leadership pathways. Event planning / Public relations and promotion / Hosting and facilitation / Mentoring guests

Practice Speaking with Purpose – Speakers learn to tailor speeches to a new audience, a valuable real-world communication skill.

Boost Confidence – Successfully hosting guests helps members realise how far they’ve come, reinforcing confidence in their communication abilities.

Benefits for Guests

Low-Pressure Introduction – Guests can observe and participate without commitment, reducing anxiety and making Toastmasters feel approachable.

Clear Understanding of Value – Rather than hearing about Toastmasters, guests see the benefits in action:- structured meetings, supportive feedback, and practical skill development. Long-T

Long Term Impact

Sustainable Club Growth – Regular open houses help maintain healthy membership levels and ensure long-term club stability.

Stronger Community Impact – Clubs become known as a trusted place for developing communication and leadership skills.

Message from Olga Galaiko, London City Speakers

Top Tips from Lilian Shaftacola our Region 10 Advisor

Whether a Community, Corporate or Specialist club, Lilian recommends:-

Always have someone on the door to meet and greet. Lilian loved all the warm welcomes from all the clubs she visited. She did mention though that not all clubs across the Region do this hence her tip.

If running a hybrid meeting, stand when presenting whether in the room or online as it enhances presence and credibility

Have and show your club banner (these are now roller banners and the digital copy can come from TMI and then be printed locally https://www.toastmasters.org/search?t=contentTab#gsc.tab=0&gsc.q=club%20banner)

Promote the club through telling your stories as to all the benefits you have gained

The best way to bring in members is through word of mouth, so tell all your friends, family, colleagues

Why Club Coaches Matter – And Why District 91 Needs You

28 November 2025 by Allen Paul

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

Clubs, Coaches, and Community Driving District 91 Forward !

28 November 202526 November 2025 by Jeevan George

I love November, maybe because it’s my birthday month and I always have a little celebration, or maybe because it’s the chance to bring out some of my colourful winter jumpers or maybe because this year it’s been Contest time. Others complain that November is ‘just cold’. I encourage you instead to see it as an opportunity to snuggle up with a nice hot chocolate, a cosy blanket and the chance to sit down with the latest District newsletter or Toastmasters magazine, there is so much to read and discover.

November has certainly been busy for all the club growth team. From visiting division contests, assigning mentors and coaches, running drop in sessions, organising demo meetings, emailing clubs with all their incentive wins and so much more.

Meet the team behind the scenes.

I kicked off the month visiting Division contests and having the honour of recognising clubs and members on their achievements. It was an absolute delight to be invited to both Division D with Division Director Smita Narayan and Division A with Division Director Yogendra Paranjpe. I’m very much looking forward to seeing all the winners at the District contest.

Division contests are just one way of showing guests the brilliance of toastmasters and I was delighted to see non toastmasters in the audience. Another way is to celebrate a club anniversary which City of London did earlier this month. Do read their 30th anniversary article below.

Moving from established clubs to newbies. Last month we introduced ‘Toastmasters at the BBC’ and it’s wonderful to hear their enthusiasm, what they have gained already in just a few meetings and the benefit of meeting people from their own organisations who they would never have met otherwise. They appreciate the support being offered by Division B director, Mary-Anne Ledger and Area Director Riccardo Ginevri. Casper Willcock, our Mentor lead, is delighted to have found great support for this new club in newly appointed Mentors, Ricardo Ginevri and Malcolm Braganza. We are sure they will achieve great things in no time.

Behind the scenes, our Demo Lead, Ramesh Halai is the master at organising meetings for a potential new club so they can see how a club meeting runs and the roles involved. We have several in the pipeline and with the help from Kate Jones and Lydia McDowall, we are working hard to turn these into Chartered clubs, so watch this space.

Since renewals, across our district, several clubs are working hard to regain stability, rebuild membership, and re-energise their meetings. Several of these clubs have been assigned Club Coaches to help them get back up to full strength. Want to know more about what Club Coaches do, the benefits to both the Club and the Coach, then read the article here by Simon McKee.

Club growth is always a focus and we are continuing the ‘How to grow your club series’ of drop-in sessions. Emmanuel Karamagi has already presented Speechcraft.

Future drop-ins will include: Club growth strategies, Club Marketing and Running an Open House, so do watch out for further information on these sessions.

We have a wonderful mix of clubs including Corporate Clubs and Arnaud Sartre, our Corporate Lead is looking to see how we can strengthen our relationships with Corporate Sponsors to ensure these clubs continue to thrive. If you are in a Corporate Club, do you ever invite the Executive Sponsor along? Encourage them to attend even just part of a meeting to see what you do, how much you have progressed and the wonderful benefits a Toastmasters Club has to offer.

Several clubs this month would have been in receipt of vouchers in recognition of achieving various incentives. Congratulations all you winning Clubs, well done! It is no simple task to simply send out a voucher it is in fact quite a complicated process with lots of moving parts and the fab duo of Shubham Jain, Jeevan George John assisted by Janet Alkema have worked incredibly hard to simplify the process so you receive both an email, a voucher and details on how to claim, so please ensure you do. (Claim that is).

City of London 30^th Anniversary

Club Anniversaries so far this year

Congratulations to all the other clubs below who have celebrated a milestone Anniversary this Toastmasters year so far. Whether 1 year, 5, 10 or more it is great achievement. Celebrate your success. It’s a fabulous way of bringing people together.

Based on the Official Charter Date

Club	Month	Years
London Corinthians	November 1990	35
City of London	November 1995	30
Croydon Communicators	September 2005	20
Windsor Speakers	August 2005	20
Kings Cross Speakers	September 2015	10
Paddington Toastmasters	August 2015	10
Liberty Speakers	October 2020	5
Wye Knot Speakers	July 2020	5
Sky Osterley Toastmasters	November 2024	1

Top Tip of the month

Want to grow your membership – celebrate a club anniversary. A great opportunity to reconnect with less regular members and past members. To bring in guests, past and new and showcase what you do.

That just leaves me to say, wrap up warm, take care in the ice and keep telling all your friends about Toastmasters!

Club	Month	Years
Abingdon Speakers	January 1996	30
Epsom Speakers	January 1996	30
Reading Speakers	January 1996	30
Meridian Speakers	January 2006	20
Farnham Speakers	January 2011	15
Casterbridge Speakers	February 2011	15
Data Science Speakers	January 2016	10
Deutsche Bank Toastmasters	January 2016	10