Hello our wonderful members of District 91. October maybe getting colder but our clubs are hotting up.
Firstly, a massive welcome to our newest club, Toastmasters at the BBC.
A huge congratulations to the President, John Cameron-Mcintosh, the committee and all the members for bringing this club to fruition. Plus a big thank you to all the Toastmasters that supported the charter process, this wouldn’t have happened without you. If you have an idea for a new club either in your community or at your place of work, please do let us know. club.growth.director@d91toastmasters.org.uk
Congratulations also to our Smedley Club Winners
- 1st London Toastmasters
- Bristol Central Speakers
- Central London Toastmasters
- City Of London Toastmasters Club
- Holborn Speakers
- London Business School Public Speaking Club
- London Victorians
- Nothavon Speakers Toastmasters Club
- North Oxford Speakers
- Riverside Communicators
- UK Speakers and Leaders Toastmasters
This achievement shows how committed and hardworking your club members are. It also shows the great work you’re doing to grow and include more people in your community. By welcoming new members and different ideas, your club becomes even stronger and more rewarding for everyone.
Congratulations on this well-earned recognition! May your clubs continue to thrive and inspire others in the Toastmasters family.
Celebrating their first Anniversary
- Arthur J Gallagher London Toastmasters
- LSEG
Whats coming up
Over the next few months we will be running ‘How to Grow your Club’ series which started with the interactive session on ‘Mastering Social Media’ on 26th October run by the talented Allen Paul. If you were unable to attend you can watch the recording here:
One of the tips shared was to add members ‘My Why’ to the clubs social media posts. Why you joined and why you stay at Toastmasters. Here is ‘My Why’
and we want to hear yours. It takes just 30 seconds to do a quick video, share it with your club and please also send it to Allen Paul for the Districts Social Media, allen@district91toastmasters.org
You can also grow your club by running a Speech craft session. TOP TIP from The Speakers of Croydon Toastmasters Club – Run a Speechcraft session at least once a year. They have been doing it for over 10 years and every time they have 8 to 10 new members join, proof that Speechcraft works!. To understand more about what a Speechcraft session involves and how you can help read the article below by Speechcraft expert Emmanuel Karamagi. There will also be a drop-in panel session coming soon.
What is Speechcraft?
Speechcraft is a short-term, practical public speaking program developed by Toastmasters International. It is delivered by experienced members, who teach the fundamentals of communication, public speaking, and leadership to non-members in a supportive Toastmasters environment. Delivered in digital form as a Speechcraft Bundle, the program allows up to five non-members to participate in structured sessions over four, six, or eight weeks, guided by experienced Toastmasters. Although the focus is on skill development, the ultimate goal of Speechcraft is to convert participants into active club members. In this sense, it is a powerful membership growth tool for clubs.
How to Run a Speechcraft Program and Its Benefits
- The Club’s Role
The idea of hosting a Speechcraft program usually starts at a club leadership meeting, where the executive committee discusses membership-building strategies. Once approved, the club decides the program’s structure (duration,format, etc.) and appoints a Speechcraft Coordinator, who becomes the key driver of the initiative in general and the equivalent of the Toastmaster of the day in each session.
Benefits at this stage include:
- Involving the entire club leadership in a meaningful, strategic decision-making
- Giving officers practical ways to contribute: for example:
- Treasurer: Advises on and manages participant fees.
- VP Public Relations: Promotes the program across various platforms such as social media and other communication channels thus attracting participants to the program.
- VP Education: Designs the agenda, oversees quality, and ensures alignment with Speechcraft requirements.
- The President: Inspires participation and ensures the club is showcased positively.
Each club officer plays a role in ensuring the success of the program, which builds teamwork and promotes shared ownership of club growth. Members can help out with these activities too.
- Role of the Speechcraft Coordinator
Once appointed, the Speechcraft Coordinator:
- Establishes communication channels (WhatsApp, email, etc.) between the participants and the program key helpers such as guides.
- Recruits Speechcraft Guides (ideally one per participant) from the club to act as mentors.
- Manages logistics, leads sessions, and keeps the program on track.
Benefits of being a Speechcraft Coordinator include:
- Enhances leadership and communication skills.
- Increases confidence in managing teams and projects.
- Proven track record of serving as a stepping-stone to other leadership roles within Toastmasters.
- The Membership’s Role
Not every member will serve in an official capacity, but every member has a part to play:
- By attending sessions, supportive numbers provide a better learning experience.
- Volunteering in roles such as Timer, Evaluator, or Table Topics Master hence participants have a front seat experience of how roles in a regular meeting are performed.
- Being present to showcase the club’s culture, this is very important because a-would-be member buys not only into the benefits of participating in Speechcraft but the also comradely of the club.
Benefits to club members:
- Increases member engagement and retention.
- Strengthens the sense of community and ownership.
- Members often take pride in contributing to others’ growth — a deeply fulfilling experience.
Past members in those clubs where Speechcraft is often used as a membership growth tool usually return to toastmasters, either to the host club or another, drawn back by the impact of positive, growth-oriented experiences like Speechcraft.
Conclusion
Speechcraft is far more than a membership-building tool. When well planned and executed, it becomes:
- A platform for member participation
- A training ground for future leaders thus a succession tool
- A unifier that strengthens club cohesion
Each participant, guide, and observer is actively invested in creating a supportive environment and that mutual investment often leads to the long-term health and vitality of the club. I cannot recommend this program enough to any club that wants. Emmanuel Karamagi has been a Toastmaster since 2015, a member of The Speakers of Croydon Toastmasters Club, and has served in various leadership roles at both club and district level. Currently, serving as the Speechcraft Lead on the Club Growth Director’s Team for the 2025–2026 term and happy to help any club and memberwho wants to conduct a speechcraft. He can be contacted on emmanuelkaramagi@gmail.com
With gratitude,
Lynne Gayor, DTM
Club Growth Director, District 91
