District Director

Navigating Our Toastmasters Journey Together: A Message from Your District Director

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I remember writing a similar article class year, where I reflected that sometimes the best intentions simply do not go to plan. The key of course is not to beat ourselves up, take it as a learning experience and decide when good is ‘good enough’. I had every intention in creating a video for my newsletter article this month – but I simply ran out of time. With one or two curve balls in my professional world, coupled with some important Toastmaster milestones, I have had to settle with this format, so that our friendly Public Relations Manager does not get upset with me for holding up his publication date!

We are fast approaching a key deadline in the Toastmaster calendar, where districts have to submit their success plan, budget, communications plan and market analysis. Thanks to amazing work from the District Leadership team we are almost there in ensuring these deadlines are met. The District Executive Committee approved our success plan (strategy) for the coming year, and then both the District Executive Committee and the District Council approved our budget. I am so grateful to all the district leaders, together with Club Presidents and Vice Presidents of Education who attended council a couple of weeks ago, ensuring they carried out their important role in the governance of District 91.

On 11th October Toastmasters International will officially be 100 years old. I think its important to pause for a moment in tribute to Dr Ralf C Smedley who would surely be so very proud of what has happened to the organisation he founded. Members will have no doubt heard me say this, but whether you are looking to find your public speaking voice, whether you are looking to become a better leader or even if you are hoping to become the next World Champion of Public Speaking, Toastmasters has something for you. Don’t forget the ‘plus one pledge’ which was launched at the International convention – a challenge for each member to bring just one guest each with a view to get them to join your club. People often say that Toastmasters is a best kept secret and I could not agree more!

Thinking about things closer to home, I need your help! We are still looking for a number of Area Directors across the district to join the team. Area Directors carry out a really important role in supporting the clubs in their areas with advice and support, and take responsibility for local officer training and the management of local level speech contests. If you have been a member for a little while, and don’t mind doing a tiny bit of travelling to visit the clubs who don’t currently have an area director – I would love to hear from anyone out there that could offer us some support with some of the critical tasks, and to try and limit the pressure on our existing officers.

Last night at my home club, I finally got through my Level 4 in my current pathway, and inline with the reminder from Debbie have already planned my speech ahead of the base camp outage.

Best of luck for all those currently competing or will be competing in this round of speech contests – remember, whatever the result to have fun and enjoy the learning experience.

Reflections on Leadership and Growth: A Recap of Our District’s Journey at the Toastmasters International Convention

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What a few weeks it has been!  

 As well as working hard on the District Success plan (our strategy) and budget, the ‘trio’ (being myself, Debbie and Seema) have just returned with a group of other members from District 91 from the Toastmasters International Convention in California. Before the event, as part of our roles we attended two days of District Leader training helping us to be able to serve you in the best possible way with new knowledge, skills and the chance to network with peers and meet district leaders from across the globe. This picture was taken during the kick off event, and if you look closely, you will even see a certain now Past International Director lurking in the background looking out for us. 

Convention 

The International Convention in Anaheim, which was attended by circa 1,400 Toastmasters was not only a reminder to me about the true global reach of our organisation but also how very special Dr Smedley’s creation was, and just how many people Toastmasters continue to help across the world. During the event I was given the honour of carrying the flag of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland during the parade of the flags at the opening ceremony. It is proof indeed that no matter our individual differences and beliefs, members can come together from hundreds of different countries around the world to celebrate each other and to help represent Toastmasters International as one.  

 

One of the highlights of the convention is of course the final of the World Championship of Public Speaking, where the remaining 8 members who have navigated through the Club, Area, Division, District and Regional stages took to the stage with a chance to become the World Champion. If you get a chance to do look up on YouTube and watch the winning speech by Luisa Montalvo, the new world champion to be truly inspired. A word of warning for us all though is that there were two time disqualifications this year. Never underestimate therefore the importance of those lights at the back of your club room when you are doing your speeches! 

The Plus One Pledge 

During the convention, Debbie, Seema and I together with board members and fellow leaders across the World signed the Plus One Pledge. This is a membership building campaign where each member is encouraged to grow the membership of our clubs by just one member. Just imagine for a moment how big even our own District would become if each of us were able to do that. Remembering that every journey starts with that one step therefore – who will be that guest that you are going to bring a long and help convert to a member? More to follow on our plus one pledges in the coming months! 

District Council 

On 15th September our first of two District Council meetings will take place following the District Executive Committee meeting on 1st September. The District Council is a crucial part of the governance of Toastmasters and I would encourage every president and Vice President of Education to register for attendance in order to ensure the District can conduct its business and continue to serve you, our members in the best possible ways. Any questions about the District Council should be directed to your Area or Division Director or myself. 

And finally 

I spoke at the start of my update about how busy the last few weeks have been for everyone charged with leading District 91. I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of the District Leadership Team, Area and Division Directors for serving our members in such a dedicated and thoughtful manner. I would like to pay particular tribute to our Finance Manager Stuart Marshall for his jedi like skills in relation to the budget and our Administration Manager Janet Alkema, Area Director Rob Dewing and Public Relations Manager, Allen Paul, for all their efforts in getting our IT configuration refreshed to allow us to communicate with you in the most effective way possible. Thank you all for making me proud to lead such an amazing group of people. 

 

Yours in service 

Steve Vear MBE DTM
District Director  

Keep on running!

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Thanks to the hard work and efforts of members, Club Officers, and DEC members as a District we are close to becoming a distinguished district. Why is this important and what does it have to do with me you might ask? Running a Distinguished club clearly demonstrates to the rest of the Toastmasters Community that we have quality clubs who are meeting members needs and so it is with districts. For this reason, I am going to ask you to “keep on running”!

Keep on running!

Many sports coaches and athletes talk about running or competing beyond the finish line. If they are running 100 meters, they will talk about running 101 meters. This is because they want to finish a race as strongly as possible not only for an advantageous position this race, but also to set them up for good start for next race.

They want to ensure they achieve the best result they can and not be overtaken in the last few years. So, it is with District 91, we are in touching distance of becoming a Distinguished district for the first time since 2020. Some of you may ask why does this matter? It matters because becoming a Distinguished District shows the rest of the Toastmasters world how hard you, as DEC, Club leaders and members have worked to have a successful year yar.

As I mentioned during the Hall of Fame, we have over 1,100 pathways level awards this year and many more to follow in the last six weeks of the year. Where we most need your help is with clubs seven or fewer members to return them to good standing and help to convert some pre charter clubs into chartered clubs. If you can help, please contact either Mo our Club Growth Director or myself.

Hall of Fame

Many congratulations to this year’s Hall of Fame recipients. It was a great to see Debbie Williams and Amy Jones both acknowledged for achieving their DTMs, with Amy receiving her medallion on Saturday. Winchmore Hill Speakers won PR Club of the Year for their great website and social media activity which helped them launch a Gavel Club during the past year.

Diane Richardson, District Director 2023/24 with Gala Dinner and Hall of Fame MCs Serena Salvatore and PDG Hilary Briggs, DTM

Our Youth Leadership Co-ordinator (and District Admin Manager) presented the Youth Leadership Facilitator award to Gillian Myers of Hamwic Speakers. The first Phoenix Award of the Year for clubs who start the year with less than 12 members and then have 20 or more by the end of the year, went to FTI Consulting who started the year with only three members and now have 25.

Club Sponsor of the Year was Kavita Dukai for her work chartering Sustainable Speakers and Olga Galaiko won Club Mentor of the Year for her work supporting L&C Toastmasters Club and sponsoring a second London Stock exchange club.

City of London Toastmasters won the Club Growth Award for recruiting thirty-seven new members and growing the club to seventy-three members. Celia Edwards won Club Coach of the Year for her work with Battle Speakers who thanks to her hard work and that of the club committee in growing the club to its largest size since 2019/20.

The Corporate Club of the Year is Moody’s Europe Toastmasters, they were the first corporate club this year to become Presidents Distinguished with a perfect 10 DCP points after being a select distinguished Club last year and distinguished in 2021/22.

Hamwic Speakers, are this year’s Club of the Year. This club has a long record of having over 40 members and of becoming a conformed Presidents’ Distinguished club in early April for the past several years. To meet demand the club, hold weekly meeting to ensure that there are sufficient speaking slots available for members to progress through Pathways.

Helyn Ashford (J10) is this year’s Area Director of the Year. Last year Helyn stepped up and became an Area Director midway through the year. This year she is helping to Charter a new online club in her area, has helped all five of her clubs be the best they can be with two already distinguished and two more very close to becoming distinguished and her enthusiasm has helped raise the energy level in any room which she enters.

The Division Director of the Year is Division H Director, Guler Cortis, for her work in starting a new club at her workplace and the support she has given to clubs and Area Directors in her Division this year.

The Toastmaster of the Year is Juli Chapman, for her work as a Pathways Champion and Club Coach. The District Directors award went for the second time to Janet Alkema. Janet first helped me when she was Division D Director in 20/21. She went on to became Youth Leadership Co-ordinator the following year and continues to hold this role. In 2022/23 she stepped in to become Division D Director mid-year and this year she stepped in as Administration Manager when her predecessor stepped away in October.

Conference Team

This month’s newsletter has been put together by the conference team. If you did not attend, you missed a magnificent event as I am sure you will read and see below. Many thanks to Amy Jones, DTM and her team who put on a fantastic conference in Bristol.

If you want to develop your event management skills then Steve is looking for next year’s conference director, please contact him.

Part Two

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Happy New Year

I would like to wish all members a very happy, healthy, and prosperous 2024.

We are now about to start the second half of our Toastmasters year and if you have not already done so, I would urge you to revisit the personal and Toastmaster goals you set out at the start of the Toastmaster year back in July, and to measure your progress against those goals. Some of you will be behind where you thought you would be at this time of the year, others will be on track to achieve the goals and others of you will he’s so far ahead of your goals, perhaps you need to set new targets for the second half of this Toastmasters year.

100 years, building stronger for the next 100.

As many of you are aware 2024 is the centenary of Toastmasters international. Since Toastmasters was founded in 1924 by Dr Smedley, many generations have benefited as we are today. Together we can help Toastmasters start its second century strongly by helping to build new clubs and encourage guests to become members, by offering energetic club meetings and demonstrating the benefits of membership to others.

We need your stories – Thanks Toastmasters

Many thanks to Tom Baily and Remko Timmermans for their “Thanks Toastmasters” articles in October and November last year. We are looking for more related articles. We all have remarkable stories to tell and the share with both members and non-members. Thanks to the back-end development work by the D91 Public Relations Manager, Nikita Parks, we can now tell which articles are read most and, in both October, and November these real-life stories were the most read articles in the newsletters. They were also widely read on the internet and on our Social Media pages. Both members and potential members can relate to these stories and help clubs attract new members and retain existing members, which is why I would like anyone with a wonderful experience of Toastmasters to share their story with the rest of us and more widely on our social media pages. Please share your story by emailing Nikita at nikita@d91toastmasters.org.uk , you article should be under 500 words long, less than a 5-to-7-minute speech.

Club Growth and Membership building

Analysis has shown that every year since D91 was formed 10 years agon, that January and February are the time when most new members join Toastmasters. I would encourage clubs to promote meetings on Social Media channels including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Eventbrite and in the local newspapers. In February we will be starting the Talk Up Toastmasters campaign, where clubs receive a ribbon from Toastmasters International to attach to your club banner if they recruit five or more new members in February and March.

Pathways update information.

During the first part of the year a new user interface will be launched for six of the current Pathways. The changes should make the recording of Pathways completions and level awards much simpler for club officers and members alike. Mo and I who are attending District Officer training in the next two weeks, togther with Steve who will receive updates from Toastmasters head quarters, will report back with more information regarding the changes and the dates the new Learning Management System (Basecamp) is introduced. Those members who are currently doing one of the five pathways which are not being updated will still be able to continue with the current version of their path but will not necessarily see all the changes that the other paths do. More information can be found here and here.