Stretching across five Areas and 22 clubs, Division L is one of the most dynamic and diverse divisions in District 91. From global corporate clubs in Canary Wharf to hybrid and community clubs across London, Division L reflects the full spectrum of the Toastmasters experience.

But geography is not what defines us.

What defines Division L is Leadership.

Leadership that listens.
Leadership that steps forward when clubs need support.
Leadership that believes people come first — always.

Who We Are

Division L is led by Elena Bella, Division L Director, supported by a team of committed and experienced Area Directors who bring professionalism, passion, and purpose to their roles.

Together, the team embodies the Toastmasters values of Integrity, Respect, Service, and Excellence — not as words on a page, but as actions lived daily.

Area L16 – Adalgisa Mazzone

Corporate Leadership in Action

• Google UK Speakers Club
• London Business School Public Speaking Club
• PMI UK Toastmasters Club
• Society Speakers Club

Adalgisa is a professional who brings clarity, structure, and discipline to her leadership. She was the first Area Director in Division L to complete all her visits, delivering high-quality, thoughtful reports that truly support club officers in improving their performance.

Her approach is focused and strategic: assess, support, elevate.

Area L27 – Muriel Teisseire

Growth Through Commitment

• Barking Toastmasters
• db Toastmasters – Canary Wharf
• Romford Speakers
• Woodford Green Speakers

Muriel stepped into her role when it became vacant — and delivered impact from day one. Under her leadership, Barking Toastmasters is now one of only two clubs in District 91 with 9 DCP points, already achieving President’s Distinguished status, with more milestones expected before year-end.

Muriel demonstrates that leadership is not about title — it’s about ownership.

Area L23 – Rajan Jesuraj

Leadership with Depth and Purpose

• Canary Wharf Communicators
• HSBC
• London Toastmasters
• MLP London Bridge Speakers
• Moody’s London

Rajan brings strong transferable skills and executive presence to his role. This year, he spearheaded one of Division L’s most impactful initiatives:
“Beyond the Podium: The Hidden Gift of Emotional Well-being in Toastmasters.”

This workshop explored belonging, empathy, psychological safety, and growth mindset — reminding us that Toastmasters is not just about speaking; it is about human development.

Area L56 – Sarah Ndebele

Energy, Positivity, and Resilience

• Manor House Speakers
• Northern Lights Speakers Club
• Tottenham Speakers Club
• Winchmore Hill Speakers

Sarah is known across the division for her positivity and unwavering support of clubs facing challenges. When membership dips or engagement slows, she shows up first — encouraging, guiding, and helping clubs regain momentum.

Her leadership is grounded in belief — belief in people, in progress, and in possibility.

Area L47 – Currently Vacant

• EBRD
• JPMC London–Glasgow TM
• London Public Speakers
• Master Speakers
• Wharf Speakers

Even where formal leadership roles are vacant, Division L works together as a team to ensure that no club is left unsupported. This reflects the division’s commitment to service and continuity.

Our Leadership Focus This Year

Division L has aligned around a simple but powerful principle:

Support clubs in a way that works for them.

Our priorities include:

• Strengthening Club Officer Training
• Supporting a vibrant contest season
• Encouraging sustainable membership renewals
• Developing and mentoring future leaders

Two mentors have been assigned to clubs facing challenges, reinforcing our belief that leadership is about standing beside others — not directing from a distance.

Our Workshops: Developing Leaders, Not Just Speakers

Division L has invested in meaningful learning experiences that go beyond technical speaking skills.

Beyond the Podium Workshop

An in-person, reflective session focused on emotional wellbeing, belonging, and growth.

Sculpt Your Story – 6 Secrets to Storytelling Success

Delivered by Dan Magill, a two-time UK representative at the World Championship of Public Speaking, 3-time District 91 International Speech Champion, and winner of multiple Moth Storytelling Slams.

Every attendee received a complimentary copy of Dan’s book — because leadership is about creating tangible value.

Challenges — and Leadership Response

Like every division, we face challenges:

• Membership fluctuations
• Officer workload
• Balancing corporate and community needs

Our response is not reactive — it is proactive:

• Regular check-ins
• Transparent conversations
• Shared best practices
• Leadership visibility

We do not ignore challenges.
We address them together.

Looking Ahead

As we move toward the end of the Toastmasters year, Division L remains focused on:

• Finishing strong in contests and renewals
• Supporting smooth officer transitions
• Identifying next year’s leaders
• Strengthening collaboration across Areas

Leadership continuity is not an afterthought — it is a responsibility.

A Call to All Toastmasters

Division L’s success does not belong to its Director or Area Directors.

It belongs to:

• The President who runs the meeting
• The VPE who tracks Pathways
• The VPM who welcomes guests
• The member who shows up and says “yes” to a role

Leadership in Toastmasters is not a title — it is participation.

If you have ever considered:

• Taking on a club officer role
• Stepping into an Area role
• Organising a workshop
• Mentoring a new member

Now is the time.

Division L is here to support you — but the strength of the division rests with each and every one of you.

Together, we lead.
Together, we grow.
Together, we finish strong.

Division B is more than clubs — it’s about connection, growth and creating confident communicators and leaders at every level. 

As I stare at this screen and blinking cursor, I am trying to think about ways to talk about Division B, and I keep searching and searching my brain yet I keep coming back to the same ‘feeling’.  Community and Brilliance. 

So let me introduce you to wonderful clubs and leadership team that make up Division B: 

1. Area B6 – Led by AD Riccardo Ginevri

• Berkeley Square Speakers Toastmasters Club 
• Centurion Toastmasters 
• London Corinthians Toastmasters 
• London Olympians Speakers Toastmasters Club 
• Polish Your Polish 
• Toastmasters at the BBC 

2. Area B8- Led by AD Beverley Daniel Blugh 

• Clapham Connectors 
• Experience French 
• Legacy Speakers Brixton 
• LSBU Public Speakers Club 
• Tube Talk Toastmasters 

3. Area B9- AD Vacancy – could this be you? 

• Central London Toastmasters 
• Early Bird Speakers 
• Excalibur Speakers 
• Kings Cross Speakers 
• LHH Toastmasters club 

4. Area B18- Led by AD Sarah Beckwith 

• 104 London Debaters 
• Kings Speakers 
• London Cardinals 
• London Victorians 
• PA Consulting London 
• Zig-Zag Toastmasters 

5. Area B52- AD Vacancy- could this be you? 

• Data Science Speakers Club 
• Grosvenor Square Speakers 
• GSK House Toastmasters Club 
• Holborn Speakers 
• Paddington Toastmasters 
• VMO2 Toastmasters Club 

This list doesn’t tell you much does it, let me tell you more about the wonderful mix of corporate clubs, community clubs, speciality clubs, and advanced clubs. 

Let’s start with Data science speakers: who would have thought that combining data science experts and enthusiasts with toastmasters would be a marriage made in heaven? bringing together analytical minds and powerful communicators to turn complex data into compelling stories. 

104 London debaters:  There is something special about Debaters, they use words the way athletes use muscle — to defend, challenge, and persuade. The atmosphere is lively, dynamic, and supportive. If you want to practise debating, critical thinking, and debating techniques, this is where it happens. 

From Polish Your Polish to Experience French, our language clubs prove that learning a language is about more than vocabulary — it’s about confidence, connection, and community. In Toastmasters, you get the safety to try, the space to stumble, and the friends who cheer you on. 

Excalibur Speakers, the oldest advanced club in District 91, represents the very best of Toastmasters. Soon to be joined by Excalibur Online, it challenges every member to stretch further – in speaking, evaluation, and leadership. And the results speak for themselves: in 2025–26, its members are serving as District Director, Club Growth Director, two Division Directors, and an Area Director. 

And then there is Kings Speakers – a truly special club. Created for people with speech impediments, including stammers, it offers one of the safest, most judgement-free spaces in Toastmasters. A place where nervous beginners, shy voices, and hesitant speakers are not just welcomed… they are understood. Kings Speakers offers a space where every voice is respected, every pause is honoured, and confidence is built without judgement. 

Division B is also proudly home to a vibrant network of corporate clubs — including PA Consulting, Centurion, GSK, LHH and VMO2. These clubs show what happens when organisations invest in their people: confidence grows, leaders emerge, and communication becomes a real business advantage. 

My friends, I could go on and on about the clubs in Division B, but even I have to respect a word limit. From Olympians to Victorians, from Corinthians to Grosvenor Square, from Clapham Connectors to LSBU, every one of these clubs shares something special: a warmth and openness that makes every member and every guest feel truly welcome. 

I may be biased, but I genuinely love Division B — because when it matters, people show up. Whether it’s to help run a contest, support a contestant, or simply offer encouragement from the sidelines, this division never hesitates to step forward. 

I saw it so clearly at our Division B winter contest: the energy in the room, the smiles on people’s faces, and the sense of community that filled the space. It was heart-warming — and you don’t have to take my word for it. Just look at the smiles. 

 At the heart of Division B this year is a simple mission, to grow our community, and to empower every member to feel confident, supported, and proud of their Toastmasters journey. 

 

Covering South London, Kent and the Sussex coast, Division H brings together a diverse mix of clubs – from city-based corporate clubs to long-standing community clubs and newer specialist clubs. What unites them is a shared commitment: helping members become more confident communicators and more capable leaders.

This year, Division H is focused on one clear aim:
to connect our clubs, grow our members, and develop leaders at every level.

Who We Are

Division H is made up of five Areas, each serving a distinct part of our geography:

• Area H15 – Area Director: Celia Edwards, DTM
  Croydon Communicators, Liberty Speakers, Purley Speakers, The Speakers of Croydon
• Area H32 – Area Director: Johnathan Kaye
  Arun Speakers, County Communicators, Sussex Online Speakers, Worthing Speakers
• Area H35 – Area Director: Andrew Smith
  Beckenham Communicators, Bromley Speakers, Connected Speakers Bromley, Lewisham Speakers, Meridian Speakers
• Area H37 – Area Director: Rosemary Dzikunu
  Canterbury Communicators, Experience Yoruba, Kent Speakers, Toasted Sandwich, Tunbridge Wells Speakers
• Area H55 – Area Director: Malcolm Braganza
  Brighton & Hove Speakers, Eastbourne Speakers, Gatwick Communicators, Lewes Speakers

The Division is led by Division H Director, Monica Dragnescu, supported by this Area Director team and many dedicated club officers and members who give their time to keep meetings running and members progressing.

Our Focus for 2025–2026

In alignment with District 91 priorities, Division H is concentrating on four key areas:

1. Club Quality and Member Experience
   Supporting clubs to deliver structured, engaging meetings with clear opportunities for members to speak, take roles and progress through Pathways.
2. Education and Pathways Progress
   Encouraging members to choose paths that support their professional and personal goals and helping clubs track and celebrate educational achievements throughout the year.
3. Leadership Development
   Identifying and supporting current and future leaders at club, Area and Division level, ensuring they feel equipped, connected and recognised in their roles.
4. Inter-club Collaboration
   Promoting cross-club visits, shared events and joint workshops so clubs don’t run in isolation, but benefit from each other’s ideas, strengths and experience.

Division H Highlights

Despite busy lives and changing work patterns, members across Division H continue to step up, compete, serve and grow.

Some key highlights so far:

• District Champion – Table Topics
  Division H is proud to celebrate District 91 Table Topics Champion, Chris Billington, who brought the Table Topics trophy back to Division H. His achievement highlights the standard of impromptu speaking and the strength of our contest culture.
• Strong Contest Participation
  Clubs across all five Areas have fielded enthusiastic contestants and full contest teams at club, Area and Division level. Contests are still a valuable development platform for speakers, evaluators, contest chairs and functionaries alike.
• Growing Confidence in Leadership Roles
  Many members have taken on club officer roles for the first time this year. With the support of their Area Directors and experienced past officers, they are gaining practical leadership experience that directly transfers into their workplaces and communities.
• Diverse Meeting Formats
  From traditional evening clubs to lunchtime and online options, Division H offers a range of meeting formats. This flexibility helps attract and keep members with different schedules and needs, while preserving the core Toastmasters learning experience.

Addressing Challenges Together

Like most Divisions, Division H faces familiar challenges:

• maintaining membership momentum throughout the year
• balancing online, hybrid and in-person formats
• supporting officer teams who are juggling Toastmasters with demanding work and family commitments.

 

Our response is collaborative and practical:

• Area Directors are holding regular check-ins with club officers.
• Clubs are encouraged to use the Distinguished Club Programme as a live planning tool, not just an end-of-year report.
• Best practices, from guest follow-up to mentoring and role rotation, are being shared across Areas so no club feels it has to “reinvent the wheel”.

Looking Ahead

Over the rest of the year, Division H will:

• Continue to develop leaders by encouraging members to step into club and district roles, with mentoring and peer support.
• Promote joint events such as workshops, open houses and themed meetings across Areas to increase visibility and member engagement.
• Highlight success stories from clubs and individual members, highlighting how Toastmasters is impacting careers, businesses and communities across South London, Kent and Sussex.

A Final Word from Division H

Division H is built on the efforts of its members, the people who show up, take roles, give feedback, run meetings, and keep welcoming guests through the door.

To every member, officer and volunteer in Division H:
thank you for the time, energy and commitment you bring to your clubs and to District 91.

Together, we will continue to connect, grow and lead and ensure that Division H stays a strong, supportive and vibrant part of District 91.

 

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.