Meet a Leader

If you’ve attended a Drop-In session, watched a webinar recording, or benefited from Club Officer Training this year, chances are you’ve experienced the impact of Janet’s work, even if you didn’t realize it.

They say a Toastmaster wears many hats, and that is certainly true in Janet’s case.

From joining Farnham Speakers in 2012, Janet quickly stepped into leadership, taking on the role of Vice President Education and continuing to serve in at least one leadership role every year since.

Over the years, her journey has included:

• Two terms as Area Director

• Two terms as Division Director

• Club Mentor for Godalming Speakers

• Achieving Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) in 2020

After completing two years as District Administration Manager in 2025, Janet planned to take things a little easier.

That plan didn’t last long.

Following her appointment, Program Quality Director Seema invited Janet to take on the role of District 91 Training Lead, a role that has continued to evolve over time.

Working alongside a highly driven Program Quality team, Janet has been at the centre of several key initiatives aimed at improving education and training across the district.

 

One of the most visible and impactful initiatives this year has been the introduction of regular Drop-In sessions and webinars.

These sessions have given members:

• An informal space to ask questions

• Access to experienced Toastmasters

• Practical, topic-focused learning

The results speak for themselves:

• 35 sessions delivered

• Most sessions recorded and shared

• Over 2,200 views on YouTube

For many members, these sessions have become a valuable and accessible way to learn and grow.

Janet has also played a key role in establishing the Trainers Bureau, a resource that connects clubs with experienced trainers for educational sessions and Club Officer Training.

District 91 also took part in beta testing new Club Officer Training material from Toastmasters International.

As Training Lead, Janet coordinated trainers across districts, including collaboration with District 74 (South Africa), helping to deliver sessions and gather feedback.

The result is improved training content that will benefit members across the district.

Another project close to Janet’s heart was improving the Club Officer Training reporting process.

Drawing on her experience as a Division Director, she understood how time-consuming the process could be.

Working with Rory Graves (ToastHost), Janet helped develop a COT management system designed to simplify reporting and reduce manual effort.

While there have been initial challenges, as with any new system, the long-term goal is clear: to make life easier for future leaders.

Beyond the visible initiatives, Janet has also supported the district in quieter but equally important ways.

From contributing to communications and supporting website updates to helping proofread district newsletters before publication, her attention to detail has consistently helped raise the quality of what members experience.

She also quickly developed her Canva skills and took ownership of designing the posters and visuals that accompanied many of the training sessions throughout the year, ensuring that each initiative was not only well delivered, but also clearly communicated and professionally presented.

For Janet, this year has been about more than just delivering projects.

It has been about:

• Learning new skills

• Working with dedicated team members

• Supporting the growth of others

Above all, it has been about contributing to a district that continues to evolve and improve.

Janet’s contribution is a reminder that behind every initiative, every session, and every improvement, there are people working quietly to make it happen.

And in this case, it’s someone wearing many hats and making a real difference.

 

From having no public speaking experience to becoming a Distinguished Toastmaster and club president in just over six years, Alistair Driscoll’s journey is a powerful example of growth in action.

My Toastmasters journey began in October 2018 when I joined Voice of Wales in Usk as a brand-new member. I had no public speaking experience to speak of, but I knew that if I wanted to grow as a professional and as a leader, I needed to get comfortable being uncomfortable. What I did not expect was just how much Toastmasters would shape the direction of my life.

The Early Days at Voice of Wales
Voice of Wales gave me my foundation. I threw myself into every meeting role I could, learning the mechanics of structured speaking, impromptu Table Topics, and the art of giving and receiving evaluations. Within a year I had taken on the role of Vice President Education (July 2019 to June 2020), responsible for scheduling meetings and supporting fellow members through their Pathways projects. It was my first real taste of servant leadership, and I was hooked.

Stepping Up to Club President
In July 2020, I became President of Voice of Wales. This was right in the middle of the pandemic, so my entire presidential year was virtual. Rather than seeing that as a limitation, we embraced it. We focused on member engagement, educational quality, and building a supportive environment, even through a screen. By the end of the term, we had earned the President’s Distinguished Award, the highest club recognition Toastmasters International bestows. That achievement belongs to every member who showed up, contributed, and kept the club thriving during an incredibly challenging period.

Founding Toast Titans
The pandemic proved that online Toastmasters could work brilliantly. In 2024, I took that conviction a step further and co-founded Toast Titans, a corporate online Toastmasters club. I served as Corporate Club Sponsor from June to November 2024, handling the initial setup: recruiting our charter members, organising the first meetings, and guiding the club through the chartering process. From there, I moved into the role of Corporate Club Mentor (from January 2024), supporting club officers, maintaining meeting quality, and helping the club become self-sufficient. In July 2025, I became President of Toast Titans, a role I hold today. It has been enormously rewarding to build a club from scratch and watch members grow in confidence week after week.

Mentoring Beyond My Own Clubs
Alongside my work with Toast Titans, I have also served as Corporate Club Mentor for Tribal Masters Galway since January 2024. Mentoring another club in a different country has given me a broader perspective on what makes clubs succeed. The fundamentals are always the same: ongoing support, quality meetings, strong officer training, and a culture where people genuinely want to help each other improve.

Achieving the Distinguished Toastmaster Award
In December 2024, I was awarded the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) designation, the highest honour in Toastmasters International. Earning it requires completing advanced educational projects, serving in multiple leadership roles, and mentoring others. It took me just over six years from joining as a complete beginner, and it represents everything I value about this organisation: continuous learning, leadership through service, and the commitment to help others find their voice.

Three Things I Have Learned Along the Way
1. Start before you are ready. I joined Toastmasters with zero public speaking experience. Every role I took on felt like a stretch at the time. The growth happens in the stretch. If you are waiting until you feel ready, you will be waiting forever.
2. Leadership is service. The best club officers I have worked with are the ones who show up to make the meeting better for everyone else. Whether you are scheduling speakers, mentoring a new member, or simply giving a thoughtful evaluation, you are leading.
3. Build community deliberately. A club is only as strong as the connections between its members. Social moments, genuine encouragement, and celebrating each other’s progress are not extras. They are the foundation.

Looking Ahead
Toastmasters has given me skills I use every single day in my professional life as Global Sales Enablement Manager at HID Global, where I regularly present to stakeholders, coach sales teams, and design learning programmes. It has also given me friendships, a sense of purpose outside of work, and the confidence to put myself forward for things I once would have avoided.
If you are reading this and thinking about joining a club, getting more involved, or taking on a leadership role, my advice is simple: say yes now and figure out the rest as you go. That is exactly what I did in 2018, and it has been one of the best decisions of my life.

Alistair Driscoll, DTM
President, Toast Titans | Member, Voice of Wales

For February, the answer is clear.

Kevin Harrington has been recognized as Area Director of the Month, not just for delivering results, but for how he supports members, strengthens clubs, and promotes Toastmasters beyond the organization.

Kevin’s impact spans across multiple areas of district growth and member development:

• Delivering practical workshops and drop-in sessions to support clubs

• Mentoring members to achieve success, including a District contest winner

• Promoting Toastmasters externally through media coverage

• Driving strong educational progress across clubs

• Supporting clubs that are rebuilding and growing

Together, these efforts reflect leadership that goes beyond responsibility and focuses on real impact.

What Does an Area Director Do?

For those new to Toastmasters, Kevin explains it simply:

“Think of an Area Director as a coach and coordinator for several clubs.”

Someone who supports club leaders, strengthens meetings, and connects clubs to the wider organization.

It Started with a Simple “Yes”

Kevin’s journey into the role was not a carefully mapped plan:

“Kevin, you’d be really good at this. It won’t take much time.”

His response?

“Saying yes too often gets me into all sorts of trouble.”

But that one decision led to meaningful impact across his area.

A Leadership Approach Built on One Principle

Kevin brings a clear philosophy to everything he does:

Focus on the member.

As a marketer by profession, his thinking is simple:

• Keep it practical

• Keep it relevant

• Put the member first

“Toastmasters is defined by its members.”

From workshops to training sessions, his goal has always been the same: help members today while building stronger clubs for tomorrow.

Thinking Beyond the Next Meeting

One of Kevin’s key strengths is long-term thinking.

Rather than focusing only on immediate outcomes, he challenges clubs to think ahead. What we do today should strengthen the club next year, not just this month.

This mindset has helped create more sustainable growth across his area.

Turning Success into Stories

One of Kevin’s standout contributions has been mentoring a member who went on to win a District contest and then taking that success beyond the club.

As he puts it:

“Toastmasters is a mystery to most people.”

The structure is strong. The learning is powerful. But what truly connects with people are stories.

By sharing real success stories, Kevin has helped bring Toastmasters to a wider audience and inspire others to get involved.

So how do you get a Toastmasters story into the media?

Kevin shares a simple but effective approach:

“Local papers have very few staff, but they still need content. The key is to write in the style they need so they can copy and paste.”

Here are his practical tips:

• Write like a journalist
  Headline: four words
  Subheading: ten words
  First paragraph: summarise the full story

• Focus on human stories
  Achievement, effort, struggle, and success

• Avoid generic updates
  Instead, tell stories people care about

• Match the publication style
  Study the paper and align with its tone and length

• Use strong images
  Avoid plain headshots and use action-based visuals

• Make it easy for editors
  Proofread carefully, get a second review, and send it ready to publish

“It’s about thinking like the editor, understanding your audience and their language.”

Supporting Clubs That Are Growing

Kevin’s leadership also shows in how he supports clubs that are rebuilding.

His approach is simple:

“Give them time. Give them recognition.”

Not pressure. Because growth is something you support, not force.

Leadership Advice: Just Say Yes

For those considering stepping into leadership roles, Kevin’s advice is clear:

“Just say yes.”

Even while launching a new business, he continues to contribute as an Area Director.

His belief is that leadership is flexible, you do not need perfect conditions, and impact comes from action.

“In a small but important way, being an Area Director gives you the opportunity to help members achieve their ambitions.”

Final Thought

Kevin’s journey shows that leadership does not start with a perfect plan.

It starts with a decision.

Say yes. Take action. Create impact.

Congratulations to Kevin Harrington
A well-deserved recognition for his leadership, initiative, and contribution to District 91.

If you’ve expressed interest in mentoring this year, you’ve probably heard from Edeje Onwude.

Since joining Chiltern Speakers in April 2024, Edeje has hit the ground running  VPM for her club, lead for our webinar series last year, and PR Director for the District Conference in June.
Her latest challenge? Rolling out our first district-wide Mentor Buddy Programme. With 70 mentee applications and 45 matches made, she’s now looking for more mentors to support the 25 still waiting.

Meet Edeje Onwude

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a global communications professional with experience across EMEA markets, including roles at Coca-Cola and Reckitt. For the past 15 years, I’ve worked at the intersection of brand and culture; connecting business goals with employee, stakeholder and customer needs through stories that inspire action. Whether it’s aligning internal narratives, building trust through change or translating purpose into everyday behaviours, I make sure words and actions point in the same direction. Outside of work, I sit on the board of the International Association of Business
Communicators (IABC) UK & Ireland chapter, where I lead our mentoring programme and student engagement efforts. I also volunteer with organisations that matter to me, including Cancer Research UK, UN Women UK and the Diana Award. In my spare time, I read, write, enjoy deep conversations – and raise two brilliant children who challenge and inspire me daily.

What have you been doing for D91?

Since joining Toastmasters in April 2024, I’ve taken on several leadership roles: Vice President Membership at Chiltern Speakers, District 91 Webinar Manager, and PR Director for the District Conference in June. Most recently, I’ve been coordinating the new Mentor Buddy Programme; a peer- to-peer initiative that connects members who want to grow with more experienced Toastmasters who are willing to support them. We received 70 mentee applications; a clear sign of interest and ambition across the district and have so far matched 45. The remaining 25 are on a waiting list while we continue to look for more mentors.  Sign up to be a mentor

What have you most enjoyed?
Seeing the enthusiasm from both sides; those keen to learn and those happy to give their time, has been the highlight. It’s a good reminder of what Toastmasters is about. And it’s shown me how even a short, focused conversation can have a lasting impact when someone feels listened to and supported.

What has been most challenging?

Meeting the level of demand. Many members are already balancing club roles and other commitments, so it hasn’t been easy to find enough mentors. That’s why we’re still actively looking for more. Even offering a handful of sessions can make a meaningful difference.

How has this experience helped you personally or professionally?

For the past 18 months I have been navigating a career pivot, this work has kept me rooted in purpose. It’s given me a chance to apply core skills; stakeholder engagement, communication, coordination, while also developing new ones. More
broadly, it’s reinforced the power of peer support and the importance of having a clear goal, whatever stage you’re at.

Would you like to get involved?
If you’re a member with a bit of experience and a willingness to support someone else’s development, we’d love your help. We currently have 25 mentees waiting to be matched. You don’t need to commit a huge amount of time – just bring a bit of curiosity, openness, and a few hours to help someone take their next step.

To express interest, fill in this short form, or feel free to come and have a chat with me at the District Contest Finals on 23 November.

 

It’s all about Camaraderie and Support…and saying Yes!

Joining London Cardinals

It was 2004 and I was looking to join a Toastmasters club in London. I had the good fortune to go to a ‘Demo’ meeting of London Cardinals, co-founded by the legendary Nigel and Gilly Cutts. They were setting up a new club as London Corinthians was ‘Bursting’ with members.

– As well as the Cutts, the Cookes, the Craddocks, the Sellmans and a young chap called Simon Bucknall became Founder Members.

I am still a proud member of London Cardinals, the ‘Oldest Swinger in Town! It’s changed of course but the implicit values of Nigel and Gilly are ever present – Having Quality meetings and speeches, Supporting each other, and Truly Caring for each other.

Every great opportunity begins with a Yes!

I smiled when I read District Director, Debbie Williams’ article in the September Newsletter. I remember saying ‘Yes!’ for various roles –

• Secretary, VPE, President at London Cardinals.
• Area Director B6, Division B ‘Governor’ (Now Director and in those days, Division B was all of London’s 40 odd clubs!)

Each role was exhilarating and I was  lucky to have support, such as my Division Governor mentor, Andy O’Sullivan!…….After those roles, I took a rest!

Look beyond your club

Little did any of us know that fellow London Cardinals founder member Simon Bucknall would be a 3 time International Speech Contest   Champion, the  first time being 2006 when we were part of District 71,  which was  The British Isles  –  more than 300 clubs!

I went to my 1^st  International Convention in Washington D.C. with son Michael,  to support Simon, along with other ‘Cardinalians’ – What a wonderful experience…….

My 2^nd International Convention was 2014, Kuala Lumpur.  It’s my dear wife Judy’s home town, and it was  a ‘No brainer’ to go. How lucky to be  in the auditorium to see one of the greatest speeches in the World Championship of Public Speaking  ‘I see something’ by Dananjaya Hettiararchi.  He did an online workshop for London Cardinals on a Sunday afternoon in 2024 – What a delightful chap!

In Kuala Lumpur, I  hooked up with the incoming District 91 inaugural District Leadership Team, as I felt it was time for me to give something back. Hilary Briggs, District Director, asked me to be Chair District Alignment Committee, a  role I held for 5 years. I  enjoyed the role, liaising with District Leadership and attending District Conferences and of course, always being supported in the role.

My 3^rd  International Convention in 2017 was perhaps the most memorable. Simon was District International Speech Contest Champion for the 3^rd  time.   The International Convention was in Vancouver and I went  with Judy and our daughter Sarah.  Vancouver is a lovely place and even better, Simon came 2^nd in the World Championship! The best moment ever in Toastmasters!

So proud

London Cardinals was so successful, regularly 50-60 membership  until around 2016……and then  we started leaking members for no apparent reason. When COVID hit, we were struggling at 20ish  members. I am so proud of our leaders since, such as Zeph Fanton, Mo Al Bayati, Marijana Bosniak, Joel Morales, Lai Yee and Preety Gheera. Through their leadership, we survived  COVID, with inspiring online meetings and have   thrived since as an innovative  hybrid club (which enables me to retain my membership!)

And so to today

Last year, I volunteered to support a corporate club, FTI Consulting, in their autumn contests.  It’s where I first met Debbie Williams, who was also supporting them.

Over Christmas, Debbie invited me to chair the District Humorous Speech Contest at the District Conference in May. It was so much fun,  attending a District Conference once more, chairing the Contest and meeting up with Toastmaster pals, such as Seema Menon, Jean Gamester, Vanessa King and  Lynne Gayer.

Soon after Seema, now Programme Quality Director, invited me to be District Chief Judge for 2025/2026. I wasn’t sure what it entailed but  I followed the mantra of just say ‘Yes!

What are my reflections over 21 years?

1. It’s about Camaraderie.

I reflect so fondly on the friendships old and new,  from 2004 to today…..and tomorrow!

2. It’s about Support

I could not have delivered any of the Toastmaster roles without support and  I strive to give support as best I can.

3. It’s about saying ‘Yes!’

By saying yes, I have had wonderful experiences, I have  been  to places I could only have dreamt of and my Life has been enriched……… Try it some time!