My dear Toastmasters,
February has been an energising month across the district, especially through our recent District Officer Training sessions. These were not just training sessions, but engaging, hands-on experiences filled with games, shared learning and powerful conversations on accountability while recalibrating our Club Success Plans. It was inspiring to see our district officers reflect, realign and recommit to supporting member growth with innovative ideas.
If you are on the anvil, wondering whether to step into a leadership role, don’t hesitate. Leadership in Toastmasters is not about having all the answers; it is about learning together and growing together. Each of us are on the learning path together. We make mistakes, learn from it, bounce thoughts with our mentors and peers and progress. Every role is an opportunity to discover strengths you didn’t know you had and a safe space to learn.
Contest Season Is Here– Say Yes to the Challenge
Contest season is upon us and there are abundant resources available on our District website to help you prepare. If that small voice asks, “Am I good enough?” respond with confidence:
I am awesome and ready for it. Dream big. Build the castle in the air and start laying the foundations. Reach out to our chief judge, Paul Walsh, watch the contest podcast episodes with world champions on our District 91’s Ditch the Nerves podcast as well as tips to run a successful contest on our District 91 You Tube channel
Keep Moving Forward on Your Pathways Journey
Earlier this year, I encouraged you to check where you are in your Pathways journey and work with your Vice President Education to plan your next milestone. I hope you are progressing steadily. If you need a burst of motivation, join the Pathways session held in the third week of each month to re-energise and stay on track.
We also hosted a Distinguished Toastmaster drop-in session. If you missed it, you can catch up on demand through our District 91 YouTube channel
And don’t forget to submit your level completions on Base Camp so your club can benefit from incentives.
Exciting Educational Developments Ahead
As part of the evolving Pathways experience, members will soon see new opportunities to learn, explore and connect Toastmasters heritage with modern communication needs, as announced by Toastmasters International:
2026 – Vintage Paths
Two new paths will allow members to step into Toastmasters history.
· Basic Training for Toastmasters will feature content first introduced by Ralph C. Smedley in 1943.
· The Communication Series: Entertaining + Storytelling will include the Competent Communication manual along with The Entertaining Speaker and Storytelling Advanced Communication manuals.
These paths will be available for purchase after completing Level 1 in any other path. Members will access the classic material on Base Camp, with options to view online or download and print. Completion will count toward Distinguished Club Program credit and provide new credentials and badges at every level.
If you haven’t yet registered to Pathways, then don’t hesitate. You could be missing some amazing developments which will propel you to become a fantastic communicator and leader. Go to your Vice President of Education if you need help and sign up today!!
Club Officer Training Let’s Finish Strong
I request all club officers to complete a minimum of three hours of Club Officer Training before 28 February. These sessions equip you with the tools to better support your members, strengthen club quality and take your club to the next level.
Mentoring – A Promising Beginning
Our maiden mentoring initiative has been progressing well, with encouraging participation and meaningful mentor–mentee connections forming across the district. It is wonderful to see members supporting one another’s growth and building confidence together, the true spirit of Toastmasters in action.
Root to Rise Conference –Your Moment to Reimagine Growth
Our upcoming District Conference, Root to Rise, is designed to help us grow strong foundations and rise with purpose in a world of constant change. Early bird tickets are available until 28 February and I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity.
This year’s conference will feature:
· Inspiring speakers including published authors, playwrights, and individuals who have disrupted norms and successfully reinvented themselves, a timely message in today’s fast-changing world.
· A thought-provoking panel discussion on leadership in the age of AI.
· A dedicated AI learning stream and opportunities to interact with innovative product developers shaping the future.
· Rich networking, shared learning and moments of celebration after the district International Speech and Evaluation contests across our district community.
It promises to be a space where tradition meets transformation, perfectly aligned with our theme of rooting ourselves in strong values while rising to meet tomorrow’s challenges.
Celebrating Achievements
Congratulations to our Triple Crown achievers, members who completed three or more education awards this toastmaster year.
January’26 additional winners
Elzbieta Pawlowska from Gloucester Speakers
Ange de Lumiere from Northavon Speakers Toastmasters Club
February’26 Triple Crown Winners
Mark A. Yansen from London Corinthians Toastmasters
Keep shining and growing on your toastmaster journey. Each of you will help your club become distinguished and feature on the leaderboard while gaining incentive points for your club.
Let us continue to stay accountable to the goals we set, support one another in achieving them and embrace every opportunity to grow as communicators and leaders.
Together, let’s step forward with confidence, build strong roots and rise.
Warm regards,
Seema Menon, DTM
Program Quality Director, District 91
