Program Quality Director

My dear Toastmasters,

As October marks Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s take a moment to check in with ourselves and with each other. Sometimes, a simple “How are you really doing?” can make a world of difference. At Toastmasters, we’re more than just speakers and leaders, we’re a community that listens, supports and lifts one another. Remember, self-care isn’t selfish; it’s how we sustain the energy to grow and guide others. You matter and your well being is important. After months of planning, it’s now time to see those plans come to life as contests, trainings and celebrations unfold across our District.

Contest Season in Full Swing

Our club, area and division contests are in full motion and what a joy it’s been to watch members bring their humour, creativity and confidence to the stage! If you’re organizing or participating, make sure you visit the District 91 Contest Resources page for all the materials you need, from checklists to scripts. And if any ambiguity arises, remember to refer to the latest Toastmasters International Contest Rulebook to keep everything fair, fun and by the book.

Pathways: Exciting Enhancements Ahead

With the exciting changes to Pathways announced by Toastmasters International, this is the perfect time for the 16% of our members who haven’t yet started to explore the program. The enhanced education experience offers new opportunities to strengthen your communication, develop leadership skills, and achieve your personal goals.
It’s never too late to begin, your next milestone could be just one speech away!

Celebrating Our October Triple Crown Winners

Congratulations to our Triple Crown achievers for October, members who completed three or more education awards this year:

• Karen Bailey, Worcester Speakers
• Lydia McDowall, The Speakers of Croydon
• Massimo Guadagnino, Liberty Speakers Club & Beckenham Communicators
• Nathan Holmes, South West Speakers
• Peter Francis, Tube Talk Toastmasters

Your pins will be awarded at Flow with the Fall in November, well done for leading the way!

Ditch the Nerves Podcast – Episode 1 Live

We’re thrilled to announce that the District 91 “Ditch the Nerves” podcast has officially launched! In the first episode, Morag Mathieson, DTM, Past International President (2023–24), speaks about “The Magic of Inclusive Leadership” — sharing inspiring insights on confidence, connection, and the true essence of leadership that uplifts others.
Watch it now: Episode 1 with Morag Mathieson 

Episode 2 was released on 25th October’25. We will be releasing two episodes every month. Please share your feedback and suggestions on who you’d like to see interviewed on the podcast by writing to us at podcast@d91toastmasters.org.uk. 

Toastmasters has always been a safe space for members to try new things, experiment and grow into confident communicators and inspiring leaders and this podcast is another step in that journey. 

Mentor Buddy Programme – Mentors Needed

Over 60 members have registered as mentees, now we’re calling on experienced toastmasters to step up as mentors. If you’ve ever been guided by someone who believed in you, now’s your chance to be that spark for others. Your experience could be the key that unlocks someone’s growth.

Looking Ahead – Follow Through and Flourish

Corporate Club Officer Training in November – Learn from Global Leaders!

Inviting all Corporate Club Officers to join us in November for an inspiring Corporate Club Officer Training Series featuring top global Toastmasters leaders including Aletta Rochat, Gauri Seshadri, Jean Gamester, Morag Mathieson, Pat Johnson, and Lilian Shaftacola.

Gain practical tools to:

• Reignite engagement and retain members
• Build strong leadership pipelines
• Elevate your club’s visibility and value within your organisation

Multiple sessions available across early and mid-November.

Featured Speakers:
– Aletta Rochat, DTM – Toastmasters International President 2025–26
– Gauri Seshadri, DTM – Toastmasters First Vice President 2025–26
– Jean Gamester, DTM – Toastmasters Second Vice President 2025–26
– Morag Mathieson, DTM – Past International President 2023–24
– Pat Johnson, DTM – Past International President 2010–2011, Author of A Handbook for Building and Sustaining Vibrant Toastmaster Programs in Corporations
– Lilian Shaftacola, DTM – Toastmasters Region 10 Advisor

The second round of Club Officer Training runs from November 1 to February 28. It’s the perfect opportunity for club officers to refresh their skills, share experiences, and continue leading with confidence and purpose.

Check the D91 calendar for COTs starting in November.

Flow with the Fall- District Contests Mid Year Event on 23 November 2025

We’re counting down to our District Half-Year Celebration: “Flow with the Fall” a day dedicated to connections, celebrations and inspiration.

Venue: London South Bank University
Date: Sunday, 23 November 2025

Get ready for two dynamic, interactive keynotes, the District Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contest finals and an atmosphere buzzing with learning and laughter.

This is your chance to connect with fellow Toastmasters from across the District, cheer for our finalists and celebrate the milestones we’ve achieved together.

Register now and be part of the experience: Flow with the Fall Event

Get involved:

• Support the Conference Team [https://d91toastmasters.org.uk/members/d91-conference/]

District Q1 Incentive Winners Announced! 

And finally, we’re excited to announce the winners of our District Quarterly Incentives for Q1 (July – September 2025)!

Club Group	Incentive Tiers	Club Name	Tier Points	Total Club Points
Pinnacle Clubs	Pathways Pioneers	Sustainable Speakers Online	410	430
Pinnacle Clubs	Pathways Pioneers	London Olympians Speakers Toastmasters Club	230	260
Pinnacle Clubs	Pathways Pioneers	Hamwic Speakers	130	170
Pinnacle Clubs	Leadership Innovators	West London Speakers Club	50	145
Pinnacle Clubs	Leadership Innovators	Hamwic Speakers	20	170
Pinnacle Clubs	Leadership Innovators	London Victorians	20	120
Pinnacle Clubs	Excellence Champions	West London Speakers Club	35	145
Pinnacle Clubs	Excellence Champions	London Olympians Speakers Toastmasters Club	30	260
Pinnacle Clubs	Excellence Champions	Sustainable Speakers Online	20	430
Powerhouse Clubs	Pathways Pioneers	City Limits Speakers	380	400
Powerhouse Clubs	Pathways Pioneers	Voice of Wales Speakers Club	160	210
Powerhouse Clubs	Pathways Pioneers	Worthing Speakers	150	195
Powerhouse Clubs	Leadership Innovators	Lloyds Banking Group Toastmasters	55	140
Powerhouse Clubs	Leadership Innovators	Voice of Wales Speakers Club	20	210
Powerhouse Clubs	Leadership Innovators	London Cardinals	20	170
Powerhouse Clubs	Excellence Champions	Worthing Speakers	45	195
Powerhouse Clubs	Excellence Champions	Lloyds Banking Group Toastmasters	45	140
Powerhouse Clubs	Excellence Champions	Voice of Wales Speakers Club	30	210
Rising Stars	Pathways Pioneers	Casterbridge Speakers	170	200
Rising Stars	Pathways Pioneers	db Toastmasters – Canary Wharf	140	160
Rising Stars	Pathways Pioneers	Experience French	140	160
Rising Stars	Leadership Innovators	Tube Talk Toastmasters	20	160
Rising Stars	Leadership Innovators	Northavon Speakers Toastmasters Club	20	110
Rising Stars	Leadership Innovators	UK Speakers and Leaders Toastmasters	20	70
Rising Stars	Excellence Champions	Tube Talk Toastmasters	40	160
Rising Stars	Excellence Champions	Casterbridge Speakers	30	200
Rising Stars	Excellence Champions	Northavon Speakers Toastmasters Club	30	110
Spark Clubs	Pathways Pioneers	Salisbury Speakers	140	190
Spark Clubs	Pathways Pioneers	Reading Verizon Toastmasters	70	90
Spark Clubs	Pathways Pioneers	Verizon EMEA Online Toastmasters Club	70	90
Spark Clubs	Leadership Innovators	Salisbury Speakers	20	190
Spark Clubs	Leadership Innovators	Woodford Green Speakers	20	100
Spark Clubs	Leadership Innovators	Spinnaker Speakers	20	40
Spark Clubs	Excellence Champions	Salisbury Speakers	30	190
Spark Clubs	Excellence Champions	Woodford Green Speakers	30	100
Spark Clubs	Excellence Champions	Tottenham Speakers Club	30	90

A huge congratulations to all our achievers, your dedication and drive have truly set the tone for a fantastic year ahead. This is just the beginning, with three more quarters to go, there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to shine!

Winners will receive an email shortly with details on how to claim their incentives.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Let’s keep the momentum going and make the rest of the year even more inspiring

 

As we move through this next quarter, let’s follow through on the plans we set in Q1. Stay focused on your goals and even if the path shifts, keep moving toward your purpose. Remember to pause, check in with yourself and those around you, and celebrate every small win along the way.

Together, let’s keep connecting, caring and celebrating growth – the Toastmasters way.

With gratitude,

Seema Menon, DTM
Program Quality Director, District 91

 

Club Success Plans (CSPs)

Congratulations to the 160 clubs, 91% of our District, who have submitted their Club Success Plan as of last night! These clubs are firmly on the path to becoming Distinguished. An incredible 130 clubs submitted by the 7 September deadline (Full list below), thanks to the dedication of Division and Area Directors working hand in hand with club officers.

Training Success
With the first round of COTs complete, I’m proud to share that 21 clubs achieved 7 out of 7 officers trained, these clubs will receive Club Officer pins from the District in recognition of their commitment to leading with excellence. Similarly, we achieved a 100% turnout at District Officer Training, with all the District Officers trained across June, July and September.

Learning & Development

• The Trainers Bureau [https://d91toastmasters.org.uk/members/resources/trainer-bureau/] is being shaped to connect skilled trainers with clubs. We’ve organised Drop-in sessions on contests, officer roles, club success planning and have more scheduled for the next quarter.
• The Mentor Buddy programme [https://d91toastmasters.org.uk/members/resources/mentoring/] has launched, ensuring every member benefits from the power of mentoring.

Contests & Conference

As we enter contest season, I look forward to seeing our clubs, areas, and divisions shine with talented Toastmasters bringing their very best to every stage, at every level.

I’m thrilled to announce our District Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contest will take place on Sunday, 23 November 2025, at London South Bank University, themed “Flow with the Fall.” Please book your place once details are out, it promises to be a day of inspiration and celebration.

Looking further ahead, save the date for our District Conference “Root to Rise” on 2–3 May 2026.

Celebrating Achievements
Congratulations to our newest Distinguished Toastmasters:

• Elaine Kelly, db Toastmasters Canary Wharf
• Massimo Guadagnino, Beckenham Communicators

And to our Triple Crown winner in September:

• Jane Houghton, Sussex Online Speakers

All recognitions and pins will be awarded at Flow with the Fall in November.

Tools, Incentives & Opportunities
We’re making club life simpler and more rewarding:

• Contest poster and certificate templates [https://linktr.ee/marketingd91toastmasters]
• Quarterly Incentives Leaderboard (https://d91toastmasters.org.uk/incentives-leaderboard/) September results to be announced soon!

Get involved:

• Support the Conference Team [https://d91toastmasters.org.uk/members/d91-conference/]

No	Division	Area	Club Name
1	A	1	Shilling Speakers
2	A	1	Solent Speakers Club
3	A	1	Spinnaker Speakers
4	A	17	Ascot & Bracknell Speakers
5	A	17	Reading Speakers Club
6	A	17	Reading Verizon Toastmasters
7	A	17	Wokingham Speakers
8	A	19	Armada Speakers
9	A	19	Casterbridge Speakers
10	A	19	South West Speakers
11	A	42	Chaseside Speakers Toastmasters Club – J.P.Morgan Chase empl
12	A	42	Ferndown Speakers
13	A	42	Hallmark Speakers
14	A	42	Salisbury Online Speakers
15	A	46	Basingstoke Speakers
16	A	46	Microsoft Speakers Club
17	A	46	Newbury Speakers Club
18	A	46	OpenText Speakers Club
19	A	46	Wessex Speakers Club
20	A	62	Bath Spa Toastmasters
21	A	62	Bristol Central Speakers
22	A	62	Northavon Speakers Toastmasters Club
23	B	6	Berkeley Square Speakers Toastmasters Club
24	B	6	Centurion Toastmasters
25	B	6	London Corinthians Toastmasters
26	B	6	London Olympians Speakers Toastmasters Club
27	B	6	Polish Your Polish
28	B	8	Clapham Connectors
29	B	8	Experience French
30	B	8	Legacy Speakers Brixton
31	B	8	LSBU Public Speakers Club
32	B	9	Central London Toastmasters
33	B	9	Excalibur Speakers
34	B	9	Kings Cross Speakers
35	B	18	104 London Debaters
36	B	18	London Cardinals
37	B	18	London Victorians
38	B	18	PA Consulting London
39	B	52	Data Science Speakers Club
40	B	52	Grosvenor Square Speakers
41	B	52	Holborn Speakers
42	B	52	VMO2 Toastmasters Club
43	C	2	City Limits Speakers
44	C	2	Deutsche Bank Toastmasters London
45	C	2	LSEG London Toastmasters Club
46	C	5	Accenture Speakers (London)
47	C	5	Bloomberg London Toastmasters
48	C	5	Columbia Threadneedle Investments
49	C	25	City of London Toastmasters Club
50	C	25	ION Group EMEA Toastmasters
51	C	25	Springer Nature Toastmasters
52	C	34	Connected Speakers London
53	C	34	FTI Consulting UK
54	C	34	Lloyds Banking Group Toastmasters
55	C	34	St Pauls Speakers
56	C	58	Bayes Toastmasters
57	D	14	Camberley Speakers
58	D	14	Farnham Speakers Club
59	D	14	Godalming Speakers
60	D	14	Guildford Speakers Club
61	D	14	Woking Speakers Toastmasters Club
62	D	20	London Athenian Speakers Toastmasters Club
63	D	20	Medidata EMEA
64	D	20	Richmond and Wandsworth Communicator’s Club
65	D	20	Sustainable Speakers Online
66	D	20	West London Speakers Club
67	D	21	Burnham Speakers
68	D	21	Windsor Speakers Club
69	D	29	JAL Richmond Leaders
70	D	29	Riverside Communicators
71	D	29	Sky Osterley Toastmasters Club
72	D	29	Trojan Speakers Club
73	D	53	Epsom Speakers Club
74	D	53	Sutton Speakeasy
75	D	53	The Reigate Rhetoric
76	D	53	UK Speakers and Leaders Toastmasters
77	D	61	Harrovian Speakers Toastmasters
78	D	61	HOD Speakers Club
79	D	61	TJXpressions
80	D	61	Watford Speakers
81	D	61	Wembley Stadium Speakers
82	H	15	Croydon Communicators Club
83	H	15	Liberty Speakers Club
84	H	15	Purley Speakers
85	H	15	The Speakers of Croydon Club
86	H	32	County Communicators
87	H	32	Worthing Speakers
88	H	35	Beckenham Communicators
89	H	35	Lewisham Speakers Club
90	H	37	Experience Yoruba
91	H	37	Kent Speakers Club
92	H	37	Tunbridge Wells Speakers Club
93	H	55	Brighton & Hove Speakers Club
94	H	55	Eastbourne Speakers Club
95	H	55	Gatwick Communicators
96	H	55	Lewes Speakers Club
97	J	4	Aylesbury Speakers
98	J	4	Berkhamsted Speakers Club
99	J	4	Thame Speakers
100	J	7	Bicester Achievers Toastmasters Club
101	J	7	North Oxford Speakers
102	J	7	Oxford Orators Club
103	J	7	Oxford Speakers Club
104	J	7	Witney Speakers Club
105	J	10	Cardiff Toastmasters
106	J	10	Valleys and Vale Speakers
107	J	10	Voice of Wales Speakers Club
108	J	10	Wye Knot Speakers
109	J	11	Cheltenham Speakers
110	J	11	Gloucester Speakers
111	J	11	Malvern Speakers
112	J	11	Worcester Speakers
113	J	22	Abingdon Speakers Club
114	J	22	Didcot Speakers Toastmasters Club
115	J	22	Infineum Milton Hill Speakers
116	J	22	Melting Pot Toastmasters
117	J	22	Toast Titans
118	L	16	PMI UK Toastmasters Club
119	L	23	Canary Wharf Communicators Club
120	L	23	HSBC 8CS London Toastmasters Club
121	L	23	London Toastmasters
122	L	23	MLP London Bridge Speakers
123	L	23	Moody’s Europe Toastmasters
124	L	27	Barking Toastmasters
125	L	27	db Toastmasters – Canary Wharf
126	L	27	Romford Speakers
127	L	27	Woodford Green Speakers
128	L	47	Wharf Speakers
129	L	56	Northern Lights Speakers Club
130	L	56	Winchmore Hill Speakers

As we celebrate these successes and prepare for the months ahead, let’s remind ourselves that every step we take, every role we embrace, every speech we give has the power to be a spark – a spark that inspires others to grow, to lead and to shine.

My dear Toastmasters,

As August draws to a close, I am filled with pride and gratitude for all the work that has taken place across our District this month. Today, on 30 August, our Division Directors came together in true collaboration to deliver a Last Chance Club Officer Training (COT) – giving every club officer ample opportunity to train and step into their roles with confidence.

With the first round of training finishing on 31 August, I want to extend heartfelt thanks to our Area Directors, Division Directors, presenters, zoom masters, timers and most importantly, to every club officer who took time out to train. Your efforts ensure that members gain value, goals are achieved and members see value in the programme. Together, you are building the foundation for success.

Club Success Plans – Leading the Way

I’m delighted to share that 53 clubs have already submitted their Club Success Plan (CSP). This is a fantastic achievement and a strong sign that these clubs are on track to become distinguished, especially as the Club Success Plan is a mandatory requirement this year.

The District deadline is 7 September 2025 and all clubs who submit by then will be part of our Program Quality Incentives (details coming soon!).

A special shout-out to our first two clubs in the District to achieve 6 goals in the Distinguished Club Program:

• Sustainable Speakers
• City Limits Speakers

Both online clubs, and both have already submitted their CSP – well done for leading the way!

Contest Season Begins

Next, we look forward to contest season!

• We’ve already hosted contest drop-in sessions with our Chief Judge and will continue these through September, with support from experienced Toastmasters.
• Whether your club is running contests for the first time or wants to elevate the member experience, help is at hand.
• Clubs that conduct contests will also be incentivised

📌 Save the Date: District Humorous Speech Contest & Table Topics Contest will be held in London on 23 November 2025.

Club Visits – Support in Action

Thank you to our Area Directors, who are out visiting clubs and sharing insights. Already, we’ve had 17 club visit reports, with the very first received from Area Director, Kelvin Lam for his visit of Bath Spa Toastmasters in July.

These visits are key to helping every club excel and you can expect your Area Director to connect with you soon, supporting your club’s next level of growth.

Pathways Enhancements

Exciting news! From October 2025, Pathways will be further enhanced to include Successful Club Series, Better Speaker Series and Leadership Excellence Series. Select advanced manuals will be integrated into Pathways. This is a great time to engage with Pathways.

Celebrating Achievements

Please join me in congratulating:

• Our new Distinguished Toastmasters:
  • Barbara Saph, DTM (District Alignment Chair, Salisbury Online Speakers), July 2025
  • Rupa Datta, DTM (District Parliamentarian, Wembley Stadium Speakers), August 2025
• Our Triple Crown winners for the months of July & August:
  • Leo Shkembi (City Limits Speakers)
  • Abhijeet S Rajadhyaksha (Hamwic Speakers)
  • Tundie Berczi (London Olympians)
  • Kevin Harrington (Reading Speakers)
  • Marc Lottig (Sustainable Speakers)
  • Anis G Rezaei (Sustainable Speakers)

Mentorship Matters

“Everyone needs a mentor. A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself and helps bring it out of you.”

We will be launching our Mentor Buddy program in September, reaching out to mentors across the District for support. Look out for details soon! I had the privilege of seeing my own mentor, Jean Gamester, get elected as the 2nd Vice President at the Toastmasters International Convention in Philadelphia.

Looking Ahead

In September, we will announce this year’s incentives, ensuring that every club, whether with fewer than 12 members or more than 40, has the opportunity to benefit. We’re also excited to launch our District’s Ditch the Nerves podcast and introduce amazing tools to create contest posters and certificates this September. So many exciting things are coming your way, all powered by the awesome hard work of our very own D91 Toastmasters behind the scenes!

As we step into September, we will face challenges and setbacks along the way. But by supporting each other, leading with courage and moving forward together, we will achieve not only our individual goals but also our shared District mission. I want to leave you with the words of Rocky Balboa: “It ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” 

With gratitude,

Seema Menon

Program Quality Director 2025-26

District 91 Toastmasters

Dear District 91 Members,

July marks a fresh beginning and I couldn’t be more excited to step into this year with you as your Program Quality Director. This year, we’re building on the amazing work done last year with an additional focus on making your Toastmasters experience feel supported and simplified, a year where you’re not overwhelmed, but energised by your journey.

Key Initiatives in the pipeline to Boost Your Learning & Leadership

✅ Trainers Bureau: Need a dynamic speaker or workshop facilitator? We’re launching a Trainers Bureau to connect you with quality trainers across the district.

✅ Mentoring Buddy System : Because growth is better when it’s shared. This new programme pairs club officers and members with a buddy to lean on and learn from.

✅ Online Club Summit : Coming soon! A space for online clubs to collaborate, share wins, troubleshoot challenges and feel connected.

✅ Drop-In Support Sessions: From crafting Club Success Plans to understanding the VPE role and planning successful contests, we’re offering short, focused sessions to help you thrive.

✅ District Podcast: Fresh inspiration in your ears! Featuring member stories, leadership lessons and Toastmasters tips to keep you motivated.

Save the Date: District Contests Are Changing!

We’re bringing back a mid-year connection with the District Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contests happening this November 2025. It’s a great opportunity to connect, compete, and celebrate talent early in the year.

To help you run effective contests, we’ll be kicking things off with contest training in August, stay tuned!

The Distinguished Club Program(DCP): Why Your Success Plan Matters

This year, the Club Success Plan is a mandatory requirement for earning any Distinguished Club recognition. Why? Because success doesn’t happen by accident, it starts with intention and planning. This year, you have the opportunity to become a Smedley Distinguished Club too if you achieve all 10 DCP points.

Please make a note of submission deadlines:

• Club Success Plans: 7 September 2025
• Area Success Plans: 10 August 2025
• Division Success Plans: 3 August 2025

Let’s aim for early, thoughtful submissions that set our clubs up for success. Remember it is a dynamic document which you work throughout the year.

Here are the winners of the Beat The Clock Award:

• City of London Toastmasters Club
• Berkeley Square Speakers Toastmasters Club
• London Business School Public Speaking Club
• London Olympians Speakers Toastmasters Club
• Tube Talk Toastmasters
• London Athenian Speakers Toastmasters Club
• London Corinthians Toastmasters
• Reading Speakers Club
• Excalibur Speakers
• Guildford Speakers Club
• Kent Speakers Club
• Voice of Wales Speakers Club
• Hamwic Speakers
• 1st London Toastmasters
• Worthing Speakers
• London Victorians
• Data Science Speakers Club
• Bristol Central Speakers
• db Toastmasters – Canary Wharf
• London Toastmasters
• Legacy Speakers Brixton
• Toast Titans
• I&C Toastmasters Club
• Experience Yoruba

Mark Your Calendar – Our 2026 District Conference

Kindly block 2nd & 3rd May 2026 (first May bank holiday) in your diary for the Annual District Conference, a celebration of learning and collaboration you won’t want to miss. More details to follow soon

To every Toastmaster reading this, we are here to create the conditions for your growth.  Whether you’re chasing a new Pathway goal, rediscovering your confidence or stepping into leadership we’ve got your back. And all this is possible only with the help of my Program Quality Team who I’ll introduce to you soon.

Warm wishes,

Seema Menon
Program Quality Director, 2025–26

Dear Toastmasters

Time truly flies when you’re having fun!

As we approach the end of the Toastmaster’s year, please take note of this important reminder from Toastmasters International:

“Last-Minute Club Achievements?

All achievements (which include new or reinstated members, and award submissions) for the program year must be received no later than 11:59:59 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT)/Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) -6 on June 30.

Submissions received on or after July 1, 12 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time (MDT)/Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) -6 will be applied to the 2025–2026 Program Year.

Additional details, including how to submit documents to World Headquarters, are outlined in the Distinguished Club Program Manual”.

This is also a perfect moment to say thank you. It has been a fantastic year, and I’m truly grateful for all that we’ve achieved together. Your dedication and teamwork have been invaluable.

Let’s keep the momentum going; let’s finish strong right through to 30th June, and I look forward to seeing you in the next program year.

With gratitude,

Debbie Williams
Program Quality Director 2024-2025
District 91