When I first walked into a Toastmasters meeting, my goal was simple, beat stage fright. I never imagined that journey would one day lead me to a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.
Over the years I said yes to roles that stretched me, Vice President Membership, Vice President Public Relations, Club President, Area Director, District Public Relations Manager and so on. I entered contests and reached the District stage. Step by step, those experiences earned me my Distinguished Toastmaster award and, more importantly, the confidence to serve beyond Toastmasters.
For a long time, I had not applied these skills outside our organisation. That changed when I started helping my local Indian association and started to help them as a volunteer. Apart from taking on MC roles, I joined their executive committee and shared what I had learned about structure, teamwork, and good governance, and members elected me President.
I remembered how there is a Club Constitution for Clubs of Toastmasters International. With help from my AI assistant, I drafted a constitution tailored to our association, then worked with our local council to get it formally approved. From that day, our meetings ran on a clear constitution, agendas were published, decisions were recorded, and debates followed a parliamentary style. We voted the way I had seen at club and District councils. Clarity replaced confusion, progress replaced politics.
The association grew in membership and credibility. We were recognised as the Best Community Group in the county. I had the privilege of meeting leaders from across sectors, including council leaders. Most of all, volunteers found their voice and new leaders emerged.
One day an email arrived, an invitation to a Royal Garden Party. I thought it was spam and nearly binned it, then paused. Who would know my full name and address. A quick search confirmed it was genuine. I attended the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, and it was an experience like no other. It was a profound honour, and a moment to reflect on how far a simple yes had taken me.
What I learned
- The leadership skills that we learn in Toastmasters to build strong clubs can also be used outside.
- A clear constitution and fair process create trust and momentum.
- Say yes to roles, projects, and contests, and doors begin to open.
- You are not alone: mentors and peers across Toastmasters will guide you.
Standing in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, I realised this wasn’t just my achievement, it was the result of every speech, every role, every mentor, and every meeting I said “yes” to.
Toastmasters didn’t just help me overcome stage fear, it gave me the courage to lead, the structure to serve, and the vision to build something lasting.
So when the next opportunity comes your way – a club role, a project, a leadership position, say yes. Because you never know where that “yes” might lead…
