Allen Paul

Spotlight on Division Director – Sushil Shah

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We asked Division Director Sushil Shah the following questions:

1. Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to join Toastmasters?
2. Can you share a surprising or funny moment from your Toastmasters journey?
3. If you could describe your leadership style as a movie genre, what would it be and why?
4. What’s the most unusual or creative idea a team member has brought to the table under your leadership?
5. What’s one thing you always do before a Toastmasters meeting that might surprise us?
6. If you weren’t spending time leading the Division, what hobby or activity would we find you absorbed in?
7. If you were stranded on a desert island and could listen to only three speeches from your Toastmasters experience, which would they be and why?
8. If you could have any superpower to help you in your role as Division Director, what would it be?
9. What are some exciting plans or events on the horizon for the Division?
10. and finally if anyone was considering being a future division director, what would you say to them

 

Watch the interview below:

Edited transcript

1. Can you share a bit about you’re your background and what led you to join toastmasters.
Hi I’m Sushil I am currently the Division 8 Director, I’ve been Toastmaster for about 8 years and my background comes from being an IT professional. In 2016, I was at the point that I was looking to change direction and progress my career. What it led to was somebody asking me “do you know how to do an interview?”, so I said “I know how to do an interview but when I’ve done them they give me a lot of feedback”. The enquirer asked me if I had heard of something called a Toastmasters. So I did some research, and I happened to stumble upon a club that was on my commute to work, but it was neither near my home not near work but I fell so much in love with that club. From the first day, I was absorbed and observed to see what it was that I was looking for, the next year I took committee role VP education, then president, then area director and the story continues till today. I am still enjoying toastmasters and being division director, it has been life changing for me, literally. I got a new job in a new company, I worked for a couple of big named technological companies and I’m currently working as a senior leadership in one of the largest companies in the world. That’s the journey for me in Toastmaster.

2. If you were stranded on a desert island and could listen to only three of your speeches, which would they be and why?
I don’t like listening to my voice, therefore the three speeches I would listen to again are:

  • One from past president and our current global director, she came to Toastmasters meeting wearing a white sari on the occasion of Orna South Indian festival and she talked so passionately about her mother and she showed a photo frame. That visual that really stuck in my mind.
  • The second one was delivered by another Toastmaster, and she talked about how she was able to being a Samarian and a person who was suffering from suicidal thoughts as she booked back into her life that was so inspiring and that she took out the inside outside on the substance element of the story.
  • And, the most memorable speech in my life, was a speech about Bob Marley’s speech and her dad giving her advice to don’t worry be happy. I could listen to that speech endlessly on a loop. There was so much drama in her speech, so much visual speech, and the way she brought across the speech to the audience that was amazing.

These 3 speeches on a desert island inspire me to do another speech in the next meeting of Toastmasters.

3. If you weren’t spending time leading this division, what’s hobbies and activity will we find you absorbed in?
Two hobbies that comes to mind is cricket and travelling. Cricket got me into Toastmasters, I still play cricket on weekends even during winter and summer. One of the ambitions that I have is to travel from London to India in a car someday before I complete my toastmaster journey. I will want to do a speech on that journey.

4. What’s one thing that you always do before toastmasters meeting that might surprise us?
I always try to go on easy speak, look at the agenda, and see who’s coming. If I see the agenda is not complete, I can enquire to the Toastmaster of the evening. Why it’s surprising? Because a couple of times when I’ve turned up at the meeting I didn’t know that the meeting was only table topics or didn’t know who the guest were, therefore by looking at the agenda I can find out and I can push to the Toastmaster to complete the agenda. I would recommend others to do that, and maybe volunteer yourself for roles to finalise the agenda, or encourage the Toastmaster to finalise the agenda as that is their role as Toastmaster.

5. If you could describe your leadership style what would it be and why?
My leadership style is unsurprisingly: Wolf of Wall Street. If you look behind the scenes, he is actually supported by trusted friends, his work is taken forward by his friends, and he relies on them to take it forward and to give him the feedback to drive it forward. My leadership style is always to rely on people I can trust and they can rely on me back and so trust and collaboration is important to my leadership style.

6. If anyone was thinking about being a future division director what would you say?
Just do it. What I did to understand when I took this position, is identify my learning path that I wanted to do, which was leadership journey. One advice, as I work in a full time job and I wanted to do justice to this role, was to rely on the team members like the area directors and club presidents that you work with. The biggest skill that you gain is time management and understanding the importance of collaboration and working with the people that you trust and they trust and depend on you, that’s the biggest leadership growth. So if you are thinking to be division director, go for it,  you won’t regret it.

Confessions of a PRM: A Conversation with Allen

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What inspired you to take on the role of District Public Relations Manager?
Back in the day, I was Public Relations Manager in District 20. So, when I moved to the UK and joined Cardiff Toastmasters, my mentor Jean knew my love for creativity and communication. She encouraged me to step into this role. Honestly, it felt like the perfect blend: using my creativity, working with a fantastic team, and having a bit of fun along the way. What more could I ask for?

What are some common mistakes clubs make in PR, and how can they fix them?
The classic one? Thinking PR is just the VP PR’s job. Nope! PR is everyone’s responsibility – yes, even you reading this. Every time you talk about Toastmasters to your friends, share a photo, or post something on social media, you’re doing PR. So next time you finish a meeting buzzing with inspiration, don’t just keep it to yourself – tell someone!

How can clubs improve their public image and attract more guests?
Word of mouth still reigns supreme. You don’t need a viral TikTok dance to get guests through the door (although… never say never). Just share how Toastmasters helped you – at work, in interviews, or even at weddings when you had to give that speech. Combine that with a strong presence on social media, and boom – your club starts to shine.

What role does social media play in your PR efforts, and which platforms have been most effective?
Instagram is my personal favourite – it’s where my creative side thrives. But for District 91, Facebook is still king. It’s where most of our members hang out. That said, I’m keeping my eye on Instagram – it’s definitely where the future’s heading. So don’t be surprised if you see more reels, stories, and Canva magic popping up soon!

If you could launch any PR campaign for Toastmasters, what would it be?
Funny you should ask – I’m working with our Club Growth Director Seema on something exciting! I previously ran a campaign called “Advance Your Career,” and we’re looking to bring it back. It aligns perfectly with our current “Ditch the Nerves” campaign, especially for those job-hunting or preparing for interviews. It’s PR with purpose – helping people grow professionally while discovering the benefits of Toastmasters.

What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned in this role?
You’d think it’s design or social media algorithms… but no, it’s people management. You get questions, feedback, complaints, sometimes all in the same email! – and it teaches you patience, empathy, and how to keep calm. It’s been incredibly rewarding.

If you could have dinner with any famous PR figure, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Honestly? I don’t know any famous PR figures! I work in tech – I’m all about software and solutions. But I’ve learned PR through doing: from being a club President to handling marketing for events. I’ve taken inspiration from fellow Toastmasters, creatives, and anyone who’s made an impact. So dinner? I’d love to sit down with someone who’s making waves – not necessarily famous, but definitely inspiring. Plus, I promise to bring dessert.

Finding Freedom Behind Bars: How Public Speaking is Changing Lives at HMP Grendon

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The main building, completed in 1962, at HMP Grendon. Photograph: Ben Gurr/The Times

A couple of years ago my club, Bicester Speakers, was lucky enough to be invited by Beckenham Communicators to take part in a workshop at HMP Springhill. Springhill is a male, open prison and we spent a day there doing various activities culminating in the residents writing a speech on a topic of their choice. It was a fantastic experience; really rewarding and I felt quite privileged to be there and see some of these men beat their fears and stand up and speak. When the prison asked us to organise another session, I jumped at the chance to take the lead. 

It was another 18 months before I met with one of the prison officers to make some plans. I turned up at the gate of HMP Springhill for the meeting but they didn’t have any record of me on the visitors list at the gate. “Are you sure you’re at the right prison? “ I was asked. It turned out that I wasn’t and I should have been at the second prison on the site, HMP Grendon. Grendon is a therapeutic, category B, male prison. It’s very different to Springhill. At Springhill the men are able to freely walk around the grounds whilst Grendon is very much the high fences, gates and bars that we tend to associate with prisons. Now at the right prison, I was shown around and introduced to some of the men. I was made to feel extremely welcome by everyone. We made plans for something slightly different; rather than just a single workshop we were going to set up a group that would meet weekly for 60 to 90 minutes. 

It took a few more months to get through the MOJ vetting process but finally in August 2024, the Gaveliers met for an introductory meeting. I vividly remember walking into that first meeting. I didn’t know what to expect or how many men were going to be there. I walked into 13 expectant men wondering what they had let themselves in for. I base the sessions around Toastmasters with the primary aim being to give the men confidence; to help them speak out in the various group sessions they do, to express themselves without resorting to swearing, to speak coherently and concisely in parole hearings or anything along those lines. 

We started by doing classic ice breaker style exercises to build rapport in the group. Since those early meetings we’ve had prepared speeches including a wedding speech, we’ve run debates and table topics as well as running through specific things that have come up in their week.  

Over the last six months or so we’ve built a group where everybody feels safe; it’s a safe space to try things, to give them a go no matter how worried they are about them, to share concerns, to be vulnerable, to fail and try again, where everyone is wanting you to do well and nobody is judging and to know none of it is going to leave the room. The men are more than happy (after a little grumbling) to embrace anything that I throw at them. They are especially good at giving and receiving feedback.  

I get a huge amount out of the Gaveliers. I was scared when I turned up to that first session. I had no idea what I was walking into nor what to expect. It’s given me confidence to deal with different situations; to facilitate an unknown group of people and to take people as you find them with no preconceptions. I get such a sense of achievement from seeing the massive improvements the men have made, the enthusiasm they bring to all the sessions and their desire to improve. They are incredibly protective of the gavel club and I am so proud of them and their achievements. 

I’d recommend this type of opportunity to everyone. It doesn’t have to be a prison, it could be any group or organisation. It doesn’t have to be on a long term basis like I’ve set up at Grendon, it could just be a small number of sessions. As Toastmasters, we’ve all got quite a unique set of skills which can be both valuable to share and rewarding. 

HMP Grendon is a category B training prison which accommodates around 200 men with varying sentences in a therapeutic community. Prisoners take part in regular group meetings and activities designed to help them develop positive relationships, take an active role within their wing, reduce their risk of re-offending and improve their psychological wellbeing. 

 

 

Note: The  author prefers to remain anonymous.

February Highlights: Renew, Grow & Celebrate Success

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Dear District 91 Members,

I am delighted to bring you the latest updates as we continue our journey of growth and excellence! Your dedication and enthusiasm have been truly inspiring, and we are already seeing incredible progress in 2025.

 

Membership Renewals – Act Now!

With membership renewals open until 31st March, we encourage clubs to renew early to avoid last-minute system crashes. I had alluded to  Early Bird Renewal Incentive in my last month’s note. Renew 100% of your membership base by 10th March to receive a special incentive!

A big round of applause to the clubs that have already renewed—well done! If you are a member of a corporate club, now is the time to start the process, if you haven’t yet. If you need support, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

 

Talk Up Toastmasters & Bring a Friend – Still Up for Grabs!

The Talk Up Toastmasters incentive is in full swing! Add 5 new or dual or reinstated members to your club by 31st Marchand earn well-deserved recognition. Additionally, our Bring a Friend incentive continues—introduce 4 guests and showcase the power of Toastmasters! You would avail of a personal incentive too. 

 

Toastmasters Takes Over London – TFL Tube Campaign

From 10th March to 23rd March, Toastmasters will be featured across several London Underground stations: Bank, Brixton, Chiswick Park, Edgware Road, Holborn, Turnpike Lane, Waterloo, and Westminster. 

Something exciting is on the horizon! Help us spread the word—if you spot our poster in any of the tube stations mentioned above, snap a selfie and share it with us at win@d91toastmasters.org.uk. The selfies will be posted on our district socials, and a lucky member will win a special prize in our contest draw! Keep an eye out for our contest promo. 

 

Corporate Clubs & Open Houses – A Game Changer!

I had the opportunity to visit exciting Open House meetings at Accenture and Deutsche Bank, witnessing first-hand how corporate clubs are revitalizing and attracting new members. Open Houses and Speechcraft sessions are fantastic tools to energize your clubs—reach out if you’d like support in organizing one!

 

Building Sustainable Clubs – A Special Thanks!

I had the privilege of joining drop-in sessions with our Club Mentors and Club Coaches over the last few days. Their dedication in sustaining strong clubs is truly commendable. A huge thank you to our awesome Club Growth Team, who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support you on your path to excellence.

Let’s push forward, grow, and celebrate our successes together !

Warm regards,
Seema Menon
Club Growth Director
District 91 Toastmasters

A Year of Growth and Celebration: Our Plans for 2025 in District 91

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My dear toastmasters,

As the calendar turns to 2025, it’s a moment for us to reflect on our accomplishments and set our sights on exciting new horizons. Each year, our journey as Toastmasters is enriched by the goals we pursue, the connections we forge, and the personal growth we experience. I want to take a moment to celebrate the spirit of our Toastmasters community. 

From launching new clubs to helping members achieve their personal and professional goals, each one of you has played a vital role in shaping our success. Thank you very much for your dedication and passion!

We will continue our efforts in 2025 with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

1. Expanding Our Community: By chartering new clubs and welcoming new members, we will bring the benefits of Toastmasters to even more people across our region. 

2. Strengthening Our Community: Let’s foster environments where each of us feels supported and empowered to achieve our goals.

3. Celebrating Success: With a focus on quality meetings, engaging learning experiences and recognising achievements, we will champion excellence and pride in being part of District 91. 

As you set your personal and club goals for the year, know that you are not alone. Our district leadership team is here to support you every step of the way. Let’s dream boldly, work collaboratively, and celebrate every milestone along the journey. Wishing you and your loved ones a fantastic New Year filled with growth, connection and happiness!

 

Warm regards,

 
Seema Menon, DTM
D91 Club Growth Director 2024-25