Chris Arning

Real Benefits from a Virtual World

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By Anthony Garvey, Shilling Speakers & D91 International Speech Champion 2023

Online Clubs in District 91

Do you think the majority of Toastmasters clubs in District 91 are online only, face-to-face or hybrid clubs?  The answer may surprise you.

38% of clubs in our District are hybrid clubs, just 30% have fully returned to face-to-face meetings, while 16% of our clubs are online only.  If you are wondering where the other percentages have gone, 11% of our clubs alternate between face-to-face and online and 5% switch between online and hybrid. I am Anthony Garvey, the recently crowned D91 International Speech Contest winner. Let me tell you my story:

It was a freezing Winter’s night.  I faced a 30-minute drive on icy roads to sit in a village hall with minimal heating for our Toastmasters meeting. Brrr! Later, I would have to navigate my way back safely, knowing my two kids would be fast asleep by the time I arrived home.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Toastmasters.  But I wondered if there was a way to get to meetings without risking life and limb, while staying warm AND being around to tuck my kids in at night.

District contests as we know from our recent conference are now hybrid and with practice, you can win the contests if you compete online – I am living proof! And there are other benefits too.  While my fellow competitors were biting their nails nervously in the Barbican in London, I took time out in Tralee in the Republic of Ireland to nip down and make a refreshing cup of tea!  Try doing that at a live contest!

I began to visit online Toastmasters clubs – there are lots of them – and in just ten weeks, I had visited clubs in every continent in the world!  I was impressed by the warmth with which I was greeted at the meetings and by how much I was learning. As most of my work is now conducted online, I was also noticing an improvement in my communication skills, thanks to the tips and advice I was picking up on my journey of discovery.

Because of the time difference and scheduling Toastmaster meetings around work and family commitments, I began to narrow my search back down to the UK and Ireland, where there are 350 clubs. Some meet in person, others meet online and there are hybrid clubs too.  The variety is staggering. Let me tell you a little about just four of the clubs.

Melting Pot Toastmasters was originally set up as a corporate club in 2018 for employees of the businesses within Milton Park, a 250-acre mixed use business and technology park in Oxfordshire.  The club currently has 16 members and was originally chartered as an in-person club but has moved to online only.  Melting Pot Toastmasters meet every other Tuesday on Zoom, at 1200 GMT for one hour.

“We run a few joint meetings with other clubs in Abingdon and Didcot, to give our members an opportunity to socialise face-to-face, now that the pandemic has eased somewhat,” said Andrew Graner, the club’s VPPR, who carries out his club duties while working from California in the US.  “Whether you need help delivering a best man speech, preparing for an interview or developing your management skills, our club will help you along the way, plus you will also be able to meet an amazing group of people who share similar ambitions and challenges.”

Experience French Toastmasters also started as a physical club in London in September 2012 and moved to meet online in March 2020 during the pandemic. Their meetings are on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Mondays of the month at 1845 GMT/BST.

This is a Bilingual French and English club,  they alternate between English and French language meetings and are open to people speaking both languages. An unusual trait is that the Toastmaster speaks the opposite language during their meetings, so you can experience and practice both French and English every time you attend an Experience French Toastmasters meeting. The club meetings are currently hybrid, at the London campus of Dauphine University near Angel.

“We have members based in the US, Greece, Cameroon, France, and the UK in our club,” said Club Mentor and Immediate Past President, Annelise Lepage.  “Hybrid meetings offer our members the flexibility to visit us in person or connect with us online, depending on their circumstances.”

Unlike clubs which have experimented with online and hybrid formats due to the pandemic restrictions, Firebirds was originally founded as a global advanced online club at a time when there were hardly any online options.

“We meet every Sunday and alternate between morning and evening meetings to allow for time zone differences. We currently have members in Australia, New Zealand, Nigeria, France, Germany, Ireland, UK, Canada, USA, Spain, Argentina, India and have guests from many other countries,” said club member Andrew P Bennett, twice a District champion.  “I enjoy the global feel of the club. It is truly Toastmasters ‘International’ and several members have won contests and undertaken roles in Districts around the world.”

Bennett said he was thrilled to see some clubs returning to in-person meetings, as he knows that for many, that is an important part of their club identity.

“Online clubs provide a different sort of experience. There is the possibility for Toastmasters who live a long way from an in-person meeting to join us or those whose working lives make in person attendance at a meeting difficult. From my perspective , with some mobility difficulties, it is helpful to be able to attend online.”

Eventually I whittled my shortlist of clubs down to just one and I joined Shilling Speakers.

Shilling Speakers has 28 members from 9 different countries, with three TEDx speakers and 7 Distinguished Toastmasters (the highest level a Toastmaster can reach), but the club is open to speakers at all levels. We also have 8 members who are completely new to Toastmasters.  We meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month at 1930 GMT.

This year I was lucky enough to be elected President of the club, which is a great honour and even though it involves a little extra work, I still manage to get to our meetings.  I’m warm and cosy on freezing cold, Winter evenings and I also get to tuck my kids into bed at night.

So, if you are reading this and you want to improve your communication and leadership skills, or you simply want to try something different, pop along to an online or a hybrid Toastmasters club near you.  There is a great range of clubs both on your doorstep and online and I would encourage you to try a few out before settling on one or two to join.

We would of course love to see you as our guest at Shilling Speakers.

Register for any of our meetings by clicking here: https://bit.ly/ShillingSpeakers

To attend Melting Pot Toastmasters, register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/melting-pot-toastmasters-tuesday-lunch-meeting-tickets-394686236157

Should you wish to attend an Experience French Toastmasters meeting, please register via their Meetup group: https://www.meetup.com/experience-french-toastmasters or contact them on https://www.experience-french.org

Drop into Firebirds Collective through their meeting link: http://bit.ly/firebirds-collective or follow them on the Firebirds Collective Facebook page: firebirds.easy-speak.org

Check out the new online search tool on the Toastmasters’ website for the full range of clubs:  https://www.toastmasters.org/resources/online-only-clubs

Anthony Garvey, President, Shilling Speakers & D91 International Speech Champion 2023

District 91 Leaders: Talk Up Toastmasters!

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Over the last few weeks, as part of the PR effort around the Talk Up Toastmasters campaign, (inspired by idea in a speech by Rupa, our District Director) I have been setting up interviews between the District Leadership team and Division Directors to ask them what brought them to Toastmasters and why they keep coming back. The Talk Up Toastmasters campaign is designed to get new Guests to visit Clubs. The campaign runs until the end of March 2023 and D91 Clubs will be rewarded if they add 5 or more Members in this period. What better way to do this than to reflect on what we have both got out of our time in the organisation. Hence these great videos!

You can see the individual videos below which I’m sure you’ll agree are very heart warming. I love to see the rapport and interaction between professionals who respect one another.

For my part and reflecting on what I have taken out of (in some cases filming) viewing and editing these interactions is that people come to Toastmasters for all sorts of reasons, and the reasons they come for and seldom the reasons they stay. I’d go further than that it’s impossible to predict how your journey will go when you first join, mainly because you have no idea of the different learning and leadership possibilities the organisation presents. When you meet people who have never heard of Toastmasters, don’t just sell them on the features and benefits tell them why are you came and why are you keep coming. Just as it is on stage with in the club personal stories and anecdotes are the most powerful ingredients for creating emotional connection and provoking action. Try it for yourself and gain inspiration below.

Chris Arning, Public Relations Manager & Debbie Williams, Club Growth Director

As D91 PR Manager, I caught up with Debbie Williams, Club Growth Director this week to speak with her about the Talk Up Toastmasters campaign designed to get new Guests to visit Clubs. The campaign runs until the end of March and Clubs will be rewarded if they add 5 or more Members in this period. What better way to do this than to reflect on what we have both got out of our time in the organisation. It was a short chat and we answered just two questions. One: what first brought you to come toToastmasters AND Two: what keeps you coming back to Toastmasters.

Amy Jones, Admin Manager & Diane Richardson, Program Quality Director

In this Talk Up Toastmasters video District 91 Admin Manager, Amy Jones and Program Quality Director, Diane Richardson discuss what brought them to Toastmasters and what keeps on coming back year after year as they joined in 2016 and 2015 respectievely. In this succinct but wide ranging chat they cover off being pestered by friends to join a meeting, creating community, living by a service ethos, why are you will never leave if you keep learning, and how Toastmasters ultimately makes us become ‘better pack animals’.

Rupa Datta, District Director & Eddy Quah, District Finance Manager

In the latest in a series of DISTRICT 91 Talk Up Toastmasters videos our District Director, Rupa Dutta sits down with District Finance Manager, Eddy Quah to Talk up Toastmasters. They ask each other why they first came through the door of a Toastmasters meeting and what keeps them coming back. It is a heartwarming chat, full of emotion, peeling back the onion and tears of laughter.

Gillian Prior Division J Director and John Akers Division L Director

Gillian and John discuss how joining Toastmasters helps us gain an extra-curricular activity and builds networks for some people. For others Toastmasters help them navigate career changes and to face their fears and to go in a new direction by building the skills to face an audience, and how for us all the learning never stops. Even the quietest little mice can find their voice at Toastmasters!

Division C Director, Emily McQuillen and Division H Director, Emmanuel Karamagi

Emily and Emmanuel talk to each other about how they both arrived at Toastmasters. It is as often by accident as by design, but whether it is arriving through a date night or more purposeful in improving one’s interview skills, Toastmasters gets us on a journey where we can develop and as these Division leaders have shown once you are on the learning track you keep developing in leadership growth and finding new paths in the organisation.

Division B Director, Andy Hessey and Division K Director, Rose Nakibirango

Andy and Rose talk to each other about how they both arrived at Toastmasters. Sometimes it can be an intriguing new pastime to take up when you have moved to a new area but that it often develops from there. The wonderful people, the learning and the fun is what keeps people coming back to meetings. And during lockdown some people ever became Key Workers!

Division A Director, Suhas Kumar and Division D Director, Janet Alkema

Suhas and Janet talk to each other about how they both arrived at Toastmasters. Starting one’s own business means that you cannot avoid getting up and speaking. For some people joining TM is an accident, for others it is more purposeful. Toastmasters can improve many aspects of your life – not only ones you might expect like speaking but others too like negotiation skills and time management – then you stay to pass these skills on to others!

We hope you will gain some inspiration and identification from what we said. Find out more about the campaign and what it could mean for your Club.

Talk up Toastmasters

Perhaps you will conduct your own interviews and put them out on social media? If so we will share them on D91 channels. We look forward to hearing from you.

Chris Arning,
PR Manager, District 91, 2022-2023

The Laughing Toastmaster: Call for Law Banning ‘Salescism’

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Legislation would make it mandatory to befriend salespeople

Having worked in corporate sales longer than The Lion King’s run in the West End, I still experience the sting of discrimination caused by ‘salescism’.
‘Sneaky salespeople’, ‘Bunch of crooks’ and ‘Annoying loudmouths’, are just some of the hurtful things people say without realizing the devastating consequences it has on us sales folk. The feeling of loneliness (no one wants to be your friend) and low sales-esteem can last a lifetime.

Now that I’m self-employed, selling is still an integral part of my life. Unfortunately, salescism has crippled me so much that even motional phrases like, ‘Don’t be small make that call’ make me bawl.
I’m not alone. Statistics show salescism (defined as: prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against salespeople on the belief that your job is superior), impacts 100 in every 100 salespeople. Stats not accurate. Like a true sales gal, I made them up.

Now you may think this has nothing to do with you. Maybe you’re the kind of person who’s never had to sell because the clients come to you (in which case you’re probably a drug dealer). For the rest of us, whether you’re selling ideas, services or ourselves (dating is the ultimate sell), nothing can shield you from the stigma of salescism.
Things are so bad we use covert language like, ‘Shall we explore the possibility of collaborating together?’. We feel the need to use encrypted job titles to hide our true identity:

• Business Development Manager (new sales)
• Key account manager (big clients but take tiny too)
• Account Manager (anything from serving coffee to whatever it takes)

Unlike secretaries who rediscovered themselves as ‘PAs’ (and are now allowed to look miserable and not help), these new sales titles have done nothing for us except make clients distrust us even more! After all, you wouldn’t want your plumber to be called ‘pipe dreamer’.

In Toastmasters it’s no different. Terrified of being called ‘salesy’ or ‘pushy’ we use phrases like, ‘Let’s publicize Toastmasters to the public’ or ‘We need to inform guests about our benefits’.
When one club advertised their open house as ‘Pizza & Toastmaster Night’, it wasn’t called a ‘fantastic sales idea’ (which it was!), but a ‘prudent marketing initiative’. Toastmasters is such an outstanding organization we shouldn’t be ashamed of selling its benefits, but proud of doing so! Sadly, salecism gets in the way.

When confronted, ‘salescists’ deny any wrong doing and claim history is full of dodgy salespeople. They have a point. Starting with the great car manufacturer and ultimate sales guy Henry Ford who said, ‘Customers can have a car painted any color they want … as long as it is black’, giving all car salesmen a terrible reputation.
Then ‘The Godfather’ comes along with the most effective (if extreme) sales pitch, ‘I will make you an offer you can’t refuse’. Trust me clients don’t take kindly to such drastic negotiation techniques.
Even the late Steve Jobs said, ‘Get closer to your customers, so close that you tell them what they need before they realize it’. With all due respect isn’t that Machiavellian manipulation coupled with serious stalking?
OK, so maybe we haven’t exactly been a ‘beacon of morality’, but like any convict that’s done his time, don’t we deserve a second chance?

Anti-salescism lobbies around the world are calling for legislation to tackle the problem by suing salecists who make inappropriate comments and refuse to make friends with salespeople.
And it shouldn’t stop there. It needs to be written into employment laws sales people must be invited to social events, even if that means installing quotas to overcome centuries of oppression.
Sales people are cautiously optimistic. ‘Society has a negative perception of sales people’ says Jim (not his real name), who has kept his real job hidden from his family for decades. ‘My parents are very proud of me. They think I’m a dentist’.

New laws would make it mandatory to invite us to weddings, christenings, bar mitzvahs and anniversaries. Music to my ears as these events are ideal places to bombard unsuspecting guests with interactive business cards. I can’t wait!

In the meantime, if you’re still not a Toastmaster, ‘Let me inform you of the multiple benefits of joining’.

Sonia Aste is an engineer, writer and comedian. She’s a Toastmaster and member at Riverside Communicators Club.
More from Sonia on her website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Club Growth Newsletter – February 2023

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Renewals

The renewals window is open. As some clubs experienced delays in their renewals, I encourage you to submit them early. As further incentivisation, there will be an early payment award of £50 for the first 30 clubs that submit their renewals with a minimum of 20 members by the end of February.

If you have already submitted your membership renewals, thank you for investing in your personal growth. If you haven’t already done so, it isn’t too late!

Talk Up Toastmasters

February 1 – March 31 2023

The Talk Up Toastmasters membership programme gives members the chance to invite guests to a special meeting where prospective members can learn about Toastmasters’ many benefits. Add 5 new, dual or reinstated members with a join date between February 1 and March 31, and you’ll receive a special Talk Up Toastmasters ribbon to display on your club’s banner.

Special events might include members bringing a friend, inviting former members, hosting an ‘Open House’ meeting, or speechcraft workshop.

A guide to all incentives is here: https://d91toastmasters.org.uk/members/resources/incentives/

Open House Meetings

An Open House Meeting is a fun meeting to publicise Toastmasters to members of the public, friends, family or work colleagues. They are very similar to a normal club meeting, but feel more like a demonstration of the benefits of Toastmasters while providing a taste of what a regular meeting is like. Some roles will be carried out a little differently, and the agenda will be planned to give guests the opportunity to actively participate. Organising an open-house meeting can be done either by the club’s committee or an ad-hoc organising team – perhaps you have a member that would like to complete a Pathway Project, for example.

The key to a great Open House meeting is teamwork, and getting all club members on board to ensure it is a success. As a great example of an Open House recently, please see the write up of the City of London event on 17th January in the link below

Welcoming the World to Toastmasters

 

Debbie’s Top Tips

  • Do you remember your first Toastmasters meeting and why you joined? Share your testimony with your club members and guests. Do this at regular club meetings in addition to special events. You might inspire someone to achieve something that they never thought was possible, including potential future leaders!
  • Do you inform guests and new members about all the exciting training opportunities available to them? Did you know that new and existing members can attend club officer training and other District webinars? Please share, so everyone can benefit.
  • When was the last time that you invited an external Toastmaster to your club as a General Evaluator? Sometimes we can get too comfortable in our clubs, and it’s always helpful to see how we’re doing by bringing in fresh eyes. We grow from evaluations, and external evaluators provide an opportunity to learn about what your club is doing well and receive suggestions on how you might improve

Here’s a reminder of the Toastmasters’ Promises

As a member of Toastmasters International and my club, I promise  

  • To attend club meetings regularly
  • To prepare all of my projects to the best of my ability, basing them on the Toastmasters education program
  • To prepare for and fulfil meeting assignments
  • To provide fellow members with helpful, constructive evaluations
  • To help the club maintain the positive, friendly environment necessary for all members to learn and grow
  • To serve my club as an officer when called upon to do so
  • To treat my fellow club members and our guests with respect and courtesy
  • To bring guests to club meetings so they can see the benefits Toastmasters membership offers
  • To adhere to the guidelines and rules for all Toastmasters education and recognition programs
  • To act within Toastmasters’ core values of integrity, respect, service and excellence during the conduct of all Toastmasters’ activities

And if you want a refresher on how to integrate the Promises into your Toastmasters life, then join us on Friday 17th February for a LinkedIn Live event all about the promises brought to you by D91 Toastmasters.

You can sign up here: https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:7028417454993219584/

Debbie Williams
Club Growth Director, 2022-2023

Celebrating our Distinguished Toastmasters in D91!

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Every year we honour those Toastmasters who have achieved The Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award. 

This award represents the highest level of educational achievement in Toastmasters. It is a tough but extremely rewarding qualification that shows a Toastmasters has reached the pinnacle of leadership and overcome several leadership and communication challenges. To earn the DTM, a member is required to deliver over 30 speeches, or two pathways, and serve a one-year term as a district officer, serve as a club sponsor, mentor or coach and participate in the preparation of a club success plan.

This is no easy award to achieve! Being a DTM represents the superior level of achievement in both communication and leadership a member has contributed to Toastmasters and their own learning. As PR Manager I was honoured to catch up with these illustrious individuals to quiz them on their achievement. 

I asked all the DTMs the same questions:

1. What is your name, home club and path(s) you are working on?
2. How do you feel about achieving so much?
3. What is your secret to be able to achieve this accolade?
4. Why would you recommend this to someone?
5. What is your next challenge?
 
These are their reponses
 

Rose Nakibirango, London Public Speakers

  1. What is your name, home club and path(s) you are working on?

My name is Rose Nakibirango.

My home club is London Public Speakers

I am currently doing the Engaging Humour path but the humour still eludes me.

  1. How do you feel about achieving so much?

I am so grateful for the many Toastmasters who have made it possible for me to complete this award.

I would like to thank current and past members of London Public Speakers who have supported me in the last 3 years – from evaluating speeches to joining me in demanding projects such as Speechcraft.

A big thank you to the many Toastmasters from other clubs and Districts who were generous with their time and expertise to get me through the range of activities of this award.

  1. What is your secret to be able to achieve this accolade?

Planning when and how I was going to fulfil the different requirements and actively seeking out relevant projects. I had the benefit of an experienced and supportive Toastmaster as my mentor throughout my DTM journey. I highly recommend a mentor for any Toastmaster embarking on a DTM award.

  1. Why would you recommend this to someone?

Without a doubt. It’s not so much the award at the end but the person you become along the way.

  1. What is your next challenge?

My second DTM. I am working towards it. I am excited about meeting new people and learning from them. I know it won’t be the same as the first one – the requirements may be similar but the experience will be different.

Jean Gamester, Cardiff Toastmasters

  1. What is your name, home club and path(s) you are working on?

 Jean Gamester, Cardiff Toastmasters.  Visionary Communication and Motivational Strategies

  1. How do you feel about achieving so much?

My first DTM was in the old system, and for a long while I just did the old CC manual over and over.  I liked that well enough, but I’m really glad I engaged with Pathways, I’ve enjoyed the learning and how the different speeches and activities flowed.  It gave me a new challenge and a longer stretch with more variety.  I’ve also appreciated having done speeches and projects that others do when I am evaluating too, it helps me connect more with what they are trying to achieve. 

  1. What is your secret to be able to achieve this accolade?

For me the secret was planning – knowing which projects I was going to do when and getting them booked in with the support of lovely VPEs. There are people out there who have developed different ways of keeping track of their paths.  I particularly like the ones I found from District 38 – I use the spreadsheets they have there to track my paths.  I have a sheet for the two paths I have completed already and the two I am working on now.

  1. Why would you recommend this to someone?

Learning in Toastmasters is through a constant practice of giving and receiving over time. When we work through the paths and stretch ourselves to take on different speeches and activities, especially the ones that are outside our comfort zone, or are a bit different to what we would normally do, we learn more.  When we support others in their paths building on our experience of doing that work ourselves we develop even further.  This is how we develop such brilliant speakers and leaders.

  1. What is your next challenge?

I would like to complete the next DTM before I finish my term as International Director in August 2024 – I think visionary communication and motivational strategies seem like just the right paths to help me grow in the role too 😊

RAMESH HALAI, TJXpressions

  1. What is your name, home club and path(s) you are working on?

Ramesh Halai, TJXpressions, Presentation Mastery , Engaging Humour

 

  1. How do you feel about achieving so much?

I feel great, Never wanted to become a DTM, wasn’t in my list of things to do;
it wasn’t something I was chasing, so it felt great when it dawned on me that I only had one or two  more boxes I needed signing off before I gain this certification.
It was then a no brainier for me

 

  1. What is your secret to be able to achieve this accolade?

Just say ‘YES’. You will find out you will end up checking those boxes without even realising it; more importantly you will have earned the Badge because you earned it by doing, everyone else around you would have noticed that you are a more confident speaker

  1. Why would you recommend this to someone?

I say don’t do it to get the award, do the things that give you value;
To be more confidence; 
To be able to speak clearly in front of any number of people;
This in return will give the award; it may not be quick but you didn’t sign up to get this award did you?

  1. What is your next challenge?

Good question, I have the confidence to do pretty much anything I want to do; 
Whether it be travel in a hot air balloon over turkey or traveling to see the 7 wonders of the world; or something completely different
The honest answer is I haven’t decided yet; to get to the answer I will first document, prioritise and prune my to-do list, which is probably >100 in size. 
Then start working down the list and re-prioritising I as go along.

LUCINDA HARMAN, Shilling Speakers

  1. What is your name, home club and path(s) you are working on?

Lucinda Harman, Shilling Speakers

Completed 4 paths and 2 x DTMs

  1. How do you feel about achieving so much?

I don’t consider it so much. I believe in creating new goals and always raising the bar. 

  1. What is your secret to be able to achieve this accolade?

 It takes discipline, commitment and a lot of time investment not only in your own speeches, projects yet also giving back in leadership. A heart and soul for servant leadership and willingness to find the winning team formula. To be humble and agile in your approach to leadership and all that goes towards a DTM award.

  1. Why would you recommend this to someone?

It is an all rounder award requiring you to speak, charter clubs, mentor, lead, train and thus a very good training ground. These skills if transferred effectively can set you up professionally on a very good footing.

  1. What is your next challenge?

My focus has moved to corporate training and speaking. Definitely the TED stage and a lot more international appearances. This is probably my biggest unanswered question inside Toastmasters. 

And well done to my fellow DTM awardees.

Regards Lucinda

So, D91 Member, we hope this gives you a sense of the massive achievement DTM represents. To find out more about the Distinguished Toastmasters qualification: https://www.toastmasters.org/education/distinguished-toastmaster

Chris Arning,

D9 PR Manager, 2022-2023