Kate Fraser Smith

Meet Hephzibah Emereole: Finding My Voice: A Toastmasters Journey

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When I walked into my first Toastmasters meeting in 2021 at CS Relentless Toastmasters in Ghana, I had no idea how much it would shape my personal and professional growth. I was looking for a space to refine my communication skills, but what I found was a community that inspired me to grow in ways I never expected.

Stepping into leadership roles early on—first as Vice President Membership, then as Club President—challenged me to think beyond my own development. I learned how to support others, foster a welcoming environment, and work with a team to build something bigger than myself. The experience honed my leadership skills and gave me a deeper appreciation for mentorship and collaboration. Completing two Toastmasters pathways—Presentation Mastery and Dynamic Leadership—was another milestone, reinforcing my confidence and ability to express my ideas with clarity.

Relocating to the UK was a new chapter in 2023, and I knew I wanted to stay connected to Toastmasters. Becoming part of Central London Toastmasters and serving on the District 91 Leadership Team has been incredibly fulfilling. As Marketing Lead under the Club Growth Director Team, I’ve worked on exciting initiatives—from partnering with universities to leading Facebook ads and Tube campaigns that introduce more people to the power of Toastmasters. Each project has been a reminder of what this community represents: opportunity, empowerment, and limitless growth.

One of the things I value most about Toastmasters is its inclusive and supportive nature. No matter your age, background, or experience level, this is a space where you can discover your potential. I encourage young professionals to take that first step—invest in yourself, challenge yourself, and watch how Toastmasters transforms you.

Looking back, I see how much I’ve grown, and I know the journey is far from over. Toastmasters isn’t just about public speaking—it’s about becoming the best version of yourself.

 

 

The International Speech contest – a worthy antagonist 

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I often wonder why fellow toastmasters don’t enter contests – only it seems like such an obvious thing to do to refine our skill.  Should you enter? Of course you should, but what do you stand to gain?

 

It was so obvious to me to enter one year – I thought it would be easy – and then I failed spectacularly and unexpectedly. It’s quite normal for a table topic to go horribly wrong or for the speaker to sit down half way through. It’s not so common in a club speech, and even less common in a contest speech. Three minutes in I put my hand up and told the contest chair I’d had enough, and was going to sit down. I really had. The contest had brought out the worst in me – a lack of preparation, and an attempt to deliver an emotional speech from my childhood really hit home.

 

Emotionally, the speech had the desired effect on me, but not my audience. The message I was hoping to deliver to my audience hit me the hardest, and I dried up, memory gone, a few garbled sentences later and I was done. Should I attempt a rescue and get back on track, or stop my speech right there in the middle? Usually I would always choose the former. Pause, breathe, and deliver the rest of the speech of the cuff – or find a way get back on track.  When a speech goes wrong like this the audience don’t know if you transition in to something more like a table topic. You then appear to be confident and in control. To pull this one off I would need to be in a happy smiley place (my top tips for Table Topics are to smile and be happy). I was agitated and emotional, and that was my downfall. My rehearsal time spent yapping into a mirror did not have the same emotional impact that I experienced from a real audience. And my lack of preparation showed. My nerves loaded the gun and emotion pulled the trigger. 

 

The best bit about these experiences is what you can learn from them. I don’t think I could have prepared for this because I didn’t even know it could happen. And that’s why we enter the contest, so that we can prepare better for the next contest, and fulfil our goals as accomplished toastmasters.

 

For me speech contests are the biggest bang for your buck at Toastmasters. They accelerate learning and the ability to deliver speeches confidently in all scenarios. They can provide you with the world’s greatest confidence boost, or the world’s greatest wake-up call. Which will it be? There’s only one way to find out…

 

Patrick Thomas
VPM – Farnham Speakers Club

 

 

Toastmasters Offers So Much More Than Public Speaking

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When people first join Toastmasters, their main reason is often to become more confident at public speaking. That was my primary reason too. Another was to be part of a community.

I joined Godalming Speakers in May 2022, a year into running my Leadership and Team Coaching business. Working mostly from home on Zoom, I was getting cabin fever. I needed to get out of the house to meet people and re-energise myself.

At my very first meeting, I joined the Warm-up and even did a Table Topic—well outside my comfort zone. I’d have been happy to observe quietly, but my friend Caroline stood up before me and I couldn’t let the side down! The adrenaline rush after that first experience certainly energised me.

Beyond Public Speaking: Taking on New Roles

Initially, I focused on developing my speaking skills. What I imagined would be a terrifying and lengthy ordeal quickly became easier. As my confidence grew, I took on different meeting roles like Timer, Table Topics Master, Grammarian, Evaluator, and eventually, Toastmaster.

What I hadn’t realised at first was how these roles develop skills beyond public speaking. For example, giving feedback as an Evaluator improves your ability to provide constructive insights. Running the meeting as Toastmaster strengthens organisational and leadership skills. These are critical abilities, and I often recommend Toastmasters to coaching clients who want to boost their confidence in these areas.

Finding My Voice: Joining the Committee

In my second year, I joined the committee as VP of Public Relations (VPPR), which led to some of my biggest “aha” moments. At the time, I was still figuring out social media for my business and procrastinating about starting a blog. As VPPR, I managed our club’s Facebook page and created posts to promote events.

Attending VPPR training and exploring the resources on the Toastmasters International portal helped me develop a social media plan with monthly themes. This structured approach made content creation easier and I also taught myself how to use Canva to create eye-catching graphics. I applied these skills to my LinkedIn strategy, starting with weekly leadership tips. Having a plan and themes to focus on not only saved time but also helped me find my voice on social media.

Taking It Further: Starting a Blog

As my confidence grew, I decided to experiment with creating a blog. Setting up our Godalming Speakers Substack page gave me the perfect opportunity to learn. Using branded graphics from Toastmasters’ PR resources, I created our first newsletter in July 2023, titled Unleash Your Inner Toastmaster.

The safe space of our club’s social media platforms allowed me to experiment and build skills that directly benefited my business. Learning tools like Substack and Canva saved me time and money. By starting with free resources, I avoided costly mistakes like unnecessary app subscriptions or ineffective advertising.

Volunteering for Learning, and Growth

Being part of the Godalming Speakers committee taught me that when we all contribute, we create something much bigger—in the club and within ourselves. Volunteering for a committee role not only helps the club thrive but also provides invaluable personal growth opportunities. Roles like VPPR, Secretary, or Treasurer come with built-in learning experiences that extend far beyond the Toastmasters meeting room.

If you’re considering a committee role, I encourage you to give it a try. The skills you develop—from planning and organising to creative thinking and leadership—will serve you in all areas of life.

Ready to Take the Leap?

If you’re already in a committee role and want to share ideas, or if you’re curious about volunteering, let’s connect! Together, we can make an even bigger impact. Toastmasters isn’t just about speaking—it’s about discovering new skills, building confidence, and creating a supportive community.

So, what’s stopping you? Take the first step toward something extraordinary.

Sue Scott
Leadership & Team Coach
Godalming Speakers VPPR

Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone on to the International Speech Contest stage

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When I joined Farnham Speakers back in 2012 I always declined to enter ay of the contests as that was just one step too far for my fragile level of confidence!  I remember watching in envy as self-assured candidates delivered their speeches with passion and style and thought I could never do that – even though I wished I could be like them.

As I settled into the various roles of the club I found I most enjoyed mentoring new members and encouraging them to sign up for speaking slots at the meetings to complete their speech projects.  I did feel guilty, though, when contest time came around and I hid from the organisers!  Then the ideal excuse appeared – I had taken on district leadership roles as Area Director, for two years, and Division Director for one – and I discovered that district leaders are not allowed to enter contests.  Phew! That was a relief, a valid excuse now and no need to hide from the organiser!!

Then, in 2018 I had no District role to prevent me from entering a contest.  A friend gently reminded me and asked what was stopping me from entering!  Well, I knew exactly what was stopping me – it was fear and self-doubt.  Oh yes, I can put on a brave face, but deep down was tormented by the worry of failing, forgetting my words, making a fool of myself – the usual demons that prevent us from stepping onto the stage.

But deep down, I knew I had to try.  As a mentor and leader in my club, my role was to encourage others to challenge themselves and to step beyond their comfort zones. How could I continue to do that if I wasn’t willing to do it myself?  So, in a rash moment – I put my hand up to enter.

Of course, the next challenge was – what was I going to talk about?  Well, the most obvious answer is: Personal Stories.  I wrote the speech about my exact experiences of avoiding speech contests, of mentoring club members and finally deciding that being a role model to our members was of greater value to them than staying in my comfort zone was to me.

The club contest was less intimidating than I imagined as I stood in front of familiar faces.  I did get through to the Area contest – a little more nerve-wracking but I told myself that I had done it once, and I could do it again.  And this is where a good story turns sour – I would have come second – if it weren’t for the fact that I ran over time – by four seconds and was disqualified!!  Not such a great role model, then!  Although I now use it as a good example to members of the importance of staying well within time.

I was really pleased that I had entered the contest – and, honestly, I was very proud of myself, knowing the resistance I had felt to doing so for such a long time.  It was a real confidence booster and I feel I can now encourage others from a place of experience.

Would I enter again – yes?  And I have entered the Topics and Evaluation contests.  The Humorous Speech contest? Well, that’s a whole different ball game – maybe – one day.

If you’re considering entering the International Speech Contest it may feel daunting but just do it. The fear won’t go away, but each step you take will make you stronger and improve your confidence.

Janet Alkema
Farnham Speakers

Meet Rachel Norris

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When was your first meeting of Toastmasters, and what was it like?
My first Toastmasters meeting was with County Communicators during the pandemic in 2020. I was so nervous but everyone was really welcoming and friendly. I had an amazing time and I was immediately hooked with Toastmasters

What was your most rewarding experience?
My most rewarding experience was organising the Evaluation Workshop. I worked with Lynne Cantor-Gayer on the organisation of the meeting and so many people attended to learn more about Evaluation. I was extremely elated to have witnessed the workshop’s success!

What would you say to new guests?
I would say a huge welcome to them and tell them all about how Toastmasters will help them progress in their speaking and leadership skills. I would also say ‘Don’t be afraid of Table Topics. It’s your time to shine, so go for it’!

What’s different at Sussex Online Speakers?
In Sussex Online Speaker, we have created a treasure map of different achievements within a Toastmasters year, such as delivering a speech, evaluating a speech or taking on different roles. It helps members keep track of what they’ve done over the year and inspire them to achieve all they can with our amazing club. Check it out in the image.

What role in Toastmaster are you inspired to do next?
I would love to be President of my club to help me grow in my leadership skills. I’d also love to be a Division Director or have a role in the District Leadership Team (Administration or PR Manager) at some point in the future

Would you like say?
I would say thank you for supporting me as Area Director last year and giving me the opportunity to become a leader in Toastmasters. I feel honoured to be a part of District 91 and I will continue to be with you all for years to come!

 

Rachel Norris
Sussex Online Speaker
Supporting District PR 24/25