Updates & Posts Archives - Page 51 of 62 - Toastmasters UK South

News from District Director, Vanessa King

7th October 202021st January 2017 by Helena Brewer

Succession Planning – Already?!

Dear District 91 members and leaders,

I know it feels like a strange time to start thinking about the next group of leaders. If you’re anything like me, you’ve been through a bit of a shock at being elected to your role and you’ve experienced some awe when you’ve thought about the task ahead. However, you’ve built relationships with mentors and friends, you’ve had some training and you start to feel like you know what you’re doing. Surely it’s not time to hand over the baton just yet?

Well, no, it’s not quite time yet. You do have another few months to serve your members, see your vision come to fruition and develop your skills in leadership and communication. However, it’s never too early to start thinking about who you can ask to step up. Who can you nurture and encourage by suggesting they stand for election as a club officer or district leader? They may need some time to think about your suggestion, ask questions and seek advice from people they respect and admire.

Report from PR Manager, Helena Brewer

26th January 201721st January 2017 by Helena Brewer

Busy, Busy, Busy.

There’s already been a flurry of activity across the District in 2017. From the mouths of members, it’s ‘are you entering the contests?’. There’s a definite buzz as clubs set contest dates and members prepare to enter. The articles from members this month reflect experiences of entering contests, even though they’d not been a member of Toastmasters all that long. Remember that you can support by offering to take a role at contests too. Articles on this will follow over the next couple of months. Keep your stories coming, share your experiences with fellow members.

It Takes a Village

7th October 202021st January 2017 by Helena Brewer

“And first place and the District 91 Humorous Speech Champion for 2015…Selina Jones”. I gasped and jumped out of my seat as the room applauded. I couldn’t believe I had won!

But actually, I hadn’t won at all. Or rather, I certainly hadn’t won on my own – this was a real team effort, as I think all Toastmaster’s contests are.

How to create a great environment in a new club

7th October 20206th December 2016 by Susan Rayner

Creating a new Toastmaster Club is not without its challenges, but executed correctly, can be an incredibly rewarding endeavour.

I would like to share with you my experience of starting a new Club, what I learnt and what I believe are the three key ingredients to success.

Wokingham Speakers chartered 3 years ago. It is now a thriving Club with 34 Members, having recently obtained 10 DCPs for the first time in its history. However, its ability to enjoy this kind of success is a tribute to its early days and the firm plan put in place by its founders, which leads me aptly onto my first piece of advice;

Life on the District Leadership Team …

7th September 20206th December 2016 by Susan Rayner

… reflections on my first three months

After taking on the role of Club Growth Director at the end of July, it was only two weeks later that I found myself at the District Officer training in Washington D.C.

I know that sounds glamorous, but it was certainly no holiday. I arrived on the Saturday evening to be given the schedule of interviews on Sunday for the candidates for the International Board roles. With Vanessa and Pedro we completed 23 separate 15 minute interviews that day. A fascinating, if tiring, experience. That left us free to concentrate on the two training days, Monday and Tuesday, with each running from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We kicked off in one large group of some 400 Toastmasters from all over the World. We then split into various groups over the two days, coming back together for the closing on Tuesday evening. It was awesome to be able to share ideas and experiences with enthusiastic colleagues from such varied backgrounds. I had to return home on Wednesday so missed the convention itself, but nonetheless it was a wonderful experience.