Division Director

Spotlight on Leadership: Helyn Ashford, Division J Director

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In this month’s spotlight, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Helyn Ashford, the charismatic Division J Director, to discuss her Toastmasters journey, leadership style, and her vision for the division. Here’s what she shared:

Allen Paul: Helyn, can you share a bit about your background and what initially led you to join Toastmasters?

Helyn Ashford: Absolutely, Allen. I have always been a nervous, anxious person with low self-confidence. A few friends in Texas advised me of a club that helped with confidence through public speaking. The prospect of this scared the hell out of me however I could see how it may help me. After a couple of failed attempts to join a meeting, due to my nerves, I finally joined online during covid. I never thought TM would have given me so many new skills and led me down a leadership path that I never envisaged when I joined.

Allen Paul: That’s inspiring! Speaking of memorable experiences, do you have any particularly humorous moments from your Toastmasters journey that you could share?

Helyn Ashford: Oh, definitely!I’ll never forget attending my first area contest. One speaker who was taking part in the humorous contest gave a speech on a clown that couldn’t stop breaking wind! I found it hilarious and really showed me that speeches didn’t have to be serious and could be on anything you want it to be.

Allen Paul: How would you describe your leadership style, and if you could compare it to a movie genre, what would it be?

Helyn Ashford: Well my ADs may say it’s like a horror film! I would like to say a rom com as we all get on with each other like family. We aren’t just Toastmasters but friends after all. I love my division and really try to encourage and empower every member. I also love to laugh and think it’s important we enjoy ourselves cause what is the point in doing it if we don’t!

Allen Paul: What’s the most unusual or creative idea a team member has brought to the table under your leadership?

Helyn Ashford: I always love an alternative meeting. Lately I have had the opportunity to participate in a wedding workshop. The creativity of the sessions with speeches, poems and raps was amazing to see and experience. Everybody dressed the part and really encouraged each other. I’d recommend it to anyone.

Allen Paul: Before we dive deeper into your division’s plans, what’s one quirky thing you always do before a Toastmasters meeting?

Helyn Ashford: I always make sure I take a bathroom break before any meeting, especially DEC as you never know when you will be able to go next.

Allen Paul: Away from Toastmasters, what are some of your hobbies or activities?

Helyn Ashford: When I’m not doing TM stuff, I really like walking and spend most of my time doing coastal walks. I enjoy the gym…sometimes. I love spending time with family and friends, enjoying a good cocktail and a lovely meal. I’m a foodie at heart! I do like a gig or two as well, spending lots of time, and expense, on country and rock music tickets

Allen Paul: If you were stuck on a desert island, which three Toastmasters resources would you want with you?

Helyn Ashford: Firstly a copy of Robert’s Rules; that will help me fall asleep at night. I’d also like a copy of the book ‘Surrounded by Idiots’ so I can learn more about human interaction and personalities just in case I ever make it home. Then finally a copy of a classic like Moby Dick to read to my new best friend, Wilson!

Allen Paul: Looking ahead, what are some exciting plans or events on the horizon for Division J?

Helyn Ashford: I have big plans for Div J. This year my biggest aim is to get those clubs who are struggling up to at least a distinguished standard. I’d love for Red Dragon TM to charter this year too. I also want to put wheels in motion for a second area in South Wales, although that goal may take longer than a year! We are also planning a division contest weekend!!! Where members can celebrate and network all weekend long

Allen Paul: Lastly, what advice would you give to anyone considering taking on a role as a division director?

Helyn Ashford: My advice for anyone thinking of doing the divisional role in the future would be just do it! It is such a learning opportunity and it really tests your leadership skills in a completely different way than Area Director. Make sure you have a selection of ADs you can rely on and who will grab their role with both hands. Communication with them is key. Talk all the time. Run ideas together and don’t dictate them. Remember to check in with Ads too as their role can be so full on. Don’t be afraid to question DLT too; you may come up with something that they never thought of!

Here’s Helyn Ashford, our esteemed Division J Director, demonstrating her unique approach to ‘conflict resolution’ with Area Director Alex. In Toastmasters, even our most ‘intense’ leadership training sessions are all in good fun!

From Idea to Impact: The Journey of Founding LSEG London Toastmasters Club

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I joined LSEG in January 2023. I was so full of gratitude for receiving a new job in such a great company that I revived my old idea to start a Toastmasters club in my workplace.  

During my first year I was testing the waters by telling everyone I met in the office about Toastmasters. I discovered that Toastmasters was a perfect small talk topic, a great answer to “What are your plans for the weekend?” question and an ideal excuse for not staying in the office after 6pm. During my first year at the company I identified three groups of colleagues that could potentially be interested to join a club as members: women’s network, Business Analysts network, and recent graduates.  

A year has gone by, but the club still was in the idea phase. My fellow Toastmasters were enquiring if I chartered the club yet. But I was puzzled about my next steps.  

At some point in January 2024, in one of the women’s network’s catch-ups I heard that there was someone willing to launch a Toastmasters club at LSEG. I grabbed the opportunity with no hesitation nor delay. I was there to help! It turned out that Mani Janakiraman, Senior Global Product Manager and enthusiastic public speaker, secured some budget for the club earlier. That meant I suddenly found a supporter and a co-sponsor. It was so wonderful! 

We had our Demo meeting on the 1st of February 2024. My fellow Toastmasters were so supportive and helped to run it to the highest standard. I would like to thank Mo Dawodu, then Club Growth Director, Scott Baker, then City of London Toastmasters Club President, Marc Lottig, VP Education from the City Limits club in the Area C2 which I was leading at that point, Martin Madden, whose St Paul’s Speakers club is located just round the corner from LSEG’s London office, and Greg Smith, a fellow Area C5 Director at that time. 

The Demo meeting generated a lot of interest, and we started running our meetings every two weeks on Thursdays. We were regularly promoting the club via MS Teams team, Viva Engage, London communities and networks, and on LinkedIn. Mani has a wide network, so he routed a lot of people to the club. Every active participant was inviting their colleagues. The club has got some visibility among senior management, too. 

It was not easy to reach a cherished number of 20 members. A few people expressed their interest but never joined any meeting. A few people joined once or twice but decided it wasn’t a priority. Some joined as members and dropped along the way due to other commitments.  

Despite all challenges, LSEG London Toastmasters club chartered on the 5th August 2024. 

Our regular meeting invite now goes to about hundred people. We have a core of 10-12 members who attend almost every time and a very dedicated club committee (Mani Janakiraman, Maurizio Morabito, Alam Chowdhury).  

What’s next? This year our District 91 has a vision to be Distinguished or better. Division C which I lead has the same vision. LSEG London Toastmasters should be Distinguished or better in 2024/25. I believe in this club so much that I have no doubt we will achieve our goal together. 

 

Olga Galaiko 

LSEG London Toastmasters Club President 2024/25  

Division C Director 2024/25 

 

The Seven Cs of Effective Communication

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Have you ever stopped to think about how much communication is a part of your daily routine? From writing emails to leading meetings, from participating in conference calls to creating reports, the list goes on and on. It’s no wonder that effective communication plays a crucial role in boosting productivity. Recently, I stumbled upon a video discussing the Seven Cs of Communication, and I found them to be incredibly useful. I’d love to share my insights with you.

Communication should adhere to the 7Cs, which outline the ideal way to convey information: clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete, and courteous.  Let’s break down each point.

Clear

When engaging in communication, ensure that your goal or message is clearly stated. Clearly articulate your purpose in communicating with the person to avoid any confusion. If you are uncertain, your audience will also struggle to understand your intentions.

Concise

To effectively communicate, it’s important to be concise. Get straight to the point and keep your message brief to engage your audience. Take a moment to review your words and remove any unnecessary adjectives or filler words like “kind of,” “literally,” or “basically.” Additionally, check for any unnecessary sentences or repetitive explanations. By doing so, you can ensure that your message is clear and impactful.

Concrete

Crafting a concrete message allows your audience to have a crystal-clear understanding of your communication. By incorporating just, the right number of details and vivid facts, and maintaining a laser-like focus, your message becomes robust and impactful.

Correct

When it comes to effective communication, ensuring that your audience understands your message is paramount. One crucial aspect of effective communication is the absence of errors. To guarantee the accuracy of your message, ask yourself the following questions: – Do the technical terms you employ match your audience’s level of education or knowledge? – Have you meticulously reviewed your writing for any grammatical errors? (Remember, spell checkers may overlook certain mistakes). – Are all names and titles spelled correctly?

Coherent

When your communication is coherent, it’s like a well-constructed puzzle. Each piece fits perfectly, and all the points seamlessly connect to the main topic. The tone and flow of the text remain steady, creating a smooth and logical reading experience.

Complete

When composing your message, it’s crucial to provide your audience with all the essential information they need to stay informed and, if necessary, act. Make sure to incorporate a clear “call to action” that leaves no doubt about what you want them to do. Additionally, ensure that you’ve included all relevant details such as contact names, dates, times, and locations. By delivering a complete message, you empower your audience to make informed decisions and respond accordingly.

Courteous

Courteous communication is characterized by its friendly, genuine, and transparent nature. It steers clear of any hidden insults or passive-aggressive undertones. You always put yourself in the receiver’s shoes and demonstrate empathy towards their needs.

Remember to utilize the Seven Cs of Communication as a guide for all your interactions. This way, you can ensure that your messages are clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete, and courteous.

Erika Oteri
Division C Director 2023-2024

Division J Nativity Play

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Just taking a break from the rehearsals from the Division J Nativity play to wish everyone a Happy Christmas from the Thames Valley & Welsh clubs.

Our Area Directors are enthusiastically practicing their lines – John Christie is simply divine as an angel and Helyn Ashford is perfectly cast as the Welsh Virgin Mary.

We end the year on 464 members in our five areas and we are targeting at least 600 members by the end of the Toastmaster year which would make us one of the strongest Divisions in the District. January is the perfect time to get new people in and take advantage of New Years resolutions.  Encourage friends to come along and make 2024 a perfect year for your club.

If you work for a company with more than 500 employees, have you considered setting up a corporate club?  HID Global did that earlier this year and became the 23rd club in the Division and has brought Toastmasters to a brand-new audience in South Wales.

For those who have been finding Toastmasters less challenging, Division J is also proud to be setting up an advanced club, Oxford International, an on-line only club for those who want to look towards being a professional speaker.

Division J in the first half of the year also had the most Club Officers trained in the District.  Only 3 clubs failed to get four or more officers trained in the summer – we are expecting every club to hit the target this winter – training is open until 29th Feb (yes, it’s a leap year!).

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to help our District Newsletter team out of the donkey outfit… the zipper broke and they’ve been in there for hours!  I’m coming Nikita!!!

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