Meet A Toastmaster

Spotlight on Success: Ga Lok Chung – Empowering Leaders as Club Coach Lead

by

My home club is City of London Toastmasters. At various points I’ve also held dual membership at a variety of other wonderful clubs in London and I became a Distinguished Toastmaster in 2018. I love competing, having reached District finals 9 times across different contests and winning Evaluation in 2016. I’m a management consultant at KPMG, where I currently head up designing solutions for managed learning services for clients across the globe. So, developing myself and creating the platforms for others to learn and grow has always been central in my career.

 

This year, I’m supporting the District as Club Coach Lead. If a club has been facing some challenges in membership numbers or need support, I match them to an experienced Toastmaster who helps the club rebuild its membership and improve the overall quality of the club experience. The coach works closely with club officers and members to provide guidance, enthusiasm, and structure within the club.

 

Recently, my home club celebrated its 29th anniversary in November. As the current longest serving member I’m still in touch with many of the former Club Presidents and it was a joy to invite 7 of them back to a special in-person panel discussion during our club meeting. They shared their leadership lessons and what this club has meant to them. The three things I took away were:

 

  1. Each Club President brought their unique personality to the club. They introduced and tested innovations and improvements to the club. Toastmasters is not only a safe space for members to practice their public speaking skills, but also a safe space for people to grow their leadership skills.
  2. We recognise the courage it takes put yourself out there. All our past Presidents started at the back of the room, eventually getting more and more involved in the meetings until one day, they became the person to stand at front and open every meeting. The importance of encouraging people to get involved and have a go is paramount.
  3. We’ve always been a very social club. Going to the pub post meeting, the annual Christmas curry get-together and we’ve recently introduced snack and chat and the end of the meetings. Countless friendships have formed in a community where people want to support each other to succeed in their goals.

 

Coming back to club coaching, Toastmasters is an amazing place, and we want to support every club to help serve its members. Becoming a successful club coach gives you a credit towards your Distinguished Toastmaster award and gives you enormous satisfaction in helping a club succeed and secure its own legacy, I would recommend any Toastmaster to consider it.

Member Spotlight: Jill Segal’s Journey from Classical Music to Corporate Club Training Leader

by

When our D91 PDQ, Debbie Williams, asked me whether I could do her a favour I jumped at the chance … as long as that chance was something I had not yet done within my 15 TM years of experience. Debbie knew her target and that I could handle the role which I discovered had the rather grand title of Corporate Club Officer Training Lead!  

Well, the only formal training I ever had was as a barrister and I never practiced it! Which is strange as I feel that I have done pretty well in life reinventing the wheel for myself – everything I have done is without a formal qualification.  Instead, I have had curiosity, passion and persistence. I wouldn’t say that always works but the failure that inevitable cropped up in my life only bolstered the persistence and built in resilience as well.  

So, when I champion Toastmasters it is not only living proof that curiosity, passion and persistence can work for me but from my perspective I have seen very many other people who have been transformed by pushing themselves outside their comfort zones and changing the path of their life.  

Which brings me back to why I was someone who could enjoy putting together the Corporate COTS. I have been in the classical music world since the 1990s and part of what I did when I was an agent, looking after the careers of international concert artists, was promoting and producing concerts in many London venues as well as a few abroad and a small number of orchestral tours. Added to that, with a second passion being theatre, I produced a couple of plays on the London fringe. Now, in the immediate present, I am very involved with the production of a multi-concert music festival in Italy. Curiosity, passion and persistence still prevail. 

 

Celebrating Gillian Myers: A Beacon of Youth Leadership in District 91

by

Wow! I am extremely humbled by this award! As soon as I heard about the Youth Leadership Programme (YLP), I knew it was something I wanted to be involved in. With public speaking now on the national curriculum, and the TMI YLP workbooks outlining each lesson; I knew now was the moment! However I didn’t feel the most experienced or qualified Toastmaster, I was not even sure about standing in front of a class of students! Yet, what I lacked in confidence I made up for in determination, in the full belief this programme really can transform the lives of students at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College.

The YLP was certainly a team effort, I could never have run the programme without the support and expertise of everyone who contributed. 11 toastmasters from Hamwic Speakers and Alex from Solent Speakers all participated on the course. As coordinator I attended every week, and 2 toastmasters joined me each week.

I would like to thank Janet Alkema the District 91 Youth Leadership Programme Champion 2023-2024 for nominating me! Janet gave me a huge amount of encouragement, support, and invited me to her YLP in Farnham. This experience was invaluable, giving me the vision and self-belief to go for it!

It has been so rewarding to see the students build confidence and public speaking skills; they really came alive in front of a live audience at our final celebration meeting between the college and Hamwic Speakers. By stepping forward I have also grown, gaining confidence in leadership, workshop facilitation, and public speaking. This has been one of the most fulfilling projects, and I am already planning the next YLP!

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed, we did this as a team! And thank you so much to District 91 for even thinking of me!

I dedicate this award in loving memory of my brother William Myers, who we very sadly lost during this YLP, and who always supported me on my public speaking journey.

   

Article by:

Gillian Myers
Hamwic Speakers, Southampton
District 91 Youth Leadership Facilitator 2023-2024 Award
in recognition of exceptional leadership and devoted service

 

Spotlight on Innovation: Edeje Onwude’s Impactful Role in D91 Webinars

by

Have you attended a D91 webinar lately?

If the answer is yes, then you have Edeje to thank for that. Edeje Onwude is a relatively new toastmaster, she joined Chiltern speakers in April 2024 and has quickly made a significant impact. She is currently the VPM for Chiltern speakers and oversees our weekly webinar sessions, ensuring they run smoothly, aligning with our goals to continuously improve our program and provide value to all participants. We’re excited to have her energy and dedication on board. Here she shares a little more about herself and highlights some of the upcoming webinars.

Edeje Onwude, D91 Webinar manager and VPM for Chiltern Speakers club, tells us a bit about herself and her experience setting up and running the D91 webinars.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am a marketing & communications expert, with 14 years of brand, marketing and communications experience working with some iconic brands like Coca-Cola, Henkel and Reckitt, where I have managed everything from new product development to brand growth strategies and communications. I currently sit on the board of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), responsible for running the mentoring programme and student partnerships. Giving back is very important to me, hence I volunteer with Cancer Research UK, UN Women UK and Diana Awards. It is also one of reasons I took up the webinar manager role. In my free time, you will find me reading a book, writing (including speeches), listening to podcasts or spending time with family and friends. I also raise two beautiful souls who teach me things about life and myself every day.

What have you been doing for D91?

I’ve been co-ordinating with the D91 leadership team, to build the weekly webinar schedule, based on member’s needs, the Toastmasters calendar and aligned to the district goal of continuous improvement of the program. I also ensure the smooth running of the webinars by setting up the zoom sessions, liaising with the PR team to promote the webinars and gain participation. Finally, I work very closely with the zoom master’s to collate feedback from each session – allowing us to get input from participants to continue to improve the experience.

What have you most enjoyed?

My favourite part has been the people (I know corny right?) and exposure. Being a relatively new Toastmaster, working with the district leadership team has exposed me to the opportunities both from a leadership and learning perspective. Something that is not always obvious looking from only a club Lense. On a lighter note, I have also decoded more Toastmasters acronyms e.g. DEC – That is not short for December as I thought; it is District Executive Committee meeting. You’re welcome 😊

What is the most challenging aspect of the role?

What I find challenging on some occasions is low participation on the webinars. Imagine spending weeks setting up a webinar, getting a host and zoom master. The host comes prepared with content and only 2 people show up for the webinar. I find that very demoralising. I am never one to give in to a challenge though so with the help of the collated feedback and webinar engagement analysis, I am working to pinpoint the most interesting topics for members and improve the experience.

How has your experience so far helped in your day job?

I am currently on the lookout for my next opportunity. Hence, supporting with the webinars has helped me make use of my time productively by utilising my existing skills of collaboration, content development/curation, stakeholder management and listening to enhance the learning experience for Toastmasters. It has also been great for expanding my network of Toastmasters beyond the club level. If you’ll like to connect, you can find me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/edeje-onwude

Click here to see all the upcoming webinars we have for the year. You can also register for our upcoming webinars in October. They run weekly on Sundays at 5pm – 6pm.

6th Oct: What is Speech craft – https://tinyurl.com/D91-what-is-speech-craft

13th October: How to use Concur – https://tinyurl.com/D91-HTUConcur

20th October: Conflict resolution – https://tinyurl.com/D91-conflict-resolution

27th October: Growing membership – https://tinyurl.com/D91-Growing-membership

Mastering the Art of Podcast Presentation: 8 Essential Tips – by Violeta Saladiene

by

Ever thought of producing your own podcast?  A podcast is like a radio talk show which digs a little deeper into topics than the written word.  But unlike a radio show, a podcast is available on the Internet for free, to anyone in the world who has a connected device capable of playing audio. Violeta Saladiene, President of Shilling Speakers Toastmasters Club, shares some of the tips and tricks for putting together an award-winning podcast.

Podcasting has rapidly emerged as a powerful medium for sharing ideas, stories and expertise. Whether you plan to pursue podcasting as a hobby or a side hustle, having a platform where your voice can be heard is appealing. I’d like to share with you eight tips which will help to turn your podcast into compelling listening.

 

  1. Know Your Audience:

We got the idea for our podcast from Toastmasters International in America. They have produced over 250 episodes, amplifying the interviews and stories featured in the Toastmasters magazine, digging a little deeper, to put a voice to the written word. Their podcast is aimed squarely at existing club members.

At Shilling Speakers Toastmasters Club, we’ve been running our podcast for two years, building it from the ground up and we’ve got 52 episodes in the can. While the episodes are listened to by our club members, we are also trying to attract new members, by giving them a flavour of what to expect when coming to a meeting at our club.

Ask yourself why you are doing the podcast, if the purpose is to entertain, inform or educate and then jot down who you are trying to reach.

Once you have the answers to these questions, it will help you plan the content of your episodes, ensuring they are relevant and engaging. For instance, if your podcast is aimed at young professionals, you’ll want to focus on topics that resonate with them and their challenges and interests. Coose a unique and memorable name for your podcast. It should hint at the content while standing out to potential listeners. A distinctive name helps with the branding and makes it easier for your audience to find and remember.

 

  1. Stick to a Structure

Having a consistent structure for your podcast episodes can greatly enhance the listening experience. Decide if you want to present alone or with a team and agree on the segments for each episode. This structure not only brings variety, but also sets clear expectations for the audience. Consistency helps your listeners know what to expect and creates a sense of familiarity, making your podcast appear more organised and professional.

 

  1. Determine the Episode Length

The ideal length of a podcast episode can vary, but between 30-40 minutes is generally the most effective, because its long enough to delve into topics without overwhelming the listener. As you gain more experience, you can adjust the length based on audience feedback and the complexity of the topics covered. Shorter episodes can be punchy and more easily digestible, leaving listeners wanting more and eagerly anticipating the next episode.

 

  1. Establish a Publishing Frequency

Consistency is the key in podcasting. Decide how often you’ll release new episodes and stick to that schedule. Publishing regular episodes not only meets audience expectations, but also helps maintain listener engagement. Consistency also signals professionalism and reliability, which can help you grow a dedicated listener base.

 

  1. Invest in Quality Recording Equipment

When starting a podcast, one important consideration is audio quality. Invest in a high-quality microphone to ensure clear, professional sound. Consider the recording environment and minimise background noise and echoes to enhance sound quality. Poor audio quality can deter listeners, no matter how compelling your content is.

 

  1. Use Effective Editing Software

Editing can make or break your podcast. Free software like Audacity and GarageBand are excellent starting points. If your budget allows, consider professional options like Adobe Audition or Hindenburg Journalist. Editing involves more than cutting out mistakes, it’s about creating a smooth, engaging flow. A well-edited episode can significantly improve the listener’s experience, making it polished and professional. During editing, pay attention to pacing, remove unnecessary pauses, and ensure transitions between segments are seamless.

 

  1. Publish on Popular Platforms

Publish your podcast on major platforms such as Spotify (32m + monthly listeners) and Apple Podcasts (28m+ monthly listeners). Pay attention to the title and description of each episode. A catchy, intriguing title can attract new listeners, while a detailed dscription with relevant keywords can help your podcast appear in search results. In the post-COVID  era, you have just eight seconds to grab a listener’s attention. Consider creating custom artwork for each episode to make it visually appealing and professional.

 

  1. Promote Your Podcast

Effective promotion is crucial to growing your audience. Use social media platforms and tailor your approach to your target demographic. Younger audiences may prefer Instagram and TikTok, while professionals may be more accessible on LinkedIn. Don’t forget to share your podcast with friends, family, and colleagues. Creating a dedicated podcast website and considering paid advertising or email marketing can also enhance visibility. Another good strategy is to record a promotional video of up to 1 minute. Engaging with your audience by sharing behind-the-scenes content, episode highlights, and encouraging listeners to leave reviews will also lead to organic growth and a loyal listener base.

 

Podcasting is a dynamic and fulfilling way to share your voice with the world. By understanding your audience, maintaining a consistent structure and schedule, investing in quality equipment, and effectively promoting your content, you can create a podcast that resonates with listeners and keeps them coming back for more. By following these eight tips, you can enhance the quality of your podcast and build a dedicated following for your podcast.

 

By Violeta Saladiene,

President of Shilling Speakers and a host of Shilling Speakers Podcast, a Toastmaster since 2020. Violeta has won 3rd place in D91 in Humorous Speech Contest in 2024 and was a semi-finalist in D71 in International Speech Contest in 2024.