Youth Leadership

Empowering Future Leaders: Delivering the Toastmasters Youth Leadership Programme

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As Toastmasters, we know the transformative power of effective communication and confident leadership. The Toastmasters Youth Leadership Programme (YLP) offers us a unique opportunity to share this gift with the next generation. This eight-week course, designed for students, is a rewarding initiative that equips young people with the essential skills of public speaking, delivering with impact, providing constructive feedback, and mastering impromptu speaking.

I have just finished delivering the programme to a class of 25 16 year-olds at one of my local secondary schools. They were a lovely group, very willing to engage with the programme and, at the end of the last session, several of them told me how much they had appreciated the opportunity to take the course. They themselves had witnessed their own development in skills and confidence – and that was just for one hour a week over the 8-week period.  It is such a rewarding experience when the results are so clear – and so appreciated.

These pupils proved the fact that the YLP is more than just a training programme in public speaking; it’s a confidence-building journey for young participants. Students enter the programme shy and uncertain about speaking in front of others. By the end of the eight sessions, they stand taller, speak with conviction, and display a newfound sense of self-assurance.  What better gift can we give to young people as they transition from school into the world of work.

Through structured guidance, participants learn exactly what we learn from our Pathways projects and attendance at club meetings, i.e. how to:

  • Craft compelling speeches:  From brainstorming ideas to structuring a clear and engaging narrative.
  • Deliver with impact: Techniques for voice modulation, body language, and connecting with an audience.
  • Provide and receive feedback: Developing critical listening skills and the ability to give positive yet constructive, feedback.
  • Think on their feet: Tackling impromptu speaking with confidence and clarity.

The Reward for the Toastmaster
For those of us delivering the programme, the rewards are immense. Witnessing the growth and transformation of students is deeply fulfilling. It’s a reminder of why we joined Toastmasters in the first place: to help people unlock their potential.

Moreover, running a YLP enhances our own leadership and mentoring skills. It’s a chance to engage with our local community, strengthen connections, and showcase the value of Toastmasters to a wider audience.  It is also an optional requirement for the DTM qualification.

How to Get Started
If you’re inspired to bring the Youth Leadership Programme to your local schools, here are some steps to help you get started:

  1. Identify a school or youth organisation:  Reach out to schools, youth clubs, or community groups in your area. Explain the benefits of the programme and how it aligns with their goals for student development.  I delivered this last programme in the students’ Enrichment class.
  2. Gather support:  Work with fellow Toastmasters to form a small team. Collaboration ensures a smooth delivery and provides participants with diverse perspectives.
  3. Plan your sessions:  The eight-week structure provides flexibility. Each session focuses on a specific skill, with opportunities for practice, exercises and feedback. Toastmaster International has a pack, that your club can purchase from the store, with a co-ordinator’s manual and student workbooks so it is super easy to deliver.
  4. Engage the students: Use interactive activities, encourage participation, and create a supportive environment where students feel safe to take risks and grow.
  5. Celebrate their achievements: Conclude the programme with a showcase event where students deliver their final speeches, give evaluations and do a mini Table Topics session.  They can invite parents, teachers, and community members to celebrate their progress. 

The Ripple Effect
By delivering the Youth Leadership Programme, we’re not just teaching public speaking skills; we’re empowering young individuals to find their voices and make an impact. The confidence and skills they gain will ripple through their lives, influencing their education, careers, and communities.

So, why not take the leap? Reach out to a local school or organisation and offer to run a Youth Leadership Programme. The rewards, both for the students and for you as a Toastmaster, are immeasurable. Together, we can inspire and equip the leaders of tomorrow.

 

Do contact me if you have any questions – or you would like further information.

Janet Alkema, DTM
Member of Farnham Speakers, and
D91 District Administration Manager

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

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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

 

D91 Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program

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A New Chapter

By Andrew Bennett and Janet Alkema

Andrew Bennett

How happy we have been to resume our D91 Youth Leadership Programs after the pandemic as the schools and youth structures were able to receive us.

It has been my privilege to share news with you and I am so pleased that the following clubs have delivered YLPs this year:

Speakers of Croydon, Malvern Speakers (2 Programs,) Beckenham Communicators, City Limits Toastmasters, Farnham Speakers.

Thank you so much to these clubs and the Toastmaster Coordinators who led the programs. You have made such a valuable contribution to the lives of our young people. They will benefit hugely from all they have learned about speaking and leadership from you and to know that you all enjoyed the experience so much is a bonus!

The new Toastmasters year is beginning, and I have decided to step down as YLP Encourager for our District.

It all started with a request when I was an Area Director on London Division B Council in D71 (D91 didn’t exist yet!)

That request to support Youth Leadership Program has extended into a ten-year period where I have had the joy of accompanying Toastmasters who wanted to deliver the program.

I was able to bring young people to showcase their speaking skills at two spring conferences, visited and delivered content at many programs and fostered our international connections. I was invited to share with programs in France, Austria, Canada, Turkey and assist with the setting up of the first YLP in Peru.

From a very full heart I say thank you to all our Toastmasters who have assisted in any way with Youth Leadership Program over those many years.

I am so happy to announce that Toastmaster Janet Alkema will be your new Youth Leadership champion. Janet has recently completed a very successful YLP with her club, Farnham Speakers.

She will be setting up a committee to further promote Youth Leadership and I know that you will support her by volunteering to lead programs in the coming year.

I’d like to hand over to Janet now to tell us about the Farnham Speakers Youth Leadership Program …..

Above: Janet presenting the certificates at the final assembly at Heath End School

Janet Alkema

Thank you very much, Andrew.  You have left big shoes for me to fill!!

I first found out about the Youth Leadership Programme about 5 years ago and approached my club, Farnham Speakers, who agreed to sponsor the workbooks.  I then set about wondering how or where I could start one. In 2019 I found a school which was very keen to become involved in such a project and we were in negotiations for this when Covid struck two years ago.  Two years later and I was able to negotiate with another local school to run a programme with 11 of their Year 9 pupils (14-year-olds.)  We started at the end of February this year – did the 8 weekly sessions with the final presentation meeting at the end of March.  Rather frustratingly I had Covid by then and could not attend the presentation meeting. However, by all accounts it was extremely successful and we received very enthusiastic feedback from the parents and teachers who were very impressed with the progress in speaking and confidence the pupils demonstrated in such a short time frame.  I call it the Magic of Toastmasters.

We have been asked to run another programme at the same school in the Autumn term which I will do with my small band of helpers.  We have also linked up with our local Rotary group who are keen to contribute during the sessions.  This has been very helpful as not all our Farnham Speakers members are available during the school day and we appreciate the Rotarian’s support.

I can see first hand the benefits to the pupils of having access to the Programme and am very keen to see even more being run out in schools across District 91.  Of course there are immense benefits to those who run the courses as well, not least of which is that it is one of the criteria to gain credit for a DTM award.

Please do contact me if you would like to hear more about how this can help you, as an individual Toastmaster, as well as your club.  Let’s see if we can get at least one YLP in each Area of District 91 this year!!  This video clip from a speech I delivered recently also gives more information about the Programme.