Let’s Finish the Year with Determination
In Toastmasters, we place great emphasis on finishing the year with determination and striving for success until the very end. One example that resonates with this concept is the story of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps. Throughout his career, Phelps consistently demonstrated the power of finishing strong and overcoming challenges.
Phelps faced numerous obstacles and setbacks on his path to becoming the most decorated Olympian of all time. In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, during the 100m butterfly event, his goggles filled with water impairing his vision. Despite the disadvantage, Phelps didn’t give up. He continued to swim with unwavering determination and managed to win the gold medal by a mere one-hundredth of a second.
Phelps’ story showcases the importance of resilience, perseverance, and never giving up, even in the face of adversity. It serves as a powerful reminder that finishing strong is not only about achieving personal success but also about inspiring others and leaving a lasting impact.
In Toastmasters, we can draw inspiration from Phelps’ story by channelling our energy and efforts into finishing the year with the same level of determination and perseverance. Let’s support our fellow members, celebrate their achievements, and assist them in reaching their goals. Doing so contributes to a thriving Toastmasters community where everyone can strive for excellence and finish strong together.
Let’s celebrate our successes and finish strong together.
Let’s Celebrate New Clubs
I am thrilled to welcome two new clubs to District 91. These clubs provide a platform for employees to sharpen their public speaking skills, refine their leadership abilities, and foster a culture of collaboration and growth. Through the Toastmasters program, members of these clubs will embark on a transformative journey, gaining the confidence and expertise needed to excel in their careers and make meaningful contributions to their teams. Please welcome Natwest Wealth CDIO Toastmasters and Dr Martens Toastmasters Clubs.
NatWest Wealth CDIO Toastmasters
“We are proud and excited to join Toastmasters International and build our communication and leadership skills within our organization. We’re very grateful for all of the support from District 91; we’ve had 2 amazing sessions so far with resoundingly positive feedback and we’re building confidence with each step we take on this journey.”
Dr Martens Toastmasters
‘We are all really excited to get the new DM’s Toastmasters club off the ground and create a safe, supportive and fun environment to watch club members build confidence in public speaking’
Net Growth 10
The first 20 clubs who, by the 15th of June 2023, achieve a net growth of ten new members from their 1st July 2022 base number will win £100 to boost their club’s funds. The winners so far are:
Bank Street Toastmasters
Beckenham Communicators
Bloomberg London Toastmasters
Bristol Central Speakers
City of London Toastmasters Club
Early Bird Speakers
Farnham Speakers Club
Holborn Speakers
Kent Speakers Club
London Cardinals
London Public Speakers
PA Consulting London
Winchmore Hill Speakers
Beat the Clock
Clubs adding five new, dual or reinstated members with a join date between May 1 and June 30 receive a Beat the Clock ribbon to display on the club’s banner.
District 91 will offer an additional monetary incentive for unique new and reinstated members only of £30. The winners so far are:
Bloomberg London Toastmasters
City of London Toastmasters
Kent Speakers
Central London Toastmasters
London Public Speakers
Bank Street Toastmasters
Phoenix Award
This is an award to any club that started the year with 12 or fewer members and throughout the same toastmaster year built their membership to charter strength (20 members) by 30th April 2023. We extended the deadline to 15th June. I am happy to announce that the winners to date are:
Bank Street Toastmasters and Winchmore Hill Speakers.
Let’s Celebrate New Members!
We are thrilled to celebrate the remarkable addition of 2,103 new members to District 91. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of individuals committed to personal growth and effective communication and marks an incredible milestone for District 91. With each new member, our Toastmasters family expands, bringing a diverse range of perspectives, skills, and aspirations to our community. Let’s celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our 2,103 new members, who have embarked on an exciting journey of self-improvement and shared success. Here’s to their boldness, ambition, and the bright future they bring to District 91.
Finally, take a moment to reflect on what you and your club have achieved this year so far, whether it’s a successful speech contest, a new member achieving their goals, or a great meeting. Celebrate your successes and use them as motivation to keep going.
Let’s use the next three weeks to complete our goals and finish strong. I look forward to seeing you at the finish line. Let’s keep going and let’s win together!
Thank you all for your efforts and many congratulations.
Debbie Williams
Club Growth Director, 2022-2023