As the title of one of my favourite TV series, Star Trek: The Next Generation tells us, all goods things must come to an end, and as I write my final newsletter article as your District Director and as I reflected in the Council pack, I can look back on the program year with immense pride for what we have achieved within district leadership and across our wonderful clubs.
I won’t repeat the large number of thanks that are laid out in the council pack or what I said in my farewell speech, instead I wanted to leave you with some of my own lessons that I have picked up during my time in Toastmasters and latterly as a senior district leader.
- To Club Members – always remember what you joined for in the first place, and before you agree to take on any extra responsibility make sure that you have a plan to achieve what you set out. However, if someone asks you to pick up a task or role within the club, before you say no or I don’t have the time – please don’t answer straight away, pause, do your research and make the right decision once you have all the information you need. If you do say yes, I doubt very much you will regret it.
- To Club Leaders – I know that the amount of Toastmasters resources can seem vast and overwhelming. You should absolutely take advice from previous officers of your club and indeed from officers outside your own club, but there is no substitute for first-hand knowledge. Make sure you at least read the club leadership handbook, and the club constitution, this will give you an important platform for what is to come. Make sure you know who your area director is and use them, they are there for you! Remember, you and your team are enabling people to come through your club doors and for some it really will be a life changing experience. Oh, and – please see my advice above, this applies to you too.
- To District Leaders – First hand knowledge is my advice for you too, but I am afraid you have a little more to gather than most. Have a read of the District Administrative bylaws (yes, all of them) and make sure you keep referring back to the District Leadership Handbook, the timeline in there will be your ultimate go-to. Make sure you are specifically clear about the rules regarding your role and the involvement with clubs. You will be challenged on this point for different reasons time and time again. And you especially need to read my comments about personal goals in my first point above. You didn’t join Toastmasters to be a district leader – make sure you are getting the value from your toastmaster membership too, balance is key.
- To Madam District Director Elect – What we achieved this program year in creating Team 24/25, in creating an ethos that we have become famous for, will (I hope) give you the platform you need to go on and achieve the things that I have been unable to. I have done the repair work – and now you need to build that skyscraper! Carry on being you – and remember, as you have already discovered even when the sun is nearly rising and the milkman is out on his rounds, I am always there for you, and I look forward to serving you to the best of my ability. Above all else though – please enjoy it. And remember, it’s only Toastmasters 😉
And finally – for any leader current or future within our organisation and beyond, here are my top leadership lessons for you to reflect upon:
- Don’t try and boil the ocean – you can’t achieve everything even if you want to. Be focussed, be determined but don’t burn out!
- Be you and always you – leaders need to flex and change but you can do that without changing who you are and being sure never to leave your core values, or the core values of our organisation behind
- No leader is an island – ask for help. However, remember that at the end the day – you can skill make the decision. Advice, opinion and support does not remove your responsibility.
- If you are not enjoying what you doing , or it is effecting your wellbeing to the point where there is no longer a balance – you need to pause and decide whether you need to be brave and think of yourself first.
I hope to see as many of you as possible at the Hall of Fame in London on Saturday 5th July. Spaces ARE limited – please book now, it is free to attend!
Toastmasters International may not be a lifesaving organisation – but it is a life changing one.
Thank you for making me proud to be your District Director.
Yours in service
Steve Vear MBE DTM
District Director 2024-2025
Last Updated on 25th June 2025 by Allen Paul