Time goes so quickly!
I cannot believe that I am once again writing my article for the next newsletter. I hope that those of you who celebrate Christmas enjoyed the period in whatever way you chose to do it. And if you don’t celebrate the period I hope at least you had some time to relax and do something nice with your time away from work or the usual schedule of things. Importantly though, if any of our members found themselves working over Christmas perhaps as a member of the emergency services or for those of you with caring responsibilities, thank you for all you do.
It seems almost unbelievable that on the 1st January we will officially reach the mid year point of this Toastmaster year. Six months have gone by with still a very important six months to follow. I want to start by repeating my message contained in my video last month (I will try not to laugh so much as I write this) and that is to thank each and every one of you for making District 91 what it is today. Running clubs week in and week out is always a challenge, but it is such a rewarding thing to do when we see the often transformative nature of the Toastmasters program. Special thanks is also due to all the members of the District Executive committee for their efforts and service having achieved so much in the last six months.
As we stand close to the edge of the second half of the year, it is a good time to take stock, both personally and with your club or district responsibility in mind, so I would encourage you to think:
1. What were your own Toastmasters goals in 2024? Was it to complete a level or a path or just perhaps, attend more meetings? Reflect on how that went for you.
2. Bearing this in mind, what are your Toastmaster goals in 2025? Is there something you have never tried before that you would like to?
3. Think back not just to your goals in 2024, but the reason you joined your club in the first place. Are you on target to achieve that? How is that going and what do you need to do now on this journey you embarked upon?
4. Are you a member that goes beyond the agenda? Do you do more than just complete speeches and take on meeting roles? if so, how can you encourage others to do this year? If you do not – what would be the one thing, however small that you could do to help your club ‘beyond the agenda’?
5. Bearing in mind that Toastmasters is ‘where leaders are made’, how would you describe your leadership style and strength? How could you use Toastmasters to support your leadership journey during 2025?
Speaking personally, 2024 was a good year for me (and not just because it was when you asked me to become District Director) but I managed to tick off one or two personal goals. I wasn’t expect the change in career that I have now embarked upon but there is no doubt in my mind that my Toastmasters is one of the many sources where I have been able to build a set skills and experience to set me up for the challenges of 2025 in my new life. It is no accident that at many of the clubs I visit, I talk about the fact that Toastmasters might not be a life saving organisation but it can be a life changing one! I wonder how Toastmasters will effect your life in 2025?
Reflecting for a moment on the achievement of our District mission, I want to thank everyone involved in supporting Seema in driving our club growth activity up until this point. Over the Christmas period we had another couple of pre-charter clubs confirmed by Headquarters and I look forward to seeing how we can support these new clubs and members grow in the coming weeks and months.
There is so much to look forward to in the next six months of our program year and I look forward to seeing you around the District in the coming months.
Thank you,
Steve Vear MBE DTM
District Director
Last Updated on 31st December 2024 by Allen Paul