October has given us plenty to celebrate, from the amazing work happening in our clubs, to chartering a new club in our District at the end of September, encouraging members to raise the bar in their communication skills by competing in the Humorous Speech and Table Topics contests and helping others find theirs.
I’ve enjoyed visiting Eastbourne Toastmasters Club and seeing first-hand how our clubs create supportive spaces for members to discover new possibilities. I also had the pleasure of supporting the Division D Contest as a member, with Lynne representing the District Leadership Team. It was wonderful to see new members stepping up and celebrating each other’s achievements as well as listen to some great speeches. I’m excited to watch the Division contest finalists compete at the District finals on 21st November as well as listen to the World Champion of Public Speaking 2026, Dirceu Da Silva share tips on becoming a great communicator.
Every voice matters
22 October was a special day for two reasons: Toastmasters International celebrated its 102nd anniversary and it was also International Stammer Awareness Day.
To mark the occasion, our District PR team created a special promotional video of Toastmasters members sharing their personal experiences of how the programme has helped them navigate speech impediments and grow in confidence. If you haven’t seen it yet, do take a look at our social media! (Jeevan add a link with a thumbnail of the promo image)
If you have a friend, colleague or family member who stammers and would like support in building their confidence, please tell them about Kings Speakers, our specialist Toastmasters club. A simple introduction could help someone take a step they have been putting off for years.
This matters now more than ever. As AI reshapes the workplace, our ability to communicate, listen, build relationships and lead others remains vital. The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report found that 61% of employers surveyed consider leadership and social influence as core workforce skills, while 50% highlighted empathy and active listening. These are skills we practise at Toastmasters every week and skills that can open doors far beyond the meeting room.
What would you like to achieve before end of this calendar year?
Perhaps it’s welcoming new members, turning around a struggling club, taking on a new role or achieving a personal goal that you’ve been putting off. If your club needs help building membership or getting back on track, please reach out to your Area Director. A conversation can be the starting point for a fresh approach, new ideas and renewed energy.
A little Christmas magic 🎄
This Christmas, we’ll be giving special recognition to members who start a conversation about setting up a new Toastmasters club within their organisation or local community.
You don’t need a complete plan or all the answers. Just start the conversation. There may be people around you who have yet to discover the confidence, connections and opportunities that Toastmasters can offer. Let’s make these next few weeks count, for ourselves, our clubs and the people whose lives we could help change.
With best wishes
Seema Menon, DTM
District Director, District 91
Last Updated on 26th October 2026 by Suhas Kumar