Toastmasters Talk Issue 22
Messages from the District Director and Administration Manager, the results of District elections and speech contests, centennial resources .. and much more!
John Leech
Dundee Toastmasters Speechcraft Programme at NCR Atleos
In November 2025, Dundee Toastmasters successfully delivered a Speechcraft programme for international ATM company NCR Atleos at their UK offices in Dundee. The programme was led by Michèle Blackwood (Pathways Champion Div S) alongside fellow members Caroline Cooper, Claire Downie (Club President) and Julia Martineau (Area 43 Director). Participants were provided access to Speechcraft online … Read more
Starting a new club at the BBC
Building Our New Corporate Toastmasters Club: A Journey Worth Taking Over the last 18 months, I’ve had the privilege of successfully chartering a brand new Toastmasters corporate club where I work. Toastmasters at the BBC’s first official meeting took place on 21 October 2025, but the road to that moment was anything but simple. It … Read more
Rose Conference Update
The Rose Conference Continues to Bloom You will not be surprised to know that the work for the Rose Conference continues apace. First we sold over 100 tickets before our Valentines Day Golden Ticket Draw which was won by Anita Howard. This could not have gone to a more deserving winner as Anita is a … Read more
Strengthening Leadership Across District 71: Reflections on the Regional Advisor’s February Visit
Day 1– The opening day brought together a combined Club Officer Training and round-table engagement. Participants repeatedly expressed that the sessions were unlike anything they had experienced before- dynamic, deeply engaging, and transformational in both content and delivery. The conversations surrounding club growth, member experience, leadership pipelines, and new club creation reflected a renewed enthusiasm … Read more
Testimonials From Regional Advisor’s Visit
After a very warm round of introductions we proceeded to learn how the TM has experience has impacted people from different clubs around the country. Always positive, the conversations were most stimulating! We also learned how we can improve guest experience, service and retention within the clubs. The speakers were truly excellent. A pleasure to … Read more
Testimonials From Regional Advisor’s Visit
The question of how we grow our clubs, and even build new Toastmasters clubs doesn’t really matter to most of us, until suddenly it does. Perhaps it’s a calling? Perhaps it’s about being “voluntold”. Or maybe setting up a new club, isn’t all that different from the weekly commitments of being a committee member of … Read more
Testimonials From Regional Advisor’s Visit
I attended the programme with modest expectations but was pleasantly surprised by how engaging and valuable it turned out to be. The warm, well‑organised atmosphere, supported by friendly facilitators and thoughtful refreshments, set a positive tone for the day. The sessions on running a club and tracking goals were insightful, and the Q&A added meaningful … Read more
Testimonials From Regional Advisor’s Visit
Attending the Edinburgh event was genuinely worthwhile. It was great to meet members from across the country and put faces to names you usually only see in meetings and online. The sessions were high quality and, importantly, interactive — not just listening but doing, discussing and seeing concepts visually, which really helped things stick in … Read more
Dearg Doom
Pogoing to Dearg Doom at the junior disco, you suggest taking a breather. Blaming your Aran jumper, but I know what you’re really up to, when you sneak a snaky arm around my shoulder. My first kiss – your brace bumping against my teeth, a tangle of tongues. We come up for air, and wonder … Read more