When I joined Toastmasters, I approached the meeting roles the same way I approach most things.I studied them.Timer? Read the guidance.Grammarian? Read the guidance.Ah-Counter? Read the guidance.Evaluator? Read even more guidance, because I was absolutely convinced I was not qualified to tell anyone how to improve.Then I volunteered for the role, did my best, survived, … Read more
From a Covid-era idea to a much-loved District 71 tradition 16 August 2020. The world was in lockdown, Toastmasters meetings had moved online, and staying connected had never been more important. It was against this backdrop that the Sunday Leadership Series was born. The brainchild of then Public Relations Manager Elizabeth Jordan, the idea was … Read more
We held an improv workshop, led by local theatre company Stand Easy Productions to help us develop our impromptu speaking skills. The evening was both great fun and highly informative, giving us new ideas to take away and incorporate into our future meetings. The workshop was also valuable in generating interest in our club in … Read more
Division D delivered Club Officers Training Part 1 (COT-1) at Kavanagh’s in Portlaoise on Saturday morning. 55 registered, 42 turned up. Some enthusiastic responses included:“Fantastic Div D COT today! I met new people and even learned something new.”“Today was a great day. The event was very well organised and the turnout was excellent.”The event was … Read more
Many remember their first Toastmasters speech. But do you remember your first Toastmasters committee role? As a first-time Vice President of Public Relations (VPPR) for my club, Chelmsford City Communicators, the responsibility initially seemed daunting. Thankfully, help was on hand through Club Officer Training (COT). Kalpana Ramesh, Division H Director, organised District 71’s first in-person … Read more
Are you loving your time at your local club and keen to introduce it to your colleagues at work? The Corporate Club Growth Team are keen to hear from you. We’ll make it as easy as possible, all you need to do is send an email to your HR manager and we’ll take it from … Read more
If you are working towards your DTM, becoming a Club Coach is one of the most rewarding ways to join an elite group of Toastmasters. District 71 is looking for energetic members to share their knowledge and experience with clubs who need a little extra support. As a coach, you will work side-by-side with club … Read more
What does it take to master the moment when the spotlight is on? In our May edition of Toastmasters Unplugged: Mastering the Moment, we caught up with our newly crowned District 71 champions to hear about their experiences, their approach to competition, and what speaking means to them. Among the champions was Aaron Day, winner … Read more
Are you loving your time at your local club and keen to introduce it to your colleagues at work? The Corporate Club Growth Team are keen to hear from you. We’ll make it as easy as possible, all you need to do is send an email to your HR manager and we’ll take it from … Read more
In 2024, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development published research showing that communication skills topped the list of leadership competencies most cited as lacking across UK organisations. Not technical expertise. Not strategic thinking. Not financial acumen. Communication. This was not a surprise to those of us who spend time inside boardrooms, training rooms, and … Read more