Our Legacy

explore blogs reflecting on conferences for District 91 from 2015 to 2023!

Making more memories at the District 91, UK South Annual Conference 2024

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It came… and went in a flash! I write this a week after the #LimitlessYOU conference in Bristol (and online) in May 2024. Colleagues around the world still have their conferences coming up and a few of us are already planning our trips to the International Convention in California this summer. Following my recent article, reflecting on my conference experiences since 2017, I’ve been asked to write a few words about my reflections on this most recent conference. Duty bound once more, I knew I had at least two jobs over the weekend: I have a non-Toastmaster friend who lives just outside of Bristol that I looked up earlier in the week. She had been intrigued about this Toastmasters thing, probably because of my social media posts and decided fairly last minute to grab a ticket to have a taster. It was great to be able to have brought a non-member to the event and to catch up. One of the other things that I noticed on the Friday evening and a definitive reason to celebrate was the number of first-timers to a District Conference. This was evident both in the official proceedings and over informal drinks in a hotel bar afterward. After the Table Topics Contest, a little pivoting was required for our panel discussion. It was an absolute pleasure and honour to have been given the opportunity to Chair, and I’m still amazed that we managed to have all TEN District Directors on stage at the same time. Saturday, the theme was Connect – there’s something to be said about how we do this through speeches – and connecting with our audience/listeners, for me, is just as important in terms of the one-on-one conversations that happen through networking. Our keynote speaker on Saturday morning, Nadia Nagamootoo, was someone that I’d met at an event pre-pandemic. We went to the same business school. The power of social media is such that you can keep reasonably up-to-date with what is going on with another person and so when our Conference Director asked me for speaker suggestions, I shared a post that I’d seen. On the morning of the keynote Nadia and I got to have breakfast together and catch up. On to the District Council, I’m not kidding when I say that I love a good business meeting! Yes, there are a few of us that geek out on this sort of thing. For many of you, you may not be aware that the conference weekend is built around this one event! For a District Director, it’s their main event of the year… whether incoming or outgoing, a LOT of work goes into bringing the event together and starts months in advance. I chaired the District Leadership Committee this year and that process started back in December. It culminates in the elections that take place at the Annual meeting of the District Council. In the afternoon, we typically hold the International Speech Contest finals. After the District Council, this event holds the next highest significance and is mandatory. Getting it right gives our winner the greatest possible chance of making it through the next level and onwards to the semi-finals of the World Championship of Public Speaking. The standard was incredibly high this year and on a personal level, it was incredible to see two members from my club(s) in the final. I’ve been fortunate enough to have developed a global network of friends in Toastmasters, mainly as a result of my time on the District Trio – some of that cohort will be lifelong friends and is evidence that adversity fosters resilience and deepens relationships. As a District, we’ve got a few members from other parts of the world who served in various capacities and are still willing to serve. I may have heard of them through my friends and contacts but only got to meet a couple of them for the first time in person at the conference. The Saturday evening culminates in our Hall of Fame and Gala Dinner, and for some an after-party of sorts. This year it was the #321 gang and perhaps as I am heading to retirement, I sat that one out! No doubt, more was celebrated, members connected and memories were created. On Sunday, I missed most of the morning of the conference. Here’s the thing… it’s ok not to go to every single thing on the agenda, particularly if you are an introvert. I totally needed a bit of quiet time for myself. My official responsibilities were largely over and I needed to sort something out so I could get home later that day. As I’ve learned over the years, there’s an art to conference going, and some of the moments and memories that are created happen around the event itself. I’ll certainly be catching up with the bits that I missed in the conference platform, in particular the conversation and the evaluation contest. There’s also something to be said about capturing moments on camera that people don’t know you have (up to mischief!) I managed to catch the humorous speech contest final which again showcased the best of the best. Delighted also to watch the panel discussion moderated by Alistair Marson, who has been behind the scenes for the past two District Conferences and has become a great friend. And finally, watching the installation of the new District Leadership Team and hearing our District Director elect’s inaugural speech. Not only was I, and the rest of the audience moved by it; for me, it epitomised the conference themes as a whole. Rupa DattaImmediate Past District 91 Director

Making memories since 2017

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One of my best Toastmaster friends in Europe always says that District events are the places that we discover our future leaders. Where best then to find our future leaders or become one yourself then by attending a District Conference? Come with me on a brief trip down memory lane as I reflect on my District 91 conference experiences and the people that I’ve met along the way. Gatwick November 2017  My first memory of attending a conference was back in 2017.  It was the last time we held two conferences a year. I was club President of Trojans Speakers in Ealing and went out of sheer curiosity over duty. I remember to this day the top two Humorous speeches and the Contest Chair Glen Savage DTM who was my Area Director and now a great friend.  Our current First Vice President, Aletta Rochat DTM was our Region Advisor back who was our special guest speaker. Something else that I recall was her saying ‘Numbers tell a story.’ Fast forward to last year’s conference where she was our guest of honour, I remember telling her that. During the Hall of Fame, we stood next to each other on stage handing out recognition. She got the opportunity to reconnect with some old friends also! Bracknell 2018  This time I was driven more by duty than curiosity, though a combination of the two! Still club President, I knew that I was carrying votes on behalf of my club for the District Council meeting (AGM). By that point, I also knew that I was going to be the next Area 29 Director so wanted to understand the bigger picture more. I was willing to chance a whole weekend with Toastmasters! Helena Boden-Brewer DTM was the Conference Director.  Pedro Casillas, DTM was our District Director and Andy Hammond, DTM Program Quality Director. It was at this event that I recall meeting Steve Vear, DTM for the first time. Little did either of us know that a few years on, in the 2022-2023 term, he would be my Parliamentarian and this year, our Program Quality Director. Pedro Casillas, DTM District Director 2017/2018 and me with this years Program Quality Director, Steve Vear DTM Aletta Rochat, DTM as 2VP with me at the 2023 Hall of Fame at The Fable with Arnaud Sartre, DTM District Director 2020/2021 Past District Administration Manager Ruth Ribeiro, myself and Brad Revell, DTM Ashford 2019 Driven again by duty first, as Area Director a responsibility is to actively participate in District Executive Committee meetings. This year I was also standing for election as Division B Director. The first time I have had to have gone through the District Leadership Committee process, one that this year I am chairing myself.  There was a lot of fun and camaraderie at this event for sure. I’m pictured with Brad Revell, DTM who was my Division Director at the time and Ruth Ribeiro who would go on to be Area 29 Director. I fondly remember Sonia Aste winning the International Speech Contest with a speech called ‘Morning People and Night People’ – this was also the first time I got an insight into the higher levels of Contests as she progressed through to 2nd place in the Regional Finals. Online 2020  The year that no-one saw coming. An incredible feat by all involved in the Conference that year to migrate us online and pioneer that at scale for the rest of the world.  Full confession though, I was on the side of the camp that did not want to spend a weekend in May online. I was standing for Club Growth Director that year and knew my movements with respect to Candidates Showcase and the District Council. It was the first year that I had been contested for a leadership position and as a result a different approach to attending these events goes through one’s mind.  Post election, I remember the District Director elect, Arnaud Sarte DTM, texting me for the bits I did need to dial in and attend!  Online 2021 Another year online and perhaps for that reason, the Conference year that I recall the least. Again, duty and active participation in the District Council were my main drivers. As a Trio member, getting ready for the Hall of Fame to recognise outstanding achievements in Club and Membership Growth was an honour in a challenging year.  Helena-Boden Brewer DTM was Program Quality Director (now known as Fairy Godmother) and Guler Cortis was Conference Director. Knowing that I was the nominated candidate for Program Quality Director and thus had to oversee the conference the following year, made me want to learn from these two by osmosis!  For those standing for election this year, enjoy the process and the journey. Spoiler alert – someone that has taken a background role in supporting me and some of our past conferences in recent years has a very visible role this year on the conference programme! Maybe more than one! Online —> Hybrid 2022 The year I was Program Quality Director. The year I was accountable for the District Conference. A year that I was not ever anticipating would happen when I first attended a District Conference 5 years prior.  There were still many unknowns in the Autumn of 2021. We had no Conference Director and did not know if we could have in person elements. Well, as ‘Everything is Possible’ – one of our Division Directors, Debbie Williams, stepped up to the task.  Coming back together in person at the 2022 conference for the Hall of Fame and evening social event Heading into the Gala DInner 2023, held at The Fable My fond memories of this Conference were of the installation ceremony performed by our now International President, Morag Mathieson, DTM as I took the step to becoming your District Director.  We also managed to pull off a hybrid social event for the evening Hall of Fame. Which paved the way for the 2023 Conference to become fully … Read more

How could we maintain the engagement after a year locked at home?

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District 91 held its 2021 Annual Conference on 1st and 2nd May 2021. 2020 saw the District pivot from in person to online in around 6 weeks; 2021 was always going to be online but how could we maintain the engagement after a year locked at home? This was the challenge our Program Quality Director, Helena Boden Brewer DTM had to steer on behalf of our members and appointed Guler Cortis (who was part of the 2020 conference team). She stepped into the role of 2021 Conference Director … the rest is history. I will forever be grateful to both Helena and Guler for the clear strategy and flawless execution of our 2021 Online Conference.  The lessons of the past were shared with many new and exciting opportunities arising after a full year of lockdown, from technology to new ways of engaging our members who once again attended in large numbers from across the District and around the World (approx 500 attendees across the weekend). So how did it look? The District went all in! Four (4) stages Learning, Growing, Inspiring and a keynote Stage. With over 20 workshops and a full complement of contests, it was one of the busiest conferences ever, within something for everyone! If you want to relive some exceptional moments, check out the 2021 Conference playlist. Of particular note, we were blessed with the presence of Erin Gruwell, 2017 Toastmasters Golden Gavel. Erin delivered a heart warming keynote, who recounted some of the deep personal stories behind the work of the Freedom Writers Foundation. We also had the exceptional presence of Dan Egan, World renowned Big Mountain Skier who truly put perspective behind pushing the limits to achieve peak performance and the power of purpose. What else did we do? We also had our Annual District Council meeting that voted in Helena Boden-Brewer DTM as District Director and other District business matters. In between sessions, did you know we can bring a unique flavour to online meetings? District 91 did it with a cocktail making session that was expertly run by Cat Kipling who I recall was particularly well received. Thanks Cat!  And of course, we also had a chance to wind down at the end of the day with a virtual party! Now … why do some of us keep coming back to District Conferences? There are multiple reasons. It is a time of celebrations! Celebration of our successes, celebration of our members & Clubs and celebration of our Contest winners. Conferences give us that annual opportunity to gather with friends and create memories that I know many of us hold very dear to our hearts. I have personally made lifelong friends, and can recall many special moments with our members. From first timers witnessing with awe the best our District has to offer to District contest winners contemplating a spot on the international stage – we have changed lives. Thanks to our members, we make a difference in the world, we empower individuals to become more effective communicators and leaders. This is our mission at Toastmasters and I look forward to seeing you in Bristol in May! Arnaud Sartre DTM, District Director 2020/2021

Reflections on an Unforgettable Toastmaster Experience: Mayflower Conference 2017

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One of my most enjoyable Toastmaster roles to date, but still one that makes me feel tired even today when I think about it, was when I served as the Logistics Chair for our Mayflower Conference in May 2017, under the leadership of Richard Blackman, our Conference Director, who was by then the Immediate Past District Director of Division J. This was during the program year when Vanessa King DTM was District Director, and I still remember very vividly the roof-raising inspirational speech she gave us about the positive effect Toastmasters has had on her life. It was held at the Grand Harbour Hotel in Southampton (since bought by the Leonardo group), which is a beautiful hotel literally on the edge of the waterfront. It was especially significant because we hosted International President Mike Storkey DTM and his wife and were treated to a wonderful keynote speech about looking up and stepping into leadership. On Friday evening, we held a District Executive Committee meeting to allow Mike to be a part of it, as well as the wonderful weekend being joined by 200 Toastmasters from around the district. Part of that team, looking after our registrations, was the talented Barbara Saph DTM, who, like me, still remembers the event with happy memories. Our side stream was particularly exciting for those not attending the District Council, as we had qualified guides from Southampton who gave a walking tour of the historic parts of Southampton, and it went down a storm. Personally, not only was I responsible for the logistics of an event across multiple rooms and floors, but I was also taking part in the live candidate showcase as I was running for a full year as Division A Director, having covered the role for the six months prior. I wish I could remember more about what happened that weekend, but I am pleased that I remember the pure delight of being part of something very special, and once again be reminded of how far and wide and just how wonderful our District and the Toastmasters community is.

From Surprises to Success: The Thrilling Journey of Becoming a Conference Director

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My first District Conference was in Autumn 2014 in Brighton. Prior to that, family commitments and a sense that a weekend of Toastmasters was not for me had kept me away, despite having 5 years of Toastmasters under my belt. To my surprise and delight I had a great time and was surprised to find myself ‘head-hunted’ to act as the next Conference Director by the Program Quality Director, just as the conference was being put to bed on Sunday afternoon. The PDQ graciously suggested I should think about it before committing – she didn’t know me – I act on impulse and a yes is immediately set in stone. I loved the exercise putting together a team, creating a concept and structuring the programme, finding a venue and bringing together all the elements of a conference. It was an extension to the concert and theatre productions I had pulled together previously. Why was that? In many ways I had a different set of stakeholders to the one’s that I had experienced in my professional life. Toastmasters had expectations and my conference exposure was limited to only one conference. However, the experience of using my imagination, taking advice from others (previously I had only asked myself for ideas, expertise and validation) brought a new dimension to the project. It was suggested that District 91 needed to have a Central London conference, something that had been shied away from in the past because of cost. I definitely struck lucky. It had been suggested that we use one of the Grange Hotels. On my way to meet the Events Director at the Grange opposite the Tower of London I bumped into a friend on the bus who I had not seen for ages. Telling him where I was going, he walked me into the hotel, introduced me to the Events Director who he knew as his law firm organised many events there. He insisted we should be given 5-star treatment and the same discounts afforded to repeat customers. That gave us a huge boost and all the interactions with the hotel were positive and helpful. The rapport was reflected in the spirit of the conference which ran smoothly and was very relaxed, or at least my wonderful team gave that impression even if they were stressed behind the scenes. Not only was it a tremendous learning experience for me, extending my event management toolbox but I managed to sit back and enjoy every moment of the conference. A great team made for a wonderful experience and I recommend it to all intrepid Toastmasters!            

Going beyond the club

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When most of us join Toastmasters, we think we are joining a single club. The magic is that we are joining an international organisation and the opportunities for growth as a speaker, communicator and leader are endless. No member journey will be identical. If you are thinking of joining (or rejoining!) Toastmasters or starting to think about your next goals as a member, the conference is an opportunity to come together. Celebrate, find connections and reflect on your legacy. How can you begin going beyond? → Visit clubs! Find a club → Go to an area or division event – you can find these on the District 91 calendar → Become a District Leader → Join us in Bristol this May at the Toastmasters International Annual Conference for District 91 (UK South). Get your ticket today. → Join the Conference Team or apply to be an MC/Zoom Host! Pop the conference team an email to express your interest conference@d91toastmasters.org.uk Conference Update The latest update from the conference team is that tickets for in-person attendance are at around 30% capacity for the venue. We do hope you’ll get a ticket so you can join us in person, however, it is a hybrid event so online tickets will become available in March. We have also been advised that rooms at The Rodney Hotel are getting booked up quickly now. They offer a competitive rate for delegates attending conferences at Engineer’s House so if you want to save money on accommodation we suggest you check out the information about our suggested options including rates right here. Is it time to stop hiding in your club bubble? an interview with Kirti Daryanani, DTM We are also excited to announce that Kirti Diryanani, DTM will be on the main conference stage on Sunday the 5th of May. Join Kirti in Bristol, or online, for an interactive interview led by our Conference Director Amy Jones, DTM. Key Learnings ● How to Befriend Your Mind● Finding meaningful connection and purpose● Communicate effectively to diverse audiences Meet Kirti Kirti will be signing copies of her book during Sunday lunch at the conference! About Kirti Meet Kirti, the visionary founder of Kirtana168, with an extraordinary blend of Dutch-Caribbean Asian heritage and over two decades of experience in diverse communities. With degrees in business, and international relations, and a certified TEFL, Kirti possesses a profound understanding of multicultural communication complexities. Renowned for her thought leadership, Kirti shares her extensive experiences on the intersection of well-being and communication in today’s diverse spaces. While empathy is essential, she believes that equanimity is the key to thriving and fostering a sense of belonging and effective communication. More on this interview Get ready for an enlightening journey as we delve into a captivating interview with Kirti Diryanati, DTM – a seasoned speaker and entrepreneurial dynamo renowned for her mastery of letting go of perfect, communicating effectively across cultures, and resilience. Kirti, who proudly wears the ‘sometimes’ a Toastmaster hat, is about to shatter your comfort zone illusions. Whether you’re a newbie yearning to venture beyond your club’s walls, a professional eager to amplify your voice, or a seasoned Toastie seeking your next conquest, this interview is guaranteed to stir your sense of purpose. It will compel you to question your legacy as a Toastmaster, a professional, a friend, a family member, and a partner. How can you more effectively communicate in diverse spaces, confidently pivot in tough situations, build meaningful relationships and overall Befriend Your Mind? Leading this invigorating dialogue is none other than Amy Jones, DTM, our indomitable Conference Chair. Toastmasters, get ready for an exhilarating injection of inspiration that will catapult you far beyond the boundaries of your club.

Ashford 2019 District Conference: A Time of Celebration and Inspiration

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When I attended my first District Conference in 2005 I never imagined that I would one daybe the hosting District Director. But that is exactly the situation I found myself in at Ashfordin May 2019. Toastmasters International had decided to do away with the autumn conference andrequire Districts to have just one District Conference a year, in the spring. This was the firstDistrict Conference to have all four District Contest Finals at one time. As a result it wasdecided that the conference weekend needed to be extended from the Saturday andSunday to three days, starting on Friday evening. Although a first for District 91, it was areturn to the old days – more on that later. What an amazing weekend we had! It was a hugely successful event, and the team led byKaren Ince were magnificent. Our first three-day conference as District 91 got off to a greatstart on Friday with the formal District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting, wonderfulworkshops, the District Table Topics Contest and the Candidates’ showcase. A new event that year was the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) reception. This was an opportunity for members who have achieved their DTM award during the year to be recognised in the company of our existing DTMs. It was a fitting celebration of their notable achievement and something that we hoped would establish itself as a regular feature. The evening was rounded off with a delightful dinner and excellent entertainment from theAshford Rock Choir and the improv group A Pair of Four with Chris Murphy of TunbridgeWells Speakers Club. They played a huge part in creating a real buzz among delegatesthat continued into Saturday and the formal opening of the Conference. The highlights just kept on coming throughout the weekend. Every time I thought theconference was going really well, it just got even better! Magnificent keynote speakers, aplethora of professional workshops, and the District finals for the Humorous Speech,Evaluation, and of course the International Speech contest. Congratulations to all thecontestants. One of the greatest pleasures of my year as District Director was to recognise some of theoutstanding achievements of our members at the Hall of Fame. It is always extremelydifficult to choose which of our dedicated and hard-working members deserves these awards when there are so many worthy candidates. The awards that year went to: • Area Director of the Year – Sam Warner Area J11• Division Director of the Year – Janet Alkema Division A• Toastmaster of the Year – Steve Birch of Malvern• Speakers and Worcester Speakers. Steve sadly passed away in May 2023• District Director’s Award – Mary Robson of North• Oxford Speakers, Oxford Orators Club and Oxford Speakers Club Saturday also saw the District Council meeting, where your leaders for the nextToastmasters year were elected. Who remembers District Director Florian Bay, ProgramQuality Director Arnaud Sartre and Club Growth Director Helena Boden-Brewer, andDivision Directors Mike Burrows, Rupa Datta, Ken Essien, Sandra Mighty, Nikita Parks,Liang T Li and Beauty Zindi? What we didn’t know then was that Ashford would be the last fully in-person DistrictConference for who knows how long thanks to Covid. The world of online and hybridmeetings and events has become the new normal, but it is encouraging to see a shift backto the buzz of a live audience and the joy of meting up in person with friends, old and new.I touched on the “old days” earlier. Prior to the formation of District 91 we were part ofDistrict 71, comprising the whole of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Not only did we havetwo District Conferences each year, in November and May, but they alternated betweenthe UK and Ireland. Although the main events took place on the Saturday and Sunday, because half of thedelegates were either travelling to or from the UK and Ireland on Friday, the Friday nightswere a time to party! That usually entailed a themed fancy dress event. I was ConferenceDirector for the 2007 Victory Conference in Portsmouth, so naturally we had a nauticaltheme, resulting in an array of sailors, pirates and even the odd mermaid! And thanks tothe Irish delegates , the Friday and Saturday night Craic, as always led by Ted Corcoran,was the thing of legend. Like all things, the District Conference has had to adapt and evolve, but it has remainedthe showcase event of the District calendar. Many of you will have great memories of pastconferences and be looking forward to more great events in the future. If you have neverattended a District conference, then why not make this year the first of many? Andy Hammond, DTM Past District Director (2018/2019)

District 91 Conference 2020 Embracing Change

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Picture this: You’ve invested months in meticulous event planning, envisioning its triumph in a prestigious London hotel. Then, just over a month before the grand day, the world turns against you.

That’s exactly how our team felt when COVID-19 was announced, hurling our carefully laid plans for District 91’s annual conference into chaos. Ticket sales halted, attendees clamoured for refunds, speakers cancelled, and the hotel adamantly refused a refund. A mere month before the conference, the team faced an agonising decision: to cancel the in-person event and replace it with an online conference—an unprecedented move.

No one anticipated this curveball, but what unfolded was an incredibly gratifying journey filled with challenges, backstage camaraderie, and moments of profound pride amid the pandemic’s uncertainty. Little did we know, it would evolve into the largest Toastmasters conference ever held in Europe, drawing 840 attendees from 33 countries, defying all odds.

It wasn’t a smooth ride, but our team’s resilience shone brilliantly. We recognised the significance of embracing innovation when giving up seemed the easier path. The experimentation phase was genuinely exhilarating, as if breaking new ground eliminated expectations, allowing us to fearlessly explore unconventional marketing campaigns and cutting-edge broadcasting technology integrated with Zoom. It was an electrifying journey!

Our proudest moment arrived on the day when everything fell seamlessly into place. Twenty hours of high-pressure moments, a few minor hiccups we hope nobody noticed, and an overwhelming sense of accomplishment followed.

Ultimately, our 2020 conference emerged as an extraordinary success born from adversity. It conveyed to us that preparation, experimentation, and teamwork can lead to remarkable triumphs. We hope that our story inspires you to view challenges as opportunities, conquer your fears, and never give up!

Diana Robertson

Conference Director 2020