At the beginning of the new Toastmasters year 2023- 2024, District Director Japheth Musau, DTM, appointed me to chair the D114 Speakers Bureau. The vision behind the bureau is to provide speaking opportunities/engagements for members of the district outside of the normal Toastmasters club meetings.

The objectives of the Speakers Bureau include:-

1. Provision of opportunities to use the skills gained in Toastmasters out in the real-world setting for areas the members are passionate about.
2. Act as ambassadors of Toastmasters International to an audience that may not have come across Toastmasters. This directly adds to the growth of membership within the district in terms of attracting new and renewing members.
3. Provide more reasons for members to renew their membership repeatedly without taking breaks as the value of being a Toastmaster becomes more apparent for career and personal growth.
4. Promotion of members of the Speakers Bureau on the District website and social media pages while providing them guidance and targeted assistance in honing their skills.

The membership is open to all members of District 114 Toastmasters who fit the following criteria:-

1) Must be Members in good standing.

2) Must have Completed at least a Path in the Pathways learning curriculum.

3) Have been a member for at least 2 years.

4) Have duly completed the Application Form

The team behind the running of the Speakers Bureau include:-

1) Daniel Omondi-Odero ( CC ) ( Speakers Bureau Chair)

2) Dr.mwanasha mwamlole ( Vice Chair)

3) Cathy Coyte ( Administration Manager)

4) Mary Karumwa ( Administration Manager)

The Advisory Board as well as the support team comprises of:

1) Oltesh Thobias, DTM (Tanzania)

2) Ethiopis Tadesse, DTM ( Ethiopia)

3) Eric Muriithi (Kenya)

4) Argwings Koyoson (Kenya)

5) Jesse Ainebyoona, DTM (Uganda)

6) Tahinduka Joshua,DTM (Rwanda)

The Speakers Bureau is actively involved in finding opportunities for members to take part and so far they have had three successful engagements where members have actively participated and utilized the skills gained in Toastmasters International in a professional setting.

1) W.E. College for business students where TM Mary Karumwa handled a Training Session.

2) Jaffreys International School where TM Emilly Owiti attended as the Chief Guest.

3) United Kenya Club where Anthony WANGONDU, DTM assisted as a Master of Ceremony.

There has been a growing interest in finding qualified speakers for various occasions and within District 114, a plethora of Talented speakers with great prowess is ready to share their experience with the world.

This writer is a Life Coach, Consultant, and Hotelier currently living in Nairobi, Kenya. His interests range from music to entrepreneurship particularly in the hospitality industry. He is also interested in travel, food, and events management.