Gilly Cutts - What it means to be a Distinguished Toastmaster

From Paul Walsh, President London Cardinals

In November of 2009, Gilly Cutts achieved the highest award in Toastmasters, Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM).  Here are some of her thoughts and feelings on being a Toastmaster and her achievement............

I joined Toastmasters’ International 15 years ago at Epsom Speakers.   I was painfully shy, ‘Minnie Mouse’ shy!   I remember competing in the Humorous Speech contest, ‘Just to make up the numbers’ and eventually came 2^nd in the Division! – I could not believe it and gave me a great boost!

That led me to a District Conference in Dublin, which was a turning point for me – I didn’t know anyone and fortunately found myself on a table with a fun bunch from London Corinthians – Celia Jones,   Barry Graham amongst others.  They made me so welcome and insisted that I join their club. I spent many happy years at London Corinthians and was proud to be their President in the ’nineties.

My husband Nigel and I enjoy Toastmasters and are always looking for challenges that will grow and develop us - In 2004 we  founded London Cardinals, which continues to thrive and late in 2009, we ran some Toastmasters’ workshops in our village at Ripley to ‘Spread the word’.

Newer Toastmasters ask me regularly ‘How can I get the most out of being a member of Toastmasters’ International and my advice is:

1. Always say YES! Get involved in the club committee – it’s great way to develop communication, leadership and management skills  and just as important, to get to know people and have fun – with every club I have been involved with, our Committee Meetings are held on a evening separate from the club meeting and are  followed by a meal afterwards,  so we can socialise.

2. Develop your Mentoring Skills – Mentoring is my passion and we have developed a strong and active mentoring programme at London Cardinals – everyone is mentored. It’s such a powerful way to develop

3. Take Risks!! If you don’t take risks you are not fully alive!!

I enjoy the opportunity to grow and develop within Toastmasters, so I had always pursued the communication and leadership pathways.   It wasn’t until I had completed a spell as Area Governor, however, that I thought, ‘Why not go for ‘DTM’?  So I did - It seemed the natural thing to do!  I am so thrilled to have become a DTM – It’s marvellous. Who would have thought 15 years ago, I would have achieved this!