District 41 successfully conducted its Mid-Year Leadership Training (DLT) on February 7 and 8 at the Best Western Plus Kathmandu Hotel, Gaushala. The two-day program brought together district officers and leaders from Nepal and India for sessions focused on club growth, leadership development, and succession planning. The training was chaired by Assistant Program Quality Directors Anjila Bista and Ankita Jain, who oversaw the program's flow and ensured smooth coordination across sessions and activities.
District Director Gaurav Chaudhary, who oversees operations in Nepal and parts of India, opened Day 1 with a welcome address, emphasizing discipline, clarity of purpose, and the importance of unity. Past District Director Ranjit Acharya, DTM, delivered the inspirational opening, urging leaders to embrace resilience and authenticity in communication. His remarks set a motivational tone for the day. The installation ceremony for district officers was conducted by Immediate Past District Director Moon Pradhan, DTM, underscoring the responsibility and accountability that comes with leadership roles.
The Mid-year training is strategically held to check on leadership challenges and to enthuse the district officers who manage various aspects of the Toastmasters community. From ensuring that the clubs are financially sustainable to checking on membership growth, communication flow from the top tier to individual club members, the training sessions serve as a powerful reminder of how managerial roles are supported at Toastmasters. For leaders it is a moment of self-check through reflections, shared learning, and renewed commitment to continue impacting and growing all Toastmasters members. These also serve as powerful reminders to all attendees that lessons learnt at Toastmasters trainings are equally relevant in professional and personal settings.
Diptee Acharya, DTM, led the first session, focusing on strategies to increase membership payments. She guided participants through simulation exercises, encouraging them to identify root problems, handle objections, and create value for members. Shwetank Sharma, DTM, led an interactive session where each member was challenged to reflect on their professional and personal communication habits and find ways to better them. Sandeep Ratouri, DTM, introduced design thinking principles, encouraging leaders to think creatively about their responsibilities and explore new approaches to productivity. Ratouri spoke passionately about his journey of mistakes and learning, that has enabled him to succeed at the highest levels of leadership, both within and outside of Toastmasters.
A major focus of the training was to strategize support for Toastmasters clubs and members who needed mentoring and motivation to grow in their collective and individual journeys. Region 8 Advisor Sapna Ohri, DTM, facilitated discussions. Leaders shared challenges and brainstormed solutions, focusing on balancing effort with results. Vinay Jain, DTM, and Mohit Arora guided participants through the Distinguished Club Program that rewards excellence. They conducted gap analyses of club success plans and identified areas of easy wins, providing a roadmap for achieving Distinguished+ targets.
The day also included interactive activities such as brain-writing encouraged participants to generate ideas collaboratively, reinforcing the importance of teamwork. In the breakout rooms Area Directors and Division Directors discussed expectations and challenges in smaller groups, using the ABC model-Accountability, Best Practices, and Challenges-to structure conversations.
Day Two of the training focused on vision, growth, and continuity. Ankur Yadav, DTM, delivered the keynote address titled The Last Lap. He spoke about sustaining momentum and mentoring Divisions as the District as a community approached the final months of the Toastmasters year. His message emphasized continuity and preparation for successors for the next Toastmasters year.
Moon Pradhan, DTM, shared data-driven practical tips for establishing new clubs and emphasized sustainability. She encouraged leaders to think strategically about growth and provided tools such as pitch-forms for potential clubs. Neelima Wali, DTM, and District Training Manager, Nimit Mittal, offered practical guidance on organizing area and division contests. Their session included a quiz, adding a fun element while reinforcing learning. Shwetank Sharma, DTM, highlighted the importance of developing future leaders. He encouraged participants to identify successors within their clubs, reminding them that leadership is about creating more leaders, not followers.
A highlight of the day, the Shark Tank-style activity allowed participants to pitch new club ideas to the top team. They presented problems, value propositions, and support requirements, blending creativity with strategic planning. The Session was led by Associate Club Growth Directors Sandhaya Rathi and Bibek Dutta.
The two-day program concluded with a vote of thanks from the District Director, Gaurav Chaudhary, followed by group photographs and lunch.
Leaders from both Nepal and India actively contributed to discussions, activities, and planning. Their participation underscored District 41's strength in bringing together diverse perspectives to achieve shared goals. The diversity of experiences enriched the sessions, with participants sharing practical solutions and innovative ideas. The Training Chairs contributed immensely to the success of the program, as they managed logistics, supported facilitators, and kept the schedule on track.
Participants noted their professionalism and commitment, which contributed to the overall effectiveness of the training. Participants left with renewed energy, clear action plans, and a deeper commitment to strengthening Toastmasters clubs across District 41 and positively impacting lives in their respective communities.