The Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI), organized by Division A and Division B of Toastmasters District 41, was successfully conducted on January 17, 2026, at Sanskriti International School, Kathmandu. The program brought together the spirit of leadership, learning, and collaboration. With over 100 Toastmasters members in attendance, it became one of the most impactful and resplendent leadership training events of the season in Nepal.
TLI is one of the core training platforms in Toastmasters. While it is designed primarily to equip club officers and members with the knowledge, skills, and mindset needed to lead Toastmasters clubs more effectively, the principles explored during TLI extend far beyond club leadership. The competencies developed-such as goal setting, team management, communication, accountability, and stakeholder engagement-are equally relevant in organizational leadership contexts across government, private sector, and development organizations.
This edition of TLI reflected that broader relevance, with a strong focus on practical leadership, systems thinking, people management, and long-term growth-areas that resonate with anyone holding leadership or coordination responsibilities in professional settings.
The training included dedicated sessions for each club officer role, facilitated by experienced and committed Toastmasters leaders. The trainers for the respective roles were:
President Trainer: Vaishali Pradhan
Vice President Education Trainer: Grishma Shrestha
Vice President Membership Trainer: Susan Dangol
Vice President Public Relations Trainer: Amod Niraula
Secretary Trainer: Prajwol Tamrakar 'Nepal'
Treasurer Trainer: Rajan Maharjan
Sergeant at Arms Trainer: Kajol Jha
In addition, special sessions were conducted by Toastmasters Nirajan Shrestha and Anuj Shrestha on Awards and DCP (Distinguished Club Program) Goals and the Dashboard respectively. These sessions emphasized performance tracking, goal alignment, and data-informed decision-making-skills that are increasingly critical in modern organizations as well.
Each session was interactive and practical in nature. Participants gained a clearer understanding of their roles, learned best practices, and shared real-life experiences from their own clubs. This peer-learning environment mirrored the dynamics of effective workplaces, where learning happens not only through formal training but also through shared reflection and collaboration.
One of the major highlights of the program was the Membership Building session conducted by Distinguished Toastmaster Ranjit Acharya. His session focused on how clubs can increase membership while simultaneously building stronger and more sustainable systems. The ideas presented had strong parallels with organizational growth and team-building strategies, emphasizing mindset, visibility, engagement, and relationship management.
Using practical frameworks and relatable examples, he spoke about creating visibility through social media, strengthening public relations, enhancing guest and stakeholder engagement, and establishing effective follow-up systems. He also highlighted approaches such as showcasing member achievements, organizing open-to-guest meetings, leveraging word-of-mouth referrals, and building partnerships with corporate, community, and institutional platforms. These strategies resonated deeply with participants, as they reflected challenges commonly faced by teams and organizations seeking growth and relevance.
The venue, Sanskriti International School, provided a resplendent learning environment that supported discussions, networking, and engagement throughout the day. The energy in the hall reflected the shared commitment of Toastmasters in Nepal to grow together-not only as club leaders but also as professionals striving to lead better in their respective organizations.
Overall, TLI 2026 organized by Division A and Division B served as a strong reminder that effective leadership-whether in a Toastmasters club or an organization-is built on prepared leaders, clear systems, and a growth-focused mindset. The program not only trained club officers but also empowered participants with leadership insights applicable to their workplaces and communities.
Continuing this momentum, the next Toastmasters Leadership Institute organized by Division C and Division D is scheduled for January 31, 2026. The Toastmasters community is equally excited and eagerly looking forward to this upcoming program.
As Toastmasters in Nepal continue their journey of communication and leadership excellence, programs like TLI play a vital role in shaping leaders who create impact-not only within their clubs, but also across organizations, institutions, and society at large.