Love is in the air. February brings with it an air of romance, roses, chocolates and all things cupid, but as the countdown to Valentine’s Day begins you may want to consider getting yourself or your loved one a gift with a deeper meaning, a gift that will last a lifetime, the gift of knowledge.

Spread the word. Grow your club. The race is on. Add 5 new, dual or reinstated members between 1 February and 31 March to participate in the membership building campaign. Studies done by the World Economic Forum show that lifelong learning is essential for personal and professional development and that in fact, university students need to be ready to re-skill the moment they graduate. Trends show a rise in adults that are focused on obtaining or furthering their education, personal and professional development. For these reasons we invite you to treat yourself or someone you love to the gift of knowledge and let them achieve their personal and professional goals. Where else best to re-skill than in Toastmasters? Go on and give someone a Toastmasters membership treat.

In this issue, we celebrate the lives of Frances Boshoff, DTM and Joy Goodbrand, two seasoned Toastmasters who passed away in January. As we navigate further through the edition, it unravels a lot of activities happening in our District ranging from a call for SuperHeroes, Club Officer Trainings, Club anniversaries and the MayCon preparations, all happening at the same time as the International President’s visit to District 74 clubs. All these have generated new members, emissaries and mentorship relations which I would like to believe will in turn generate more new clubs like the recently chartered District 74 newbies, ProRelations and KWASAA Toastmasters Clubs. We all heard the good news that Mauritius will be part of the District 74 family from the 1st of July 2021. 

Many forms of love, be it romance, charity or even martyrdom have been associated with this season and as Toastmasters, we have so much love to share. Fellow Toastmasters, let us be reminded of our love for learning and one another. With that, I ask you, be my Valentine.

Remember to safely love from a distance.

-Martha