12. Nick Gazzard OBE - Public Speaker, Rotarian, Campaigner, Compere and Toastmaster
Message from the President
Editor introduction and miscellaneous information 10 12 16
Getting to Know Our New Members
New Members Forum - 12th January 2026 - Geoff Harris 06
18
Nick Gazzard OBE - Public Speaker, Rotarian, Campaigner, Compere and Toastmaster
Behind the Scenes at Royal Events: A Toastmaster’s View - Paul Deacon
20
Postioning Yourself for Royal Engagements - PAul Deacon
22
Beyond Confidentiality: What GDPR Means for Today’s Toastmaster - Paul Deacon
What Larks - Geoff Harris
26. What Larks - Geoff Harris
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Welcome to 2026, albeit a little later than planned! I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and New Year, even if it now feels like a distant memory.
Unfortunately, due to some health challenges, I haven’t been as active as I would have liked during the first few months of the year. However, I am delighted to say that I am now back to full fitness and able to hear again, with the assistance of hearing devices.
With just seven months remaining of my two year term, it is now full speed
ahead, and there is much to be done.
Firstly, a date for your diary: Sunday 2nd August 2026 will be our Summer Social, kindly hosted at the home of our esteemed Secretary, Brian Lee, together with his wife, Gill. Please save the date, further details will follow in due course.
I am also exploring the possibility of an additional social event before the end of my term and am currently in discussions regarding a visit to the Churchill War Rooms, to be followed by afternoon tea. I’ll keep you updated.
As we look to bring the NAT firmly into
2026, I have begun making enquiries into our social media presence. Following the next Executive meeting, I will be forming a small steering committee to review this area. There is an ongoing debate as to whether a traditional website or a stronger social media presence best serves an organisation such as ours, and this is something we will carefully consider.
I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Sharon Jhheent and Archie Tipple, both new members of the NAT, for organising an excellent online quiz for members last month. Although I was unable to attend due to work commitments, the feedback has been outstanding. Thank you both for your time and effort, we all look forward to the next one.
In March, our member Martin Moorhouse retired from the NHS. On behalf of the NAT, I wish you a long, happy, and well earned retirement, Martin. Perhaps now you can become a
full time Toastmaster or is that not how retirement works?!
That is all from me for now. I wish you all a healthy and successful spring and look forward to seeing many of you at the Summer Social, if not before.
Keep busy.
Robert Persell President
Welcome to the Spring edition of TMV Magazine.
First, a sincere thank you to everyone who has contributed to this issue—your time, effort, and stories are what make the magazine.
In this edition, we’re pleased to introduce three of our newest members— Sharon, Dips, and Nick—who share their backgrounds and the journeys that led them to join the NAT. Nick also tells the poignant story of the trust he established in memory of his daughter, Hollie.
At the other end of the spectrum, we are pleased to feature two longstanding NAT stalwarts, Geoff Harris and Paul Deacon, both of whom have made valued contributions once again.
Looking ahead, our Summer edition will be published in late August. We already have a couple of exciting articles in the pipeline from Rodger Oatley and Archie Tipple, which promise to make for another excellent read.
That just leaves me to say I hope you had a wonderful Easter, and I wish you all a healthy, busy, and fun-filled summer.
Dates
for the diary
Happy reading Richard Mitchell
Executive Committee Meeting
Sunday 12th April 2026
Sunday 12th July 2026
Sunday 6th September 2026
Summer Social
Sunday 2nd August
Annual General Meeting
Sunday 11th October 2026 - Temple Hall
All contributions to be sent to richard@cambridgetoastmaster.com
The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or the NAT.
THE NAT 100 CLUB SUBS NOW DUE 1st MAY –30th APRIL 2027 – BE IN IT TO WIN IT!
If you are a new Member of the NAT and never heard of the 100 Club or are an existing Member but never participated in it, then read on……...
The NAT 100 Club has been running now for several years and provides some extra income for the NAT whilst rewarding the Subscribers with the chance to win a monthly prize of £20.00.
In addition, we hold 3 extra draws in December, which are usually drawn at the NAT Christmas Luncheon. These 3 prizes are £25, £50 and £100.
The Annual Subscription for one number is £12.00 (or £1.00 per month).
The price of a reasonable bottle of wine!!!
You are not restricted to subscribing to one number either!! The 100 Club Subscription runs annually from 1st May to 30th April and it’s possible to join in at any time by paying a pro-rata payment. At the time of writing there are 8 spare numbers available.
Bank: Lloyds Bank
Account: The National Association of Toastmasters
Sort Code: 30-90-89
Account No: 53920568
May 88
2025 Winners
Peter Thompson
£20
July 20
August 72
September 16
June 39 Ken Negus
£20
Gayna Harris
Xmas ‘25 45
Xmas ‘25 18
Xmas ‘25 9
Martin Moorhouse
Geoff Harris
£20
£20
October 12 Tom Reddy
January 45
November 5 Tom Reddy
December 5 Tom Reddy
February 15
£20
March 88
Gordon Haining
Paul Buckley
Gillian Lee
£20
£20
£20
£100
Gordon Haining
Archie Tipple
£50
2026 Winners
£25
£20
Peter Thompson
£20
£20
NAT Ties at cost price £10.85 each. Lapel badges at cost price @ £6.85 each
NAT sticky labels - 50 @ £2.50. All + postage and packing.
Going from left to right
NAT Charicatures
- Archie Tipple, Suzanne Jones, Dips Sharma, Michael Myers, Michael Brunker and Robert Persell
GETTING TO KNOW OUR
Deepesh Sharma
I am a British Indian, born and raised in Zimbabwe. I moved to the UK in 1999. I have been happily married since 2003 and am proud to have one adult daughter and a lively Cockapoo who keeps our home full of energy. My professional journey has been diverse and people-focused. I spent many years working in the travel industry as a travel agent before moving into several construction sales roles. In 2020, during the lockdown period, I decided to invest in my professional development and studied for the CeMAP (Certificate of Mortgage Advice and Protection). After qualifying, I became a self-employed mortgage broker — a role I continue to enjoy today.
These days, I like to say I come as a package: weddings and mortgages.
Alongside my professional career, I have always been actively involved in community and charity work within the Crawley Gujarati community. After many years of participation and service, I had the honour of becoming President of the Crawley Sostar Community in 2024.
Public speaking has always been something I enjoy, whether presenting mortgage information to clients or speaking at community events. Over the past 20 years, I’ve also loved being involved in weddings for friends and family — helping with organisation, making announcements, and generally ensuring the day runs smoothly. I’ve often been told I have a naturally loud voice, which certainly comes in useful when making announcements to a room full of guests!
In 2024, I attended a wedding for a relative of my wife where I met Tom and saw a professional Toastmaster at work for the first time. I had never previously heard of or seen a Toastmaster, but the moment I watched him, I immediately knew this was something I wanted to do.
I began my training with Tom and Geoff and qualified in 2025, going on to establish my company, Moments by Dips. I am now excited to grow my career within the National Association of Toastmasters and look forward to attending many wonderful weddings — and getting paid to do something I truly love.
OUR NEW MEMEBERS
Sharon Jhheent
They say that some skills are learned, while others are simply in the blood. I am a West Sussex girl with proud Punjabi roots and a Sikh faith that values community above all else. Growing up, I watched my father a man who was a highly regarded and gifted public speaker. Seeing the way he commanded a room with ease and respect left a lasting impression on me. He showed me that a voice, when used with confidence and warmth, has the power to bring people together.
While I inherited my father’s love for public speaking my specific path toward Toastmastering was paved 12 years ago. I was a guest at my cousin’s wedding, she had a Toastmaster and I had never ever seen one before! I was mesmerized by the blend of authority and celebration the way He organized the guests while staying invisible enough to let the couple shine. I had always wanted to become involved somehow in celebrations...this gave me an idea!
I have built my career in Learning & Development. My “natural habitat” is the front of a classroom or now in front of a virtual room, helping people grow and develop. This professional background has given me a “project-management brain” and a “peoplefirst heart.”
Whether I’m speaking in English, Punjabi, or French, my time in training taught me how to be clear, warm, and real. Moving into Toastmastering is a perfect evolution of my public speaking skills. I joined the National Association of Toastmasters as an Associate Member because I wanted my natural flair to be backed by the industry’s “Gold Standard”
of polish and professionalism.
As I look forward to my future as a Toastmaster, I am most excited about leading unforgettable weddings and big celebrations. I love being the “calm in the centre of the storm,” using a mix of humour and poise to solve problems before they even arise. My goal is to ensure every host feels like a guest at their own event.
Outside of work, you’ll find me exploring somewhere new with my family, staying active, or hunting down a great meal!!! Bit of a foodie if I say so myself!!
NICK GAZZARD
PUBLIC SPEAKER, ROTARIAN, CAMPAIGNER,
I was born and brought up in Bristol and heavily into football playing for both Bristol Rovers and Bristol City Youths. I moved to Cheltenham in 1982 to attend The College of St Paul and St Mary to read Geographical and Geological Science. While I was at College, I was contracted to Cheltenham Town Football Club and played for a further 3 years after leaving College before I had to retire due to Injury. I then spent 17 years managing the Youth Teams for the Gloucestershire FA. At the same time, I worked in financial services and have spent over 30 years in the industry.
Playing for Bristol City 1984
Life changed forever in February 2014, when my youngest daughter Hollie was murdered by her former partner at the age of 20.
Prior to her death Hollie had experienced coercive and controlling behaviour and stalking. I felt strongly that something positive should come out of Hollie’s death and I created a charity, the Hollie Gazzard Trust and was determined to try and prevent similar tragedies, by increasing awareness of domestic abuse and stalking and the devastating effect these can have.
During my financial services career, being in a management position I often had to speak and present in front of staff and clients, and it was something I found very difficult and not at all enjoyable. Following Hollie’s murder, I became a public figure and through the work of the Trust I was suddenly thrown in at the deep end. Everyone wanted a piece of me, journalists, written media, radio stations and TV.
On Loose Women
Dealing with the enormous trauma of losing Hollie, having to hold the family together and pushing the trust forward I had to get over my fear of public speaking.
I was constantly being asked to speak out as a father who has lost a daughter. I wanted to be Hollie’s voice and spoke at many conferences around the country, being interview on all
Hollie
GAZZARD OBE
CAMPAIGNER, COMPERE AND TOASTMASTER
the national radio stations and appearing on TV.
Speaking at Conferences
I soon got over the fear and started to enjoy the public appearances now that my focus was on telling Hollie’s story, the work of the Trust and how we need to tackle violence against women and girls. It is still incredibly hard to do, always emotional but I remain focused on Hollie when I speak and want to do her proud.
Nick and Hollie
Over the last 12 years I have driven the expansion of the trust from a local charity to one that is impacting across the country in schools, universities, businesses and communities. Recent projects have included
helping launch the Black Country Stalking Support Service: delivering Working Without Fear - a dedicated programme supporting businesses and organisations to help them understand the importance of raising awareness of domestic abuse and stalking in the workplace. I also worked with Exeter University and Public Health England on creating and delivering a programme, ‘Football Onside’, tackling violence and abuse in football and sport through bystander intervention.
As a Keynote Motivational Speaker, I have spoken at a multitude of conferences and training events nationwide.
Motivational Speaker
Some examples include, ‘Beyond the Bruises’, a conference in London on the new domestic violence legislation and statutory guidance framework; a Domestic Abuse Masterclass at Gloucestershire University; ‘Behind Closed Doors,’ a Domestic Abuse and Stalking Conference in Gloucester and Bristol. I was very privileged to be a keynote speaker, alongside Professor Evan Stark, at Safer Poole’s conference on tackling coercive control and domestic abuse.
I have delivered at many statutory agency training events including the National Police Chiefs’ Council, the Crown Prosecution
Service and the National Probation Service.
I have given countless interviews including for ITV’s ‘Tonight’ ,This Morning’ and the BBC’s Breakfast Programme, Victoria Derbyshire Show, Crimewatch and Rip Off Britain and Loose Women. I have been involved in many documentaries which tell Hollie’s story and highlight the work of the trust (all available on our You Tube channel). These include: C5 Stalked: Murder in Slow Motion; Crime Investigation Channel’s Britain’s Darkest Taboos; Discovery ID Channel; Judge Rinder and Netflix, My Lover, My Killer.
In 2020 I suffered a stroke and had to learn to walk and talk again. My determination and focus on continuing to deliver Hollie’s legacy drove me forward while working on my recovery. I am 90% there and probably at my maximum recovery. Having to learn to talk again was another big challenge especially when having to be sharp and able to handle interviews on live TV and radio.
Nick being awarded the High Sheriff’s Award
In 2021 I was fortunate to be given the Prime Minister’s Points of Light award for my work in safeguarding in the community. In 2022 I received a commendation from the Chief Crown Prosecutor for the West Midlands and the High Sheriff of Gloucestershire’s award. I was awarded an Honorary Degree by the University of Hartpury in recognition of my dedication to raising awareness and delivering training for the prevention of
domestic abuse and stalking, and in 2024 was made an Honorary Fellow of the University of Gloucestershire.
I was incredibly honoured to be awarded an OBE for service to tackling violence against women in the King’s 2025 New Year’s Honours.
Nick being awarded his OBE
I am known as an expert in the field of domestic abuse and stalking and a go to person for the media. I have worked with Government ministers over the last 18 months, and Hollie was one of the cases that the Government used when creating their recent 10-year strategy on tackling violence against women and girls. I was gobsmacked to be included in the British Esquire’s inaugural magazine Better Men List 2025 which celebrates men who are making a positive difference in society by inspiring change, driving awareness, positive masculinity and helping to build a better world through their actions and leadership.
I am always looking to challenge myself and as mentioned earlier, I really enjoy speaking in front of people. I am a people person and like helping others. I love the History of Gloucester and have experienced many civic events. I was made the Mock Mayor of Barton, a very historical position and got to know the Town Crier. I thought I don’t have the voice for a Town Crier but how about challenging myself to be a Toastmaster. I contacted the National Association and was introduced to Tom and Geoff and the rest, as they say is history.
I also wanted to try and raise some funds for the trust. The Trust does not receive any statutory funding and must raise all their funds themselves to continue deliver their valuable work. As a charity, the trust needs to raise £250,000 a year just to keep the lights on which is very challenging. I thought that by becoming a Toastmaster I could enjoy helping people while earning some valuable funds. So, any profit I make from my Toastmaster work or Compering is donated to the Trust to help fund their vital work.
Giving back, I have always volunteered and along with being the Founder and Trustee for the Hollie Gazzard Trust, I am a Trustee of My Body Is My Body Foundation that delivers the world’s number one child abuse prevention
programme across over 60 countries. I am President of Gloucester Quays Rotary; the District Humanitarian Lead and I sit on the GB & Ireland Domestic Abuse and Violence Against the Person prevention Team. Over the last 10 years I have been an Independent Custody Visitor a statutory Home Office Scheme, and I am the coordinator for scheme at Gloucestershire Constabulary. As custody visitors, we are a critical friend to the Police and ensure the rights and entitlements of detainees are maintained. I recently received an Award from The High Sheriff of Gloucestershire for my work here.
Being a member of the National Association is important to me as it validates the importance of the role, sets the required standards and gives it the gravitas that it deserves. I love the uniform and what it stands for and feel incredibly proud to be a Toastmaster and belong to such an esteemed group. I have been a Toastmaster for a couple of events so far and very much forward to delivering many more.
The future is exciting and I will update all when I am allowed to do so regarding a role I have been asked to undertake in the future!!!
New Members Forum
At the back end of last year I floated the idea of having a Zoom forum for new members. To give them a chance to air their views with each other, discuss ideas for their development and find out what, if anything, they are looking to the NAT for, besides PL insurance.
The initial WhatsApp poll support was very positive and consequently the meeting was scheduled for January 12th.
Tom Reddy and I were in the chair and we very much looked upon it as an extension of our training course.
In the event we had, I felt a reasonable attendance. Sharon, Archie, Nick, and Martin. Ross managed to drop in for a while and we had a couple of apologies. The conversation throughout was lively, animated and relevant.
The evening started with a fairly lengthy discussion on where to find work. The Toastmaster’s eternal problem. All sorts of ideas were thrown into the pot. The most positive response came in support of the use of well-targeted wedding shows. Martin in particular has had success here. Other ideas came up, like targeted contacts in venues, reward schemes in industry related shops, getting on good terms with other suppliers: caterers, photographers, DJs etc..
A do and don’t list when dealing with agencies was discussed, approaching wedding planners and so on.
A few definite don’ts were discussed. Don’t use print media, Don’t go behind
the back of an agency and offer a cheaper price, if a Toastmaster puts you into a job, remember the job is his.
This area of discussion was very much the major part of the evening. In fact we could possibly have spent the entire eighty minutes on it, but there were other aspects of our training and profession that needed covering.
We looked at support that was out there from the NAT once training had finished. All of the group thought shadowing is a great thing to do. Archie, Martin, and Sharon have all benefitted in their eyes from a number of shadowing experiences, however, there is not enough.
Fellows of the NAT in particular, I believe it is up to us to try and provide the shadowing opportunities to newly qualified members. At the moment it seems to fall upon the shoulders of the same few people, can we have a few more step up? If you have an event that you feel someone could accompany you to then post it on the WhatsApp group. I usually sell it to clients that they will be getting two Toastmasters at the event for the price of one. It seems to work. We pride ourselves on being the premier TM organisation, let us maintain this position and show newcomers the standards that are expected and that we, as Fellows work to.
Pricing was discussed, never an easy area to come to terms with, but hopefully those who attended came away with a realistic value to put upon their services.
Forum - 12th January 2026
Another area of discussion that highlighted a perceived failure within the NAT was the buddy system.
All of the members liked the idea of the buddy system, but were not convinced of it working in its current incarnation. Is this something that once again the organisation as a whole can look at? Do you think we should turn it into something that works? This will take someone’s initiative and energy, or should we just drop it? Either way it seems it would be an improvement on what we have now.
Our final area of discussion concerned problems at work. Everyone chipped into this with anecdotes and possible solutions. I was impressed at the empathy and imagination shown by our new members.
We started to wrap the evening up with discussions about the future of this initiative. I think I can honestly say that everyone felt the evening was worthwhile, and everyone (including Tom and myself) learnt. A brief chat was had about having these meetings more frequently. Nick suggested we get some dates in the diary so that people have a good heads up for the dates. Sharon and Archie proposed buddying up to see if they could come up with some sort of Zoom meeting programme, to cover the social side of things as well as some kind of “learning” experience.
As for this particular “learning” experience? It was worthwhile. The people involved all gained something from it, even if it was just learning not to pay for paper advertising.
Other areas to cover? Well there is certainly mileage in a discussion about advertising and all its variations. Paper/ Trinkets/Social Media? Ad. campaigns? How important is a website? What do we put on it?
Perhaps there is someone or a couple of people who could put this together. Much of it, particularly the social media is beyond me. Although perhaps this is something the rest of us could learn from our newer members.
How about time spent on how to approach management at a new venue? I would value input in this category from the newer members. What would you find useful as a follow-up to your training?
If we don’t try to find out, we never will.
Geoff Harris
BEHIND THE SCENES AT ROYAL EVENTS:
Past President Paul Deacon shares behind-thescenes experiences of working at events attended by members of the Royal Family, and the lessons learned about protocol, preparation and quiet professionalism.
When a member of the Royal Family attends an event, much of what ensures its success happens quietly behind the scenes.
Over the years I have been fortunate to work at several events attended by members of the Royal Family. Each occasion has been different, but they all share one common feature: when royalty is present, preparation becomes more detailed and the role of the Toastmaster becomes particularly important in ensuring that everything proceeds smoothly.
The first time I tried to turn a royal arrival into a procession, I decided to walk about a hundred yards in front of the limousine along the road beside the Thames outside the Globe Theatre, proudly leading the way. An Equerry later took me to one side and explained that the intention had actually been for His Royal Highness to arrive quickly and quietly. It was my first reminder that when royalty is involved, even good ideas benefit from careful coordination.
Like many Toastmasters, I learned early on that when royalty is present even the smallest detail can matter.
My very first royal engagement had already provided another useful lesson. During the evening I found myself standing
on the stage with Prince Michael of Kent at a charity event. Rather spontaneously, and somewhat off the cuff, I invited him to join me in drawing the raffle tickets. He looked momentarily surprised but stepped forward in good spirit and helped with the task. As he left the stage he turned to me with a smile and said, “I’ve never done that before, but we made it quite fun, didn’t we?” Shortly afterwards an Equerry quietly took me aside and explained that inviting members of the Royal Family to take part in unscripted moments was not usually encouraged.
It was a helpful introduction to the world of royal protocol.
At one event I was preparing to propose the Loyal Toast when the Duke of Kent gently indicated that we should wait until the room had been brought fully to silence before beginning. It was a small but telling reminder that traditions carry weight and that they are best observed with proper attention.
International engagements have also produced memorable moments. At a Millennium Night dinner held in the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco, the event was graced by Prince Albert of Monaco together with several members of European royal families. As Toastmaster, I opened proceedings with the formal preamble:
“Your Serene Highness, Your Royal Highnesses, distinguished guests, my Lords, ladies and gentlemen.” Later in the evening Prince Albert spoke with me briefly about the role of a Toastmaster.
EVENTS: A TOASTMASTER’S VIEW
During our conversation I noticed his distinctly American accent, which becomes rather understandable when one remembers that his mother was the American actress Grace Kelly.
Royal occasions can sometimes produce moments of gentle humour as well. At a ladies’ golf club event I was asked by the Lady President to publicly invite the Duke of York, during my closing remarks, to play a round of golf with her. I was also encouraged to mention the golfing tradition that as a man he could play from a “leading tee”, slightly ahead of the ladies. The comment raised a smile among the members, although afterwards an Equerry kindly reminded me that humour involving members of the Royal Family is best approached with some caution, even when suggested by the organisers themselves.
Another memorable occasion came in the summer of 2004, when the Duke and Duchess of York held a leaving party at Sunninghill Park before moving on from the house. Around 150 guests attended and several Toastmaster colleagues kindly assisted with arrivals without fee. During the evening one of the guests called me over to the table and we shared a lighthearted conversation. The Duke, whom I had met several times before, joined the exchange briefly and we spoke about the guest, who happened to be a longstanding client of mine from my banking career. It was another reminder that discretion and judgement are always part of the Toastmaster’s craft.
The importance of correct titles also
became clear on another occasion. I received a telephone call from the organisers of the British-Spanish Society’s centenary gala dinner, held at The Dorchester in London in April 2016. They explained that they wished to book a Toastmaster because “their Royal Highnesses the Queen of Spain and the Duke of York” would be attending. I gently pointed out that the correct forms were Her Majesty Queen Sofía of Spain and His Royal Highness The Duke of York. There was a brief silence on the telephone before the organiser explained that several hundred pounds’ worth of printed material had already been produced using the incorrect titles. Fortunately the mistake could be corrected in time before the event itself, which proved a useful reminder of how important accurate forms of address can be at formal occasions.
Following the restoration after the fire at Windsor Castle, the then Duke of Wessex hosted an event at which around one hundred guests were given a guided tour before dinner in the fourteenth-century undercroft. During dinner the Countess of Wessex was hosting another table. I stepped across to let her know that the speeches would be beginning in about ten minutes. She replied warmly that it was charming of me to mention it because, as she put it, “usually Toastmasters just ignore me.”
Experiences like these demonstrate that royal events are not necessarily difficult, but they do require careful preparation, awareness and respect for established protocol.
POSITIONING YOURSELF FOR
Members sometimes ask how Toastmasters come to work at events attended by members of the Royal Family. The answer is usually less mysterious than people imagine.
Royal attendance is normally arranged through a Palace office, while the event itself is organised by a charity, civic authority, university, livery company or professional event organiser. The Toastmaster is therefore almost always engaged by the organisers rather than directly by the Royal Household.
Nerves are inevitably a little higher whenever a member of the Royal Family is attending. In truth, that is usually a sign that the event has been well planned and that everyone involved wants the occasion to succeed.
If you are hoping to position yourself for one of these exciting opportunities, a few practical steps can help:
• Build relationships with organisations that regularly host charity, civic or ceremonial events.
• Ensure that you are known as someone who understands precedence, forms of address and Royal protocol.
• Develop a professional reputation for managing formal dinners, ceremonies and gala events smoothly and confidently.
• Remember that most work in this field comes through reputation and recommendation rather than advertising.
When a member of the Royal Family attends an event, the programme will normally
FOR ROYAL ENGAGEMENTS
have been agreed in detail between the organisers and the Equerry well in advance. The Toastmaster’s role is therefore not to innovate, but to ensure that the occasion unfolds smoothly and with complete respect for the agreed arrangements.
If everything goes perfectly, very little will be noticed.
And when a royal visit passes smoothly and elegantly, that quiet success is exactly what everyone involved has been working towards.
On 21st June 2005
Paul Deacon with the former HRH The Duke of York, KCVO, ADC at St James’s Palace
BEYOND CONFIDENTIALITY: MEANS FOR TODAY’S
Data protection law has evolved since earlier guidance in Toastmasters’ Voice; here is what today’s Toastmaster needs to know to handle client information responsibly and professionally.
Many members will remember the clear advice on confidentiality given in a 2018 article in Toastmasters’ Voice, where Tom Reddy, as Secretary, wrote:
“Any client information should remain confidential, and be kept in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation… My advice: SHARE NO INFORMATION WITH ANYONE UNLESS PERMISSION IS GAINED.”
Since Tom shared those words, the legal landscape has matured. Following the UK’s departure from the EU, data protection is now governed by the UK GDPR alongside the Data Protection Act 2018. While the core principle of confidentiality remains unchanged, today’s Toastmaster needs to move beyond simply “keeping secrets” and towards demonstrating clear accountability for how client data is handled.
In practical terms, this means being able to show that client data is handled responsibly throughout the booking process, from the first enquiry to the final toast.
One important shift is the move from simple permission to transparency. Under current law, you should provide clients with a clear Privacy Notice at the point of first contact. This should normally be a written document, often linked in your email signature or on your website, explaining what information you collect, such as names, dietary requirements or event itineraries, how long you keep it, and who it may be shared with, for example venue coordinators or fellow suppliers.
Contracts have also become more important. While many Toastmasters have traditionally relied on informal agreements, it is now good practice for booking terms to include a brief Data Protection Clause. This confirms that you are acting as the Data Controller and explains that the client’s information will only be used to deliver the services agreed. It should also confirm that personal data will not be sold or passed to third-party marketing companies, helping to establish trust from the outset.
Data security is another area that has evolved. In the past, safeguarding information might simply have meant locking a filing cabinet. Today, as most of us coordinate events using smartphones, email and cloud storage, basic technical safeguards are expected.
CONFIDENTIALITY: WHAT GDPR
TODAY’S TOASTMASTER
Devices should be password-protected, email accounts should use strong passwords and preferably two-factor authentication, and care should be taken when sharing sensitive event information via messaging services such as WhatsApp.
If, for example, a phone containing client contact details or a home address were lost and the device was not encrypted or protected, the situation could potentially constitute a reportable data breach.
Finally, it is important to remember the “Right to Erasure”, often referred to as the Right to be Forgotten. Clients have the right to access their personal data and, once legal retention obligations have been met, to request its deletion. In practice, most Toastmasters will need to retain financial records for at least six years in line with HMRC record-keeping requirements. Once that period has passed, it is sensible to have a simple process for securely deleting digital files or shredding paper records.
By staying aware of these developments, we help ensure that the National Association of Toastmasters continues to represent the highest professional standards, protecting both our clients’ privacy and our own professional reputations.
Toastmaster’s GDPR Compliance Checklist
Audit Your Data
List what information you collect (names, phone numbers, allergy information) and where it is stored (email, phone, paper files).
Identify Your Lawful Basis
For most Toastmasters this will usually be Contract (delivering the service booked) or Legal Obligation (financial record keeping).
Provide a Privacy Notice
Ensure new enquiries can easily see how their information will be used before they book you.
Use strong passwords, enable device encryption where possible, and consider twofactor authentication for email accounts.
Review Retention Periods
Set a reminder to delete or securely dispose of old client files once the HMRC record-keeping period has passed.
Check Third Parties
If you use booking software, cloud storage, or a virtual assistant, ensure they also handle data responsibly.
Suggested Data Protection Clause for Member Contracts
Data Protection & Privacy
The Toastmaster acts as the Data Controller for the personal information provided by the Client for the purposes of fulfilling this agreement. The Toastmaster agrees to process personal data, including names, contact details and event information, securely and in accordance with the UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.
Usage: Personal data will only be used for the administration and delivery of the booked event.
Third Parties: Information will not be shared with third parties for marketing purposes. Essential details may be shared with venue staff or event suppliers where necessary for the successful running of the event.
Retention: Personal data may be retained for up to six years in order to comply with HMRC record-keeping requirements and insurance obligations, after which it will be securely deleted or destroyed.
Rights: The Client has the right to request access to their personal data and, once legal retention requirements have been satisfied, may request its deletion.
Disclaimer
While I am not a lawyer, this information is offered in good faith for general guidance only, based on my own research, and without liability.
Paul Deacon
WHAT LARKS!
Currently we are lucky in the NAT with the enthusiasm shown by new members. Members who seem to be looking for more from the organisation than just their public liability insurance. This enthusiasm was wonderfully demonstrated on 23rd March by Sharon and Archie, when they acted as quizmasters for “The Grand NAT Easter Quiz!” It was a hoot.
Poor Sharon and Archie also had to deal with a group of, shall we say “mature” gentlemen trying to deal with technology they had no business going anywhere near (I must congratulate Archie here on his tech. knowledge and his ability to communicate said knowledge), they had to deal with a group of contestants all of whom love to speak. They had to deal with Simon trying to set himself alight on his fire pit and they had to deal with banter that at times bordered on the ribald.
The length of the quiz was perfectly judged for the ten contestants and their memory retention. Six rounds of six questions, all based on an Easter theme. An achievement in itself.
Round one saw Michael Myers storm into a strong lead, leaving everyone in his wake. It didn’t last.
In Round Two, Rodger revealed that he was on the vodka. It was interesting to note his scores became less impressive as the rounds went on.
Rounds Three and Four had a little more of an emphasis on the religious side of Easter. Here Michael Brunker declared an advantage having “been brought up a good catholic boy”.
Round Five was thrown into confusion when Simon had his run-in with the fire pit. He disappeared, we heard a crash followed by some muttering. We told him it wasn’t the type of thing you put into your living room.
Round Six saw Rodger swinging from the chandelier, Simon covered from head to toe in bandages, Michael Brunker wearing a cassock, Michael Myers wondering where it all went wrong, Richard thinking he couldn’t put any of this in TMV, because no-one would believe him, Nick Gazzard wondering just what kind of organisation he had joined, and Howard wondering just what kind of organisation had it turned into.
And I won. Just saying.
LARKS!
It was a brilliant hour passed with a group of people determined to enjoy themselves. Sharon and Archie must be congratulated and thanked for all the evident work that had gone into the evening.
The good news is they are already talking about another online event in three months or so. It may not be a quiz, but they have some other fine ideas. Members, please, please try to put the date, whenever it comes out, into your diaries. There is so much more to this organisation than PL insurance.
