Toastmasters Leadership Institute

Open to Toastmasters members and the general public

Join us for an inspiring Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) focused on confidence, presence, and purpose — the foundations of authentic leadership and communication.

Enjoy brunch and a keynote by Lynn Kirkham, “You’re Not Afraid of Speaking — You’re Afraid of Being Seen,” followed by her interactive workshop, “The Embodiment Lab: Feel Safe Being Seen.” Afternoon sessions include “Talking About Value, Not Features,” a practical exploration of how focusing on why inspires engagement.

In the second half, we’ll turn the spotlight on our Toastmasters leaders — diving into roles, responsibilities, and real examples of what good leadership looks like in action.

✨ Come learn, connect, and be inspired!

*The meeting space is provided as a community service by the City of Redwood City. The City neither sponsors nor endorses this event nor the presenting individual or organizations.

Info: Discover why brilliant people freeze in the spotlight and how to finally break free from the fear that's been keeping you small. Join Lynn Kirkham, CEO of Yes You Can Speak, for a transformational keynote that goes beyond speaking tips to address the real root of your fear. Through powerful storytelling and trauma-informed exercises, you'll discover why your nervous system hijacks you in high-stakes moments and how to finally feel safe being visible. Walk away with tools to speak with presence instead of panic, and the permission to take up space without apology. When you trust yourself, your life expands. This is where it begins.

Info: Experience powerful, trauma-informed exercises that rewire your nervous system so you can feel safe being seen, without performing. This is not about learning to "sound confident." This is about finally feeling free. Summary: A 50-minute transformational experience where you don't just learn about confidence, you embody it. You'll move through gentle, trauma-informed exercises designed to help your nervous system remember that “it’s safe to be seen.” Through somatic practices such as breathwork, grounding, connection, and embodiment techniques, you'll release protective patterns that have kept your voice small, allowing you to speak from a place of presence rather than fear and take up space without apology.

Info: In our everyday world — at work, in marketing, even in how we describe our hobbies — we often focus on features: what something does. But what truly connects with people are the values: what something means to them. This session invites you to explore that shift — from features to value — and apply it to how we talk about Toastmasters Pathways. We’ll begin with the short video “Terry the Toastmaster” to spark reflection on why Pathways adoption remains lower than we’d like. Perhaps it’s not about the program itself, but about how we describe it. Then we will provide participants with an update on the latest Pathways evolutions.

Info: Hear inspiring speeches from our talented young speakers and learn more about how the Gavel Club empowers youth to build confidence, communication, and leadership skills in a fun, supportive environment. You’ll get a quick overview of how the club works, followed by two engaging speeches by our future leaders. Come cheer them on and see what the next generation of Toastmasters is all about!

Info: As District 4 prepares to sunset and make way for District 205 in July 2026, we’re coming together to celebrate more than eight decades of leadership, community, and personal growth. This workshop invites you to help shape the District 4 Legacy Booklet — a historical compendium capturing the people, stories, and spirit that defined our district. Participants will brainstorm content ideas, layout concepts, and creative ways to tell the District 4 story — ensuring that our legacy is preserved and celebrated before we transition to District 205. This is more than a history project — it’s a collective act of remembrance and gratitude, honoring the voices and moments that made District 4 unforgettable.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher District 4 Toastmasters