Originally published on LinkedIn (reformatted for zahradnik.io / Medium)
The Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) designation is the highest recognition in Toastmasters.
In Slovakia, fewer than 5% ever reach it. It takes years of work, and everyone who earns it is a proven leader.
I’m close to finishing mine.
One of the requirements is coaching a struggling club. Most people choose the easy path — coaching a club that simply needs more visibility.
But as a Division Director, I chose hard mode.
I volunteered to coach a Ukrainian club in crisis.
Before the war, Chamber Toastmasters Club in Kyiv was one of the strongest clubs in the country — a President’s Distinguished Club with dozens of members.
When I arrived, what I saw was a relic of its former strength:
- Many members had fled permanently.
- Some moved to Norway.
- Others to the USA.
- Others to Saudi Arabia.
- Officers were burned out.
- The community was fractured.
- The old meeting format no longer worked.
It was clear:
The old club was gone — but a new one could be born.
The president, Liubov, refused to be the final president in the history of Ukraine’s oldest Toastmasters club. She was the last anchor — but she couldn’t rebuild the club alone.
I told her the truth:
“We must transform completely. If we cling to the past, we won’t survive.”
We shifted the club to an online English-speaking format with Ukrainian roots.
We redesigned meetings from amateur to exceptional.
We rebuilt the officer team.
We recruited new members.
I used my Division Director influence to bring in one or two key people — because crisis teams are built around linchpins, not masses.
And slowly… the club came back to life.
Some people left, unhappy with the new order.
But new people came — aligned, energized, committed.
A year and a half later:
Chamber Toastmasters Kyiv is not just stable — it is thriving.
It regained President’s Distinguished status.
The transformation is complete.
- Slavic roots intact.
- International audience growing.
- Identity restored.
This was my first coaching experience where I wasn’t the one acting, but guiding others to act.
A new experience — and a powerful one.
Some people choose easy challenges.
I choose doom mode — because that’s where growth is.
When I earn my DTM,
this is the story that will echo behind that title.
I’ve already moved on to rebuild other communities — but Chamber continues to thrive, and we remain in contact.
If you’d like to see the result for yourself, here is their website:
