Featuring Shameika McAllister, Division B Director
How long have you been in Toastmasters, and what club officer roles have you filled?
I have been a Toastmaster for five years, and I have held VP of Education for multiple terms.
What other roles have you held in D25?
I was Area 63 Director in 2022-2023 and Division B Director in 2023-2024.
How is the role of Division Director different than that of Area Director?
My role as Division Director is equivalent to a VP role in Corporate America. As Division Director, I support the Area Directors who in turn support the clubs and their members.
You’ve been both an Area Director and a Division Director. Is there anything you now understand that you didn’t as an Area Director?
I have learned to have patience and to ensure to lead with grace. Also, Mrs. Celeste Castro made it look so EASY last Toastmasters season!
What has been your biggest challenge so far as a Division Director?
My biggest challenge is having individuals who push me by helping me develop patience and enhance my leadership skills. I am learning to pivot more as needed.
Is your team of ADs a cohesive group? Competitive? Do they have similar or different personalities?
My team of Area Directors is a mixture of all of those. They are cohesive and similar, but at the same time very different. They each bring unique perspectives to our team. They can definitely be competitive, but in a way that elevates the team together! They are competitive as a unit.
What message do you really hope to convey to your Area Directors this year?
Be kind, be brilliant, and be bold. Most importantly, be kind to yourself and to others.
How will you measure success at the end of the year?
I will measure success in a few different ways. One way would be if any of the current Area Directors would like to continue to be active in the district in the next Toastmasters season (i.e., move up to Division Director, Contest Chair, etc.). Another way to measure success is by the success of the clubs in my division. If the clubs can meet their goals, that’s a win!
Is there anything you’d like to add?
I have had some very supportive individuals in D25, and I am proud to be part of such an amazing district. This support is one of the reasons I have continued being active in the district, and it’s why I’m on the path to earning my DTM!
