From My First Table Topics to Giving Back: A Toastmasters Journey

How one moment of fear turned into a deeper commitment to growth, leadership, and community

Toastmasters winners proudly display their awards for Best Speaker, Best Evaluator, and Best Table Topics, celebrating their achievements in public speaking skills.

From a Shaky Introduction to a Shared Purpose

I didn’t join Toastmasters because I was confident.

I joined because I wasn’t.

I still remember when I first moved to Copenhagen. It was during COVID, and like many people at the time, I found myself in a new place without really feeling connected to it. I had just moved from Dubai, trying to settle into a different environment while working remotely and navigating frequent lockdowns.

Building a social circle wasn’t easy.

At the time, I avoided anything that involved speaking in front of others. Public speaking was something I preferred to stay far away from.

And yet, when things started opening up again, I decided to attend a meeting of Toastmasters International as a guest.

Looking back, it felt like a small decision.

But it changed everything.

The Moment I Almost Walked Away

Walking into that room, I immediately felt out of place.

Everyone seemed confident. Comfortable. Like they knew exactly what they were doing.

Then came the round of introductions.

When it was my turn, I stood up and said:

“Hi, I’m Amer. I just moved to Copenhagen. I’m looking for a community that will help me become a better speaker and a more confident communicator.”

My voice was unsteady. I could feel the nerves building, but I got through it.

I remember listening to the speeches that day and thinking, I wish I could speak like that.

Then came Table Topics.

I tried to stay invisible.

It didn’t work.

They called my name.

The Turning Point

I walked to the front, already wishing I hadn’t.

The question was simple:

“If you could go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?”

And then my mind went completely blank.

I stood there in silence, aware of every second passing, unsure of what to say or how to recover.

That was the moment I wanted to disappear.

Then something unexpected happened.

The room shifted. People started clapping, not politely, but with real encouragement. Someone said, “You can do this.”

That moment stayed with me.

Because it showed me something I hadn’t expected.

This wasn’t a place where you were judged.

It was a place where you were supported, especially when you struggled.

I eventually gathered my thoughts and finished. It wasn’t polished, but I stayed.

And that made all the difference.

Growth Through Community

That day, I joined Frederiksberg Toastmasters.

That was in 2021.

What I found was more than a place to practice speaking. It was an environment where you could grow at your own pace, surrounded by people who genuinely wanted you to improve.

At one point in my journey, I was a member of three different clubs.

That experience gave me a broader perspective.

What stood out to me was how different each club felt. Some meetings were structured, engaging, and energizing.

Others were still finding their rhythm.

That made me reflect.

How do we make sure that every member, regardless of where they join, has a strong and supportive experience?

How do we raise the standard across clubs, while still keeping their individuality?

That question stayed with me.

Building and Leading

When I stepped into leadership, that question became more real.

I joined the board as Vice President Membership, and later also took on Vice President Education.

At the time, the club was rebuilding after COVID, with around 10 active members.

We didn’t focus on growth first.

We focused on getting the fundamentals right.

Creating a consistent, high-quality experience. Supporting members. Building a structure people could rely on.

Over time, growth followed.

We grew to 55 members, becoming the largest club across Denmark and Sweden.

We also introduced several initiatives:

• Becoming the first fully paperless club, with a focus on sustainability

• Implementing digital voting and feedback

• Creating shared analytics for member development

• Launching a structured mentoring program

  
  

None of these were done for the sake of innovation.

They were done to improve the member experience.

Because strong clubs are built on consistency and quality.

Amer Zohrob values his award for outstanding service as the President of the Frederiksberg Toastmasters Club in Denmark.

Expanding Impact

I later ran for Club President and was elected.

That year brought both challenges and momentum.

We continued to strengthen meeting quality, welcomed new visitors consistently, and eventually reached a point where we had a waiting list.

We also launched Amager Toastmasters and chartered it in just two months.

But what stayed with me most wasn’t the growth.

It was seeing people change.

Members who once hesitated to speak became confident.

Members stepped into leadership roles.

Members found their place in the community.

That’s when it became clear to me:

This is something worth investing in.

A Broader Perspective

After that, I stepped away from an official role for about a year.

That distance gave me clarity.

I realized I missed being part of it, not because of the role itself, but because of the impact and the connection.

It also gave me time to reflect more broadly on what I had observed across clubs.

That reflection led me to think more deeply about how I could continue contributing, not just within a club or an area, but at a broader level. Over time, that naturally led me to consider stepping forward and running for a Division Director role.

Division G currently covers Denmark and Sweden, with plans to expand into Norway. It includes 16 clubs and around 400 members.

Looking at Division G

From what I’ve seen, Division G is in a strong position.

Clubs are stable. Members are engaged. There is a solid foundation.

At the same time, there are opportunities to build further.

There is room to grow by chartering new clubs where there is demand.

There is also an opportunity to strengthen the overall quality of the experience across clubs, so that every member benefits, regardless of where they join.

And there is real potential in increasing collaboration across clubs, areas, and divisions.

I’ve been particularly inspired by the growth and structure of clubs in Germany, especially in Divisions A, D, and E.

My Perspective Moving Forward

From my experience, progress doesn’t come from big changes.

It comes from doing the fundamentals well, consistently.

Supporting Area Directors so they can support their clubs.

Encouraging collaboration so clubs can learn from each other.

Sharing what works.

And focusing on delivering a strong, consistent experience for members.

Because when members feel supported, they stay.

And when they stay, they grow.

Why This Matters to Me

When I think back to that first meeting, I don’t remember the question I couldn’t answer.

I remember the people who encouraged me to keep going.

That’s what made the difference.

And that’s what defines this community.

Closing

On May 10th, I will be attending the District Council Meeting, where candidates will come together and the next

Division Director will be selected.

I will be part of that process, alongside another candidate.

Regardless of the outcome, this step matters to me.

Because for me, this has never been about a role.

It’s about being part of a community that helps people take that first step.

Just like it did for me.

Because in the moments that matter most, it’s the people around us who make the difference—and that’s what makes us stronger together.