Ankit Dasgupta, DTM - DLC Nominated Candidate for PQD 23-24

“Appreciation goes a long way as a motivator”

Every Toastmaster’s Leadership journey starts as a member. When I joined in 2014, I was not sure how I would excel in Toastmasters, but through the guidance and support of many Toastmasters in every part of my journey, I am where I am.

Awards are just a by product of the work you do. The end motive is to serve the members through your leadership.
Hence have always taken up the roles with the motto

Come, join me in this journey as we Together make District 98 Digitally Empowered!

Stronger Clubs, Stronger District 98!

Knowing your candidate is important in making the right decision!

Here is my Servant Leadership journey in Toastmasters, of over 9 years.

Leadership in Toastmasters has always fascinated me. Since I joined in 2014, I have developed as an individual due to the qualities I learnt through my Servant Leadership Roles.

For me leadership in Toastmasters has always been towards building strong membership experience through quality meetings.

Let’s together make District 98 Digitally Empowered!
Stronger Clubs, Stronger District 98!

It gives me immense pleasure to announce that I have been nominated by District Leadership Committee (DLC) as Candidate for Program Quality Director (PQD), 2023-2024 for District 98
Looking forward to your support. Please like this page to know more about my Toastmasters journey, spanning over 9 years.

Ankit Dasgupta, DTM - DLC Nominated Candidate for PQD 23-24

Thank you members of District 98 for your belief and faith🙏

Let’s together grow District 98!!

Post: February 2020

DTM and Best Mentor of Club Recognition

I have always followed the RISE Values of Toastmasters.

Respect Integrity Service Excellence

It was a happy coincidence when I got recognised in the same month, through 2 awards which embody the RISE values.

Being recognised as a Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) has been a dream since the time I joined Toastmasters and it is regarded as the culmination of a Toastmaster’s journey. But on the contrary getting the DTM recognition has motivated me to further enhance my skills and continue in the path of excellence.

Getting recognition as the Best Mentor of the Club Agnel Toastmasters is a highlight of my Journey as I have always believed in building new leaders and communicators, and this is an opportunity I got in Toastmasters. My mentees have won speech contests, taken up leadership roles and it gives me immense pride to have played a part in their journey.

2 of the best awards I have received so far. Thank you Toastmasters

# AD4DivD

Post: Jan 2020

Trainer in Leadership Training Programs for Division B & M

I have always believed in disseminating knowledge in every way I can. Hence when the Division Directors asked me to be trainers in the Leadership Training Programs, I took up the opportunity and served the Division in conducting the trainings.

Conducted following trainings:

Ignite - Jul 2019 : VP Public Relations
Re-Ignite - Jan 2020 : VP Membership
Re-Ignite - Jan 2020: Secretary

Post: December 2019

Club Growth Master Class

Ensuring the quality and sustainability of the Chartered club, has been one of my focus points throughout my tenure as Club Extension Chair.

Having first interactions with management team to proper demo meetings to correct filling of chartering forms to ensuring quality mentors and taking care of bottlenecks has been part and parcel of my role.

With the intention of spreading knowledge of club chartering to all the members of District 98, the CGD Team decided to have Facebook Live sessions explaining each of our specific roles.

Before the FB Live session, I took a Skype session specifically for the Area Directors of District 98 training them on Charter Form Filling. The session was well received and I got very good feedback.

My FB Live session titled “Club Chartering 101: Be the Growth Catalyst, Charter a Club” was taken with an agenda to explain the complete process of Club Chartering to all members of District 98. The session had an audience of 100 members at its peak and the feedback received was that the session was very helpful.

My motto has always been to disseminate information to everyone, and the results of these sessions bore fruits when we started chartering more clubs, and this time by members.

Post: July 2019

Treasurer, Agnel Toastmasters; July 2019-June 2020

Having completed my degree with a specialisation in Finance, I realised the best way I could serve the members of Agnel Family is by taking up the role of Treasurer.

In this one year term, my main focus areas, along with membership payments have been:

1. Ensure members get quality meeting experience, by taking care of per meeting expense in a smooth way by coordination with the Sergeant at Arms

2. Utilise club funds in an optimum way to increase members’ camaraderie and interest by organising special meetings and out of meeting get togethers

3. Contribute to club success as a part of the Executive Committee by planning for the Presidents Distinguished Status and working as a team to get the coveted Diamond Club Award.

It has been a great learning experience by working with an amazing team and coming back and serving at Club Level.

Post: June 2019

District Club Extension Chair 2019 - 2020

After shifting my base back to Mumbai with a new job and degree, I was given the opportunity to join the Club Growth Director DTM Dipankar Das's Team, and serve District 98 as Club Extension Chair.

My motto throughout my role has been to ensure quality clubs are built in the District, following proper training of Officers, set process for club chartering and assisting District Officers.

This role has been an enriching experience, as it has given me learning of the basics, "Chartering Clubs"

Stay tuned for more updates on the same.

Post: May 2019

Sergeant at Arms at Division B&M Conference -2019

Every role is a learning, no matter how small it may seem.

Got an opportunity to play a role as Sergeant at Arms at ISC and TT Division Contest. This role was an opportunity for me to meet with all the members of the division, and yes, I saw a lot of new faces. The Division had truly expanded in my 2 years of absence :)

Sergeant at Arms team - Ankit Dasgupta

Post: July 2017 - June 2019

Pursued MBA

For me learning has been an ongoing journey, and with this focus in mind, i embarked on a journey to pursue my higher studies for 2 years. Got an admit to pursue Dual MBA from 2 prestigious institutions, one in Gurgaon, India and one in London.

Although I was not active in Toastmasters due to the stringent schedules of the MBA curriculum, i did attend meetings at Gurgaon Toastmasters Club and London Business School Public Speaking Club whenever I got the opportunity.

Attending meetings at clubs outside my home District made me aware of many best practices followed by these clubs.

Post: June 2016

Assistant Division A Director Jan 2016 - Jun 2016

Sometimes in life,you become an accidental leader. This was one such opportunity for me.

The then Division A Director Mohit Chabbra had to go on an unplanned onsite assignment, and he asked me to serve as Assistant Division Director on his behalf. Not having an experience to serve an Area, let alone a Division, it was a challenging role but with the guidance of TM Mohit Chabra and Division B Director DTM Nikhil Salvi, I went on to serve the Division for 6 months and also organized the Division Conference with DTM Nikhil.

I learnt the true meaning of mentoring from Nikhil and Mohit. Although I was not as experienced as them in age or in Toastmasters, they took head of all my points and opinion and gave me the liberty to lead.

This photo was taken during my address as Assistant Division Director at the District Executive Committee (DEC) 2016

Post: July 2015

Vice President Education, Jul 2015 - Dec 2015

Having served TCS Maitree Toastmasters Club, Mumbai as VP Membership for 6 months, i got the opportunity to serve the club for the next 6 months, from July 2015 - Dec 2015 as Vice President Education

Truly VPE is one of the most challenging roles in a Club Excom, but it was a great opportunity for me to cater to the learning progress of each and every member of the club. This role evolved me as a Leader.

Post: December 2014

Vice President Membership, Jan 2015 - Jun 2015

I joined Toastmasters in May 2014, in one of the most active clubs of Mumbai - TCS Maitree Toastmasters Club, Mumbai. I would say this club was the building block of my communication and leadership experience in Toastmasters. It gave me wonderful mentors whom I still consult, life long friends and lots of learning.

In December, 2014 I started my leadership journey after being elected Club Vice President Membership for TCS Maitree Toastmasters Club, Mumbai for the term Dec 2014 - Jun 2015.

Dear Toastmasters and Friends,

"The best leaders are servant leaders - they serve those they lead."
-Tony Hsieh

I have always been an ardent believer of Servant Leadership, and have been practicing the same over the past 7-8 years through wonderful organizations such as Toastmasters International and so on.

Currently serving District 98 as Club Extension Chair, here I am, looking forward to serving you in a new role for the next year.

I am your Candidate for Division Director 2020-2021.

This page is a repository of my journey (in chronological order) of the last 6 years in Toastmasters and professional life, where in I have got an opportunity to learn, grow and empower myself and others.

Please do Like the Page for more updates on my journey