Announcing the Relaunch of Douglas Toastmasters to New Westminster Toastmasters - Home of the Guest Speaker Spotlight Series

After more than 14 years of helping people build confidence and communication skills, Douglas Toastmasters begins an exciting new chapter as New Westminster Toastmasters, with a new home, a renewed vision, and a growing community of speakers.

A New Chapter Begins

After proudly serving the community for more than 14 years, Douglas Toastmasters is entering an exciting new chapter.

Originally chartered in February 2012 as a Douglas College club, Douglas Toastmasters has helped hundreds of members build confidence, develop leadership skills, and discover their voice. Many of today's accomplished Toastmasters delivered their very first speeches within this club.

In 2026, our members embraced an opportunity to reimagine the club for the future. With a new name, a new meeting location, and a renewed vision, we are proud to introduce New Westminster Toastmasters.

Our refreshed identity reflects our commitment to serving the entire New Westminster community while preserving the welcoming, supportive environment that has defined our club since its founding.

"It was my absolute pleasure to serve this club and community for 11 years. I smile at memories of countless members who arrived nervous and sweaty, and left with bold confidence.

It is heartening to see the recent transformation of this club from struggling hybrid to bustling in-person. I know the foundation of collaboration and friendship is continuing, and it will always be a safe place to build new communication skills."

— Tara Leduc, Past President, and Club Member from 2015 to 2026

A New Home

We're pleased to announce that New Westminster Toastmasters has found its new permanent home at the beautiful Anvil Centre in the heart of downtown New Westminster.

This move gives us an accessible, professional meeting space that supports our continued growth and allows us to welcome members and guests from across the community.

Home of the Guest Speaker Spotlight Series

One of the club's signature initiatives is our Guest Speaker Spotlight Series.

Each month, we invite an accomplished Toastmaster to share their speaking journey, leadership experiences, and the impact Toastmasters has had on their personal and professional lives. These special meetings provide inspiration for both prospective members and experienced Toastmasters alike, reminding us why we began this journey in the first place.

We've been honoured to welcome outstanding speakers including Lydia Burchell, Charie Ginete-Ilon, and Stefano Cossalter.

Our next Guest Speaker Spotlight will take place on July 28, featuring Sharookh Daroowala, DTM. We invite members from across District 21 to join us for an evening of inspiration, learning, and fellowship.

A Community That Helped Us Grow

Our journey wouldn't have been possible without the generosity of Waves Coffee House in New Westminster. During our transition, Waves welcomed us into their meeting room, providing an affordable and welcoming space where our members could continue meeting, welcome guests, and rebuild the club.

Those months proved to be a turning point. As we gathered around the table at Waves, our membership grew from four members to twelve, creating the momentum that ultimately allowed us to establish our new home at Anvil Centre.

We're deeply grateful to the management and staff at Waves Coffee House for supporting local community organizations and helping make this new chapter possible.

Looking Ahead

This relaunch represents more than a name change. It marks the beginning of a new era for one of District 21's long-standing clubs.

As we continue building on the foundation laid by generations of members, we're also looking ahead to an exciting milestone. In 2027, New Westminster Toastmasters will celebrate its 15th anniversary, and we're planning something very special to mark the occasion. While we're keeping the details under wraps for now, we promise it will be a celebration worthy of the club's remarkable journey.

"What I have witnessed in this club is the true spirit of Toastmasters: resilience, teamwork, and the courage to grow. This relaunch is not about leaving the past behind, it is about building on a proud foundation and opening the door to a stronger future. New Westminster Toastmasters is the kind of club where guests can walk in, feel genuinely welcomed, and see themselves growing into more confident speakers and leaders. With its renewed energy, strong leadership, and community focus, this club will be a vibrant home for members and guests for many years to come.”

— Lydia Burchell, DTM, Club Coach, New Westminster Toastmasters

If you'd like to follow along, we invite you to connect with us on social media using the links below. You'll be the first to hear about upcoming Guest Speaker Spotlight events, club milestones, and, of course, our anniversary celebration.

We extend our sincere thanks to every past and present member of Douglas Toastmasters, our dedicated Club Coaches, District 21 leaders, and everyone who has supported us throughout this journey. Your encouragement, mentorship, and belief in the club made this transformation possible.

Whether you're discovering Toastmasters for the first time or returning after many years, we'd love to welcome you to a meeting and have you become part of our next chapter.