In this special two-part edition of The Toastmasters Experience, Evelyn takes listeners behind the scenes at the 2025 District 70 Conference, held at Campbelltown Catholic Club. As a roaming reporter, she captured the energy, emotion, and excellence of the weekend through candid interviews with contestants and passionate members.

The conference featured all four major contests—Humorous, Table Topics, Evaluation, and International—with strong representation from StageTime Toastmasters, including multiple finalists. Listeners hear firsthand reflections from speakers like Oscar, Vicky, Daryl, Jule and Sri, who share both triumphs and challenges. The presence of Toastmasters International President Radhi Spear added excitement, along with inspiring keynotes and heartfelt moments of community spirit.

From humorous hiccups to evaluation excellence, from standing ovations to quiet moments of growth, Evelyn’s interviews reveal the human side of Toastmasters—courage, connection, and celebration. Whether you’re a longtime member or curious newcomer, this episode captures the magic of what it means to find your voice and share it with others.

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Published:
May. 12, 2025 @ 5PM
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https://www.linkedin.com/in/urmihossain/

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https://www.youtube.com/@urmihossain

Urmi's Book: Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth From Interracial Struggle – Available on Amazon

In this episode, I welcome Urmi Hossain, a passionate Toastmaster, now living in Montreal. Urmi joined Toastmasters in 2019, inspired by her love for TED Talks and a desire to one day deliver a TEDx talk. Initially hesitant, it took her eight months to deliver her first speech, an icebreaker creatively centered on the meaning of her name—Urmi, meaning “wave.” She used this metaphor to reflect her personality: calm like the ocean but powerful like a tsunami when provoked.

Born in Sicily to Bangladeshi parents, Urmi shares her journey of growing up as a “third culture kid,” navigating her identity across Italian, Bengali, British, and Canadian cultures. Though she once struggled to fit in, she has since embraced her multicultural heritage, calling herself "Italian-Bengali."

Urmi credits Toastmasters for building her confidence and leadership, especially during her roles as VP Education and President. It helped her professionally in finance, and personally through public speaking opportunities, panel hosting, and launching her own YouTube channel. She also serves as social media lead for the Victoria chapter of Women in Leadership Canada, where she hosts Instagram Lives with coaches and experts.

Urmi is also a writer and self-published her memoir, Discovering Your Identity: A Rebirth from Interracial Struggle, in 2022. She mentors women and students, believing deeply in the power of mentorship and community.

Her advice for new Toastmasters? Step up for Table Topics at your first meeting—it reveals your speaking style and shows you what to work on.