🌟 From the desk of the District Director 🌟
| | |
District 27 Family,
Welcome to February 2026.
We are a little over the halfway mark in the
Toastmaster year. We have made a lot of progress in our mission of leaving No member
behind and leaving No club behind.
Renewals: We still have work to do. It is dues renewal time and I would urge us to begin the dues renewal process now. If you club has self-pay enabled you can make payments to Toastmasters International now for the April renewal period.
If our clubs did not renew at the member base as of July 1 let us make every effort to
have our clubs renew at base plus 3 or plus 5.
Pathways: We encourage you to enroll our new members and some not so new members into the Pathways Educational Program. The Program Quality Director has monthly Pathways Hours where you can come and learn,and ask questions about the educational program. Utilize this resource. We are working our way to have weekly hours to assist you.
District Council: Presidents and Vice Presidents Education, this year as we transition from District 27 to District 220 the District Council meeting would be a bit different. You have the pleasure of attending two (2) District Council meetings. The first will be the District 220 Council meeting that will take place on April 25, 2026, at 10:00am. At this meeting we need your presence as we choose leaders for the new district, We will also vote on the alignment of the clubs in the new district. Representatives from Toastmasters International will preside over this meeting. We need you at the second District Council meeting to finish District 27 business before the July 1, 2026, transition. We need your presence at these two District Council meetings to have a quorum so that we can conduct district business.
Club Creation: is a great part of our mission in Toastmasters International. By creating new clubs, we afford many more individuals in our community to realize the benefits of Toastmasters. I encourage you to share with friends, family members and coworkers and others in our sphere of influence. We need your ideas to create clubs. If you have leads that result in a club being created, we have a gift certificate for you in the amount of $50. Please send your ideas to CGD@d27-tm.org and copy CEC@d27-tm.org. Our goal is 10 new clubs by May 31, 2026. I know that we have the expertise,
entrepreneurial spirit and the determination to succeed as members of District 27.
We are looking for emerging leaders for our inaugural District 220. Club Presidents and VicePresidents Education, Current Area Directors and anyone wanting to step into District Leadership now is the time to step up into District Leadership. It is your opportunity to lead the new District 220 into the future. You will have input into where we are headed. Please contact the members of the District Leadership Committee (DLC) at dlchair220@gmail.com.You can do this; we are all leaders.
D27 members, we are counting on you!
Keeping in Contact: D27 members, there is a possibility of a Government shutdown. We urge you to help us keep in contact with you. If you have a government email address as your contact information at Toastmasters International, please consider changing it to your personal email address. Also, if you lose access to your meeting space or online platform, please consider using the free versions of Zoom or google meets to conduct your meetings. Let your Toastmasters meeting be the place to find support through these trying times. Let us continue to support each other as we live our theme for this year. No member left behind, No club left behind
Yours in Service,
Beverly Byam-Hercules, DTM
D27 District Director 2025-2026
No Member left behind, No Club left behind! 🌟
| | |
MID YEAR TRAINING WITH Beverly Byam-Hercules, DTM
D27 District Director, Jenny Genser White, DTM
Program Quality Director, Dr. Janice Boss, DTM
Club Growth Director, CGD.
| | 🌟 From the desk of the Program Quality Director 🌟 | | |
Greetings Fellow Toastmasters,
What does it mean to have a successful club? It means that meetings are exciting. It means that members are giving speeches and completing projects, stretching boundaries and developing new skills. It means that guests want to join and members want to remain with the club. As Program Quality Director, I’m here to help your clubs have quality meetings and a successful year. See what District 27 is doing to help you and your club.
Club officer training sessions: If you are a club officer or want to learn more about being a club officer, attend one of our free virtual training sessions. As of January 18, 35 percent of all club officers have been trained, and 25 clubs have met the minimum of four officers trained. That is a good start, but just a start. If you want your club to succeed, these training sessions will provide the tools that your club can use. Fortunately, there are some opportunities to get trained this month – Sunday February 8 at 2:00 pm will be a full TLI with breakout sessions for office roles and electives. Between Tuesday, February 10 and Thursday, February 19, there will be lunchtime hour-long sessions for each individual officer role. Finally, Saturday February 28 is the last chance to be trained this round; it will be a combined training, where all officer roles will be presented. You can register for a session at this link: https://d27-tm.org/training-tli/.
Pathway: Over 88 percent of all District 27 Toastmasters are enrolled in Pathways.
On the flip side, nearly 12 percent are not enrolled, including 12 club officers. Pathways is the vehicle for accessing your projects which will spur your growth in communication, leadership, and confidence. If you are not enrolled in Pathways, are confused about the recent changes to Pathways, or if you have any other questions, District 27 holds monthly open houses on Pathways on the second Tuesday of each month.
Please register for the January 13 session at https://d27 tm.org/events/pathways-office-hours- 889-641/. If this time doesn’t work for you, please contact your Area or Division Director or me at PQD@d27-tm.org and we can get you set up and on your way to learning and growth.
Contests: Clubs are holding contests now. Contests are a vehicle for expanding your
horizon: you can learn how to hone your speech or evaluation or plan an event. Areas
will be holding their in-person contests between February 15 and March 15, and
Divisions will hold their in-person contests between March 15 and April 15. Consider
participating!
Annual District Conference: Honour the Past and Embrace the Future. The last District 27 conference (before Districts 27 and 36 combined to form District 220 on July 1) will be held on May 2nd at the George Mason University Mason Square campus in Arlington. We will host the President-Elect of Toastmasters International (who will be President on July 1), DTM Stefano McGhee. All living past District Directors will be invited to attend and featured in an homage to our 36 years as a District. And of course, we’ll have the Division winners of the Evaluation and International Speech contests competing. Registration is open, with an early bird price of $75 for the first 50 people to register; $100 after that. The link to register is https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/district-27-annual-conference.
Pathways Office Hours, Dates & Links 👇
February 10 -- https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/B5QvXObBRUWZuloo9HJodA
March 10 -- https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/rHmuqYewQKGo2XpPMvSD_A
April 14 -- https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ytYTD9SZQkKVsH2uNaJ8xQ
May 12 -- https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/3oGYJSKBS4eHolvLrVm1Kg
June 9 -- https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/0j9kOLXmSm2lnQwVgKNq8g
TLI Training Dates and Links Feb 2026 👇
| | |
Yours in Service,
Jenny Genser White, DTM
Program Quality Director, 2025-2026
No Member left behind, No Club left behind! 🌟
| | 🌟 From the desk of the Club Growth Director 🌟 | | |
Greetings Fellow Toastmasters,
As D27 Club Growth Director, I attended the 2026 Mid-Year District Leadership Training in Vancouver, Canada, from January 10th through January 11th 2026.The Leadership Training was awesome, given by our Dynamic Toastmasters’ International Leadership Team. They are the best.
The hospitality by the Leaders of the International Leadership Team was exemplary, and the various District Leaders I interacted with during my training experience was very engaging. We exchanged many nuggets with each other during the Training as District Leaders. I had the pleasure of interacting with the Past Toastmasters International President, DTM Radhi Spear, and I will always cherish the photo I was fortunate enough to have with her.
Mid-Year District Leadership Training:
The Mid-Year District Leadership Training in Vancouver will have a great impact on my Club Growth Director Leadership, as I navigate through the next several months, in working with the Retention Team, DTM Alonzo White, Chair, and DTM Robin Hylton; and the Extension Team, DTM Naomi Carrington-Hockman, Chair, and TM Gwendolyn Peacher.
Club Coaching & Charting:
The Retention Team has done an outstanding job on training the Club Coaches and assigning them to Clubs. The Extension Team is on target with Demonstration meetings to charter the projected estimated Clubs needed for D27 to reach its Goal. Congratulations to the Leaders/Teams for their Dynamic Leadership during this 2025/2026 Term.
District 27 New Club Leads:
Help Your District Grow - Submit Prospective Club Leads!
Do you know of a company, organization, group, or community that could benefit from Toastmasters? Share their contact information with us, and we will follow up to determine whether chartering a new club is the right next step.
Once a club is successfully chartered, you will receive a $50 Toastmasters Gift Certificate. If you have any questions about new club leads, please contact Extension Chair DTM Naomi Carrington-Hockman at TMCarringtonHockman@gmail.com OR CEC@d27-tm.org.
Yours in service,
Dr. Janice Boss, DTM
Club Growth Director, CGD
Contact: CGD@d27-tm.org
No Member left behind! No Club left behind! 🌟
| | 🌟 From the DLC 220 Chairs 🌟 | | |
Hello Fellow Toastmasters,
Great news! 🎉
Due to popular interest and multiple requests from members, we are excited to announce that the District Leader Nominations deadline has been EXTENDED by four additional days.
This is YOUR moment to step forward or to encourage a fellow Toastmaster to help shape the future of District 220.
District leadership is a powerful opportunity to:
- Grow your leadership and communication skills
- Expand your network across the district
- Make a meaningful impact on clubs and members
- Challenge yourself in a rewarding way
New Deadline: Wednesday Feb 4 @ 11:59PM
Who can be Nominated: Passionate, Committed Toastmasters ready to lead and serve
Leadership Opportunities: View HERE
Whether you’re a seasoned leader or ready to take your next big step, we encourage you to raise your hand and be considered. If you have been on the fence, this extension is your sign to do it. If you know someone else who would be amazing in a leadership role, do not wait, nominate them today.
Submit nominations HERE
If you have questions or want to learn more about a role, feel free to reach out.
Don’t let this extra time go to waste. Let us continue to build a strong, supportive, and inspiring District together. We cannot wait to see the incredible leaders who step up !
With appreciation,
Annette Sanks, DTM, IPPDD District 27
Ena Okah, DTM, PDD District 36
District Leadership Committee (DLC) Chairs
| | 🌟 Public Relations Manager Announcements 🌟 | | Interested in your overall health and well being.If so then this is a club for you!.Here is a brand new club ready to share fresh ideas, plan events and grow healthy together. If this is something you have been looking for then contact Contact D27 Club Extension Chair at CEC@d27-tm.org and Ad25@d27-tm.org to indicate your interest. JOIN NOW. | | |
DISTRICT 27 Toastmasters are you interested in photography
Join the Photography club!
Contact the D27 Club Extension Chair , CEC@d27-tm.org & AD25@d27-tm.org.
| |
Finding Your Voice Speechcraft Course
5-Star Toastmasters is excited to sponsor a 6-week virtual Speechcraft series—an engaging “Find Your Voice” experience designed to help you build confidence and communication skills using proven Toastmasters principles. Join us Mondays, 7:00–8:00 PM, from January 5 through February 23, 2026, for guided practice in speaking, storytelling, and presenting in a supportive online setting. Looking for a meaningful personal-development gift? Speechcraft is a thoughtful option for anyone who’s asked for “something to help me grow” this year.
To register or learn more, contact Molly Slattery at oxbowdream@gmail.com.
| |
State of Speaking’s International Speech and Evaluation Contests
Join State of Speaking for an engaging club speech contest featuring inspiring international speeches and dynamic evaluation performances!
Date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Time: 12:00 pm EST
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82309992839?pwd=MAoJRFuqyll3YF9oh03V2KHEpAxmn0.1
Contact Angela Kroboth, DTM, at StateOfSpeaking@gmail.com.
| |
|
SPRITED SPEAKERS TOASTMASTERS CLUB HYBRID OPEN HOUSE
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 15 2026
⏰11:30 - 12:45 PM
2900 SOUTH QUINCY STREET
SUITE 360 ARLINGTON
VIRGINIA 22206.
Spirited Speakers home page: https://spiritedspeakersva.toastmastersclubs.org/
zoom link: http://us02web.zoom.us/j/87290059391?pwd=M0zxHAw3Gz1l5l48VqzhBxdPHUgToJ.1
|
Twilight Talkmasters Open House
Twilight Talkmasters Open House — Feb 19, 7:00 PM (Doors open 6:30)
Discover your voice at our IN PERSON Open House at Fairlington Community Center (3308 S Stafford St., Arlington, VA). Enjoy engaging speeches, a guest speaker, networking, and light snacks. Free entry; all welcome. Bring a colleague — see what Toastmasters can do for your career.
Why attend: sharpen briefing skills; boost executive presence; practice in a supportive club.
RSVP / Info: https://twilighttalkmasters.toastmastersclubs.org/ · Email: officers-8095@toastmastersclubs.org.
| |
- February 21, 2026
-
Event: Areas 21-23 Evaluation and International Speech Contests
-
Location: Shirlington Library, Campbell Room, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA 22206
-
Time: 1100am - 4.45pm (briefings will take place at 10:00 am)
- February 22, 2026
-
Event: Areas 24-25 Evaluation and International Speech Contests
-
Location: Central Library, Bluemont Room, 1015 N. Quincy Street, Arlington, VA. 22201
-
Time: 1200pm - 445pm (briefings will take place at 11:30 am)
- March 22, 2026
-
Event: Division B Evaluation and International Speech Contests
-
Location: Mason District Government Center, 6507 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003
-
Time: 2:15pm – 5:45pm (briefings will take place before the contest date)
| |
DTM MASTERS OPEN HOUSE
THEME: "IT’S ALL ABOUT WOMEN"
🏆EXCEPTIONAL GUEST SPEAKERS 🏆
DON'T MISS THIS
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/87235903166?pwd=iMbefjwaj2A9bBkRxdIJ4JihpbUHhb.1
Event Details:
• Date: March 8, 2026
• Time: 2:30p.m. – 4:30 p.m., EST
• Location: Virtual (Zoom)
• Audience: Club members, guests, and community attendees
| |
🌟"Honor the Past and Embrace the Future"
District 27 Shout Out Board!🌟
| |
District 27 Toastmasters,
As many of you know, District 27 will soon be coming together with District 36 to form our new home District 220.
While we’re excited for what’s ahead, this is also a meaningful moment to pause and reflect on the journey we’ve shared as District 27.
Over the years, District 27 has been filled with powerful speeches, supportive evaluations, lifelong friendships, leadership growth, laughter, challenges, and countless unforgettable moments. Those memories live in each of us and we would love to preserve them.
We invite you to share your stories, memories, photos, or reflections on our
Kudo Board.Whether it’s a favorite meeting, a breakthrough moment, a mentor who made a difference, or a simple memory that still makes you smile, your contribution matters.
Together, these shared moments will tell the story of District 27 in our own voices.
Thank you for being part of what made District 27 so special.
Let’s honor our past as we step confidently into the future together.🎉
Warm regards,
Maria Allsopp-Whittington
District 27 PRM
https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/O1ZJXH2s
| | |
The Toastmaster Parrot 🦜
There was this guy on a plane trying to get a drink. He tried to get the attention of the Air steward, but wasn’t having much luck.
Suddenly, the parrot sitting next to him leans over and squawks, “Oi! You! Get me a bloody whisky.”Hurriedly, the steward brings the parrot a drink, but still ignores the guy. The parrot downs the whisky in one go and then screamed out again, “
Oi! You! Yes you with the the face full of botox. Bring me another whisky!”
Again, the steward rushes over and serves the parrot. The guy still cannot get her attention, but he’s a bit clever and realises where he is going wrong.
He shouts, “Oi! You! You with the trampish hair. Yes you, you! Bring me a bloody whisky!” The steward rushes off to the back of the plane, but instead of coming back with a drink she reappears with two muscular blokes and points to the man and the parrot.
A moment later, after both parrot and the man was toss off the plane , the parrot turns to the guy and says, “You know, for someone who can’t fly, you sure are a loud mouth guy!.”
| | 🌟Chaplain Inspirational Message 🌟 | | |
Fellow Toastmasters,
Seasons of Life.
Are you a fan of winter? While about two-thirds of the United States population is dealing with brutal cold weather and mixed precipitation (Snow, Sleet, Ice, Freezing Rain/drizzle), many are dreaming of warmer weather. Just like most regions which experience changing weather.
Life is filled with changing seasons. If you don’t like the weather, just wait, and it will change soon. If you don't like the ‘Season’ of life that you are currently going through, just wait, and it will change soon. “This too will pass!”
As surely as the seasons change in nature, they will change in our lives. If you happen to be someone who wishes to rush the winter season away (like I do), then you can relate to wanting to rush away challenging seasons of life as well. What I have discovered, however, is that Every Season Must Run Its Course! This is true of both natural seasons and the seasons of our lives.
The Bible tells us in Galatians 6:9, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in Due Season we will reap, if we do not give up.” This means that there is another season that you may not have been aware of….DUE SEASON! Due season is the time when EVERYTHING is scheduled to happen. It’s not when you or I want it to happen, but when it’s supposed to happen.
While we wait for our Due Seasons in the natural and in our circumstances, trust that God (by faith) is working whatever season we happen to be in for your and my good. Blessings to you.
Sincerely,
Rev. Don Hutchins
District 27 Chaplain
No member left behind, No club left behind🌟
| | | | |
