D18 Spotlight
October 2025
| | | We build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence. | | “Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.” – Roger Crawford, inspirational speaker, author, and former professional tennis player | | |
Dear Reader,
District 18 is buzzing with energy! In this issue:
🌱 Club Growth Events are popping up—perfect chances to grow and shine.
😆 Don’t miss the Sidesplitter Challenge—bring the laughs!
💬 Office Hours with the Trio—your chance to connect, ask, and share.
🏆 Our District Contest Plan is set—get ready to compete, cheer, and celebrate.
🎯 You’ve got one more shot at Judges Training—All Stars welcomed!
🌍 And check out our members Out and About, spreading the Toastmasters spirit.
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Plus: new incentives (including cruise giveaways!) and Pathways updates designed to help you grow and support your club.
So much is happening—jump in, be bold, and let’s keep District 18 unstoppable!
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Exciting New District 18 Incentives (Sneak Peak)
We are excited to provide a sneak peak of two new incentives for District 18 Toastmasters:
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When you earn a Triple Crown (complete three Levels in Pathways) between July 1, 2025 and April 15, 2026, you will be entered into a drawing where the grand prize is a cruise for two on Carnival Cruise Line.
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When you sponsor four new members to any District 18 club(s) from July 1, 2025 through April 15, 2026, you will be entered into a drawing where the grand prize is a cruise for two on Carnival Cruise Line.
🛳️ The grand prize drawings will be held on April 18, 2026 at the District 18 Spring Conference at the Westin BWI in Linthicum Heights, Maryland. (You need not be present to win, but we hope you'll be there!)
More details to follow in November.
Get started now!
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🌱Club Growth Opportunities
Exciting opportunities are coming up to share the power of Toastmasters—and you’re invited to join in! Whether you can lend a hand for an hour or for the whole event, your support makes a difference.
🎉 Odenton Day – Odenton, MD
Saturday, October 4 • 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Kritikos Club will have a table at the Odenton Fire Station festival. Stop by and help us connect with the community!
Led by Bruce McPherson, DTM
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💼 Delmarva Job & Career Expo – Salisbury, MD
Thursday, October 9 • 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Let’s show job seekers and professionals how Toastmasters builds confidence and opens doors.
Led by Dennis Lawson & Michael Hoy, DTM
🎤 Speechcraft – Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD
Tuesday, October 21
Introduce students to Toastmasters through this dynamic program that develops communication and leadership skills.
Led by Felicia Rowe, PRM
🎓 Wilmington University Students’ Fair – Delaware
Date TBD
Inspire students to discover Toastmasters and all it has to offer!
Led by Dana Thurston, Division G Director
Want to be part of the action? Reach out to Club Growth Director Mona Mohamed, DTM at cgd@toastmasters-d18.org to be connected with the lead for an existing event or to suggest a new club growth/marketing idea!
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One More Chance for Judges Training | |
Sharpen your listening skills and learn what makes a great speech! Join our Judges Training (also valuable for contestants) to gain the tools you need to evaluate fairly, use the official ballot with confidence, and serve at all contest levels. Then, put your skills into practice at the District 18 All Stars event!
🗓️ Judges Training - Session #2 (Zoom)
Sunday, October 5, 2pm - 3:30pm; join here
🗓️ Judging Practice - District 18 All Stars (In Person)
Sunday, November 16, 12pm - 6pm, JWR Enterprise, 11000 Brokenland Parkway, Suite 900, Columbia, MD
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The “All Stars” event will be a friendly competition among former District Directors and former District contest winners.
👉 Questions? Email ChiefJudge@toastmasters-d18.org
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Sidesplitter Challenge
✨ This is your chance to experience the true value of being part of the D18 community—sharing joy, connection, and encouragement together.
👉 Registration links for all five challenges are on the D18 Calendar – register today!
District 18 is bringing humor center stage with the Sidesplitter Challenge! Members will showcase their funniest stories through lighthearted speeches in a friendly competition. Invite your friends and family and join us for an evening of laughter, camaraderie, and good fun—you don't have to be a member to enjoy it!
See the "Reminders" section below for more details.
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District Trio Office Hours!
Drop in to chat with the District 18 Trio, every 4th Thursday on Zoom, from 8:00pm to 9:00pm. The next Office Hour will be: Thursday, October 23.
Join here (Meeting ID: 880 5109 0130, Passcode: District)
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Pathways Update
As noted in last month’s Did You Know?, exciting updates to the Pathways program are rolling out this month.
There will be more opportunities to complete meeting roles and give educational presentations to support your club.
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A new section will be included in each level that outlines required meeting roles and specific ways those roles contribute to learning in that level.
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Levels 3, 4, and 5 will introduce members to the Successful Club Series, the Better Speaker Series, and the Leadership Excellence series. Members will improve their communication/leadership skills by giving presentations from these series to support club excellence.
Embrace these Pathways updates and see how even small challenges can lead to big growth!
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The new contest season is right around the corner! District 18 will host two contests this year: the Table Topics Speech Contest and the International Speech Contest.
Here’s the contest schedule:
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Club Contests: Dec 1, 2025 – Feb 12, 2026 (online, in-person, or hybrid)
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Area Contests: Feb 13 – Mar 13, 2026 (in-person)
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Division Contests: Mar 14 – Mar 29, 2026 (in-person)
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District Table Topics Contest: Friday, Apr 17, 2026 (in-person, at the Spring Conference)
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District International Speech Contest: Saturday, Apr 18, 2026 (in person, at the Spring Conference)
Review the 2025–2026 Speech Contest Rulebook here.
Note: In accordance with Rule 3.B., District 18 will once again allow each club in Areas with four or fewer clubs in good standing to send two contestants per contest to compete in their Area contests, and each Area in Divisions with four or fewer Areas to send two contestants per contest to compete in their Division contests.
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Should You Compete in a Speech Contest?
by Sue Wilson, D18 Chief Judge
Have you thought about competing in a speech contest this year? Whether it’s your first time or you’ve tried before, stepping onto the contest stage is both exciting and a little intimidating.
District 18's 2025 International Speech Contest winner Anthony (Tony) Whitten, DTM, called the experience “both humbling and energizing.” He said, “It was hard work—polishing the words, rehearsing the timing—but rewarding.”
Jennifer Bush, Immediate Past President of Polished Professionals Advanced Toastmasters, shared, “Nothing will help you with your confidence faster than competing in a Toastmasters speech contest.” She adds that it also sharpens writing, speaking, and performance skills.
Tony agreed: “It’s not just about winning. It’s about discovering your voice, sharing your story, and connecting with your audience.”
Immediate Past District 18 Director John Comberiate, DTM encourages members to give it a try: “You might catch the bug and open new doors you never expected.”
So don’t just think about it—step up and sign up to compete!
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The Triple Crown Award is one of the most prestigious educational awards in Toastmasters, presented to members who have achieved three or more educational and leadership awards within a program year (July 1 - June 30).
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Let's congratulate and celebrate three District 18 members who recently earned the Triple Crown award:
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Naomi Savaro (SR5,EH1,SR4)
Rose M. Darensberg (MS5, MS3, MS4)
Sue Wilson (PI5, DL2, DL3, DL4)
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Distinguished Toastmaster Award
Congratulations to Nicholas Deplitch, DTM of Fort Monmouth Toastmasters for recently earning a DTM award.
The DTM award represents the highest level of educational achievement in Toastmasters. Please join us in congratulating Nicholas and celebrating his latest DTM award!
| | | | Attention, GMAIL users: Use View as Web Page at the top to see the rest of this newsletter. | | |
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If your toastmasters.org account setting for “Your Name on Public Report” is set to “No,” your name will appear as “Name Unavailable” in award reports (e.g., Triple Crown, DTM). This prevents District 18 from recognizing your achievements in our newsletter, on our website, and in event programs.
Take a moment to review your “My Privacy & Consents” settings in your profile on toastmasters.org so we can celebrate your successes!
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Toastmasters at Dragon Connection Fair
District 18 Toastmasters made a powerful impact at the Dragon Connection Fair, at Howard Community College on September 9th.
Students eagerly stopped by to explore public speaking and leadership. They enjoyed lively, interactive conversations with members and discovered Toastmasters as a safe space to overcome stage fright—welcoming to both extroverts and introverts alike. Workshops and mini-sessions boosted confidence and showed how Toastmasters can help students succeed in any career through stronger communication and leadership skills.
Division E Director Jay Radhakrishnan and Toastmaster Milton Johnson inspired several participants to consider joining local clubs right away. Students praised the supportive, encouraging atmosphere, proving once again that leadership and communication are skills anyone can grow. The Dragon Connection Fair was a meaningful step in connecting students with new opportunities.
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A club anniversary is a special moment to celebrate its journey, growth, and success. Whether the club is just a few years old or has been around for decades, it’s a chance to honor its commitment to communication, leadership, and personal growth.
Happy Anniversary to the four District 18 clubs that chartered in October!
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59 Years: Harco - Joppa (10/01/1966)
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17 Years: CSC Incorporators - Wilmington (10/06/2008)
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8 Years: Heard in the Herd - Baltimore (10/10/2017)
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4 Years: Thermo Fisher Hunt Valley - Hunt Valley (10/20/2021)
Let’s celebrate these clubs as they look back, honor their roots, and set new goals. Here's to their continued success!
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Note: All times are Eastern Time (ET) unless otherwise noted
Additional information may be available on the District 18 Calendar
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New Member Fee Increased to $25
Wednesday, October 1
Make sure you club is using the revised Membership Application!
Yom Kippur: Wednesday, October 1 - Thursday, October 2
District 18 Sidesplitter – Baltimore Challenge (In Person)
Friday, October 3, 6:30pm – 10pm
Owings Mills Greene Turtle, 2 Restaurant Drive North, Owings Mills, MD
Register here
District 18 Judges Training – Session #2 (Zoom)
Sunday, October 5, 2pm - 3:30pm
Join here
District 18 Sidesplitter – The Pasadena Challenge (In Person)
Friday, October 10, 6:30pm – 10pm
Jazzercise Pasadena Fitness Center, 8541 Fort Smallwood Rd, Pasadena, MD
Register here
Columbus Day: Monday, October 13
District 18 Sidesplitter – Frederick Challenge (In Person)
Friday, October 17, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Frederick County Association of Realtors, 490 Monocacy Blvd, Frederick, MD
Register here
Last Day to Watch Toastmasters Convention On-Demand Content
Wednesday, October 22
If you attended in person, you can access on-demand content from select events through October 22, unless you've paid to upgrade to unlimited access.
District 18 Office Hour with the Trio (Zoom)
Thursday, October 23, 8:00pm – 9:00pm
Drop in to chat with the District 18 Trio (District Director, Program Quality Director, Club Growth Director)
Join here (Meeting ID: 880 5109 0130, Passcode: District)
District 18 Sidesplitter – Salisbury Challenge (In Person)
Friday, October 24, 5pm – 9pm
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, 1324 Belmont Ave., Ste. 401, Salisbury, MD
Register here
Halloween: Friday, October 31
HOLD THE DATES FOR THESE FUTURE EVENTS
District 18 Sidesplitter – Delaware Challenge (In Person)
Saturday, November 1, 11:30am – 3pm, Fintech Building, 591 Collaboration Way, Newark, DE
Register here
End of Daylight Savings Time: Sunday, November 2
District 18 All Stars (In Person)
Formerly known as the Past District Directors Mock Contest, this fun competition will include both past District 18 directors and past District 18 contest winners!
Sunday, November 16, 12pm - 6pm, JWR Enterprise, 11000 Brokenland Parkway, Suite 900, Columbia, MD
Registration not open yet
District 18 Holiday Party and Sidesplitter Challenge Final Round (In Person)
Sunday, December 7, 2025, 2pm – 6pm, 8430 Ice Crystal Drive, Laurel, MD
Registration not open yet
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District 18 Spring Conference (In Person)
Friday, April 17 – Saturday, April 18, 2026; Westin BWI, 1110 Old Elkridge Landing Road, Linthicum Heights, MD
Registration not open yet
We are privileged to have as our keynote speaker: Toastmasters International Director for Region 6, Jenilee Taylor, DTM.
Naomi Savaro is the Conference Chair, Jim Bartlett, DTM, is the Conference Education Chair, and Michelle Canopi, DTM is the Conference Program (booklet) Chair.
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Step Up as a District 18 Ambassador
Exciting opportunities await! District 18 continues to strengthen connections across our region through active memberships in eight local Chambers of Commerce. These partnerships open doors for club growth, new member outreach, and community visibility—and we’re inviting you to be part of it!
As a District 18 Ambassador, you’ll represent Toastmasters at networking events, mixers, and community programs. You’ll build valuable relationships, share the benefits of Toastmasters, and stay informed about local career fairs and business opportunities—all while honing your own leadership and communication skills.
Interested in serving as an ambassador? Contact Distinguished Toastmaster Mona Mohamed at cgd@toastmasters-d18.org
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Sidesplitter Challenge
District 18 is bringing humor center stage with the Sidesplitter Challenge! Members will showcase their funniest stories through lighthearted speeches in a friendly competition. Join us for an evening of laughter, camaraderie, and good fun—you won’t want to miss it!
The Challenge
Multiple chances to participate! The Sidesplitter challenge tour is coming your way. Speak or vote at one, two or all tour dates.
The winner of the final challenge (in December) will receive a complimentary registration for the 2026 D18 Spring Conference – a value of $120.
The Speakers
Got a funny bone and a speech?
For only a $5 entry fee, go head-to-head with other challengers to win in the following categories:
- Best humor/overall speech – 5-7 chuckle-worthy minutes
- Best props – Carrot Top would be proud!
The Voters
If you're not a challenger, then you're a voter–you get to pick the winners.
Enjoy entertaining humorous speeches on a variety of topics then cast your vote for the speeches that tickled your funny bone the most.
Attendance is free and open to all! (Registration is requested.)
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October Tasks:
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Membership dues for at least eight members (including three renewals) must be received by World HQ by October 1 for credit in the Distinguished Club Program.
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Make sure your club is using the revised membership application, which reflects the current New Member Fee ($25), or use the Prospective Member Management tool in Club Central to invite prospective members to submit online applications.
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Plan your club contests (Table Topics and International Speech) to occur between December 1 and February 12.
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Encourage club members to participate in activities outside of your club, including Judges Training, All Starts, and the Sidesplitter Challenge.
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Familiarize yourself with Pathways updates that are rolling out this month, using the resource Club Officer Guide to 2025 Pathways Enhancements.
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We welcome your input and feedback.
Want a topic included? Have a story, photo, or video to share? Let us know!
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| | Integrity • Respect • Service • Excellence | | | | |
