2025-2026 District 40 Hashtags

#EmpowerYourGrowth #EvolutionOfLeadership #District40 #ToastmastersInternational

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Our Champion - Toastmaster Taylor Candella!

On Thursday, August 21st, in the city of brotherly love (and the Rocky franchise), Toastmaster Taylor Candella had some unfinished business to complete. Delivering a powerful speech titled "Room 5", Toastmaster Candella knocked the judges and audience away and cemented himself in the annals of history by becoming one of the Top 8 Speakers in the World in the year 2025. Taylor had become a Toastmasters International World Champion of Public Speaking Finalist.

Overcoming last year's semi-finals defeat, Toastmaster Taylor Candella would take the stage on Saturday, August 23rd, representing Premier Toastmasters Club, District 40, and Region 6 of Toastmasters International with strength and "Conviction". With our District Trio and Taylor's family at his side, prayers, best wishes, and watch parties were held across District 40 to cheer Taylor on!

Keeping a promise he made last year, Taylor showed us all that it is possible to ascend to the highest stage of public speaking and remain true to your values. We thank Taylor, our District's World Champion of Public Speaking (WCPS) finalist and friend! Keep on shining! And continue to #EmpowerYourGrowth!

District 40 represented with Distinction by our Trio at the 2025 Toastmasters International Convention

Our District Leaders were showing up and showing out at the #Toastmasters2025 International Convention! We felt their love and spirit for the program. From participating in over 16 hours of interactive instruction and mentoring for Trio Members by Region Advisors and #ToastmastersInternational Staff, to attending networking lunches, business meetings, and supporting our World Champion of Public Speaking finalist, Toastmaster Taylor Candella. We couldn't ask for better representation.

Smedley Membership Building Period: Aug 1 - Sept 30

Toastmaster Tony Suriano shares his positive experiences as a member of Toast of the Town, Kenwood Toastmasters Club. He gives several good reasons why you should join Toastmasters here in District 40 and a compelling reason to renew your membership before September 30th.

We believe that more positive testimonials, like Toastmaster Tony Suriano, can come out of District 40.

Let's help make that dream a reality by doing our part to add five (5) new, dual, or reinstated members to our clubs between August 1st and September 30.

Accomplish this goal and your Club can qualify to receive a Smedley Award ribbon, named in honor of Ralph Smedley, which you can display on your Club’s banner. Qualifying clubs can also earn a special discount code for 10% off their next Club order. (The discount code expires six months from the date of issue and is not valid with any other offer.)

More importantly, we get to see more people like Toastmaster Suriano grow in their leadership and speaking skills.

Our District Director, Tracy Baker, DTM, is also leading the charge by renewing his membership in Toastmasters International before September 30th. How about you? Will you do your part to #EmpowerYourGrowth?

Shout-outs also for our Club Growth Director, Sue Schindler, DTM, and her team of dedicated volunteers for helping to promote Toastmasters International and grow our #District40 Family at the Rotary Heart of America - 2025 Zone Institute Event.

District 40 Business Meeting

Monday, Sept 15th @ 6:45pm - 7:45pm (EDT)

Join District Leaders as we discuss and vote on the D40 Budget.

Voting instructions and the District Budget have been shared via email to the following eligible voters: Club Presidents and VPEs, Area and Division Directors, Finance Manager, Public Relations Manager, Administration Manager, Club Growth Director, Program Quality Director, and District Director. If you are one of the above officers and have not received an email, please contact: administrationmanager@d40toastmasters.org and finance@d40toastmasters.org.

To be eligible, these individuals must be members in good standing of a club that is also in good standing.

Upcoming D40 Podcast: w/ special guests - Club Growth Director and Public Relations Manager

Club VPPRs, join the District PRM team to #EmpowerYourGrowth and help your club succeed. You have two opportunities to learn more about FreeToastHost! How to create, maintain & customize your Club's website, with a basic and advanced session on September 16th and September 30th, respectively.

Fall Awards Recognition Ceremony & Emerging Leaders Presentation/Personal Branding Workshop

District 40 Congratulates Newly Minted

Distinguished Toastmasters

The Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award represents the highest level of educational achievement in #ToastmastersInternational. This designation is achieved by less than 1% members worldwide and signifies a high level of dedication to both communication and leadership within the organization.

District 40 salutes newly minted Distinguished Toastmasters Betsy Ervin and Judi Kinney on this recent achievement. You inspire us to embody our District's theme: #EmpowerYourGrowth, and we look forward to celebrating even more Toastmasters this program year in their #EvolutionOfLeadership!

Wednesday Webinars - September 2025

Continue your learning journey with District 40's Toastmasters Leadership Institute during the month of September. If there are any subjects that YOU want to learn more about, please reach out to Distinguished Toastmaster Hullaby directly, as this year's Wednesday Webinar Coordinator.

Anonymous Club Quality Survey

The Club Quality Team is encouraging all District 40 Toastmasters to take a moment to complete an anonymous Club Quality Survey. This survey is designed to help Clubs understand what their members value concerning their Club experience; what motivates their participation, and what their expectations are.

#EmpowerYourGrowth and support the #EvolutionOfLeadership by taking a few minutes to fill out the survey today.

Reminder to Submit Your Club Success Plan

Want to be distinguished next year? The club success plan is the first milestone in this journey, and must be submitted by September 30th.

September President's Council

The President's Council is a monthly opportunity for club Presidents to support each other.

The next scheduled President's Council Meeting is set for: September 29, 7PM, ET.

Zoom ID: 85335297890.

No passcode needed.

For any further details on this event, please do not hesitate to contact: dctrshirley@aol.com.

District 40 Realignment

Join the Public Relations Team

D40 Technology Team

Join the Toastmasters District 40 Technology Team.

If you possess:

- Project-management prowess

- WordPress Wizardry

- SEO savvy

- Passion to Reach out

- Questions about how D40 Tech can serve your Clubs and District Leaders.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR YOU!

We Meet Every Wednesday at 8:45 PM Eastern.

2025-2026 District 40 Hashtags

#EmpowerYourGrowth #EvolutionOfLeadership #District40 #ToastmastersInternational

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