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District 106
Newsletter
August 2024
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Serving Parts of Minnesota and Ontario | |
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August 29, 2024
Create a Marketing Flyer in 10-Minutes Workshop
Virtual (Zoom)
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September 11, 2024
Toolbox Training: Club Building
Virtual (Zoom)
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May 2-3, 2025
District 106 Spring Conference
Thunder Bay, Ontario
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Elevate Your Skills with Club Officer Training
There's still time to participate in club officer training!
Our upcoming sessions are designed to enhance your leadership abilities and help you lead with confidence. Seize this opportunity to boost your effectiveness and make a lasting impact!
Whether you prefer online or in-person training, we’ve got you covered. Check out the Club Officer Training Schedule and register today.
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Renew Your Toastmasters Membership: Transform Your Future!
Don't miss out on the incredible journey of personal growth and leadership development that Toastmasters offers. By renewing your membership, you ensure continued access to a supportive community, invaluable speaking opportunities, and the chance to refine your leadership skills.

Join us on the path to personal growth—renew today and keep transforming your future!
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Current Club Growth Promotions | |
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New Member Incentive:
Free coffee (July-August 2024)
Any new member who joins between July 1st and August 31st will receive a complimentary e-gift card for a free coffee!
To redeem the gift, each club's Vice President of Membership should email Ashok with the new member's join date and email address.
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Smedley Award
(August-September 2024)
Add 5 new, dual, or reinstated members between August 1 and September 30 to earn the Smedley Award for your club!
You will also be presented with a ribbon for your club banner.
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From the Desk of the District Director
International Convention Update
This week, the District 106 Trio is in Anaheim, California. Monday and Tuesday, we'll be engaging and learning with district leaders around the world. From Wednesday through Saturday, we'll attend the Toastmasters International Convention.
This is an exciting time to meet other leaders who are guiding their members, clubs, and districts to success. We’ll share experiences, learn from their strategies, and discover how they inspire emerging leaders to step up and find their voices.
Being here at the Toastmasters International Conference is a thrill! There are leaders in all forms. We'll witness speech finalists who have honed their skills with dedication and practice. I can’t wait to observe these well-practiced speakers. And just think, it all started in a Toastmasters Club!
Lead to Success
I am so proud of all the new leaders who have stepped up to join the district leadership team this year! It’s wonderful to see their courage, as I watch them develop their skills and bring fresh perspectives to revitalize our clubs. However, we still need Area Directors in three districts. Will you take this opportunity to step up and learn how to be the best leader you can be? If you do, you will receive guidance from amazing mentors who have been where you are now and will support you every step of the way.
Since becoming a district leader, I have met many like-minded members committed to growing in their leadership and speaking skills. Leadership offers you opportunities to develop and grow, moving to the next level and beyond.
Will this be the year you decide to reach beyond your club into district leadership? I hope so. We need you! Reach out to me and get the tools to be a district leader. Or, lead your club to being Distinguished by enhancing meeting quality, inviting guests, and continuing your own Pathways journey. When everyone does their part in leading one another to success, we become a stronger and a better district.
My challenge to you is to lead yourself and others to success. What steps are you taking to make yourself and your club distinguished? It’s time to lead to success. You will be glad you took the opportunity and didn’t waste the moment. We are waiting for you and looking forward to your transformation!
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From the Desk of the Program Quality Director
Hello fellow Toastmasters,
We are already well into our Toastmasters year and seeing some great things. Please keep up the excellent work supporting our clubs!
Officer Training
We only have 3 officer training sessions left. Please ensure your club is supported and have your officers attend this training. Start the year by setting a strong tone for success!
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Fall Speech Contest
The fall contest will be online-only. Here is what we know so far:
- Our Division's contest will allow any speech from 5 to 7 minutes.
- It will follow the International Guidelines.
- This contest ends at the Division, it does not carry over to the district.
I hope to find out more details this week at the International Convention.
Spring Conference
If you haven’t please sign up! These early bird rates will be ending very soon. If you are not sure if you can attend, we can always refund your money back. This will be one of the best conferences in recent memory.
The bus option is by far the best deal. You get a nice luxurious ride to Thunder Bay and back to the Twin Cities with a VIP experience. Plus, your conference ticket is cheaper and meals are included for the conference on Friday and Saturday. Choose a great experience with less stress. Let us do the work for you!
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Thank you for all you do and I am looking forward to having a great year with you!

Matthew Villella, DTM
Program Quality Director, District 106
Email: tm.matthew.villella@gmail.com
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From the Desk of the Club Growth Director
Can you believe that we are already in the 2nd month of the Toastmasters year?
Ashok's Summertime Tip: Host a Joint Club Meeting
Many members take vacation this time of the year. To keep the momentum going, I highly encourage clubs to conduct joint club meetings with another club that meets at the same time. Club members benefit by learning from each other and networking with fellow Toastmasters.
Show Off Your Club Meetings on Social Media
We’d love to see your meetings in action! Share your photos on social media and tag your fellow members—let’s celebrate our Toastmasters community together!
Club Growth Team Update
The Club Growth team's goal this year is to strengthen our clubs and we are here to support you. Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you need any assistance.
I am excited to announce a new addition to the team: Daniel Grudntner, our new Club Coach Chair. Please help me welcome Dan and wish him well in this role!
Seeking Club Coaches: We Need YOU!
We still need a few more club coaches to support our clubs with lower membership. If you're interested in serving as a club coach, please contact Daniel Grudtner.
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Final Words
If you come across any potential new club leads, don't hesitate to contact me. I am happy to work with you and guide you through the process of starting a new Toastmasters club.
Wishing all of you a great month ahead!
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Ashok Sunkavalli
Club Growth Director, District 106
Email: tm.ashoksunkavalli@gmail.com
Phone: 319-431-2415 (call or text me!)
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From the Desk of the New Club Chair
Welcome to the new 2024-2025 Toastmasters year!
Have you been thinking, "Should I get my Distinguished Toastmaster designation this year?"
Great news! District 106 can help you earn your DTM.
How do I earn my DTM?
To earn your Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award, there are five key activities you'll need to complete. Among these, two can be particularly challenging:
- Sponsoring a new club
- Mentoring a new club
The most challenging part often lies in finding or creating the right opportunities for these activities. That's where the district can help you!
Where do the new clubs come from?
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What does the District expect from club sponsors and mentors?
First, you need to commit to 90% attendance at new club meetings during the first six months.You also need to be knowledgeable in a few areas to be an effective sponsor or mentor. You should be familiar with:
- Distinguished Club Program
- This is based on the Successful Club Plan, the foundation of a strong club.
- Pathways
- Able to guide the new club on how the communication & leadership program is organized & used.
What are some other benefits of becoming a club sponsor or mentor?
All of your previous training in communication & leadership can be put to good use! You'll build on your existing skills and learn what goes into creating a new club. You will be viewed as a guru by the new club members. Plus, you will make strong new contacts and even friendships!
How will the District help me as a new club sponsor or mentor?
There will be an orientation Zoom meeting to answer questions you may have. We are here to help you succeed as a new club sponsor or mentor!
At the end of it all, you will have checked off two of the most difficult activities required in earning your DTM. It takes some work and commitment, but in the end you will have accomplished something many have not.
I'm ready to be a club sponsor or mentor, what do I do next?
If this sounds like something you are ready to take on, join the new club sponsor and mentor team and we will help you become a DTM.
Send me an email to let me know you want to be a club sponsor or mentor.
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From the Desk of the Public Relations Manager
Dear District 106 Toastmasters,
As we continue our journey of personal and professional growth, it’s essential to keep our clubs vibrant and engaging.
One excellent way to do this is by scheduling an open house or an anniversary meeting. These events are fantastic opportunities to showcase your club’s unique culture, attract new members, and celebrate your club’s achievements.
Host an Open House
An open house is the perfect way to introduce prospective members to Toastmasters. Consider inviting guest speakers, conducting a mini-workshop, or showcasing a typical Toastmasters meeting. Promote your open house through social media, local community boards, and word of mouth to ensure a great turnout.
Celebrate Your Club’s Anniversary
Anniversary meetings are a wonderful way to reflect on your club’s history and celebrate its successes. Plan a special program that highlights memorable moments, honors long-standing members, and looks toward future achievements. Invite past members or special guests to join the celebration. This event strengthens bonds between current members while providing a platform to share your club’s legacy with the broader community.
Public Relations Training Session
To help you excel in promoting your club, we’re excited to offer a special training session: Public Relations Mastery: Create a Marketing Flyer in 10-Minutes.
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Public Relations Mastery:
Create a Marketing Flyer in 10-Minutes.
Join us on August 29, 2024 at 6:00 PM CST via Zoom. Don’t miss this opportunity to boost your club’s visibility and engagement in just 10 minutes!
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Join the Public Relations Team
To make our events successful and continue to promote the district effectively, we need your help. We have several exciting opportunities available on the Public Relations team. Whether you’re interested in social media management, content creation, graphic design, or video production, there’s a role for you!
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Joining the PR team is an excellent way to develop new skills, expand your network, and contribute to the growth of D106.
Our current team includes a dedicated Newsletter Editor and a talented Webmaster, but we’re looking for additional enthusiastic members to join us.
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Some roles we’re looking to fill:
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Social Media Coordinator: Manage our social media accounts and create engaging content to promote district events and achievements.
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Graphic Designer: Design eye-catching flyers, banners, and other promotional materials.
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Content Writer: Contribute articles, blog posts, and other written content to our newsletters and website.
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Video Producer: Create and edit videos to showcase district events and member testimonials.
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If you’re interested in any of these roles or have other skills you’d like to bring to the team, please reach out to me at leo.w.smith@gmail.com or 651-600-0531. | |
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Best regards,
Leo Smith, DTM
District 106 Public Relations Manager
Email: leo.w.smith@gmail.com
Phone: 651-600-0531
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North Star Evaluators - A Beacon of Advanced Evaluations
Did you know D106 has an advanced club specializing in developing your evaluation skills? We're the North Star Evaluators! I am proud to say that two of our district Trio leaders are members of our club!
I encourage you to join us on the third Saturday of each month from 8:00am - 10:00 am CT via Zoom. You'll experience our unique team approach to speech evaluations and advanced-level feedback in our other evaluation roles. Plus, have fun learning a little bit more about your fellow Toastmasters!
Our meetings have two speakers and evaluation teams. Each team consists of two members evaluating two distinct aspects of their speaker's presentation. The team consults with the speaker before the meeting to discover their individual goals.
If you are not on an evaluation team, there are additional opportunities to practice your advanced evaluation and speaking skills by serving as grammarian, timer, general evaluator, or videographer (commenting on camera presence and nonverbals used during the meeting).
You learn so much by listening to feedback from both members and guests. Our focus on cultivating strong evaluation skills makes North Star Evaluators stand out among other non-specialty Toastmasters clubs. This is a club where you become a better speaker by becoming a better evaluator!
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Dana Lamminmaki
Administration Manager, District 106
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Follow us on the D106 Website, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok for exciting updates, inspiration, and more.
District 106 Social channel presence by the Numbers:
Facebook: 490 | X (Formerly Twitter): 214 | LinkedIn: 230 | Instagram: 311 | YouTube: 169 TikTok: 51
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