District 106

Newsletter

August 2025

Serving Parts of Minnesota and Ontario

Upcoming District Events

Club Officer Training (COT)

Last call for Club Officer Training Sessions! Plus, two sessions are available to help club officers with their club success plans.

Day

Time

Registration Link

Thursday

August 21, 2025

7 PM - 8:30 PM


PR PROS: Session 2 of 2

Wednesday

August 27, 2025

6 PM - 9 PM

COT

Register

Wednesday

August 27, 2025

9 AM - 3 PM

Club Success Plan

Register

Sunday

September 7, 2025

6 PM - 9 PM

Club Success Plan

Register

From the Desk of the District Director


Strategies for growing your club


Hello Toastmasters of District 106,


We’ve officially entered month two of the Toastmasters year!


Some of our clubs have been going strong all summer, while others are just gearing back up—but regardless of where your club stands, our district is already achieving amazing things.


In just the first month and a half:

  • We chartered a brand-new club—congratulations to our Club Growth Team!
  • That makes three new clubs in just six weeks.
  • We’ve welcomed 26 brand-new members who are now experiencing the benefits of Toastmasters.


Our Club Officer Trainings have been wonderful, interactive, and well-attended—our latest session hosted 100 participants! DTM Alley and our Club Success Plan sessions have been empowering members across the district.


Club Success Plans

This year, our goal is 100% of clubs submitting a Club Success Plan by September 30, 2025 (earlier is even better!).


These plans:

  • Help set clear goals for the year
  • Engage your whole team
  • Take no more than one hour to complete
  • Can be a fun and effective team-building exercise


Let’s set ourselves up for success from the start!

How to Keep Quality Meetings Year-Round

Invite guest speakers!

  • Our leadership team of over 30 members and full of inspiring stories. Invite someone to your club to speak
  • We have 94 clubs—if you need speaking opportunities or speakers, we can connect you.


DD’s Challenges for the Year

  1. Host a Speechcraft—A proven way to attract new members and re-energize your club. Learn more here: Speechcraft Info
  2. Hold Two Open Houses this year
  3. Complete More Educational Goals
  4. Visit a Club You’ve Never AttendedTry one of our many advanced clubs—or any club in the district!
  5. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone—Growth happens when we challenge ourselves.

Let’s continue this incredible momentum. Check out our progress here: Toastmasters Dashboard


Together, we are building stronger clubs, better speakers, and greater leaders.

Let’s make magic happen, District 106!

Matthew Villella, DTM

District 106 Director

Email: tm.matthew.villella@gmail.com

From the Desk of the Program Quality Director


Theme: Empowerment in Action


Dear District 106 Toastmasters,


August is here, and with it, the energy and enthusiasm of a brand-new Toastmasters year! I want to take a moment to appreciate every single club officer who attended our recent Club Officer Training (COT) sessions. Your dedication to learning, growing, and leading is exactly what makes our clubs thrive. You are living examples of empowerment—lifting your clubs, inspiring your members, and building a culture of excellence.


COT Completion List (as of August 13, 2025)


For those who haven’t yet had the chance to attend, you still have time! Please make it a priority to join one of our upcoming sessions so you can equip yourself with the tools, resources, and connections you need to succeed in your role.


📅Upcoming COT Sessions: Click here for dates and registration


📈Club Success Plans – Deadline: September 30, 2025


Empowered leaders have a vision—and a plan. The Club Success Plan is not just a form; it’s your club’s roadmap for the year. By setting clear goals, defining strategies, and committing as a team, you set your club up for sustainable success.


Please submit your completed Club Success Plan as soon as possible so your Area and Division Directors can support you along the way.


Empowerment begins with preparation, grows through collaboration, and shines through action. Let’s take these next steps together—getting trained, setting our plans, and making this a year where every member finds their voice and every club achieves its vision.


Here’s to a powerful August!

Yours in service,

Ashok Sunkavalli

Program Quality Director, District 106

Email: tm.ashoksunkavalli@gmail.com

Phone: 319-431-2415 (call or text me!)

From the Desk of the Club Growth Director


Be the Spark That Helps Clubs Thrive


New Clubs!

Congratulations to our first chartered club of the 2025-2026 year: Watermasters in Brooklyn Park, MN!


We also chartered two new clubs on June 30, 2025 for the 2024-2025 year: 

Savory Speakers (St. Paul, MN) who had a fabulous food-filled charter party on August 3 and Gen AI Speakers (online) with a charter party coming in October.


Growing Together: New Clubs, Stronger Clubs, and You

Club growth is more than numbers—it’s about creating opportunities for more people to find their voice, build leadership skills, and connect with others. This month, I want to focus on two powerful ways you can help: chartering new clubs and club coaches.


How to Charter a New Club

Starting a new Toastmasters club might sound daunting, but it’s a clear and achievable process. Here’s how it works:


  1. Find an Interested GroupYou’ll need at least 20 people. These could be co-workers, community members, or members of another organization.
  2. Schedule a Demonstration MeetingA “demo meeting” lets prospective members experience Toastmasters firsthand. We’ll help you arrange a skilled demo team, handle agendas, and answer questions.
  3. Submit Paperwork & PaymentComplete the charter forms, submit them to Toastmasters International, and send in the membership fees and charter fee. The Club Growth team and your Club Sponsors will help.
  4. Celebrate Your CharterOnce approved, you’re officially a new Toastmasters club! We’ll support you with publicity and charter party


If you have a group in mind, reach out to me to help empower you to go from idea to chartered reality!


Importance of Club Coaches

Just like plants thrive with a gardener’s care, clubs thrive with a coach’s guidance. A club coach works with an existing club of 12 or fewer members to help it regain strength, attract members, and achieve Distinguished status.


Benefits for the Coach:

  • Earn credit toward the Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award.
  • Strengthen leadership, problem-solving, and mentoring skills.
  • Build lasting friendships with motivated club members.
  • Experience the satisfaction of watching a struggling club thrive again.


Benefits for the Club:

  • A fresh perspective and new energy.
  • Help with marketing and outreach to attract guests.
  • Support in delivering high-quality meetings.
  • A partner in setting and achieving goals.


We currently have several clubs qualifying for coaches. If you’ve been a Toastmaster and a club officer for a year or more, achieved Pathways Level 2 or higher, and are passionate about helping others succeed, you could help a club grow and thrive as a club coach.


If your club is struggling, please reach out to me to be connected to other Toastmasters who are ready to help you.


Together, we can make District 106 stronger than ever.

Anna Gaichas, DTM

Program Quality Director, District 106

Email: Anna.Gaichas@gmail.com

Phone: 651-206-8310

From the Desk of the Public Relations Manager


Carpe Diem! Seize the opportunity to grow, celebrate, and inspire with a club event!


Dear District 106 Toastmasters,


As we continue our journey of personal and professional growth, let’s keep our clubs vibrant, welcoming, and thriving. Now is the perfect time to take action by hosting an open house or celebrating your club’s anniversary. These events will showcase the transformative power of Toastmasters, strengthen our community, and inspire others to join our mission of communication and leadership excellence.


Why Act Now?

Our clubs are more than just meetings—they’re hubs of growth, connection, and opportunity. Hosting an open house or anniversary meeting is your chance to share your club’s unique story, attract new members, and celebrate the milestones that make your club special. These events create a ripple effect, energizing current members and drawing in new voices to enrich our Toastmasters family.


Host an Open House: Open the Door to New Possibilities

An open house is your club’s moment to shine. It’s a chance to show prospective members the value of Toastmasters—whether it’s building confidence, sharpening public speaking skills, or forging lifelong connections. Here’s how to make it unforgettable:


  • Invite a guest speaker to inspire and engage your audience.
  • Host a mini-workshop to give a taste of Toastmasters’ learning environment.
  • Showcase a typical meeting to highlight your club’s energy and culture.
  • Promote widely and share your event details with us to amplify your reach on


District 106’s shared social media channels.

Imagine the impact of welcoming new faces, sharing your club’s passion, and growing your membership. An open house isn’t just an event—it’s an invitation to change lives.


Celebrate Your Club’s Anniversary: Honor the Past, Inspire the Future

Your club’s anniversary is a milestone worth celebrating! It’s a time to reflect on your journey, honor the members who’ve shaped your club, and set bold goals for the future. Make it memorable with:


  • A special program highlighting your club’s history and achievements.
  • Recognition for long-standing members who’ve made a lasting impact.
  • Invitations to past members or special guests to reconnect and celebrate.
  • A forward-looking vision that inspires everyone to keep pushing toward greatness.


Share your anniversary plans with us, and we’ll promote your event on District 106’s social media to connect with the broader community. An anniversary meeting isn’t just a celebration—it’s a powerful way to strengthen bonds and rekindle enthusiasm.


Let Us Amplify Your Event

To maximize your event’s impact, send your open house or anniversary meeting details to District 106’s Public Relations team. We’ll share your event on our shared social media channels and our district calendar to boost visibility and attract a wider audience. Simply provide us with the date, time, location (or virtual link), and a brief description of your event, and we’ll do the rest


Take Action Today!

The strength of District 106 lies in the passion and commitment of our clubs. Hosting an open house or anniversary meeting is your chance to make a lasting impact—on your club, your members, and your community. Don’t wait for the “perfect” moment. Seize this opportunity to grow, celebrate, and inspire.


Contact your club officers or District 106 leadership today to start planning your event and share your details with us for promotion. Let’s show the world what Toastmasters is all about!

Yours in Toastmasters,

Leo Smith, DTM

District 106 Public Relations Manager

Email: leo.w.smith@gmail.com

Phone: 651-600-0531

Newsletter Archive


Did you know that that there is an archive of past D106 newsletters?


Visit this repository if you need to refer to a past newsletter. https://d106tm.org/newsletter/

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:

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(715) 919-3142

 district106tm@gmail.com

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