District 106

Newsletter

July 2025

Upcoming District Events

From the Desk of the District Director

Our Final Push Toward Distinguished

Hello Fellow Toastmasters,

As we continue to inspire growth and connection across our District, I encourage every club to consider hosting an Open House or Speechcraft program this season. These powerful tools not only showcase the value of Toastmasters but also invite new members to begin their journey in a welcoming and supportive environment.

Now is the perfect time to spread the word—share your stories, promote your events, and invite guests to experience the transformative power of communication and leadership through Toastmasters.

Also, I’m still looking for a few passionate leaders to serve as Area Directors. If you’re looking for a way to grow as a leader and make a real impact on clubs in your area, this is a great opportunity. I’d love to hear from you!

This fall we will be doing online speech contests. In the spring Evaluation and and international.

Congratulations to our two brand new clubs in our District. AI club and Foodie Club. Look forward to welcoming a few more. The District is happy to buy these new clubs a club banner to welcome them to our District.

Let’s keep the momentum going and make this a year of strong engagement, visibility, and leadership.

Yours in service and support,

Matthew Villella, DTM

District 106 Director

Email: tm.matthew.villella@gmail.com

From the Desk of the Program Quality Director

Theme of the Year: Empowerment

Dear District 106 Toastmasters,

Welcome to a brand-new Toastmasters year! I’m honored to serve as your Program Quality Director for 2025–2026, and I’m excited to launch our journey together under the inspiring theme of Empowerment.



Empowerment means giving others the tools, confidence, and support to lead, grow, and succeed — and there’s no better time to embrace this than right now, as we begin the year strong!

🔧 Start the Year Right: Club Officer Training (COT)

If you’re serving as a Club Officer this year, your first step toward success is training. Attending Club Officer Training not only helps your club earn credit toward being Distinguished — it empowers you with the knowledge, tools, and connections to lead with confidence.

✅ Register today — multiple training sessions are available across the District in July and August!

🔗 https://d106tm.org/club-officer-training/

Whether you’re a first-time officer or a seasoned leader, COT offers best practices, updates, and a sense of community that fuels your success throughout the year.

🌟 Elevate Your Leadership: TLI & Awards Luncheon

Another empowering opportunity is the Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI), paired with our District Awards Luncheon — a celebration of excellence, dedication, and transformation.

🗓️ Date: July 26, 2025 @ 9 AM – 3 PM CST

📍 Location: 550 Bunker Lake Boulevard Northwest Andover, MN 55304

🎟️ Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/district-106-tli-2025-2026-awards-ceremony-2024-2025-tickets-1485561236649?aff=oddtdtcreator

At TLI, you’ll gain insights from keynote speakers, sharpen your leadership skills, and reconnect with our vibrant Toastmasters community. Then stay for the Awards Luncheon as we honor the achievements of our clubs, leaders, and members who made 2024–2025 memorable.

As we journey through this year together, remember empowered leaders empower others. I invite you to lean in, lift others, and make the most of every opportunity to grow.

Let’s lead with purpose, train with intent, and celebrate every win — big or small.

Here’s to a year of Empowerment!

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

A new Toastmasters year brings new chances to lead, grow, and inspire. This is your moment to make a lasting difference.

If you’re working toward your Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM), now is the time to step into roles that shape our future—like serving as a club coach or mentor, and as a club sponsor or Speechcraft leader. These aren’t just requirements—they’re opportunities to empower others and grow your own leadership.

We’re looking for club coaches to support clubs with 12 or fewer members—and a Club Retention Chair who can help strengthen and support these clubs across the district. But you don’t need a title to make an impact. Anyone can visit a club to offer encouragement, be a supportive guest, and help create an uplifting, guest-friendly meeting experience.

We also need leaders to help build new clubs where brand-new members can start their Toastmasters journey. Join our demo meeting team or step into the role of Club Extension Chair to be part of creating new spaces for learning and growth.

When we lift others, we all rise. Plan early, get involved, and enjoy the journey. Always remember—you’re not alone. If you ever feel stuck, reach out to me or any district leader. We’re here as your lifeline and your biggest supporters.

Let's empower growth together.

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

Kicking Off the Toastmasters Year with a Celebration of Success!

Happy New Toastmasters Year, District 106! As we dive into July 2025, it’s time to hit the ground running, raise a toast (or a microphone), and celebrate the incredible achievements of our clubs and members. This is our moment to shine, share our victories, and inspire one another as we embark on a fresh year of growth, connection, and communication excellence.

In District 106, we’re not just about mastering the art of public speaking—we’re about building a vibrant community that cheers each other on. From nailing that first Ice Breaker speech to earning a Distinguished Toastmaster designation, every milestone matters. And what better way to amplify these wins than by sharing them with the world? Let’s take our celebrations to the next level on social media, especially on LinkedIn and Facebook, and make some noise in our very own District 106 Facebook Group!

Why Celebrate? Because Every Win Counts!

Whether your club welcomed a new member, achieved a Distinguished Club Program goal, or hosted a memorable open house, these moments deserve to be shouted from the rooftops—or at least posted online! Sharing success does more than just pat ourselves on the back. It inspires others, sparks ideas, and shows the world what Toastmasters is all about: transforming lives through leadership and communication.

Imagine the ripple effect when you post about your club’s latest speech contest winner on LinkedIn or share a photo of your club’s vibrant meeting on the District 106 Facebook Group. Attending the Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) and Awards Luncheon on July 26? Share your takeaways or a photo with your fellow leaders to inspire others! You’re not just celebrating—you’re inviting others to join the journey, learn from your success, and maybe even steal a few of your club’s brilliant ideas (with credit, of course!).

Get Social, District 106 Style!

Here’s how you can make your club’s successes sparkle online:

• Snap and Share: Did your club host a fun theme meeting or celebrate a member’s milestone? Snap a photo (with permission, of course!) and post it to the District 106 Facebook Group. Add a quick caption about what made the moment special.
• LinkedIn Love: Highlight professional wins on LinkedIn. Share how a member’s Toastmasters skills helped them ace a work presentation or how your club’s leadership training is shaping future leaders.
• Tag and Brag: When posting, tag Toastmasters District 106 on Facebook or mention us on LinkedIn. Use hashtags like #ToastmastersD106, #CelebrateSuccess, or #ToastmastersWin to connect our stories across the district.
• Engage and Inspire: Comment on other clubs’ posts in the District 106 Facebook Group. A quick “Way to go!” or “Love this idea!” builds our community spirit and keeps the positivity flowing.

A Fun Challenge to Kick Off the Year

Let’s make July the month of celebration! We challenge every club in District 106 to share at least one success story on the District 106 Facebook Group this month. It could be a member’s breakthrough moment, a creative club event, or even a highlight from the TLI on July 26. Not sure what to post? Here are a few ideas:

• “Our club just welcomed three new members—here’s how we made them feel at home!”
• “Big shoutout to Jane for delivering her 10th speech and completing level 3 in her Engaging Humor path”
• “Our themed meeting on ‘Superheroes’ had everyone laughing and learning—check out these costumes!”

Let’s flood our social media with positivity and show the world why District 106 is the place to be for personal and professional growth.

Let’s Keep the Party Going

As your Public Relations Manager, I’m thrilled to see our district come alive with stories of triumph, connection, and growth. Let’s make this Toastmasters year one to remember by celebrating every step forward, no matter how big or small. Join us in the District 106 Facebook Group, connect with us on LinkedIn, and let’s keep the momentum going!

Here’s to a year of bold speeches, fearless leadership, and unstoppable success. Let’s celebrate it all, District 106!

Cheers,

Leo Smith, DTM

District 106 Public Relations Manager

Silent Auction Chair

Email: leo.w.smith@gmail.com

Phone: 651-600-0531

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