District 106

Newsletter

June 2025

Upcoming District Events

From the Desk of the District Director

Our Final Push Toward Distinguished

As we close out the Toastmasters year, every effort—from speeches completed to guests welcomed, and new clubs chartered—counts toward our District’s success. It’s exciting to see so many clubs achieving Distinguished status through consistent dedication. We’re also on track to charter a few new clubs before June 30!

To reach Distinguished District, we need:

• 6 clubs to reach 8 paid members
• 38 clubs to be Distinguished (we’re close!)
• 151 more members

Every action makes a difference—invite a guest, support a growing club, finalize a charter. If you’re planning to join an advanced or additional club, your active participation matters.

It has been an honor to serve as part of the District 106 Trio over the past three years. Thank you for trusting me in this leadership journey—I’ve grown immensely and am grateful for the opportunity. I’m confident our incoming District Director, Matthew Villella, and his team will lead with excellence.

Let’s finish strong and aim to be Distinguished by June 30. I look forward to celebrating your success at TLI on Saturday, July 26!

Katy Hursh, DTM

District Director, District 106

Email: tm.katy.hursh@gmail.com

From the Desk of the Program Quality Director

Fellow Toastmasters of District 106,

We are now entering the 11th month of a great Toastmaster’s year. I am hoping you had a year of growth, development, and success in whatever capacity. Success is not just on the dashboard—it’s at the club level. Did someone grow? Did someone gain confidence? Did your club get a new member or two? How about quality meetings? Did people leave feeling something special? If you accomplished any of these, you should be proud. 

As Toastmasters, we don’t have an off-season like major sports; we are rolling right into the new year, and we want to start off strong. 

1. I would like to encourage all clubs to please submit your officer list prior to June 30, 2025, for next year. This is a great way to start your club off right.
2. Please sign up for officer training as soon as possible, and encourage your executive team to complete the training.
3. I need area directors for next year. I have spots available. Please see below for the benefits of being an area director. I would love to have you on my team. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Benefits You Can Receive by Serving as an Area Director

(in addition to getting a DTM)

Compiled by Keith Hardy, DTM

Serving as an Area Director in your Toastmasters district provides so many personal and interpersonal benefits for you and for others. They are in addition to completing one of the leadership criteria to earn your Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) award.

1. An opportunity to network and build relationships, both personally and professionally, that can last a lifetime.
2. Learn about all that Toastmasters has to offer that you wouldn't otherwise know.
3. Enhance personal skills such as project management, time management, conflict resolution, and inspiring others.
4. Opportunities to give lots of speeches and move through your Paths with ease.
5. Get to know best practices from other clubs in your Area and throughout the District and share them with your own club(s).
6.  Improve your research, training, and leadership skills. These can be added to your resume.
7. Experience the joy of helping others by bringing Toastmasters information and resources to the clubs.
8. Increased comfort and confidence in communicating with senior management.
9. Being a role model to other members who may step forward to be an Area Director or other leadership role in the future.
10. Learning how to motivate people with low morale (as happens sometimes with members in low-member clubs).

Matthew Villella, DTM

Program Quality Director, District 106

Email: tm.matthew.villella@gmail.com

From the Desk of the Club Growth Director

Every Club Counts: Let’s Finish the Year Strong Together!

Dear Toastmasters of District 106,

As we approach the finish line of the 2024–2025 Toastmasters year, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation for the incredible work each of you has done so far. Whether you are a club officer, mentor, coach, sponsor, or an enthusiastic member, your dedication has helped our district grow stronger, more connected, and more impactful.

Now, with June 30th in sight, we have a golden opportunity to not only reach—but exceed—our goals as a Distinguished District. And the best part? Your club plays a vital role in making that happen.

How Your Club Can Help District 106 Become Distinguished and Beyond:

1. Achieve Distinguished Club Status

Every Distinguished Club directly contributes to our District’s overall success. If your club is close to achieving five or more Distinguished Club Program (DCP) goals, now is the time to rally together and cross that finish line. Need a few more education goals? Encourage members to complete that next speech or Pathways level. Missing membership goals? Reach out to past guests, renew lapsed members, or host an open house!

2. Strengthen Membership: 20 is the Magic Number

To be Distinguished, a club must end the year with at least 20 members or a net gain of 5 new members from where you started on July 1, 2024. Every new or returning member counts! Consider a final membership campaign—invite friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors. Let them see the value of Toastmasters firsthand.

3. Support New Club Growth

District 106 continues to grow through the chartering of new clubs. If your company or community doesn’t yet have a club, could you be the spark that starts one? If you know someone who may be interested, refer them to us. Sponsors, mentors, and supporters of new clubs make an immense difference—and their service counts toward leadership credit too!

4. Finish Strong with Club Coaching

Struggling clubs matter, and every club coach who helps turn a club around contributes to the Distinguished District journey. If you are looking for a meaningful leadership opportunity, consider becoming a club coach. Or, if your club is eligible for a coach, don’t wait—ask for help now and take the steps toward revitalization.

Let’s Make History—Together!

District 106 has a proud tradition of excellence, and this year, we’re aiming higher. Achieving Distinguished status is not just about numbers—it’s about lives changed, leaders developed, and communities strengthened through communication and leadership.



Let’s finish this year strong—by helping each club become stronger, more vibrant, and more successful. Every meeting, every member, every milestone matters.

If your club needs support or ideas to make that final push, we’re here for you. Reach out to me or any member of the District 106 Club Growth Team. Let’s cross that June 30th finish line together—with distinction!

Yours in service,

Ashok Sunkavalli

Club Growth Director, District 106

Email: tm.ashoksunkavalli@gmail.com

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

From the Desk of the Public Relations Manager

A Heartfelt Thank You and a Call to Finish Strong!

Dear District 106 Toastmasters,

As we approach the end of another incredible Toastmasters year, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. Your dedication, enthusiasm, and unwavering commitment to personal growth have made this year truly remarkable. From delivering inspiring speeches to stepping up as leaders in your clubs, you’ve shown what it means to embody the spirit of Toastmasters.

This year hasn’t been without its challenges, but you’ve faced them with courage and resilience, pushing yourselves to new heights. Whether you completed a Pathways project, earned a Distinguished Toastmaster award, or simply showed up to support your fellow members, every effort counts. You’ve built a vibrant community that uplifts and empowers one another, and for that, I am so proud to be part of District 106.

As we head into the final weeks of this Toastmasters year, I encourage you to finish strong! Let’s keep the momentum going—attend that last club meeting, deliver one more speech, or mentor a new member to help them shine. Your contributions, big or small, make a lasting impact on our District and the lives of those around you.

Looking ahead, I’m honored and excited to continue serving you in the upcoming year. Together, we’ll keep fostering a supportive environment where everyone can grow, learn, and achieve their goals. Let’s make the next year even more inspiring!

Thank you again for your passion and dedication. Here’s to finishing this year with a flourish and stepping boldly into the next!

Warm regards,

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