District 106

Newsletter

May 2025

Serving Parts of Minnesota and Ontario

Upcoming District Events

Save the Date!

District 106 TLI & Awards Ceremony

📅 Saturday, July 26th

⏰ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

📍 Bunker Hill Activity Center

550 Bunker Lake Blvd NW, Andover, MN 55304

Join us for a day of:

🎯 Education & Training – Elevate your leadership and communication skills

🤝 Networking – Connect with inspiring Toastmasters

🏆 Celebrations – Cheer on award winners and milestones

Whether you're a seasoned member or new to Toastmasters, this event is for YOU! Stay tuned for registration details.

Save the Date! Click to add to calendar

From the Desk of the District Director

Dear Toastmasters Friends,

As I reflect on this past year, I am incredibly proud of our team and all of our members. It has been a year of growth, accomplishments, and exciting milestones. From completing Pathways levels and earning Triple Crown awards to gaining new clubs and speaking opportunities outside of Toastmasters—your progress has been inspiring. These are exactly the results we aim for, and it’s wonderful to see your hard work being recognized by others.

At the Spring Conference in Thunder Bay, we were privileged to hear from several outstanding guest speakers from our own district. Attendees highlighted them as favorites, and it was clear why. We also had fantastic keynote speakers and workshop facilitators—all of whom shared their talents and insights generously. Thank you for contributing to such a memorable event.

As we approach the end of the Toastmasters year on June 30, there are a few key items to keep in mind:

Vote for your Toastmaster of the Year (TMOY): This honor goes to someone who has actively participated, delivered speeches, achieved educational goals, and supported the club. Please send your nomination to your Area Director.
Elect Club Officers: Clubs must hold officer elections and update the new officer list in Club Central by May 30 to receive credit.
Area Director Visits: May is the final month for Area Directors to complete club visits. Let’s make the most of this opportunity to support one another and finish the year strong.

Let’s focus on having engaging meetings, following up with guests, and working toward achieving Distinguished Club status. The efforts we make today will shape our success tomorrow.

I am so proud of how far we’ve come. Let’s keep moving forward together.

Katy Hursh, DTM

District Director, District 106

Email: tm.katy.hursh@gmail.com

From the Desk of the Program Quality Director

District 106 Toastmasters,

We are entering the final two months of the Toastmasters season. We still have lots to complete together. Let's finish strong!

District 106 Conference and Speech Contest Winners

We had an outstanding District 106 Conference in Thunder Bay, Ontario. The weather didn't cooperate, but it didn't dampen our voices being unleashed. Everyone left with great memories, and we had a large number of non-Toastmasters who participated in various things throughout the weekend. The conference was well-received by the local press, and we received loads of publicity.

For our Tall Tales Contest, a big congratulations goes to:

1st Jim Emery

2nd Fred Luce

3rd Julianna Hoffman

In our amazing International Contest, congratulations goes to:

1st Peter Tartaro

2nd Shivi Deveahwar

3rd Sarah Bateman

Congratulations to all contestants!

Your Leadership Journey Starts Now!

District 106 Toastmasters is seeking passionate Area Directors for 2025-2026! Lead with purpose by guiding 4-6 clubs, honing your leadership skills, and making an impact across Minnesota and Ontario, Canada.

✅ Why Apply?

✔ Inspire and support clubs to achieve excellence.

✔ Grow personally and professionally with exclusive training.

✔ Join a network of motivated leaders.

We’ll equip you for success—all you need is enthusiasm! Deadline: [Insert Deadline].

Ready to lead? Contact me at tm.matthew.villella@gmail.com to apply today!

Let's stay strong.

Matthew Villella, DTM

Program Quality Director, District 106

Email: tm.matthew.villella@gmail.com

From the Desk of the Club Growth Director

May Momentum: Grow Your Club with an Open House!

As we step into the final stretch of the Toastmasters program year, May is the perfect time to generate fresh energy, engage new prospects, and give your club a strong finish. One of the most effective and rewarding ways to do this? Host an open house.

Open houses are a tried-and-true method to showcase the value of Toastmasters in a welcoming and low-pressure environment. They give guests a front-row seat to the growth, camaraderie, and communication skills your club cultivates every meeting. Whether your club meets in person, online, or in a hybrid format, an open house offers a golden opportunity to expand your reach and invite new members into our community.

Here’s why May is ideal:

New beginnings: Many professionals are reevaluating goals mid-year and looking for growth opportunities.
Graduates and interns: Students entering the workforce are eager to build confidence and communication skills.
Momentum for the year-end: Gaining even a few new members now can help your club finish Distinguished—or beyond!

Tips for a successful open house:

Choose a date and promote it early (use Eventbrite, social media, or Meetup).
Designate roles to experienced members who will make guests feel welcome.
Feature dynamic speakers and a crisp agenda to demonstrate the club experience.
Follow up with guests and invite them to return or join right away.

Need support? District 106 offers resources, including customizable flyers, social media templates, and even guest incentives to help make your event a success. Reach out to your Division or Area Director—or contact our PRM Leo Smith or contact me directly—to learn more.

Let’s finish the year strong. Let’s share the gift of Toastmasters.

Host an open house. Grow your club. Change a life.

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

Celebrate Your 2024-2025 Achievements in Our Public Relations Contests!

We’re excited to invite you to showcase your outstanding work from the 2024-2025 program year in our Public Relations Contests! Highlight your achievements in four dynamic categories: Website, Social Media, Club Event, and Other Promotion. Whether you’ve designed a stunning website, launched a viral social media campaign, organized a memorable club event, or executed a creative promotional project, we want to see it!

How to Participate

Submit your entry via our Google Form*. Select your contest category, provide your full name, club name, email, and a detailed description of your 2024-2025 project, and upload supporting files (e.g., PDFs, images, or videos). Want to enter multiple categories? Simply submit a separate form for each. All entries are due by June 1, 2025.

[*To access the Google Form, please log into your gmail account. If you do not have one, please contact me via my email below.]

Why Join?

This is your opportunity to gain recognition for your hard work, inspire others, and contribute to our community’s PR efforts. Winning entries may be featured in future campaigns, and top participants will receive exciting prizes at the awards ceremony on July 2, 2025.

Let’s celebrate your 2024-2025 successes together!

Join now and make your mark!

Yours in service,

Leo Smith, DTM

District 106 Public Relations Manager

Silent Auction Chair

Email: leo.w.smith@gmail.com

Phone: 651-600-0531