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Leader in the Wild
We are thrilled to announce our latest Leader in the Wild recipient: Karen Lezon!
As a reminder, our "Leaders in the Wild" initiative is all about shining a spotlight on those who lead from wherever they are. While we often recognize formal titles, this campaign celebrates the consistent, impactful actions that happen in the "wild"—the everyday moments where members step up, support others, and drive our Toastmasters community forward without needing a podium to do so.
When the official deadline to appoint Area Directors passed, three Areas in Division E were still without leadership. Because the cutoff date had been missed, anyone stepping into those roles would not receive official credit for their service.
Refusing to let those clubs miss out on vital support, our recipient selflessly stepped up. Knowing she wouldn't receive formal credit for her immense workload, she rolled up her sleeves and got to work. She took on the massive task of coordinating the Area Contests for all three Areas, conducted the required Area Director visits, and meticulously wrote the reports so Division Director Joyce could submit them.
On top of this incredible undertaking, she continued to serve as our Pathways Chair, gracefully helping our members navigate numerous changes. Her unwavering dedication and member-centered focus represent the very best of our district. It was an honor to award her the District Director's Award at our recent District 2 Conference.
Anu Jokinen
District Director, 2025-2026
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On Friday, May 15, 2026, the District Council voted for the 2026-2027 District 2 Leaders!
To the incoming team: Thank you for stepping up to lead District 2 . Your dedication ensures that our members will continue to find a safe, supportive, and dynamic environment to find their voices and build their own leadership paths.
To all District 2 members: please join me in celebrating and supporting our new leadership team as they prepare to take the reins on July 1st. The future is ours to build, and we are in excellent hands!
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District 2 Town Hall - Last one of the year!
As this Toastmasters year comes to a close, it’s time to celebrate our journey, reflect on our incredible milestones, and look ahead to what’s next.
Join us for our final Town Hall of the year as we wrap up a historic chapter, share key updates, and celebrate the community that made it all happen. Whether you’ve been with us every step of the way or want to catch up before the year ends, your voice and presence are what make our network strong.
Let’s finish this year strong—together!
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Connection in Motion
Stronger Together, Powered by the Future has officially launched into the history books, and what an unforgettable experience it was.
From inspiring keynote speakers and dynamic education sessions to meaningful networking, laughter, celebration, and even a waterfront seal greeting attendees along the Tacoma shoreline, this year’s conference reminded us what makes District 2 so special: PEOPLE.
Congratulations to all our contest winners, award recipients, and our newly elected District leaders. Your passion, courage, and commitment to growth continue to shape the future of our organization.
A heartfelt thank-you goes to the incredible conference committee, volunteers, presenters, sponsors, and every attendee who helped transform this event into something truly memorable.
The energy of this year’s conference doesn’t end here — session recordings and replay opportunities will be announced soon.
This wasn’t just a conference. It was proof that when we come together, we amplify one another.
Stronger together. Powered by the future.
Tacoma sparked it. Anchorage will amplify it in 2027!
| | | On behalf of the entire District 2 leadership team and our incredible membership, we want to express our deepest gratitude to Nikki Malcom, Rebecca P. Murray, Abhijeet Joshi, and Lee Amatangelo for serving as our emcee and keynote speakers for the District 2 Annual Conference, "Stronger Together, Powered by the Future." | | Congratulations to Daniel Khoury for placing first place in the Humorous Speech Contest! | NEXT WEEK: Conference Highlights | |
Unlock Your Potential with Pathways Office Hours!
Get your questions answered!
Curious about Pathways or need guidance on your Toastmasters journey? We’re here to help! Wondering what the new Vintage Paths and the Path Enhancements mean for you or your club? Come on by!
Pathways offers an innovative, interactive learning experience designed to boost your communication and leadership skills while fostering personal and professional growth within a fun, supportive community.
Join us for the next Pathways Office Hour:
•Date: Wednesday, June 10th
•Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM Pacific Time, 5:00 – 6:00 PM Alaska
Hosted by: Karen Lezon
This session is the perfect opportunity to ask questions, gain valuable insights, and enhance your Toastmasters experience, whether you’re new to Pathways or seeking targeted advice.
Don’t miss your chance for personalized support—register now!
Visit the District 2 Event Calendar for Pathways Office hours in July.
For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to Karen Lezon at kmlezon@comcast.net
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VPPR TIPS to Produce Your Powerful Presence™ – No. 45
Your Future Member Called. Did Anyone Answer?
If your membership is struggling, please stop chasing the big quick fix. Start here: respond promptly and look alive.
I have written about this more than once now, and I sincerely wish I did not need to keep saying it. But it keeps happening.
We hear it again and again from guests:
“I contacted a few other clubs, but no one responded.”
That is not a small, missed detail. That is a missed member.
If your club is worried about growth, stop searching first for the flashy campaign, the perfect open house, or the one big membership miracle. Membership growth begins with the basics—and one of the most important basics is answering people who have already raised their hand.
At Public Speaking Northwest, we treat every inquiry like a warm invitation. We respond the same day whenever possible, and always within 24 hours at the latest. That simple habit matters. Interest cools quickly. A prompt, friendly reply says:
You matter here. We are glad you reached out.
Make sure more than your VPM receives website contact-form messages. Vacations, busy weeks, and overloaded inboxes should never become lost opportunities.
Your website matters too. When a potential guest lands there, does it feel active,
welcoming, and worth visiting? Does it show real people, current events, club
personality, and a clear next step?
Quick Club Checkup
- Does your contact form reach 2–3 club officers?
- Regarding ‘contact forms,’ do a check regularly. Sometimes there are glitches.
- Does your VPM or backup officer reply within 24 hours?
- Does your website feel current, warm, and lively?
- Are your meeting details easy to find?
- Do guests receive a clear invitation to visit?
CTA: Audit your club’s guest experience this week. Where can your club improve its first impression?
Your next great member may already be waiting to feel seen. Presence begins the moment someone reaches out—and someone answers.
Sparkle & Shine, Friends!
Kelly Fallucca
VPPR, Public Speaking Northwest Toastmasters
D2 Area Director, C35
Connect with me on LinkedIn
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Can I use AI when writing my speech?
By Vincent Tang
Recently, I met a speaker who used AI to write their entire speech. It made me pause: does that still count as the Toastmasters experience?
I’ll start with a full disclaimer. I use AI when writing and refining my thoughts. Even this article has benefited from suggestions and edits to improve clarity. So this is not a stance against AI. It’s a question about how we use it.
When I think about AI in Toastmasters, I keep coming back to intent. If I generate a full speech with AI and simply deliver it, am I practicing communication or am I outsourcing part of the learning process?
Before answering that, it helps to consider something familiar. Many professionals, including politicians, use speechwriters. In that sense, using AI is not entirely new. The difference is not the tool, but the purpose behind using it.
There are cases where using AI makes sense. If a speaker is focused on delivery (vocal variety, body language, stage presence) then using AI to draft a speech can free up time and energy to develop those skills. In that context, AI becomes a tool that supports a specific goal.
There is also a way to use AI that reinforces learning. You can draft a speech to the best of your ability, ask AI to refine it, and then ask why those changes were made. This approach keeps you engaged in the writing process while giving you insight into structure, clarity, and word choice. Over time, you begin to internalize those improvements.
However, there is a real danger if we are not intentional.
If your goal is to build confidence in organizing ideas, AI can quietly remove the very struggle that creates growth. It will always be able to suggest improvements. It will always be able to restructure your speech. If you keep asking for changes, it will keep giving them, even if those changes only align with conventional standards rather than your own thinking.
Toastmasters is designed to develop skills through practice. In Table Topics, you do not have the option to pause and ask for refinement. You are asked to think, organize, and speak in the moment. That process can feel uncomfortable, but it is where growth happens. The more you practice forming ideas on your own, the more confident and capable you become.
The same applies to prepared speeches. Writing a speech from scratch forces you to wrestle with your ideas. What is my message? How do I structure it? What story best supports it? These are not just steps to produce a speech. They are the skills we are here to build.
The danger is not that AI gives you a better speech. It’s that it can replace the effort required to become a better speaker.
In the end, it comes back to what each Toastmaster wants to develop. Some may prioritize delivery. Others may want to strengthen their writing. Some may use AI as a coach, while others may rely on it as a shortcut. The tool itself is not the issue.
AI will likely be part of our lives for years to come. As Toastmasters, the question is not whether we use it, but how. Are we using it to support our growth or to bypass it?
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Nathan Callahan, D2 International Contest Winner!
Appearing LIVE and IN-PERSON
May 29, 2026 6:30 – 8:30 pm
Come to an intimate Frankly Speaking meeting to cheer on Nathan
Callahan, the District 2 International Speech Contest Winner, who is preparing
his speech for the World-Wide stage in Vancouver this August!
The meeting will be held in a private Woodinville home. Please email:
vppr-1909950@toastmastersclubs.org for the address.
Hosted by Frankly Speaking Toastmasters Club
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Open House - May 30th
Celebrating Authenticity
Leading Edge Toastmasters is opening its doors—both in person and online—for a special hybrid open house on May 30. In a year when many communicators are rediscovering their voice, the theme Authenticity reflects the club’s belief that the most powerful communication begins when we allow ourselves to speak as we truly are.
Toastmaster of the Day Benny Mobley will guide the meeting with his signature warmth and clarity. Guests can expect an engaging program featuring speeches, evaluated table topics, and opportunities to
experience the supportive, high-energy environment that defines Leading Edge.
Whether you join from the room or from your laptop, you’ll find a space designed for growth, courage, and real human connection. We invite all Toastmasters—and anyone curious about building confidence through communication—to join us on May 30. Come as you are. Leave inspired.
📅 Here’s how to join us for this special event
When: Saturday, May 30th
Time: 8:30–10:30 a.m. Pacific
Where: Hybrid (Online via Zoom & In-person
🔗 Join Zoom Meeting
In-person: St. John’s Episcopal
Church, 105 State St S, in Kirkland
To attend in person, please get in touch with Kyle McEligot
🌐 Leading Edge Website
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Open House: The Rubber Meets the Road
Leading Knights Toastmasters Club in Burien
Leading Knights Club Toastmasters Open House
Time & Date: 7 p.m. on June 3, 2026
Location: Village Concepts Burien El Dorado West Activity Room 2nd Floor, 1010 SW 134th Street Burien, WA
Most people don’t see themselves as leaders, but leadership skills open career doors and help our communities. But...how to do learn leadership in an effective and safe way?
Toastmasters’ tag line is “Where Leaders Are Made.” This isn’t just a marketing phrase. Toastmasters can assist us in learning real world, useful leadership skills...skills that are both valuable and marketable.
During our Open House, guest speaker, Kyle Hall, will tell us his adventures in applying skills learned within Toastmasters to the real world...changing his work, his career path and his relationships within his community.
Come learn about where The Rubber Meets the Road. You’ll walk away from this meeting understanding how build valuable, marketable, essential skills.
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Story Weavers Unveils The Math of Humor
Is humor something you’re born with—or something you can build?
In this practical workshop, we’ll explore the structure behind humor. Instead of relying on jokes or natural wit, you’ll learn simple formulas that make it easier to add humor to stories, speeches, and presentations.
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not naturally funny,” this session will show you how humor can be constructed, not improvised.
Join us and learn how a little math can make your message land with impact.
Presented by Mary Morrison, Past International Director, Laugh Lab Storymasters President-Elect.
Thursday, June 4th, 2026
6:00 pm PDT on Zoom
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Presented by Kyle Hall, Hosted by Meridian Toastmasters
Thursday, June 4th @ 6:00pm Pacific (UTC/GMT-7)
This workshop is hybrid (online or in-person at the Lacey City Hall)
This is a fun 90-minute presentation/workshop. You'll leave this session with a greater understanding of powerful evaluations and more confidence in your ability to deliver them.
Save your seat by clicking here!
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Celebration of Now and Next
Join us for a special “Celebration
of Now and Next” on June 4 at Professionally Speaking Toastmasters!
This inspiring meeting features:
• Annual Awards and Recognition
• Installation of the 2026–2027 Officers
• Two speeches with a total of eight transformative evaluations
Whether you are a speech contestant, public or professional speaker, or presenter refining your craft, experience why Professionally Speaking is an advanced club for communicators who want to grow faster, stronger, and further.
Thursday, June 4, 2026
6:30–8:30 p.m. Pacific Time
Hybrid Meeting — Attend on Zoom or in person
For Zoom and in-person information,
visit https://www.prospeakerclub.com.
Hyperlink for where users can learn more
https://www.prospeakerclub.com
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Is your club holding a special event? Celebrating a milestone? Or want people to know of a significant upcoming meeting they should join? Want to include your post here for next week's newsletter?
Fill out this form to submit your post request
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2025/2026 Starburst Submission Guidelines
We're excited to share our guidelines for submitting articles to Starburst, our official District 2 newsletter. Your club's special activities deserve the spotlight, and we're here to help you shine!
Guidelines for Article Submissions:
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Topic: Focus on club special events.
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Word Limit: Try to limit posts to 200 words or less.
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Images: You may include one image with your article. Ensure it follows the Toastmasters Brand Manual (You may have to login to the Toastmasters main Site to access) and contains minimal text. We're happy to help create one if needed. If the image doesn't meet TM guidelines, we'll work with you or recreate it if we don't hear back.
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Contact Information: All articles must include your club website and/or a contact email for more information.
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Event Posts: Submit up to three consecutive posts for a single event.
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Deadline to Submit: 5:00 PM on the Friday before the upcoming Monday Starburst release.
Submission Process:
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Use the submission form to send us your article requests.
- We look forward to showcasing your amazing events in Starburst!
If you have any questions or need more clarity, feel free to reach out to Marty Varela
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Register to receive the Starburst Newsletter
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Have a Starburst suggestion? Please check out our Starburst Suggestion Box (only 5 questions), to help us improve the Starburst Newsletter!
| | How did you like this week's Starburst? | | | | This newsletter was edited by - Marty Varela, Disclaimer: The information in this newsletter is for the sole use of Toastmasters members for Toastmasters business only. It is not to be used for solicitation and distribution of non-Toastmasters materials or information. | | | | |
