District 2 Events & News
Toastmasters Tuesdays: New Starburst Schedule
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Your Voice Shapes the Future and
Earns District Bucks
Toastmasters is a member-governed organization. Every club in good standing receives two votes at the Annual Business Meeting (ABM). These votes allow clubs to help choose the International Officers and Directors who guide our organization’s strategic direction. Decisions made at the ABM can directly affect your club, including changes to international dues, updates to the Pathways learning experience, and revisions to governing bylaws.
This year’s ABM will be held on Wednesday, August 19, at 12 p.m. (noon) Pacific Daylight Time (UTC -7). Voting will take place during the meeting through an electronic voting system and requires live attendance by all voting delegates.
Proxy Assignment Deadline: August 12 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (UTC -7)
The Club President or Club Secretary is responsible for assigning the club’s proxy to one designated proxyholder before the deadline. Because the meeting can last several hours, it may be difficult for a Club President or Secretary to attend the full session. In that case, the club may assign its proxy to:
- An active member from the club.
- The 2026-2027 District Director, Roberta Craig.
- Another active Toastmaster member from a different club.
Assign Your Proxy and Earn District Bucks
Because clubs have several proxy options, there is no default or automatic vote assignment. If a club does not designate a proxyholder by the August 12 deadline, its two votes will be lost.
This year, the District is offering clubs $10 in District Bucks for completing their proxy assignment by the August 12 deadline. District Director Roberta Craig issued this challenge at the July 2 Town Hall: “This year, we want 100% of our club votes to count.”
Visit Toastmasters.org / Events / Annual Business Meeting / 2026 ABM for more information about the Annual Business Meeting, Proxy FAQ, and International Candidates. You can also watch the Candidate Showcase before the ABM.
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District Leaders Needed
Toastmasters is the best place to gain hands-on managerial experience in:
- Team Building
- Goal Setting
- Project Mangement
- Problem-solving
- Networking among a global community
The District is looking for Area Directors for the following:
A11, A13, A14, A15, A16
B21, B22, B23, B24, B25, B26
C31, C32, C34, C35
D41, D43, D45
F61
Submit your nomination to the District Director, Roberta Craig at d2tm.dd@gmail.com before July 31 for consideration.
Form 450C - District Leader Nominating Form
Form 450E - Candidate Application
Form 450D - District Leader Agreement and Release Statement
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Designing Distinguished Clubs
Begins with a Plan
Architects Arise
Calling all club leaders,
From this day forward, please consider yourselves Architects! Architects who design your club’s future with intention and attention. Starting with one of the first and most important priorities is completing your Club Success Plan (CSP).
This isn't just another form to complete; it's your club's roadmap for achieving its goals, strengthening the member experience, and earning Distinguished recognition.
Because the Club Success Plan is time-sensitive and must be completed by September 30 at 9:59 pm AK/10:59 pm PT to be eligible to earn Distinguished status, we are hosting a series of Weekly Club Success Plan Workshops designed to guide club executive teams through the process.
Clubs can also earn the D2 “Great Start” Incentive by submitting their Club Success Plan by August 31.
Please attend an upcoming workshop, complete your plan with your executive team, and submit it by the appropriate deadline to position your club for success. Whether your club is starting from scratch or refining an existing plan, these interactive sessions will provide practical guidance, ideas, and opportunities to collaborate with fellow leaders. Together, we'll identify priorities, set meaningful goals, assign responsibilities, and develop strategies that support member growth
and club excellence.
Every club is unique, and every Club Success Plan should reflect the vision and aspirations of its members. My hope is that these workshops become more than planning sessions; they become opportunities to learn from one another, share best practices, and strengthen our community of leaders.
When we collaborate, people are inspired to grow, empowered to lead, and encouraged to share their talents for the benefit of all.
Roxanne Spring, DTM
Distinguished Club Chair
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COT COMES DOWN TO 3 OPTIONS!
OPTION 1. Toastmasters International announced a NEW 3 HOUR CLUB OFFICER TRAINING PROGRAM. Attending one of these COTs will satisfy Officer Training Requirements for this round.
OPTION 2. Legacy COT with All-Officer Breakouts will also satisfy the requirement. The next D2 Legacy COT is Wednesday, July 15th at 6:00 pm PDT on Zoom.
OPTION 3. District 2 is offering topical Virtual COT sessions that can be mixed-and-matched to satisfy the NEW 3 HOUR COT requirement. The topics are all related to the duties that officers must fulfill to support our clubs. Any session can be used towards the full 3 Hour COT expectation.
These sessions, unless noted, like the VPE session on 7/14/26 , are not designed for a particular officer role, though some are more aligned with certain positions than others. You may attend a single topic multiple times, as each session offers foundational elements, but will be customized to the participants, workshop-style. All attendance combinations will count.
Shout out! to Pink Synergy's Anissa and Cassandra who, in separate COTS, shared their knowledge to demonstrate the learning occurring!
Direct questions to Marty Varela at D2TM.PRC@GMAIL.COM on behalf of the Program Quality Team.
| | | COT VIRTUAL | TUESDAY, JULY 14TH
6:30 PM TO 8:30 PM | VPE W/LAURA
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | WEDNESDAY, JULY 15TH
6:00 PM TO 7:15 PM | LEGACY COT
ALL OFFICERS
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | THURSDAY, JULY 16TH
2:00 PM TO 3:00 PM | TI WEBSITE
W/BAXTER
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | FRIDAY, JULY 17TH
9:00 PM TO 10:00 PM | CANVA PRO
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | SATURDAY, JULY 18TH
9:00 AM TO 10:00 AM | SOCIAL MEDIA W/KELLY
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | SUNDAY, JULY 19TH
12:00 PM TO 1:00 PM | CSP W/ROXANNE
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | MONDAY, JULY 20TH
10:00 AM TO 11:00 AM | CLUB IDENTITY
W/JOANNA
REGISTER HERE | | | |
Unlock Your Potential
with Pathways Office Hours!
New Format!
New member onboarding plus bring your questions.
Join us for new member Pathways onboarding for the first 40 minutes, then any and all questions to fill out the hour. If you are new to Toastmasters, join us! If you just haven’t figured out Pathways yet, we will get you back on track. Have a burning Pathways question, see you there!
CLICK HERE
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WE WILL DREAM BIG IN 2026-2027
DISTRICT 2 MONTHLY NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION
LAUNCHING ON JULY 31ST, 2026!
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE SPARKLING SYNERGISTS
REGISTER NOW!
| | Meet Your New District PRM! 🚀 | |
✨New Role, BIG Energy!✨
Hello, District 2 Toastmasters family!
I am incredibly honored and thrilled to step into the role of your District Public Relations Manager (PRM) for this program year. For those whom I haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet, my journey in Toastmasters has always been driven by a passion for leadership, effective communication, and growing together with a community.
If there’s one thing I love, it’s building vibrant communities and helping people share their unique stories. As PRM, my mission this year is simple: to shout our members' and clubs' successes from the rooftops (and across all social media platforms!).
Toastmasters is where leaders are made, and I want to make sure our communities know exactly where to find us. From celebrating club milestones to sharing top-tier PR resources, the PR team and I are here to help your clubs thrive and grow.
Taking on the PRM role is an exciting new chapter, and my biggest goal this year is to shine a massive spotlight on the incredible achievements of our clubs and members.
Public relations isn’t just about announcements, it’s about storytelling. Every single club in our District has a unique vibe, and every member has a story of transformation. Together with the PR team, I want to help you share those stories, amplify your club’s reach, and show the world outside Toastmasters exactly what makes our District so special.
Whether you need help with social media strategies, club open houses, flyer designs, or just want to share a recent milestone your club celebrated, I am here to support you! Let’s collaborate, innovate, and make this a phenomenal, high-energy year for our District!
✨ Here’s to amplifying our voices and sharing our stories! ✨
Karthika Pillai
District 2 PRM, Linkedin
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VPPR TIPS to Produce Your Powerful Presence™ – No. 52
Presence in Progress: My Journey to Distinguished Toastmaster
When someone receives an award, we often witness only the polished result: the celebratory smile, the certificate, and the moment of applause. What frequently remains unseen is the hard work, consistent service, patience, and profound personal growth required to get there.
My journey to achieving my Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) took four transformative years. It involved navigating multiple learning paths, delivering dozens of speeches, participating in district leadership, acting as a mentor, and constantly seeking opportunities to help others grow. This path demanded deep resilience, flexibility, and the courage to push forward even when the finish line felt miles away.
I hold immense respect for all the leaders before me who have embraced this journey. True leadership is a delicate balance of contrasting forces: supporting others while challenging them to grow, balancing moments of confidence with those of vulnerability, and fluidly shifting between leading and learning. These elements do not cancel each other out; together, they create a complete, well-rounded journey.
Every person I met in Toastmasters contributed to this milestone in a meaningful way. Some encouraged my potential, opened new doors, and believed in me when I doubted myself. Others pushed me to strengthen my voice, clarify my values, and develop into a more adaptable leader. To my inner circle, my club members, fellow officers, mentors, and everyone who continues to walk beside me—you know who you are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Our shared time together is a gift I cannot put into words.
To anyone currently striving toward a monumental goal: do not stop when you are almost at the finish line. Take the journey all the way to the end. The final award is deeply meaningful, but the person you become along the way and the connections you create are the true achievements.
Sparkle & Shine, Friends!
Kelly Fallucca, DTM
VPPR, Public Speaking Northwest Toastmasters
D2 Distinguished Area Director, C35
Connect with me on LinkedIn
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Maradelyn (Mara) Root
Mara is the immediate past President of Microsoft Speakeasy Toastmasters Club. Mara has been instrumental in visionary leadership, fostering collaboration and ensuring that the club is a premier destination for developing communication and leadership skills. Her focus on strategic goals towards the club's success and creating an inclusive environment has set a new standard for the Toastmasters community.
She runs every meeting with a positive attitude and goes the extra mile, taking time to recognize the personal achievements of all members. Mara also helps members enroll in workshops and even assembles other Toastmaster community leaders and active members from other clubs to provide all members with a richer learning experience.
The Toastmasters spirit she embodies is encouraging and sets the tone for everyone's success. She exemplifies the high standard from which we all benefit in District 2.
Thank you Mara!
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Evaluation Excellence Workshop
By Eastside Leaders Toastmasters - An Advanced Club
EASTSIDE LEADERS TOASTMASTERS
SPECIAL ONLINE WORKSHOP
Evaluation Excellence Workshop
Master the Art of Effective Feedback
Learn from Tom Hagar, DTM
Want to give evaluations that are insightful, encouraging, and memorable?
Join Eastside Leaders Toastmasters for a special skills workshop with Tom Hagar, DTM, and learn how to deliver evaluations that are clear, constructive, and memorable.
Gain practical techniques to encourage growth, motivate speakers, and make every evaluation more impactful.
Tuesday, July 14 | Arrive 6:45 PM | Meeting 7:00–8:30 PM
Hosted by Eastside Leaders Toastmasters
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
✓ Structure evaluations for maximum impact
✓ Deliver feedback with confidence and tact
✓ Encourage growth while motivating speakers
✓ Apply techniques used by experienced Toastmasters Leaders & Evaluators
REGISTER TODAY
Reserve your spot online using this Zoom Link:
https://tinyurl.com/5t2vtwwk
We Look Forward to Seeing You!
EASTSIDE LEADERS TOASTMASTERS
Where Leaders Are Made
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Looking for a Hybrid Fun Toastmasters CLUB?
Where Experienced Speakers Refine Their Edge
Whether you are a speech contestant, public or professional speaker, or presenter looking to refine your craft, Professionally Speaking provides every speaker with 17 minutes of in-depth, topic-specific feedback designed to sharpen skills and elevate performance.
You're invited to accelerate your growth, expand your reach, and achieve more with us.
Thursday, July 16, 2026
6:30–8:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time
Join us on Zoom or in person—details are available on our homepage: https://www.prospeakerclub.com
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You don't need the whole path... just one next YES.
Speak Beyond the Club
You've built confidence, sharpened your communication skills, and discovered the power of your voice through Toastmasters. But what happens when you're ready to take your message beyond the club?
In this interactive workshop, you'll gain clarity on the topics you're uniquely qualified to speak about, identify what makes your perspective valuable, and explore how to transform your ideas into presentations that resonate with audiences outside Toastmasters.
Whether your goal is to become a professional speaker, expand your influence, or simply explore new opportunities to share your ideas, you'll leave with greater clarity, practical direction, and one concrete next step toward speaking beyond the club.
Participants Learn How To:
- Identify speaking topics that align with their experiences, expertise, and interests.
- Recognize audiences and organizations that could benefit from their message.
- Package, position, and ready themselves for opportunities beyond Toastmasters.
Save your seat for Speak Beyond the Club on Saturday, August 1st, 2026!
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Choose Your Adventure: Exploring the Many Paths to Distinguished Toastmaster
A workshop hosted by Advancing Alaska Toastmasters
Curious regarding Distinguished Toastmasters (DTM) educational award requirements or looking for a DTM project? Join Advancing Alaska Toastmasters on August 31st, 6:30-8:00pm Alaska / 7:30-9:00pm Pacific.
Come learn about requirements from DTMs, ask questions, and leave with resources as well as your tailored plan towards DTM.
For Zoom link or more information reach out via the contact us link on
https://advancingalaska.toastmastersclubs.org/
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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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2026/2027 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 Karthika Pillai
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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. | | | | |
