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Thank you to all our speakers and support team for helping make our inaugural District 2 Leadership Summit on Friday, January 23rd a success!
Thank you to all of our attendees, both in person and online, for your engagement during the event and for your commitment to leadership!
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Lead Higher. Grow Faster. Start your ascent today.
Yes, You CAN!
You’ve found your voice; now find your horizon. A rewarding world of leadership awaits beyond your club’s doors. By serving as a 2026–2027 District Leader, you will empower others, expand your network, and unlock a deeper level of personal growth.
The District 2 Leadership Committee (DLC) is seeking dedicated members for the District Executive Team (serving July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027). Available roles include:
- Area & Division Directors
- Club Growth, Program Quality, & District Directors
- Finance, Administration, & Public Relations Managers
Serving in these vital roles may fulfill the one-year leadership requirement for your Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) designation.
How to Apply
To qualify, you must be a member in good standing within District 2. Please review the Call for Nominations Form for role competencies and submit the following four documents:
- District Leader Nominating Form
- Candidate Application
- District Leader Agreement and Release Statement
- District Leader Biographical Information Form
Find all details on the District Leader Nominations website. Submit your application to the DLC by February 28, 2026.
We look forward to your nomination!
Melissa Jean, DTM, IPDD District Leadership Committee Chair
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DD Around The District
Can You Guess Which Clubs These Are?
District Director Anu Jokinen, Club Growth Director Joanna Tavera and Region 1 Advisor Karen Burgess visited D2 clubs last week! Check out our District 2 Facebook page for more photos!
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THE CURTAIN IS ABOUT TO RISE
Have you ever caught a glimpse of something just before it was ready, notes on a whiteboard maybe, a hushed conversation, a door closing as you walked by? That’s the moment you’re stepping into now. Not the announcement. Not the reveal. Just a quiet signal that something intentional is forming behind the scenes.
That’s exactly where we are right now.
Behind the scenes, a dedicated team has been shaping an experience designed to challenge, inspire, and energize Toastmasters across our District. Pieces are coming together. Conversations are happening. Ideas are aligning. And while we’re not ready to reveal the full picture just yet, we are ready to say this:
This year’s conference is being built with intention.
It’s about connection. It’s about growth. And it’s about stepping into what’s next—together.
On February 2, the full conference theme will be unveiled. But that moment won’t come out of nowhere. We’ll begin dropping clues, sharing hints, and pulling back the curtain just enough to spark curiosity and anticipation.
So, consider this your invitation to lean in.
Pay attention. Stay curious.
The countdown has officially begun.
Josh Hindman
District 2 Conference Chair 2026
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District 2 Website Launch – Phase 1 is Live!
We’re excited to share that Phase 1 of the new District 2 website has officially launched!
A huge shout out and heartfelt thank you to our Public Relations Manager, Marty Varela, and our Webmaestro, Leah Ammon, whose hard work, creativity, and dedication made this transition to a new platform possible. From behind-the-scenes planning to bringing the site to life, their commitment has been incredible.
This launch marks just the beginning. Phases 2 and 3 are already in progress and will roll out before the end of the Toastmasters year, with continued enhancements to better support our clubs, leaders, and members.
Marty and Leah are also very open to feedback and would love to hear what you would like to see on the website to support you on your Toastmasters journey. Your input will help shape what comes next as we continue building a site that is member-centered, unified, and future-ready.
Take a look, explore what’s new, and stay tuned—there’s more to come!
Anu Jokinen
District Director, 2025-2026
| | | Dates will be added as scheduled! Additionally, Clubs can schedule to participate in a District Leader led Moments of Truth Assessment during their club meeting. See Great Strides Incentive for details. | | |
The Sparkle & Shine - D2 International and Humorous Area Speech Contest - Areas 32, 33, 35
🌟✨ SAVE THE DATE – Saturday, February 21, 2026 ✨🌟
Featuring the amazingly talented Amanda Clothier as our Contest Toastmaster!!!
Come for the inspirational and humorous speeches. Stay for the community.
Saturday, February 21, 2026
The Brightwater Center
22505 WA-9, Woodinville, WA 98072
10:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Bring your club members, family, and friends.
Come ready to sparkle & shine.
We will see you there!
Katie Munoz – Area Director C32
Roxanne Spring, DTM – Area Director C33
Kelly Fallucca – Area Director C35
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The District Executive Committee met on December 3rd and approved the following for this contest season:
- Areas with four (4) or fewer clubs in good standing will advance the top two (2) contestants to the Area contest.
- Divisions with four (4) or fewer assigned clubs will continue to advance one (1) contestant to the Division contest.
To check if your club is advancing 1 or 2 contestants to the area contest, please click on the following link
Reminder - Please be sure to keep your club in good standing throughout the contest season so your club members will not be disqualified at any time! For more information on club status, click here
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Great Strides Incentive
Put Your Plan Into Action
The Great Strides Incentive aims to put your Club Success Plan into action. Now is an ideal time to assess whether Toastmasters supports your members’ 2026 goals. If not, or if you're unsure, consider having your club complete a Moment of Truth exercise to better align your plan with members' needs.
To receive the Great Strides $25 Incentive:
Minimum of 4 club officers trained and ONE of the following options:
· Upload Moments of Truth Analysis & Recommended Action added to Club Success Plan
· Upload Pathways Themed Open House
· Submit a Club Success Plan (if not previously created prior to 11/1/2025).
See the Great Strides Requirements via the District Incentive Tracker for option details.
Questions? Contact Program Quality Director, Roberta Craig
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Your Voice Matters
Let’s Shape District 2 2Gether!
The final winner of the Moments of Truth Surveys over the last few weeks is: Susan Beecher of Beyond the Basics Toastmasters.
You still have until February 15 to complete the Moments of Truth for Club Officer Training Credit Assessment.
According to Psychology Today, 80% of people abandon their New Year's resolutions by the first week of February. Reasons for such failure rates are as follows:
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Unrealistic Goals: Setting huge, overwhelming goals without smaller milestones makes them feel unattainable, says Western University and Verywell Mind.
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Lack of "Why": Focusing on what to do rather than the deeper reason for change reduces motivation, according to Verywell Mind.
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Behavioral Traps: People often rely on willpower rather than building sustainable systems, and big changes require transforming into a new version of themselves, notes Medium.
This Survey of the Week is an exploration to set the standard for positive growth along your Toastmaster's Journey.
One survey. One minute. One stronger community.
Take the Survey of the Week!
Surveys feature a different topic each week and can also be accessed through the link on the District website. Your voice helps us grow together, one response at a time.
Please reach out to Roberta Craig, PQD, if you have any questions.
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District 2 Charter Anniversaries
Clubs Celebrating Anniversaries in the month of January
Congratulations to all the Clubs celebrating chartering in the month of January!
District 2 celebrates the dedication of every past and current member who has helped develop a supportive environment for growth. May you have many more years of transforming lives, one speech at a time!
District 2 Club Growth Director, Joanna Tavera
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VPPR TIPS to Produce Your Powerful Presence™ – No. 28
TESTIFY with TESTIMONIALS: Use Real Experiences to Grow Your Clubs
Why it works: Real stories turn into proof people trust.
Who to Ask:
1. Members (growth)
2. Visiting Toastmasters (credibility)
3. New guests who join (fresh perspective)
Ask These 3 Questions:
1. “What changed for you since joining?”
2. “What surprised you?”
3. “How did you feel after your first meeting?”
Make it Usable:
1. 1–2 sentences.
2. Be specific.
3. Add a photo or 30-second video clip.
PRO TIP:
Ask on the spot. Draft it for them and get permission to post.
CTA: This week, collect 3 testimonials and post them on your club website and social channels.
Sparkle & Shine, Friends!
Kelly Fallucca
VPPR, Public Speaking Northwest Toastmasters
D2 Area Director, C35
Connect with me on LinkedIn
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Timothy Caraway
Our Toastmasters community, like fabric, is the sum of all parts. When we add to our membership, our threads are indelibly impacted, creating a uniquely bespoke experience from which we derive our potent impacts. This week, we posthumously acknowledge one that moved amongst us.
Occasionally, in this life, we encounter a person who is larger than Life itself. Not someone who is famous, pretentious, wealthy or boastful, but a humble person whose hand is always outstretched in friendship and in joy to greet you, whose words are always delivered thoughtfully and with kindness, whose ear is always listening intently and without judgment, and whose eyes smile with an unabashed love for the Lord, and for you as a fellow human being.
Such a person was Tim Caraway, a member of Palmer Toastmasters in Alaska since 2014. Tim, age 66, passed away in early January after a 2 year battle with cancer.
Tim was a leader in Palmer Toastmasters during much of his Toastmaster membership, and in various capacities around our community here in southcentral Alaska. Tim was a fantastic story teller, and constantly dazzled us with his stories of wildlife encounters and experiences. He wrote, produced and directed a virtual Murder Mystery script for Palmer Toastmasters, all to great enjoyment from the cast and the audience. He was an avid and accomplished outdoorsman, a published author with several books in print, with a book series being considered for production as a movie. Tim achieved multi-level black belt in martial arts, and went on to develop his own self-defense program called Shoshindo. He was a commercial fisherman and entrepreneur, a youth minister to troubled teens, and a loving and devoted child of God, son, husband, father, and friend.
When asked how he was-even during the last 2 years of his life, Tim's response was always a lively and robust I AM FANTASTIC! During one of his several terms as club president, Tim added the word "audacious" as one of Palmer Toastmasters club values. Tim Caraway was audacious! His was a Life well lived. Our lives are blessed and enriched for having known him.
Palmer Toastmasters had a tribute event for Tim, before he passed, attended by his wife Kelly and son Titus, both of whom shared Palmer Toastmasters Club with Tim, and the entire extended Palmer Toastmasters Club family.
District 2 Toastmasters, let's celebrate the contribution Tim made to our community!
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TOASTMASTER PAUL PERRY WILL LEARN, TEACH, MENTOR, AND GROW AS FERNDALE'S NEWEST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER!
Congratulations, Paul! Thank you for showing how your Toastmasters accomplishments intersect with your professional pursuits.
Paul is a member of Barkley Toasters.
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Bravo to Arun, M.E., Tom, and Vernell — Well Earned. Well Done.
Stepping into a contest takes preparation, focus, and courage—and each Professionally Speaking contestant brought those qualities to the stage with professionalism and presence.
Professionally Speaking is an advanced Toastmasters club designed to help speakers grow faster and stronger.
Our signature, topic-specific evaluations sharpen skills and elevate
performance for professional speakers, speech contestants, and presenters of all kinds.
We meet on the first Thursday (hybrid) and third Thursday (Zoom) from
6:30–8:00 p.m. PST.
To learn more and to register for meetings, we invite you to visit https://www.prospeakerclub.com .
Sandra Kolb,, DTM
VP Education
vpe@prospeakerclub.com
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Don’t Be Afraid
Even the best things in life have their dark side. At this meeting, we’re going to look at the Dark Side of Toastmasters, in our safe, compassionate environment where we practice public speaking on deeply meaningful themes.
Frankly Speaking is a place to freely speak frankly, because what's said in Frankly, stays in Frankly.
Join us every 2nd Friday of the month at 7:00 – 8:30 pm Pacific on Zoom!
Meeting ID: 682 006 972
Password: 1909950
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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. | | | | |
