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. Please check below schedule.
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 21ST
12:00PM TO 1:00 PM | CANVA FREE
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | TUESDAY, JULY 21ST
1:30 PM TO 2:30 PM | FREETOASTHOST
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | TUESDAY, JULY 21ST
3:00 PM TO 4:00 PM | TI WEBSITE
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | WEDNESDAY, JULY 22ND
10:00 AM TO 11:00 AM | PROSPECTIVE MBR MANAGEMENT
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | WEDNESDAY, JULY 22ND
3:00 PM TO 4:00 PM | SOCIAL MEDIA
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | THURSDAY, JULY 23RD
4:30 PM TO 5:39 PM | FACEBOOK W/SHAR
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | FRIDAY, JULY 24TH
5:00 PM TO 6:00 PM | ZOOM BEGINNERS
W/DENNIS
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | FRIDAY, JULY 24TH
6:30 PM TO 7:30 PM | ZOOM ADVANCED W/DENNIS
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | FRIDAY, JULY 24TH
9:00 PM TO 10:00 PM | CANVA PRO
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | SATURDAY, JULY 25TH
5:00 PM TO 6:00 PM | PROSPECTIVE MEMBER MANAGEMENT
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | SUNDAY, JULY 26TH
7:30 PM TO 8:30 PM | easySPEAK
BUILD 1 OF 4
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | MONDAY, JULY 27TH
12:00 PM TO 1:00 PM | CLUB SUCCESS PLAN W/ROXANNE
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | MONDAY, JULY 27TH
4:30 PM TO 5:30 PM | FACEBOOK W/SHAR
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!
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VPPR TIPS to Produce Your Powerful Presence™ – No. 53
SHOW ME THE TRANSFORMATION!
In the memorable Tom Cruise film Jerry Maguire, one line became unforgettable: “Show me the money!”
For speakers, the challenge is similar: “Show me the transformation!”
Strong speakers do more than explain an idea—they help the audience see what changes because the idea was implemented.
Instead of saying, “Toastmasters builds confidence,” show the transformation. Describe the member who once avoided eye contact, rushed through every speech, and feared being called on. Then reveal what changed after consistent practice, feedback, and encouragement.
Before-and-after stories make an idea believable. Demonstrations make it visible. Real examples make it memorable. The same principle applies to leadership, communication, and calls to action. Do not simply tell your audience that a habit, tool, or decision works. Show them what life looked like before, what action was taken, and what became possible afterward. Transformation gives your message proof. It allows the audience to picture themselves making the same change.
This Week’s Challenge
In your next speech, meeting role, or club conversation, replace one general claim with a specific before-and-after example. Do not just tell us the value—show us the transformation.
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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Brian Lysaght
Brian is the VP of Education of Sammamish Speechmakers Toastmasters Club. Brian has been pivotal in driving educational excellence, fostering growth, and ensuring that our club remains a premier destination for developing communication and leadership skills. His dedication to strategic planning and helping each member reach their Pathways goals or even to get to their first speech has elevated the quality of our meetings and set a high standard for our entire community.
The welcoming energy Brian brings to every session creates a space where members feel safe taking risks and trying new speech roles. He truly models the kind of patient, thoughtful leadership that brings out the best in our entire club.
The culture of excellence Brian fosters is inspiring, setting a benchmark for supportive leadership across District 2. He consistently leads by example, showing us how structured guidance and genuine support can transform everyday speakers into confident leaders.
Thank you Brian!
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Looking for a Fun Hybrid Toastmasters CLUB?
Where Experienced Speakers Refine Their Edge
Whether you prefer the energy of an in-person room or the convenience of dialing in from anywhere, Bauer SpeakEasys Toastmasters offers the ideal hybrid space to elevate your communication and leadership skills. Our club brings together a supportive community of professionals, continuous skill-building, and high-quality feedback to help you grow your confidence, whether you are presenting in a board room or over Zoom.
Join Us Every Friday at Noon (Hybrid & Online Options)
We meet every Friday at 12:00 PM PST via Zoom, with regular in-person opportunities in Redmond at Microsoft Building 32 (every 2nd Friday of the month).
You get the flexibility to choose how you participate without missing a beat in your professional growth. Ready to take the next step in your public speaking journey? Visit our website to request a guest link and experience our welcoming, high-energy environment firsthand!
See you on Friday, July 25, 2026 at noon
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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. | | | | |
