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There are twelve Toastmasters clubs in Russia today. All of them descendent from a single club chartered in 1990. The very club that was the product of a chartering trip spearheaded by Ralph Pehrson, DTM, a District 2 Toastmaster since November 1st, 1965. Sadly, Ralph passed away last month, at the age of ninety, leaving an unparalleled void in our District and two of our Toastmasters Clubs.
In his sixty years as a Toastmaster, Ralph served the organization and our community in myriad ways. As a Past District Governor (the precursor term for the District Director role), and a Presidential Citation Award recipient, he consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Toastmasters. He was active in strengthening our clubs and started Toastmasters Extraordinaires to provide advanced opportunities in our District. He was a long-term member of Seattle International 10 Toastmasters Club.
Ralph was a proponent of 'mission driven speaking.' He was often heard asking speakers to consider "why this speaker, to this audience, on this subject, at this time?" He could always be counted upon to extemporaneously, or with preparation, expound on various leadership topics as well as his decades of Toastmasters experiences.
Ralph's impact on the people, clubs, and community of District 2 Toastmasters is incalculable. He leaves behind a legacy of just what Toastmasters can bring about in a person who strives to be a better communicator and leader.
On behalf of District 2, we honor Ralph with this memorial.
District 2 Leadership Team, 2025-2026
CLUBS, PLEASE SHARE SIMILAR TRANSITIONS WITH YOUR AREA DIRECTOR.
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Save the Date! Leadership Summit
Get inspired to lead in 2026!
Join us in an evening of inspiration and growth!
We are excited to invite you to a hybrid District 2 Leadership Summit on Friday, January 23rd starting at 5:30 pm AK / 6:30 pm PT
In person location - Bellevue City Hall 450 110th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
A dynamic Leadership Summit featuring two inspiring keynote speakers: Nikki Malcolm, CEO and Executive Director of the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance, and Benny Mobley, District 2 International Speech Contest Winner. They will share insights on leadership at scale and regional impact and inspire through the power of communication, presence, and purposeful leadership.
More details to come!
Register Below:
Online Event
In Person Event
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Don’t Just Attend the Future—Help Design It.
Join Josh Hindman, the 2026 District 2 Conference Chair, and his team!
Wanted: Architects, Curators, & Storytellers
The gears are turning, the vision is set, and the excitement is building. As we look toward May 2026, I am thrilled to share a major update from the Conference Committee: The theme has been officially approved.
While we aren’t quite ready to pull back the curtain just yet, I can promise you this: the theme captures the essence of our evolution. As the very first conference in our newly expanded District, this event will absolutely set the tone for our future.
Behind the scenes, our leadership team is growing. We have recently filled several key committee roles with incredible talent, and the energy in our planning sessions is palpable. We are meticulously crafting an experience that honors our history while launching us into this new tech forward era.
Consider this your official "pre-announcement." The foundation is laid, the team is assembling, and the official theme reveal is coming soon. Trust me—it will be worth the wait.
Stay tuned, District 2. We are just getting started.
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
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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
| | More dates will be added soon! 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. | | |
🌟✨ SAVE THE DATE – Saturday, February 21, 2026 ✨🌟
D2 Area 32, 33, 35 International and Humorous Speech Contest
Toastmasters… get ready to
sparkle, shine, and be inspired!
The most anticipated season of the
year has arrived—CONTEST SEASON!
This year, three powerhouse leaders have joined forces to produce an unforgettable experience:
Katie Munoz – Area Director C32
Roxanne Spring, DTM – Area Director C33
Kelly Fallucca – Area Director C35
Together, they invite you to the most dazzling contest of the year!
The Sparkle & Shine - D2 International and Humorous Area Speech Contest
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
🌟Why You Will Love It
The Brightwater Center sets the stage—literally!
✔️ Raised stage & professional microphones
✔️ Elegant, inspiring venue
✔️ Continental brunch & snacks
✔️ High energy, high impact, high inspiration
Mark your calendars.
Bring your club members, family, and friends.
✨Come ready to sparkle & shine. ✨
To volunteer, please contact Katie Munoz at:
katie@serioustohilarious.com
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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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Your Voice Matters
Let’s Shape District 2 2Gether!
For this first week of 2026, we continue offering clubs the chance to earn a bonus $10 in District bucks by completing the Moments of Truth survey. The next Survey of the Week drawing will be from all participants in the District Moments of Truth survey. When completing your survey, think about what you want your club to do more of in 2026.
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. 25
The January Visibility Jumpstart for Clubs: Fast Ways to Gain New Members
January is “fresh start” season—make it easy for guests to find your club and say YES to membership!
Quick Wins to Boost Club Visibility
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Update your basics: Verify meeting time, location/Zoom link, and add a clear “Visit as a Guest” button. Confirm your listing on the Toastmasters Find a Club page.
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Host an Open House: Theme it “New Year, New Voice.” Simple agenda. Big welcome.
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Invite with intention: Every member invites one guest—coworker, neighbor, or friend.
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Post 3x weekly: Member spotlight, 10-second meeting clip, and a “what you’ll learn” graphic.
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Follow up fast: Contact guests within 24 hours with the next meeting date.
Consistency creates momentum.
In a visual world, you have milliseconds to earn a YES. Make them count!
CTA: Update your information and imagery today. Pick an Open
House date, assign invites, and watch your club grow with fresh energy and new members.
Sparkle & Shine, Friends!
Kelly Fallucca
VPPR, Public Speaking Northwest Toastmasters
D2 Area Director, C35
Connect with me on LinkedIn
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January is the one time of the year that still smells like possibility. Let’s talk about where we’re aiming and how we grow together while we get there.
Join Impromptus NW for an extemporaneous consideration of Carrying Forward on the evening of Monday, January 5th, 2026 at 7:30 pm PST on Zoom.
Zoom: https://bit.ly/43PUkzs
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Start your New Year's Resolution with DIRT!
Grow and Build your Skills with a 30 plus year club.
Start your New Year's Resolution and join Diamonds In the Rough Toastmasters Club for a fun night of speaking, listening, and evaluating in a relaxed and supportive environment. Our members come from a wide range of backgrounds, professions, and ages so everyone fits in here! Guests are always welcome!!
Our next Meeting is Thursday, January 8th, 2026 in person only.
We are currently meeting online and in-person (at Bothell Police Station) on the 2nd Thursday of the month and online-only on the 4th, 7:15 pm, - 8:15 pm PST.
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Start 2026 Dry?
Let’s Talk About Alcohol
At the upcoming Frankly Speaking Open House TM meeting, celebrate
your take on Dry January in a 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 Zoom Meeting.
https://bit.ly/4sf0HXD
Meeting ID: 682 006 972
Password: 1909950
Friday, January 9, 2026, 7:00 pm Pacific Time
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Panel Discussion: Personal Development Through Toastmasters
We’re diving deep into the "A-ha!" moments that turn speakers into leaders and members into mentors. This isn't just about speeches; it’s about the resilience, confidence, and life skills that stay with you long after the timer turns red.
JOIN US FOR THE SPARKLE & INSIGHT
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WHEN: Sunday, January 11th, 2026
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TIME: 7:00 PM PST
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WHERE: Bear Creek United Methodist Church
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16530 Avondale Rd NE, Woodinville, WA 98077
Why Attend?
- Unlock New Perspectives
- Identify Your 'Why'
- Network with Leaders
Come prepared to be inspired and leave with a new vision for your own development journey!
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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. | | | | |
