FROM YOUR DISTRICT DIRECTOR
Thank You to Our Clubs!
District 2 extends our deep appreciation to all clubs that submitted their Club Success Plans and renewed a minimum of eight members by September 30th.
Your proactive leadership and commitment to excellence help lay the groundwork for a strong and successful Toastmasters year. Thank you for modeling collaboration, organization, and dedication — the very qualities that make our District thrive.
Together, we’re building momentum for another outstanding quarter ahead. We look forward to celebrating your continued achievements in the months to come!
Club Success Plans submitted by 9.30.25
Club Renewals submitted by 9.30.25
Anu Jokinen
District Director, 2025 - 2026
| | | | Division C | Area 31 | Amazon Toastmasters Day 1 Club | 7 Members | | Division D | Area 42 | Costco Techmasters | 16 Members | | Division D | Area 44 | Rhetoracles Toastmasters Club | 5 Members | | Division F | Area 62 | Bainbridge Island Club | 5 Members | | | |
Celebrating Club Achievement: The Smedley Award
Congratulations to Outstanding Clubs
We are proud to recognize the following clubs for their remarkable achievements in membership growth. Between August 1 and September 30, these clubs successfully added five or more new, dual, or reinstated members. Their dedication to expanding the Toastmasters community is truly commendable.
Understanding the Smedley Award
The Smedley Award is named after Ralph Smedley, the founder of Toastmasters. Toastmasters International established this award as a way to encourage club growth through a special membership-building contest period. It marks the first of three membership-building contests held throughout the Toastmasters program year. Earning the Smedley Award is a significant honor and represents a high distinction within the organization. To learn more, click here.
Well done! May your clubs continue to have success and growth.
Joanna L. Tavera, DTM
District 2 Club Growth Director 2025-2026
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Your Voice Matters
Let’s Shape District 2 2Gether!
What’s on your mind? What fuels your growth? What do you want more of in your Toastmasters journey?
Every week, we share one short survey to help us get to know you better — your goals, your challenges, your ideas. It’s our way of listening so we can build stronger clubs, better opportunities, and an experience that truly fits what you need.
Your feedback isn’t just data — it’s a spark for positive change. Take a minute this week to share your thoughts and help us keep Toastmasters member-focused and future-ready.
One survey. One minute. One stronger community.
Take the Survey of the Week!
We’ll be featuring a different survey each week and sharing 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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Unlock Your Potential At A Pathways Office Hour!
Bring Your Questions!
Curious about Pathways or need guidance on your Toastmasters journey? We’re here to help! Wondering what the new 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 this Wednesday for the next Pathways Office Hour:
•Date: Thursday October 9th
•Time: 7:00 – 8:00 PM Pacific Time, 6:00 – 7:00 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.
Visit the District 2 Event Calendar for Pathways Office Hours in November, and December.
For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to Karen Lezon
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Would you like to help your Club grow, be more productive, and improve your Members engagement?
One of the tools that Toastmasters offers is the Moments of Truth (MoT) process.
The process is designed to help Clubs take an introspective look at how they work, how they believe they are perceived, and what they could do to improve.
To start a MoT process for your Club, please have a Club Officer send an email with your Club name, Club number, and contact name and email to the MoT Chair, Richard Ripley (Richard.Ripley@comcast.net).
Please use a subject line of “MoT process request, club name and number”
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SPEAKERS BUREAU EXPANSION
Calling Speakers & Club Coaches
Are you a club coach eager for help in
building your club back to Distinguished? Or are you an experienced speaker seeking opportunities to spread your wings and speak your message outside your home club? Then the District 2 Speakers Bureau is for you.
Our mission this year is to bring struggling clubs and experienced speakers
together for the benefit of both.
If you are a club coach eager for guest speakers, or a VPE looking to fill speaker spots at an open house, please contact me, Bob King, DTM, Speakers Bureau Chair, with
details on the meeting time and date, and desired topics. Please let me know at
least 1-2 weeks in advance of the event, so speakers can be fully prepared.
If you are an experienced speaker in search of a speaking opportunity, please contact me with a brief bio, topics you would like to speak on, and a 2 minute video giving an example of your speaking style. Nothing fancy, just something to give us an idea of who you are.
Thanks - we look forward to helping District 2 grow and prosper:)
Bob King DTM
D2 Speakers
Bureau 2025-2026
425-830-2602
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YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM OPPORTUNITY
Do you belong to a club with members who want to participate in a YLP program?
Serve as a coordinator or mentor, in a program to help youth in your community become better leaders and and more confident communicators.
Are you looking to get credit toward your DTM?
Please reach out to the YLP Chair, Anand Vijayachandran, to learn more.
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Why discomfort is often a sign you’re stretching, connecting, and improving
by Vincent Tang
Earlier this month, I found myself on stage–tired, underprepared, and looking out at a room full of guests. My breath was uneven, my words stumbled, and I kept wondering if my message was even landing. After these 7 years in Toastmasters, shouldn’t I be past this?
But then it hit me: maybe nervousness isn’t something to get rid of. Maybe it’s something to embrace.
Sure, there are plenty of tricks–deep breathing, pausing for effect, drinking water, but here’s what I’ve started telling myself when the nerves kick in:
If I’m nervous, I’m growing.
Comfort usually means I’m doing something I already know. Nerves mean that I’m pushing myself. Whether it’s tackling a new Pathways project or stepping into leadership, that shaky feeling is proof I’m stretching.
If I’m nervous, I can connect.
When we admit our nerves, we give others something to relate to. “I was nervous too” builds more trust than pretending we never feel it. Vulnerability creates stories people actually remember.
If I’m nervous, it’s a reminder to prepare.
That queasy feeling is often just my brain saying, “I don’t feel ready.” And that’s okay. I don’t have to be perfect, just prepared to the best of my ability. Not anyone else’s.
After my speech, the feedback reminded me it wasn’t my strongest performance and that’s fair. Sometimes we do give it our best and sometimes (like this time) we see gaps we can work on next time. I was happy I finished, breathed, and kept going. That’s the part I’m choosing to hold on to. Nervousness isn’t an identity, it’s a signal. It’s a reminder to recognize the effort we’ve put in and to notice where we can grow.
Winston Churchill once said, “Success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.”
So let’s keep going, Toastmasters. Nervous, imperfect, and courageous.
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VPPR TIPS to Produce Your Powerful Presence™ – No. 12
Stretch, Sweat, Speak: Stealing Secrets from Sports Stars
Ever wonder why athletes look so confident before the big game? It’s not just talent—it’s preparation, mindset, and ritual. And guess what? Speakers can steal the same playbook.
Stretch. Just like athletes loosen up their muscles, speakers can loosen up their voices and bodies. Try a quick vocal warm-up: say “me–may–mah–mo–moo” in a singsong tone to open your range and relax your voice. Add a few shoulder rolls and you’re stage-ready.
Sweat. Athletes don’t skip practice, and neither should speakers. Rehearse your speech out loud, with movement, to build muscle memory so delivery feels natural under pressure.
Speak. When the lights are on, athletes trust their training and focus on the game. Speakers need to do the same: trust your prep, step into presence, and deliver with energy.
💪 Toastmasters: where speaking strength is built, one rep at a time!
Until next time… ✨
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Public Speaking Northwest Toastmasters Website
Public Speaking Northwest Toastmasters YouTube Channel
Sparkle & Shine, Friends!
Kelly Fallucca
VPPR, Public Speaking Northwest Toastmasters
D2 Area Director, C35
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🌿 Monday Writing Minute with Amanda
How to Start a Journal Practice: A Gentle Guide to Reconnecting with Your Voice
In the whirlwind of meetings, deadlines, and daily demands, it’s easy to lose touch with your inner voice. Journaling offers a quiet space to listen, reflect, and realign. Whether you're a Toastmaster refining your message or a creative soul seeking clarity, this practice can be a powerful companion.
Why Journal?
- To hear yourself think
- To process emotions safely
- To explore ideas before sharing them
Journaling isn’t about being eloquent—it’s about being honest. It’s a space where your thoughts can land without judgment, and your story can unfold without interruption.
Getting Started
- Choose a notebook or digital space that feels inviting
- Set a time—5 minutes is enough
- Begin with a prompt or a feeling
Start small. Let your journal be a place of curiosity, not performance.
Prompts to Try
- “Today I feel…”
- “What I wish I could say is…”
- “One thing I’m proud of…”
- “If I could speak freely, I’d say…”
These prompts are invitations—not obligations. Use them as springboards into your own truth.
Tips for Consistency
- Keep it simple: no rules, no judgment
- Write at the same time each day or week
- Use visuals, doodles, or lists if words feel hard
Consistency builds trust with yourself. Even a few lines can shift your perspective.
Final Thought
Your journal is a mirror, not a performance. Let it reflect your truth, gently and without expectation.
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THE HARVEST MOON
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7th, 2025
7:30 PM TO 8:30 PM PDT
LIGHTWORKERS
Join us in person:
2401 S. Jackson St
Seattle, WA 98144
Join us on Zoom
Tuesday, October 7th, at 7:30 PM PDT Time/6:30 PM AKT. Doors open at 7:00 PM PDT/6:00 PM AKT
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BUILD WITH US!
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8th, 2025
7:00 PM TO 8:30 PM PDT
Join us this Wednesday as we strengthen our Toastmasters foundation
We are on Zoom PW legolego
Wednesday, October 8th,
at 7:00 PM PDT/6:00 PM AKT.
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TWENTY YEARS!
2005 to 2025
STORY WEAVERS
It's our charterversary! Two decades of using stories to amplify our talks!
We are on Zoom on the first and third Mondays Next meeting is October 9th, at 6:00 PM PDT Time/5:00 PM AKT. Virtual doors open at 5:45 PM PDT/4:45 PM AKT
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CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE!
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9th, 2025
7:30 PM TO 9:00 PM PDT
THE IMPROMPTUS NW
Bringing you an off-the-cuff experience that cannot be predicted, but is guaranteed to be fun! Come curious and leave confident!
Join us on Zoom on Thursday, October 9th, at 7:30 PM PDT Time/6:30 PM AKT. Doors open at 7:15 PM PDT/6:15 PM AKT
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FRANKLY SPEAKING
What happens in Frankly stays in Frankly! This will be especially important as we tackle TOUCH for the theme of Friday's meeting!
We look forward to welcoming you on Zoom on Friday, October 10th, at 7:00 PM PDT Time/6:00 PM AKT.
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Seattle International 10 Toastmasters
Spooktacular Open House on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 1 to 2:30 pm.
Please join our virtual meeting with a costume and a willingness to learn from some exceptional speakers and storytellers. Prizes will be given to the best costumes.
To attend the virtual event, please use our Zoom room.
Contact Event Chair, Molly George. for more information.
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Toastmasters Extraordinaires Invites You!
BACK TO BASICS
Saturday, November 1st, 2025
We are using the tried and true meeting format for our Back to Basics hybrid meeting.
Join us in person at the Edmonds Library at 650 Main St. Edmonds, WA, 98020-3056 or via Zoom,
Saturday, November 1st, at 10:30 AM PDT Time/9:30 AM AKT.
Zoom doors open at 10:00 AM PDT/9:00 AM AKT
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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:
- 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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Starburst Suggestion Box
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. | | | | |
