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As we step into 2026, I invite you to focus on something simple—but powerful: getting 1% better each day. Lasting growth isn’t built in big moments; it comes from small, intentional steps taken consistently. That 1% might be reading a leadership role description, drafting a single speech idea, or checking on your Pathways progress. Over time, those small actions lead to bigger moments—stepping into a leadership role, participating in the speech contest, or completing a level in Pathways. Each step builds confidence, strengthens leadership, and expands what’s possible. Wherever you are today, District 2 is a place to learn, practice, and grow together.
You don’t need to be ready—just willing to take the next 1%.
Happy New Year, District 2! The best is yet to come!
Anu Jokinen
District Director, 2025-2026
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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
History in the Making: The Future of District 2
“Stronger Together – Powered by the Future” (Pending WHQ Approval) marks the historic debut of our new District 2. We aren’t just planning a conference; we are building a legacy.
The "No-Burnout" Pledge
Hesitant to lead? We’re rewriting the script. We utilize friendly, modern tech as your "co-pilot" to automate administrative grunt work. You focus on creativity, not clutter. These roles are fully HPL Ready.
Casting 6 Visionaries:
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Contest Chair: Know the rules and work closely with the district Chief Judge while curating an amazing contest experience for all.
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Finance Chair: Explore smart software to handle the math; you focus on funding the dream.
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Operations Architect: Strategy over spreadsheets.
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Experience Director: Curate interactive moments, not just lectures.
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Brand Storyteller: Craft the narrative of this historic merger.
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Strategic Partner: We automate the leads; you build the relationships.
The Deadline
We value momentum over perfection. The window to join this founding team closes December 31st. Let's Start the New Year with a full team!
Conference Date: May 16, 2026
Ready to lead?
Email TMJoshHindman@gmail.com to claim your role.
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District 2 Town Hall - January 2026
Let's Get 2gether on the 2nd!
We will kick off the first District 2 Town Hall of 2026 with a special guest!
Our District Webmaster, Leah Ammon, will give us a live walkthrough of Phase 1 of the new District 2 website!
This is your opportunity to share feedback, ask questions, and help shape Phase 2 of the site. We’ll also share key district updates and open the floor for conversation, ideas, and Q&A.
Your voice matters, and we hope you’ll join the conversation as we shape what’s next for District 2 together.
📅 January 2, 2026
⏰ 11:00 AM AK / 12:00 PM PT
Register 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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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.
COT Training Spreadsheet
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🌟✨ 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!
Winner for the week of December 22 is Sean Eiholzer, Chinook Club.
Thank you Sean for helping your club complete its Great Strides goals.
For this final week of 2025, 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 December Charter Anniversaries
December Charter Anniversaries
Congratulations to all the Clubs celebrating chartering in the month of December!
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. 24
Produce Your Powerful Presence™: Experience vs. Event
An event is scheduled. An experience is felt.
At a Toastmasters contest, logistics create the event—but presence creates the experience.
An event says: Here’s the agenda.
An experience says: You belong here. Something meaningful is happening.
How to Create an Experience at Your International and Humorous Speech Contest
- Lead with energy: Set the emotional tone, not just the rules.
- Design moments: Openings, transitions, and finales matter.
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Invite connection: Speak with the audience, not at them.
- Honor the room: Contestants, judges, and guests all shape the magic.
- Close intentionally: Leave people inspired, not just entertained.
CTA: Before your next contest, ask: What do we want people to feel when they leave?
Then, do not just host the event—produce the experience. ✨
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.
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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DELIGHTFUL? OR DEMONIC?
In Honor Of Dry January, Let’s Talk About Alcohol
Humans, other mammals, and birds -- we all seek out fermented fruits and vegetables, yet it affects each of us differently. At the upcoming Frankly Speaking Open House TM meeting, let’s explore the nuances of alcohol together.
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.
Online the 2nd Friday of the month
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/682006972
https://bit.ly/4sf0HXD
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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. | | | | |
