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District 2 Declaration of Distinguished
This past weekend we celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence AND kicked off the new Toastmasters year. You may be asking, “What insights can we draw from the Declaration of Independence as we set our goals for 2026-2027?”
1. Declaration of Intention: Just as the representatives of the thirteen colonies declared to the world their intentions of the future, representatives of the district declare that District 2 will set forth a course of actions to become a Distinguished District.
2. Effective Communication: The Declaration was a pivotal document that communicated the colonies' desire for independence, Toastmasters focuses on honing communication skills. We will levy the knowledge of our clubs to fulfill the district mission to develop a success plan that will “build new clubs and support all clubs in achieving excellence.”
3. Leadership Principles: The Declaration of Independence highlights the importance of leadership in the fight for freedom. In Toastmasters, you can set goals to take on leadership roles, mirroring the leadership qualities displayed by the Founding Fathers. This can include leading meetings, mentoring others, and participating in club and district events.
4. Empowerment and Advocacy: The Declaration advocates for the rights and empowerment of individuals. Similarly, Toastmasters promotes personal growth and self-advocacy through public speaking. Setting goals to share your story or advocate for a cause in a speech can reflect the spirit of empowerment found in the Declaration.
5. Civic Engagement: The Declaration was a call to action for civic engagement and participation in governance. Toastmasters encourages members to engage with their communities and share the benefits of a Toastmasters membership. Participating in community events connects the historical context of the Declaration with modern public speaking endeavors.
6. Pursuit of Happiness: The Declaration emphasizes the pursuit of happiness as an inalienable right. In Toastmasters, empowering our members to develop communication and leadership skills results in individual fulfillment and happiness. By setting goals that align with personal passions, members can pursue their version of happiness while embodying the ideals of the Declaration.
Drawing inspiration from the Declaration of Independence to motivate your 2026-2027 Toastmasters journey, what will be your club’s Declaration of Distinguished? Communicate with fellow club members and district leaders what support you need to reach your goals. Through district and community engagement, we will celebrate July 4, 2027, a Distinguished District.
Roberta Craig, DTM, District 2 Director
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District 2 Toastmasters are thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations to our very own Angela Ritchey for being awarded the prestigious Toastmasters Presidential Citation Award!
To put the magnitude of this achievement into perspective, this honor is intensely selective: out of more than 270,000 members spanning over 14,000 clubs worldwide, only about 15 individuals are selected globally each year by the International President. This means recipients represent roughly the top 0.005% of Toastmasters worldwide, making it one of the rarest and highest forms of recognition for exemplary service and dedication in the organization.
Shining a Light on the Great Pacific Northwest Angela’s unwavering dedication serves as a powerful reminder of the leadership talent thriving in our neck of the woods. Angela takes on officer roles, to training and facilitation, to chairing alignments and elegantly representing the unique needs of Alaska and District 2. Bridging the vast landscapes of Alaska across the waters of District 2 and throughout Region 1, our communities are built on a foundation of mutual support, bold storytelling, and structural excellence. Angela personifies just such foundational capacities.
Angela, thank you for your incredible commitment and for putting a brilliant spotlight on Alaska, District 2, and the greater Pacific Northwest Region. Your leadership inspires us all to reach higher, speak bolder, and serve our communities with distinction.
Please join us in celebrating Angela’s historic achievement! Drop her a note of congratulations, or give her a well-deserved shout-out at your next club meeting.
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WE WILL DREAM BIG IN 2026-2027
DISTRICT 2 MONTHLY NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION
LAUNCHING ON JULY31ST, 2026!
BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE SPARKLING SYNERGISTS
REGISTER NOW!
| | | COT: THROUGH AUGUST 31, 2026 | |
7/2/2026 UPDATE!
Toastmasters International announced a NEW 3 HOUR CLUB OFFICER TRAINING PROGRAM. Attending one of these COTs will satisfy Officer Training Requirements for this round.
Additionally, the Program Quality Team announced, on 7/2/2026, that if you attend the Legacy COT (7/8/26 & 7/15/26 scheduled in D2 so far) for your specific officer role, you will also satisfy the requirements for this round.
Alternately, District 2 is offering 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. All attendance combinations will count.
Direct questions to Marty Varela at D2TM.PRC@GMAIL.COM on behalf of the Program Quality Team.
| | | COT VIRTUAL | TUESDAY, JULY 7TH
9:00 AM T0 10:00 AM | CANVA
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | WEDNESDAY, JULY 8TH
12:00 PM TO 1:00 PM | ALL OFFICERS
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | THURSDAY, JULY 9TH
4:00 PM TO 5:00 PM | FTH/EASYSPEAK
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | FRIDAY, JULY 10TH
5:00 PM TO 6:00 PM | CLUB SUCCESS PLAN
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | SATURDAY, JULY 11TH
2:00 PM TO 3:00 PM | SOCIAL MEDIA
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | WEDNESDAY, JULY 15TH
6:00 PM T0 7:15 PM | ALL OFFICERS
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | TUESDAY, JULY 14TH
6:30 PM TO 8:30 PM | VPE W/LAURA
REGISTER HERE | | COT VIRTUAL | SATURDAY, JULY 18TH
9:00 AM TO 10:00 AM | SOCIAL MEDIA W/KELLY
REGISTER HERE | | |
A Special Message From Our
District Director, Roberta Craig, DTM
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We have had a fast start to the new program year! Fresh off the accomplishments of a pivotal period in our realigned District. We have built connections, created success and cultivated community. We are in the midst of momentum! It might be tempting to coast a bit, but I'm encouraging you to keep moving. Our trajectory is fueled by us all. I ask you to Dream Big! As you're revving up for the year and strategizing how to accomplish new and loftier goals, don't forget the tools that are available to you in District 2.
Our Advanced Clubs are an often overlooked resource. These are the spaces where we take the fundamentals learned in our home clubs and stretch them. Pushing ourselves to do things that we never thought possible, we are exponentially amplifying the benefits. This Saturday morning, at 9:00 am PDT online, we will assemble District 2 Advanced Clubs to offer a single spot where you can learn their specialties, foci and expertise in an informative and innovative way. This event is for you, and I challenge you to come and be compelled to take your communication game higher!
Roberta Craig, District Director
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VPPR TIPS to Produce Your Powerful Presence™ – No. 51
REGISTER TODAY - CLUB OFFICER TRAINING STOP THE SCROLL: Social Media Made Easy
Hi friends, please join me for this action-packed officer training, where I will share my STOP Method and much more. I look forward to learning what your clubs are doing to stop the scroll!
REGISTER TODAY
Saturday, July 18th 2026
Location: Online via Zoom
Time: 8:00-9:00 AM Alaska// 9:00-10:00 AM Pacific
EVENT DETAILS
Want your Toastmasters club to stand out, attract more guests, and create social media posts people actually notice—without pulling your hair out?
Join Kelly Fallucca for a practical, behind-the-scenes look at how she plans, manages, and uses social media to increase club visibility, attract prospective members, strengthen engagement, and make her club more memorable.
Learn the STOP Method
S — Set Your Strategy
Identify your audience, goal, and core message before you post.
T — Target the Right Platforms
Focus your time and energy where your ideal guests are most likely to find you.
O — Own Your Brand
Maintain consistent Toastmasters branding while creating posts that feel fresh, relevant, and engaging.
P — Post, Promote, and Prove
Build a simple posting plan and learn what to track so you know what is working.
Throughout the training, Kelly will also share her favorite social media tools and introduce her Play, Pause, Do Method© so you can create club content in a fun and easy way.
Please note: This is not a step-by-step content-creation class. It is a practical social media strategy session that counts toward Club Officer Training.
A Q&A session will be included as time permits. Attendees may also email questions directly to Kelly afterward at: k@kellyafallucca.com
Special Bonus: One attendee will win a custom, evergreen marketing piece produced by Kelly specifically for their Toastmasters club!
Stop posting just to post. Start creating social media that connects.
Save the date, reserve the hour, and get ready to STOP THE SCROLL!
REGISTER TODAY ON THE D2 WEBSITE :
This Week’s Challenge:
Create one piece of content that solves a problem for potential guests and post it on your current social media channels. Need content ideas? Join us Saturday, July 18th
Sparkle & Shine, Friends!
Kelly Fallucca
VPPR, Public Speaking Northwest Toastmasters
D2 Distinguished Area Director, C35
Connect with me on LinkedIn
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VINCENT ZHAO
Vincent currently serves as VP Public Relations (previously Club President) of Bauer SpeakEasys Club. Vincent has been instrumental in visionary leadership, fostering collaboration and ensuring that the club is a premier destination for developing communication and leadership skills.
His focus on strategic goals towards club's success and creating an inclusive environment has set a new standard for the toastmasters community. He run's every meeting with a positive attitude and goes the extra mile, taking time to recognize the personal achievements of all members.
Vincent also helps the members enroll in workshops and, even assembles other Toastmaster community leaders and active members from other clubs to provide all members with a richer learning experience.
The Toastmasters spirit he embodies is encouraging and sets the tone for everyone's success. He exemplifies the high standard from which we all benefit in District 2.
Thank you Vincent!
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Evaluation Excellence Workshop
By Eastside Leaders Toastmasters - An Advanced Club
EASTSIDE LEADERS TOASTMASTERS
SPECIAL ONLINE WORKSHOP
Evaluation Excellence Workshop
Master the Art of Effective Feedback
Learn from Tom Hagar, DTM
Want to give evaluations that are insightful, encouraging, and memorable?
Join Eastside Leaders Toastmasters for a special skills workshop with Tom Hagar, DTM, and learn how to deliver evaluations that are clear, constructive, and memorable.
Gain practical techniques to encourage growth, motivate speakers, and make every evaluation more impactful.
Tuesday, July 14 | Arrive 6:45 PM | Meeting 7:00–8:30 PM
Hosted by Eastside Leaders Toastmasters
WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
✓ Structure evaluations for maximum impact
✓ Deliver feedback with confidence and tact
✓ Encourage growth while motivating speakers
✓ Apply techniques used by experienced Toastmasters Leaders & Evaluators
REGISTER TODAY
Reserve your spot online using this Zoom Link:
https://tinyurl.com/5t2vtwwk
We Look Forward to Seeing You!
EASTSIDE LEADERS TOASTMASTERS
Where Leaders Are Made
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Where Experienced Speakers Refine Their Edge
Whether you are a speech contestant, public or professional
speaker, or presenter looking to refine your craft, Professionally Speaking provides every speaker with 17 minutes of in-depth, topic-specific feedback designed to sharpen skills and elevate performance.
You're invited to accelerate your growth, expand your reach, and achieve more with us.
Thursday, July 16, 2026
6:30–8:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time
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You're invited to accelerate your growth, expand your reach,
and achieve more with us.
Thursday, July 16, 2026
6:30–8:30 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time
Join us on Zoom or in person—details are available on our
homepage: https://www.prospeakerclub.com.
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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. | | | | |
