Hello Toastmaster!

District 2 Events & News

COLLABORATE 2GETHER!

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

“Stronger Together – Powered by the Future” (Pending World Head Quarters Approval) is the first conference to unite our new District 2. This is a historic experience!

If you have hesitated to lead because of burnout, know this:

We are doing this differently. We utilize modern tools to help automate administrative clutter so you can focus on creativity. Plus, these strategic roles satisfy major Level 4 & 5 Pathways project requirements (HPL ready).

I am casting for four key innovators:

The Operations Architect (Logistics): Provide the strategy to connect our districts; our systems track the details.

The Experience Director (Education): Move from "lectures" to "moments." Curate sessions that prioritize interaction.

The Brand Storyteller (Marketing): Craft the narrative of this merger and create digital buzz.

The Strategic Partner (Sponsorship): Fuel the vision. We generate the leads; you build the relationships.

Join a team that values momentum over perfection.

Email: tmjoshhindman@gmail.com to claim your role.

District 2 extends a warm welcome to the Charter Members of Tree Top Toastmasters and Synonym Toast Crunch! May you enjoy many speeches, leadership opportunities, and personal growth ahead!

Club Name: Tree Top Toastmasters

Club Number: CB-28679216

Charter Date: 14 November 2025

Area 72 Division G

Special Recognition:

Kevin Holland, Tree Top Toastmasters Coordinator and catalyst in starting the Tree Top Toastmasters Club.
New Club Sponsors: Sam Cooley and Anu Jokinen. Thank you for your leadership and sharing your Toastmasters knowledge.
New Club Mentors: Sam Cooley and Lucia Lara. Thank you for your commitment to the foundational success of Tree Top Toastmasters.

Club Name: Synonym Toast Crunch

Club Number: CB-28679492

Charter Date: 25 November 2025

Area 55 Division E

Special Recognition:

Tessa Clements, Synonym Toast Crunch Coordinator and champion to see the Administrative Office of the Courts charter the club
New Club Sponsors: Michael “Mikey” Miller and Cheryl Marks. Your commitment over the past year has been fruitful.
New Club Mentors: Cynthia Sanderson and Cheryl Marks. Thank you for continuing leadership in support of Synonym Toast Crunch’s success.

On behalf of District 2 and the Club Growth Team may you have many successful years.

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

DATE	TIME	LOCATION	TOPIC
17 DEC 2025	7-8 PM PST	ZOOM	PATHWAYS
21 JAN 2026	12-1 PM PST	ZOOM	COT
28 JAN 2026	6-7:15 PM PST	ZOOM	COT

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

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

Your Voice Matters

Let’s Shape District 2 2Gether!

Last week's winner is Kenneth Vaughan of Valley Toastmasters Club.

As we take time to enjoy family and friends over the holidays, the TRIO would like you to think about your Toastmasters family. What do you want to experience more of over the next six months, in your club and in the District. To this end, we encourage you to participate in the District's Moments of Truth Survey as the Survey of the Week for the next two weeks.

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.

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

CREATE 2GETHER!

VPPR TIPS to Produce Your Powerful Presence™ – No. 22

YOUR Mood and Presence are Contagious....Make Yours Worth Catching

The holidays often come with extra sparkle… and extra stress.

Deadlines tighten, emotions run high, and even the most grounded leaders can feel stretched thin.

But here’s the truth: Your presence sets the tone. At home. At work. In every room you enter.

When you show up frazzled, people feel it.

When you show up centered, people follow it.

That’s leadership — not a title, but an energy you choose on purpose.

This season, be the calm in the chaos. Be the light in the noise.

Be the presence others are grateful to catch.

⭐ Weekly Presence Challenge: The 10-Second Reset

Before every meeting, conversation, or holiday interaction:

Pause for 10 seconds.
Inhale slowly through your nose.
Exhale like you’re fogging a mirror.
Ask yourself: “What energy do I want to lead with?”
Walk in with that.

Do it daily— you will notice the shift.

Do it weekly — others will notice your shift.

Presence is produced… not by accident, but by intention.

Sparkle & Shine, Friends!

Kelly Fallucca

VPPR, Public Speaking Northwest Toastmasters

D2 Area Director, C35

Connect with me on LinkedIn

Stela Nuranty

Stela has been the best VPPR Northeast Seattle Toastmasters has ever had. One of her most recent accomplishments was the video she put together featuring multiple members extolling how Toastmasters has helped them. You can see it on the new YouTube Channel she created and also on our website.

She also is very creative when publishing to our Facebook, Instagram, and other social media pages. We just had our Annual Winter Holiday party and she captured photos and videos that really show what this party was like. Check it out here!!

She regularly posts photos and bios of our new members and Fun Facts about our officers on social media. She also posts tips of the week, quotes from famous Toastmasters, and other great odds and ends about Toastmasters.

She is one of our most enthusiastic members and often gives speeches containing great life hacks.

Notice an outstanding Toastmaster?

Nominate them to be featured here!

CELEBRATE 2GETHER!

Club Events & News

Dear Toastmasters,

We’re excited to invite you to celebrate the season together at Eastside Toastmasters Annual Holiday Party and Potluck on Thursday, December 18, 6:30 - 8:00pm (Pacific).

Family and friends are warmly invited, so feel free to bring guests!

Potluck Sign-Up Here.

In-Person Location:

Creekside Covenant Church

2315 173rd Ave NE, Redmond

Directions Here.

Hybrid Option Available:

If you can’t attend in person, join us via Zoom using our regular meeting link.

Let’s wrap up the year with great food, great company, and great Toastmasters spirit! We hope to see you there!

Songs, Stories, and Celebration

Professionally Speaking's Annual Holiday Event

December 18, 2025, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

’Tis the season of giving. Toastmasters at Pro will give of ourselves at this annual holiday gathering! We look forward to welcoming visitors.

The gifts we give cost nothing. They're freely shared to brighten the year-end: a short story, a touching speech, a poem, or a joke.

We look forward to shining light into the lives of our fellow Toastmasters.

Every December, the Toastmasters at Professionally Speaking give of ourselves at this virtual holiday gathering. We look forward to welcoming visitors to Zoom in along with us!

Learn More at: Professionally Speaking Advanced Club

Get Ready for Contest Season

Dec 19th Meeting of Next Level Advanced Toastmasters Club

Join Next Level Advanced Toastmasters Club at its next online monthly meeting on December 19th to learn about a specific contest rule, witness a judges' ballot evaluation and even practice your contest speech!

Next Level Advanced is unlike other Toastmasters Clubs. It is geared to contest preparation and practice and participants hear speeches and receive feedback from experienced Toastmasters and past District leaders.

We have one additional speaking slot available, open to any interested Toastmaster, especially if you wish to practice a contest speech!

Come join us on Friday, December 19, 2025

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. PST/5:00 - 6:30 p.m. AKST

Contest Confidential: Session Five of the Contest Prep Series

Presented by Leading Edge Toastmasters

Uncomfortable Growth: Compete at Least Once!

Featured Speaker: Oksana Willeke

___________________________________

The secret to World Champion speaking isn't what you think! 🤫

Oksana Willeke, in her speech 'Uncomfortable Growth: Compete at Least Once!’, will break down her biggest mistakes during the contest and reveal the essential preparation tip she accidentally stumbled upon - a method later confirmed by World Champion of Public Speaking 2023 Jocelyn B. Tyson herself.

Come find out how performing under pressure gives you the confidence currency you can cash in for your career!

📅 Event Details

When: Saturday, December 20th

Time: 8:30–10:30 a.m. Pacific

Where: 🔗 Join Zoom Meeting

🌐 Leading Edge Website

________________________________________

📩 Questions?

Contact Kyle McEligot

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

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:

Topic: Focus on club special events.
Word Limit: Try to limit posts to 200 words or less.
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.
Contact Information: All articles must include your club website and/or a contact email for more information.
Event Posts: Submit up to three consecutive posts for a single event.
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

Starburst Subscription Box

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?

District Director | Anu Jokinen

Program Quality Director | Roberta Craig

Club Growth Director | Joanna Tavera

Immediate Past District 2 Director | June Lear

Immediate Past District 9 Director | Nancy Shatto

Immediate Past District 32 Director | Melissa Jean

Public Relations Manager | Marty Varela

Administration Manager | Michelle Perino

Finance Manager | Caryn Axelrad

Logistics Manager | Open

D2TM.org Webmaster | Leah Ammon

Parliamentarian | Rick Sydor

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.