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Heads-Up: A New Tool is Coming – The Incentives Tracker!
We’re excited to share that District 2 will soon be introducing the Incentives Tracker, a new tool currently being used by several Districts across Toastmasters, many of them Distinguished!
What is the Incentives Tracker?
It’s the software our District will use to manage all district incentives. With this tool, clubs will be able to:
- Review the list of available incentives and their requirements
- Submit recognition requests after events
- Track your club’s current incentive balance
- View all incentive-related expenses
This is another step toward our goal of becoming a more future-ready district—creating greater efficiency and transparency, especially in the administrative side of our work.
What’s next?
We’ll soon share training dates provided directly by the developers. Club officer lists will be uploaded into the system, and each club officer will receive an email once their account has been created.
Stay tuned—more details are coming soon!
With excitement,
Anu Jokinen
District Director, District 2 Toastmasters
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Road to Distinguished
Creative Ways to Encourage Participation in Club Meetings
Does your club struggle to get members to sign up for meeting roles? Changing up your club’s meeting format may be the key to engaging both new and longtime members.
Table Topics: Zombie Apocalypse Edition One of my club’s favorite October meetings is the table topics Zombie Apocalypse. In this activity, members select three items from a free Jeopardylabs.com board—similar to the concept of story cubes—and use them to craft a 1 to 2-minute table topic response. The twist is that if a member uses more than five filler words or does not meet the time requirements, they “become a zombie.” This adds a fun, competitive edge to the traditional table topics session.
Backwards Meeting: Another favorite among many clubs is the backwards meeting. The format is simple: flip the meeting upside down for a fresh and entertaining experience. Evaluators begin by identifying how a speaker can “improve” their speech, such as by reducing distracting body movements. Then, speakers deliver their speeches, incorporating the feedback from the evaluators. The focus of a backwards meeting is to emphasize fun and creativity over perfection, making it enjoyable for everyone involved.
Theme Speech A-Thon: Consider organizing a theme speech a-thon, where members can vote on the funniest, tallest tale, or most “spooktacular” speech. Speech a-thons offer a lively, engaging open house opportunity and provide a platform to showcase the speaking skills of both new and seasoned members. For example, Palmer Toastmasters has hosted a Laugh Out Loud open house every autumn for several years, highlighting the club’s spirit and camaraderie.
Wheel of Toastmasters: If your club is experiencing difficulties getting members to volunteer for meeting roles, one creative solution is to introduce a “Wheel of Toastmasters.” This interactive approach involves using a spinning wheel to randomly assign meeting roles to members for the next session. By incorporating an element of chance and fun, the Wheel of Toastmasters encourages participation and ensures all roles are filled, helping meetings run smoothly and engaging members in a lighthearted manner.
For more creative meeting ideas, check out the Road to Distinguished office hours Wednesday at 6-7 PM Alaska, 7-8 PM Pacific.
Click here to register for the Wednesday evening sessions!.
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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.
| | | 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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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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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? We will have the latest guidance from Toastmasters International. 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 for the next Pathways Office Hour:
•Date: Wednesday November 5th
•Time: 6:00 – 7:00 PM Pacific Time, 5:00 – 6:00 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 Hour in December.
For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to Karen Lezon
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VPPR TIPS to Produce Your Powerful Presence™ – No. 14
This Little Light of Mine…I’m Gonna Let it Shine!
This Little Light of Mine…I’m Gonna Let it Shine!
Presence Is Not Taught… It Is Remembered
Presence is not performance, perfection, or pretending. It is the ability to be fully engaged, authentic, and confident in the moment—so others can feel your energy, attention, and impact.
Presence wears many faces: bold and
smiling, soft and steady, quietly strong—all very powerful. It comes
from the unique things that make you YOU: your quirks, your accent, your smile, your way of connecting.
When people are in their genius zone, it may look rehearsed, but it is not a performance it is their alignment with self. The ability to let their magic rip!
If you feel like you lack presence, remember it's already within you. You need to only remember the things that make you magical and amplify them.
✨ This week’s challenge:
If you feel you lack presence or do not make a stellar first impression…
Ask five people who know you well:
“What do you love about me?”
“What am I great at?”
Look for the patterns.
Those things are your magic—waiting to be amplified.
Sparkle & Shine, Friends!
Kelly Fallucca
VPPR, Public Speaking Northwest Toastmasters
D2 Area Director, C35
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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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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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LIGHTWORKERS
EXPLORE
TRANSFORMING WITH JOY
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21ST, 2025
7:30 PM TO 8:45 PM PDT
Join us in person:
2401 S. Jackson St
Seattle, WA 98144 Join us on Zoom Tuesday, October 21st,
at 7:30 PM PDT /6:30 PM AKT. Doors open at 7:00 PM PDT/6:00 PM AKT
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Join us for an evening full of Scary Tales and Camaraderie tomorrow Oct 21st (Tue) - 6 - 7:30 pm PDT At Bellevue Library (Room 2).
Eastside Leaders Toastmasters is an advanced club focused on crafting leaders through the art of communication.
Club meets monthly online on the 2nd Tuesday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. PDT
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WHAT COLOR IS YOUR SAUCE?
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 22nd, 2025
7:00 PM TO 8:30 PM PDT
Join us Wednesday as we strengthen our Toastmasters foundation.
We are on Zoom PW legolego
October 22nd, at
7:00 PM PDT/6:00 PM AKT.
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JOIN IMPROMPTUS NW WITH
THE GREAT DEBATE
on Zoom
on Thursday, October 23rd,
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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Better Speaker Series October 25th
CONSERVATIVELY SPEAKING
PRESENTS THE
Better Speaker Series: Impromptu Speaking & Using Body Language
Join Conservatively Speaking Toastmasters (not political, just polite) for a dynamic double-feature from the Better Speaker Series
Impromptu Speaking Learn how to organize your thoughts quickly, respond with clarity, and turn surprise into strength. Perfect for Table Topics, interviews, and everyday conversations.
Using Body Language Discover how gestures, posture, and facial expressions can reinforce your message, build connection, and boost your credibility — even before you say a word.
Date: Saturday October 25th
Location: St. Madeleine Sophie Koinonia Room, 4400 130th Pl SE, Bellevue
Time: 9:00AM PDT
Let’s grow together — one gesture and one unexpected question at a time!
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Seattle International 10 Toastmasters
Spooktacular Open House this 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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Face Your Fears!
Join the SPEAKOUT Turbo Table Topics Event.
Life is short and you need a little excitement.
Come to the SPEAKOUT Advanced Seattle Toastmasters famous Turbo Table Topics meeting: You will be given a topic five minutes before you give a 3-5 minute speech on that topic. Your speech will be evaluated, and you will give an evaluation of the speech after you. Wow! What fun, right?!
Life is short and so are these speeches. Challange yourself!
Tuesday, October 28th, 5:45 - 7:30pm. We meet downtown and on-line.
For location, link, and more information about our club, click here: SPEAKOUT
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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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Become a Powerhouse Evaluator
Thursday, November 6, 2025
6:30 -8:00 PM Pacific or 5:30 - 7:00 PM AK Time
Hosted by Palmer Toastmasters & featuring Kyle Hall, DTM as Presenter, this fun and interactive workshop
will share truths and tricks of better evaluating.
During this workshop, we'll:
- Break the process of evaluation into its components,
- Review Do's and Don’ts of effective evaluating,
- Cover the difference between evaluating advanced speakers versus beginners,
- and more!
We'll leave this session with a greater understanding of powerful evaluations and more confidence in our ability to deliver them.
Questions? call 907-539-7111.
Register in advance to receive the Zoom link.
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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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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. | | | | |
