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We are stronger together!
Trio and District leaders’ joint message
Dear District 27 Members,
I hope this message finds you well during these challenging times. Many of us are navigating a landscape of uncertainty, whether due to ongoing shifts within the government, job fluctuations, or personal struggles. It is important to remember that these difficulties can weigh heavily on our minds and spirits.
As we navigate these challenging times, I want to emphasize the importance of self-care. Your well-being is crucial, not just for your health, but also for your ability to support others. Whether it is taking a moment to relax, sharing your feelings with a trusted friend, or engaging in activities that bring you joy, please prioritize self-care. You are important, and your well-being matters to us.
We are a strong, supportive community, and I urge every member to lean on each other during these difficult times. Check-in with your fellow members, share your experiences, and offer support. Remember, you are not alone in this journey—we are in it together, and there is immense strength in District 27 connections. Together, we can overcome any challenge.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need someone to talk to or if there are ways we can assist you during these challenging times. Your well-being is our priority, and we are here for one another. Take care of yourselves, and let’s continue to support each other as we navigate these challenging moments. We are stronger & better together…we are the District 27 Toastmasters Family.
Warmest regards,
Your District 27 Trio
Annette Sanks, Beverly Byam-Hercules, and Jenny White
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Renew by March 31 DO NOT WAIT - STAY CONNECTED!
Secure your membership now for only $60 for 6 months, which is only $10 per month or 33 cents per day!
If your agency or organization funds your membership, promptly submit approval forms.
If your club has enabled self-pay, you can log onto www.toastmasters.org.
Scroll down to "How to Renew" and click. You will then be able to securely renew your membership on-line.
Otherwise, you can contact your club treasurer and make arrangements to pay.
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⭐From the Desk of the District 27 Director⭐ | |
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Greetings Fellow Toastmasters,
As we enter the vibrant month of March, I want to remind you of the importance of renewing your Toastmasters membership. This is not just about maintaining your status; it is about continuing your personal and professional growth journey.
Your membership provides invaluable opportunities to enhance your communication and leadership skills while connecting with a supportive community. With our upcoming speech contests, annual business meetings, and conferences on the horizon, now is the perfect time to ensure you remain active in these enriching experiences.
Please renew your membership by March 31 to stay involved and help your club and our district thrive. Your continued participation is essential to the Toastmasters legacy and community. Together we will make a remarkable impact!
Thank you for being a vital part of our district. Let us keep the momentum going!
Your Proud District Director,
We BIG!!! (With Everything, Believe In Greatness!!!)
One Team, One Mission
District 27 Director
Contact DD27@d27-tm.org
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Division Director of the Month
Division B Director
Lee Proctor
Lee is a committed team player and District Director. He is always willing to work with his area directors and clubs to help the division meet its goals. When asked to help with PQD Moving Forward Series, he did.
Lee presented “Closing the Sale” providing relevant content for members. Lee ensured that the series was meaningful and successful!
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Area Director of the Month
Area Director 53
Maria Allsopp-Wittington
Maria is not only a dedicated leader but also a proactive and enthusiastic contributor. She took the initiative to host a memorable Valentine’s Day Soiree, featuring music, poetry, games, impromptu speeches about love, and plenty of laughter.
Maria has been instrumental in supporting PQD Moving Forward initiatives and fosters strong collaboration with clubs.
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From the Desk of the Program Quality Director | | |
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District 27 Members, we are now 4 months from the end of the Toastmaster Year! Let's put our feet on the gas pedal and make every effort to finish strong, i.e. member engagement and achievements, club participation in the Distinguished Club Program, distinguished clubs, and increased membership. We understand that it is a challenging time for some of our members. Remember that Toastmasters is a safe space to share and can act as a supportive environment for our members.
There are 29 members who have earned the coveted Triple Crown Award, earned when members earn 3 educational awards in one Toastmaster year (July 1 to June 30).
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📝District 27’s goal is to earn 50 Triple Crown Awards this year!
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The following members are recognized for their achievement in achieving education goals since January 20, 2025.
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Maximino Hernandez DL3, EH2; Mary Saniga EH3; Sean Hoggard DL1; Antoniela Castellar PI1; Lisa Morris MS4; Nilofer Rajput VC1, VC2; Juan Velazquez TC2; M. Slattery VC2; Sonya Carter PM1; B. Gundars PM1; Michelle Carter DTM; B. Foster EC3; Douglas Scheffler IP4; Michael Shulman PI1; Camille King PM1; Monica Hamilton PM4; Oluwaseun Foluke EC4; Jenny White PI2; Judin Sukri DL5, MS2; William Plott LD4; Herman Raybon MS5; Somnath Bhattacharyya EH4; Katharine Gagne EH2, SR3; Tonithia Reid IP4; Maria Killian-Clement SR2, SR3; Claude Labbe PI3; K Bhalla LD1, LD2; Angela Bryant PM3; Michelle Bracken PM2; M. Saenz IP1; S. Chong PM4; Katina Tillery MS1; Ninos Donabed PM4; James Loper PM4; G. Schiesier VC1; Christopher Harrop VC5; William Dunn DL1; William Welkowitz EH4; Cindy Ojczyk VC1.
District Conference is coming up on May 2 & 3!
The Toastmasters District 27 Conference 2025, themed “Moving Forward Together,” is set to be an epic event that unites members from across the district to celebrate their journey in communication and leadership. This year’s conference will feature the electrifying SEWA Beats as the main attraction, promising an unforgettable experience filled with rhythm, energy, and inspiration.
District 27 Conference 2025 Info:
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This event is in-person only!
- Conference Date & Time: Begins on Friday, May 2, 2025, 5:30pm EST – and Ends on Saturday, May 3, 2025, 6:00pm EST
- Location: Hotel AKA Alexandria, 625 First Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
- The District 27 Spring Speech Contests are part of the conference. The Humorous Speech Contest takes place on Friday, and the International Speech Contest on Saturday.
CLICK TO REGISTER or cut and paste the link below: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/moving-forward-together-district-27-annual-conference-may-2-and-3-2025-tickets-1124581636949?aff=oddtdtcreator
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🗣 District 27 Speech Contest 2025 Calendar
This year, we are hosting the Humorous Speech and International Speech Contests.
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From the Desk of the Club Growth Director | |
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We at District 27 know that those of you who belong to US Military or Federal Government Clubs or who work for the Federal Government are facing uncertain times and are concerned about the future of your work.
As your Club Growth Director, I’m not going to pretend that this is an easy time for you. However, realize that Toastmasters can be a source of comfort, comic relief, and community. Stay connected!
Spring Forward for Spring Dues!
The Club Growth Team thanks the 395 members who renewed early. If you have renewed, please check out the new renewal Zoom backgrounds on the District Website! Please download them and use them as background for all of your virtual Toastmasters meetings.
Congrats to the eighteen clubs that have renewed at least eight members: Helmsmen, DC GRIT, Que Pasa, National Landing at Bloomberg, Booz Allen Potomac, Amazon HQ2, Technical Women in Toastmasters, Page Turners, J-Talkers, DTM Masters, FAA, USDA, Speak Up, GUTS, USPTO, ASCO Speak EZ, SAM FOX, and Presidential Speakers! You are well on your way.
Seven Clubs have fewer than eight members and have until March 31 to get up to eight members before being suspended. The Team Club Growth will support any club that is having difficulty with membership; just contact cgd@d27-tm.org.
Win the Plus Three Incentive!
After the April renewals, if your club has three members more than your July 1 base, you qualify for the Plus Three Incentive. The first ten clubs earn $50, the next ten clubs earn $25, and all clubs will be recognized.
Helping Hands
If you want to help a low-member club, please consider becoming a Club Helping Hand. Visiting a club three times, give an educational speech, evaluate, and be a general evaluator to be a Club Helping Hand. Just email cgd@d27-tm.org and we’ll set you up.
New Clubs
Two Prospective clubs are close to chartering. Echoes of the Nile has over forty members ready to join and is collecting payments. Thanks to Beverly Byam Hercules, Michael Sherman, Jeanna Young, and the original sponsor, Larolyn Young. Similarly, the Aspiring and Published Authors Club, honoring the last Dr. Jesse Sharpe, is expected to charter early in March. Thanks to Dr. Janice Boss, who has been working tirelessly on this. A third Prospective club from the Bureau of Printing is working to recharter Money Talks, a club that closed in 2018.
We are still working with the Housing and Urban Development administration division to charter a club there; along with Prince George’s Community College, which is working to secure a grant; HDR, an engineering firm; STR, a corporation based in Massachusetts which has an office here in Arlington; a club for photographers, and a Dream Academy for fictional storytelling.
Don't forget to join or inquire about "Helping Hands" - Just click!
We can make our District grow this year! Let’s do it!
Sincerely,
Jenny Genser White
Club Growth Director, CGD
Contact: CGD@d27-tm.org
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DISTRICT 27 SPRING CONFERENCE 2025 a
MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER!
Friday, May 2 & Saturday, May 3, 2025
HOTEL AKA 625 First Street, Alexandria VA 22314
FEATURING: Dilip Abayasekara, DTM, PIP, AS, Dr. Cheryl Wood, and SEWA BEATS
$150 from JAN 30 thru APR 19
$175 from APR 20 thru MAY 3
✅ just click to join or copy and paste the link below
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/moving-forward-together-district-27-annual-conference-may-2-and-3-2025-tickets-1124581636949
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DISTRICT 27 CONFERENCE VIDEO CONTEST
Who has the best talent when it comes to getting the word out about District 27 Conference?
Seeking, the best club with the talents and skills to get the word out.
Judged by your peers! The first, second and third place winners will have their video showcased on District 27 media platforms as well as share a page for advertisement in the conference program.
1ST place winner in a half page ad space AND
2nd & 3rd place winners will earn a quarter-page ad space.
Submit entries
no later than March 22 to Vince Caldwell
✅ Conferencechair@d27-tm.org
The winners will be announced by March 29!
Let the best clubs win!!!
✅NEED a Project or High Level Performance project? Vince Caldwell needs volunteers
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Updated DLC Timeline
ALL EVENTS BELOW REQUIRE REGISTRATION For more information, contact Ralph Jones, DTM, D27 Leadership Chair
Phone: 703-475-3208 | E-Mail: domhob@gmail.com
🔲 DLC Candidate Showcase: Question-and-Answer to learn about the candidates
Saturday, 12 April 2025, 10 a.m.
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84708923425?pwd=kR5N777lUXOSprr07xjS9aAoofbJbc.1
🔲 District Council Meeting and Officer Elections
Wednesday, 30 April 2025, 7 p.m.
Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84895026721
703-475-3208 | domhob@gmail.com
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You are cordially invited to ✉
Mark your calendars for the 2nd and 3rd Tuesdays for the Empowering Confident Voices Series: These are learning experiences Margaret "Maggie" Serrano, a member of Pentagon Legacy Toastmasters Club # 03614465, Division A, Area 11.
Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 7:00 PM for an engaging session on how bullet journaling can serve as an intentional data-gathering technique to promote self-awareness, motivation, and lasting personal transformation.
Bring your own bullet journal or download the PDF template provided at the start of the session. Together, we’ll reflect on our personal aspirations and discover how to turn them into meaningful achievements worth celebrating!
Register at this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85794815624
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Inspirational Message
Celebrate Your Authentic Self:
Embrace Your Unique Journey
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It's all too easy to fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others. It will create an unhealthy state of being unsure, insecure, stagnant and depressed. While resisting comparison may be easier said than done, it’s vital to remember who you are at your core and how you were uniquely created. Each of us has been gifted with our own distinctive mark on the world. Each of us brings something different and beneficial. The key is finding YOUR purpose and cultivating it in this world.
Take a moment to show yourself some love. Stand in front of the mirror and take pride in the person looking back at you. Society will try to kick you down, telling you you aren't moving fast enough, doing enough, or accomplishing enough. Don't let it! Block out the noise and focus on YOUR race. There is immense peace and joy in simply being true to youself.
There will always be room for improvement and growth, however, pat yourself on the back for how far you've came! Be proud! Toastmasters encourage you to stay true to yourself—your authenticity is your greatest strength. The world doesn’t need another copy; it needs you, just as you are. Embrace your uniqueness, speak your truth, and let your light shine. The right people will appreciate you for exactly who you are.
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