August 2025 Vol.59

A Look Inside

1. District Trio Message
2. News and Announcements
3. Events and Workshops
4. August Club Anniversaries
5. July Achievements

As we sail through the summer months of your club’s journey the energy is electric – with both clubs and members off to a strong start! With almost 300 club officer roles trained and stepping confidently into their roles, we've ignited a strong foundation for success. This commitment to leadership is already igniting member engagement, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Let’s continue this as we work on our Club Success Plans (now mandatory for this Toastmasters year), providing us with a plan and roadmap not just to maintain our progress, but to amplify it. With member-centric strategies designed to build upon our collective learning goals as well as expanding membership, deepening member involvement, and nurturing the vibrant community we've worked hard to foster.

One exciting way we’ll harness this momentum is through the upcoming Tall Tales Contest! A perfect blend of fun and skill, this contest encourages creativity, storytelling, and public speaking excellence. Mark your calendars: the District-level contest will take place on November 22nd, and it promises to be a showcase of talent and passion. Whether you're competing or cheering from the sidelines, it's an opportunity you won't want to miss.

Through it all, our mantra remains: Together We Achieve More. By continuing to work together, supporting one another, and celebrating every success, we can ensure the journey forward is fun and engaging. Let’s keep that energetic spark alive!

-Gillian Sheldon, DTM

District 65, 2025-26 District Director

-Scott Schaefer

District 65, 2025-26 Program Quality Director

-Jeannette Kreher Heberling, DTM

District 65, 2025-26 Club Growth Director

Attention Club President and Club Secretaries

Act Now - Your Voice Matters!



Proxy Votes at Toastmaster International Annual Business Meeting

An email was sent on 9 July from Toastmasters International with instructions how to assign your club’s proxy, visit the Annual Business Meeting page.

Please reach out to the District Director, Gillian Sheldon at district65dd@gmail.com if you need assistance or have any questions.

Proxy submission closes on Friday, August 15^th.

IMPORTANT: Division Realignment

HELP WANTED

Toastmasters International Bylaws require at least four clubs in good standing per area. World Headquarters has since rejected the 2025-2026 realignment approved by the District Council.

We have now (hopefully temporarily) shifted to 3 divisions—A, C, and D.

We are actively working to fix this by chartering a new club that will bring back a fourth Division.

Our ask of you: ensure that all clubs achieve at least eight members by September 1st. Meeting this deadline will allow us to maintain existing Divisions, as each requires a minimum of four Areas and four clubs in good standing. You can help by sourcing net new members who are looking to elevate their career for this new charter club (to reside in the revived Division).

Let's work together to strengthen our clubs and build momentum going forward.

-Gillian Sheldon, DTM

District 65, 2025-26 District Director

Fall Contest - Save the Date

Saturday, November 22^nd

Our District Tall Tales Contest is November 22^nd, in person, at Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester.



Save this date in your schedule for a fun, high-energy day that will include an Internationally renowned keynote speaker, our annual awards ceremony for 2024-2025, and the Tall Tales contest, where members will entertain us with outrageous stories.

More details coming soon!

-Avis Brodie, DTM, PDG, IPDD

Celebrating Excellence in Officer Training!

District 65 proudly recognizes nine outstanding clubs for achieving full officer training. These clubs—Next Level Advanced, Say it LOUD, Toasted Sage, Syracuse, Canandaigua Community, Barrier Breakers, Cayuga, Morning Knights, Toasting the Blues, Visions, Roman Orators, TNT, and Good Morning Syracuse—demonstrate exceptional commitment to leadership excellence by training all seven club officers. Their dedication sets a shining example for others and strengthens the foundation of our Toastmasters community. Congratulations to these exemplary teams! Want your club to make the list? Join one of the Club Officer Training sessions going on throughout this month all around the world.

-Scott Schaefer

District 65, 2025-26 Program Quality Director

D65 Events and Workshops

You Don’t Want to Miss This! Register Today!

Welcome to Toastmasters/ Pathways 101 (Online)

• August 16 at 9:00 AM
• Open to all. Come learn all about Toastmasters, what it has to offer, as well as the Pathways educational program.
• Register here: https://shorturl.at/cQx6e
• Led by Avis Brodie, DTM PDG IPDD

Organizing a Successful Contest - Tall Tales

• August 18 at 7.00 pm
• The Fall contest season has started, to learn how to organize and craft exaggerated stories with humor and dramatic flair. Organization is key for a successful contest – come and learn the art behind the craft.
• Register at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pjcDZLq9SSyo5MdlglKIUQ

Club Executive Working Session: Developing your Club Success Plan

• August 28 at 12 noon and 6.30 pm
• This facilitated workshop session will allow you and your club executive to come together (via zoom) and work with a District leader to help you develop and submit your club success plan – all in under one hour.
• Register at -
• Lunchtime session: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/4W7Ek36nRqCQEkUllN057w
• Evening session: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/Jcflp7J9QNulLmuVgJbIRg

Mentor Monday (third Monday of every month)

• August 18 at 6:00 pm
• Do you have a question about Toastmasters – whether it be about the club experience, generic speech topics or anything Pathways? If so, this is your opportunity to connect with District leaders and members of the District to bounce ideas and gain insight from your fellow members – all in a supportive environment.
• Register at: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEtdu-srjojGt0Adu64au85ki_PIysqqpZJ



Club Anniversaries

Pinnacle Toastmasters Club - 2013

Toaster Strudels - 2024

High Risers Advanced Toastmasters Club - 2024

Educational Achievements

July 2025

Congratulations on your Pathways Education Achievements!

Level 1

Ashica Ambu

Bradley W. Mogenson

Daniel V. Ferens, DTM

Dean Westbrook

Emily Horton-Hall

Kai Abraliev

Marshiyyat Elliott

Pratik Ubba

Sandra Cittadino

Thomas J. Hirasuna

Level 2

Jessica A. James

Level 3

Catherine Banks Orr

Dorothy Jaskula

Jeannette S. Kreher Heberling, DTM

Jerrica C. Wrate

Jitrapon Lertprasertpong

Kara Mather

Matthew Papkov

Megan Bushneck

Nancy A. Sepulveda

Penny A. Kring

Level 4

Aleksandar Nikolic

Avis C. Brodie, DTM

James McEntire

Jeannette S. Kreher Heberling, DTM

Joseph Gwizdaloski

Kathleen McKenna, DTM

Kelli Mack

Maria Maier

Paul R. Marshall

Robin Allen, DTM

Level 5

Adrian J. Pooley

Geoff Beckwith

Gillian Sheldon, DTM

Sam Otto, DTM

Scott Schaefer

Sharon R. Lunt

Sherry L. Thompson

Sherry L. Thompson

Stephen Langdon

CONGRATULATIONS!

*Disclaimer*

The District 65 Team recommends using your personal or home electronic devices to access registration links. Some company devices may have restrictions that could interfere with the process.

Thank you for your understanding, and we appreciate your cooperation.

"only 7 remaining!"