June 2025 Vol.57

A Look Inside

1. District Director Message
2. Program Quality Director Message
3. News and Announcements
4. Events and Workshops
5. June Club Anniversaries
6. May Achievements

Of the Year Awards are presented each year for Toastmasters in District 65 who demonstrate outstanding commitment, dedication, and leadership to their clubs, areas, divisions and our organization. We recognize our hard-working leaders’ service from July 1st – June 30th each year. The presentation of awards will be held at our fall District Contest and Leadership Celebration on Saturday October 25 in Rochester.

• ·       Toastmaster
• ·       President
• ·       Club Coach
• ·       Area Director
• ·       Division Director
• ·       Phoenix Award, for a club that rose from the ashes to new heights
• ·       Pride Cup Award, for a club best representing the Toastmasters core values in 2024-2025

Valuable ideas to include on the nomination form include

• ·       Specific details of the job or tasks they did
• ·       How were their actions different, unique, creative or innovative?
• ·       How did they demonstrate raising the bar?
• ·       Explain how they encouraged others and contributed to club success.
• ·       What example do they set in their own Toastmasters education journey?
• ·       What leadership qualities do they bring to the club?
• ·       What traits do they share in improving the learning environment?
• ·       What supportive details, dates, names, examples or important information can you provide?
• ·       Have someone review your nomination for grammar and clarity before submitting it.
• ·       Keep a copy!

Personal testimonies from club members are a tremendous asset to the best submissions and give the committee a better idea of the contributions of your club member that is being nominated.

Explain supportive details or significant information to add to your submission. Give examples of leadership qualities they bring to their role that improve the learning environment.

Please send your nominations to district65dd@gmail.com by July 31, 2025

"Ours is the only organization I know that is dedicated to the individual.

We work together to bring out the best in each of us and

then we apply our skills to help others."

– Ralph Smedley

-Avis Brodie, DTM, PDG

District 65, 2024-25 District Director

With Club Officer elections now complete, a new slate of leaders are ready to guide us through the next Toastmasters year. To set them up for success, Phase 1 of Club Officer Training is scheduled throughout June. These sessions provide invaluable opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with fellow officers.

Here are the confirmed dates:

• June 7^th – 9.30 am at Roberts Wesleyan University; Register here
• June 10^th – 7.00 pm via Zoom; Online registration
• June 26^th – 1.00 pm via Zoom; Online registration

Ongoing learning isn’t just beneficial for us as individuals — it strengthens our ability to serve our members and elevate our clubs.

I encourage every officer to take part in these training sessions, whether in-person or online. Let’s learn, network, and grow together as we work towards making District 65 the best it can be!

-Gillian Sheldon, DTM

District 65, 2024-25 Program Quality Director

Incoming Team

Please join me in congratulating our new District 65 trio and Division Directors for the 2025-2026 term starting on July 1st. 

Your commitment to serving the district reflects your dedication and vision for inspiring leadership. We wish you success in your roles and offer our warmest congratulations as you begin your new term.

District Director Gillian Sheldon, DTM

Program Quality Director Scott Schaeffer, PM4

Club Growth Director Jeannette Kreher Heberling, DTM

Division A Director John O’Hare, LD5

Division C Director Sherry Thompson, EH4

Division D Director Joseph Gwizdaloski, PI4

Division E Director Jerrica Wrate, PM5

-Avis Brodie, DTM, PDG

District Director 2024-2025

D65 Events and Workshops

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

Club Officer Training-Phase 1 (In Person)

• June 7, 2025, at 9:30 AM
• Club Officer Training Phase 1 equips Toastmasters club officers with essential knowledge and skills to effectively serve their roles, ensuring a successful club experience for all members.
• Register here: https://shorturl.at/R59pP

Led by District Director Avis Brodie, DTM, PDG, and others

Club Officer Training-Phase 1 (Online)

• June 10, 2025 at 7 PM
• Club Officer Training Phase 1 equips Toastmasters club officers with essential knowledge and skills to effectively serve their roles, ensuring a successful club experience for all members.
• Register here: https://shorturl.at/LiqXn

Led by District Director Avis Brodie, DTM, PDG and others

C

 Mentor Monday

• June 16, 2025, at 6 PM
• Seeking a mentor? Stuck on a project? Need to decide on a speech topic? This is your chance to meet members who can guide you on your Toastmasters journey. Learn from the best, set goals, and get inspired!
• Register here: https://shorturl.at/IrTb4

Led by Program Quality Director Gillian Sheldon, DTM

Welcome to Toastmasters/Pathways 101

• June 21, 2025, at 9AM
• 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/JBct7

Led by DD Avis Brodie, DTM, PDG and PQD Gillian Sheldon, DTM

LaunchPad – Introduction to Basecamp and Level 1

• June 23, 2025 at 7PM
• Are you new to Toastmasters and want to learn how to launch into Level 1 of your Path? Have you been in Toastmasters for a while but just engaging in the Pathways program? Fear not, this interactive workshop is for you! By the end of this workshop, with access to your computer, you will have: (1) signed up for your first Path, (2) know how to access Basecamp and (3) understand the requirements to achieve Level 1 success.
• Register here:https://tinyurl.com/4d4f6m2p

Led by Program Quality Director Gillian Sheldon, DTM

Club Officer Training-Phase 1 (Online-Lunch Hour)

• June 26, 2025 at 1 PM
• Club Officer Training Phase 1 equips Toastmasters club officers with essential knowledge and skills to effectively serve their roles, ensuring a successful club experience for all members.
• Register here: https://shorturl.at/PPKQP

Led by District Director Avis Brodie, DTM, PDG and others

Club Anniversaries

Utica National Toastmasters Club-1983

Toastitarians Club-1992

Select Club-1994

Rochester High Noon Club-1998

Toasting the Blues-2007

Prose of Speech-2009

Clarence Toastmasters-2010

Toast of Roswell-2014

Ortho Toastmasters-2016

Educational Achievements

May 2025

Congratulations on your Pathways Education Achievements!

Level 1

Moshe Shtrauch, VC1

Sarah E. Heavens Sod, PM1

Tara S. Vitti, DL1

Maggie Craig, PM1

Jacqueline A. Pilon, PM1

Lane B. Jarsonbeck, DL1

John S. O'Hare, MS1

Level 2

Jeannette S. Kreher Heberling, SR2

Malcolm (Mick) Thomas, PM2

Keith Flint, SR2

Tracy Farrell, PI2

Grace M. Sam, PI2

Nathan Rathbun, IP2

Level 3

Ryan Hogan, PM3

Philip Martin, IP3

Martin Schwab, PM3

Maria Maier, DL3

Level 4

Therese A. Corrigan-Bastuk, PM4

Jacqueline A. Pilon, EH4

Priscilla Belluccio, PM4

Sam Otto, VC4

Ryan Hogan, PM4

Brendan Francis, VC4

Billy Enobakhare, MS4

Peter Bong, IP4

Maria Maier, DL4

Level 5

Dede D. Starnes, DL5

Steven Bader, MS5

CONGRATULATIONS!

Nominations for D65 Of The Year awards are now open. Who do you know who excelled this year? We award:

Toastmaster Of The Year, Club President Of The Year, Area Director Of The Year, Division Director Of The Year, and Club Coach Of The Year.

Email me district65dd@gmail.com with your recommendation and why they deserve the award. Awards will be presented in person at our annual awards celebration in October.

-Avis Brodie, DTM, PDG

District Director 2024-2025

*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!"