September 2025 Vol.60

A Look Inside

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

Make This Your Year: Go All In with Annual Membership

Ready to supercharge your Toastmasters journey? Annual membership isn’t just smart – it’s a commitment to your growth, your goals, and your club.

Renewing for the full year means uninterrupted progress through Pathways, consistent eligibility for contests and roles, and the freedom to plan your development from September onward. No mid-year dues, no lost access — just peace of mind and momentum. Annual members build stronger, more vibrant clubs. With fewer drop-offs, meetings stay energized, mentorship thrives, and officers focus on creating meaningful learning experiences.

Your investment and commitment to the club fuels better events, resources, and incentives. More engaged members mean more program goals met – and more reasons to celebrate.

All this for just $10/month – a worthwhile investment in your personal growth.

Toastmasters is more than a meeting; it’s a movement. Say yes to yourself, your club, and a full year of transformation.

Renew annually — and make every moment count.

-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

Plan for Success

Submit Your Club Success Plan (CSP) by September 30! Club officers, now’s the time to chart your course for a successful year! The CSP is your roadmap to achieving excellence and earning Distinguished status. Submit your CSP by September 30 in order to be eligible to participate in the Distinguished Club Program (DCP). Creating a club success plan sets the tone for strong leadership and member engagement.

Don’t wait—collaborate with your team and submit your plan today. Let’s make this year your club’s best yet!

-Scott Schaefer

District 65, 2025-26 Program Quality Director

It’s Contest Time!

Do you have a knack for storytelling that stretches the truth in the most delightful way? Then it’s time to step into the spotlight for the Tall Tales Speech Contest! This unique speaking style celebrates the art of exaggeration, where speeches are eagerly improbable, imaginative, and packed with personality. Tall tales are 3–5 minute speeches. Props and humor are highly encouraged to bring your tale to life.

Timelines to be aware of:

• Club Contests: August 25 – September 25
• Area Contests: September 26 – October 25
• Division Contests: October 26 – November 15
• District 65 Contest: November 22 in Rochester, Roberts Wesleyan University

Each club may hold a contest and advance two contestants (eligibility must be confirmed with the Program Quality Director). If a club opts out of holding a contest, they may select a representative to compete at the Area level.

Please note that club contests can be held in-person, online, or hybrid but any beyond this has be in person.

No matter what tale you are weaving, this is your moment to shine. Let your imagination run free – we can’t wait to hear your story!

-Gillian Sheldon, DTM

District 65, 2025-26 District Director

For all forms related to Speech Contests, please visit - https://tmdistrict65.org/speech-contests/.

D65 Events and Workshops

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

Welcome to Toastmasters/ Pathways 101 (Online)

• Thursday 11 September at 7:00 pm
• 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/B3Rhw

A Paradigm Shift from Community to Corporate

• Monday 15 September at 12:00 pm
• For Toastmasters Leaders & Corporate Managers and Team Leaders (Area, Divisions, Clubs and Corporate Professionals)
• Why Attend?
• Corporate language vs. Toastmasters jargon
• Transferable employee skills
• Corporate-Toastmasters collaboration
• Challenges in experiential training
• Who Should Attend?
• District officers with corporate clubs
• Corporate club members
• Organizations starting corporate clubs
• Led by Pat Johnson, Past International President (2010-2011)
• Register at: http://bit.ly/471l968

Mentor Monday (third Monday of every month)

• Monday 15 September 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://shorturl.at/jZX4E

Onboarding New Members and Retaining Them

• Wednesday 17 September at 7:00 pm
• For VP Memberships, club officers, membership chairs, and any Toastmaster involved in growing club membership.
• Why Attend?
• Streamline admin so members focus on speaking, not tech
• Discover onboarding strategies for long-term club success
• Learn how better onboarding drives more Pathways speeches
• Led by Randy Moore, District 86 Division T Director
• Register at: http://bit.ly/4oQc5aS

Saturday Success Series: Elevate your Voice and Vision

• Saturday 4 October at 9:00 am
• The Power of Body Language: In Person & Online
• Engagement - The secret to a successful club
• The Blogger’s Toolkit: Success Strategies
• See District 65 Calendar for more information.
• Register at: https://shorturl.at/903ZN



Club Anniversaries

TNT Toastmasters Club - 1972

Concord Spellbinders Club - 1986

Cayuga Club - 1996

CNY BizTalkers - 2008

Bosch Fairport Toastmasters - 2018

Educational Achievements

August 2025

Congratulations on your Pathways Education Achievements!

Level 1

Kelly Hills-Ingardia

Moslem Gorji

David F. Carter

Erik J. Schneider

Gillian Sheldon, DTM

Katie McDonnell

Matthew Flanigan

Mohammad Al Syouf

Nia Holmes

Sylvia Baptiste

Level 2

Adam Hammer

Ashica Ambu

Bryan J. Levan

Joy Manna

Matthew Flanigan

Robert Parrish

Level 3

Anthony Alleca

Daniel V. Ferens, DTM

Denise Hull, DTM

Grace M. Sam

Matthew Flanigan

Level 4

Barbara Snyderman, DTM

Daniel V. Ferens, DTM

Denise Hull, DTM

Lester Robinson, DTM

Matthew Flanigan

Nicholas R. Romo

Nora Vicioso

Level 5

Avis C. Brodie, DTM

Joseph Gwizdaloski

Laurie Corneles

Margo Bittner, DTM

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.