Time to Step Up - We Need Club Officers!
Hey everyone! Club Officer elections are here for the 2025-2026 Toastmasters year.
Important deadline: Get your officer list submitted to Toastmasters International by 10:59 PM PT on June 30, 2025 for Distinguished Club Program credit.
Why You Should Consider Being an Officer
Look, being a club officer isn't always glamorous, but it does have its rewards. It's where you really learn to lead. You'll deal with actual problems, help other members grow, and pick up skills that make you better at work and in life.
Think about the officers who made your club experience great when you first joined. The ones who kept things running smoothly, welcomed you warmly, or helped you tackle that scary first speech. That could be you for someone else.
We Have Roles That Fit Different Strengths
Whether you're good at planning (VP Education), love meeting new people (VP Membership), enjoy organizing (Secretary), are detail-oriented with numbers (Treasurer), like sharing stories and promoting events (VP Public Relations), want to lead and set the vision (President), or just want to help create a great club atmosphere (Sergeant at Arms) - there's a spot that fits.
Don't Wait for Someone Else
Seriously, don't assume someone else will volunteer. Your club needs what you bring to the table. You've been learning and growing here - now's your chance to give back and grow even more.
Talk to your current officers this week about how you can help lead next year. June 30th will be here before you know it!
| |
New D2 Town Hall — Let’s Connect!
We’re excited to announce a New District 2 Town Hall on Sunday, June 8th
at 2 PM Alaska / 3 PM Pacific — and you’re invited!
All three District Directors will be there to:
- Share updates across our newly shaped D2
This is your chance to get clarity, build community, and help your clubs feel seen and supported.
- Spread the word to your clubs
- Show up, bring questions, and let’s grow together
We can’t wait to see you there!
| | Pathways Office Hours Q & A | |
Unlock Your Potential with
Pathways Office Hours!
Curious about Pathways or need guidance on your Toastmasters journey? We’re here to help!
Pathways offers an innovative, interactive learning experience designed to boost your communication and leadership skills while fostering personal and professional growth—all within a fun, supportive community.
Join us for our upcoming Pathways Office Hours:
• Date: Wednesday, June 4
• Time: 5:00 – 6:00 PM
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.
Don’t miss your chance for personalized support—register now at:
Pathways Office Hours - D2 Toastmasters
For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to Karen Lezon at d2tm.atc@gmail.com.
#district2tm #toastmasterspathways
| | Welcome Districts 9 & 32! | |
History in the Making: Three Districts Become One!
The countdown is on! July 1st marks the dawn of something extraordinary—Districts 2, 9, and 32 are joining forces to create an unstoppable new District 2.
This isn't just a merger—it's a complete transformation. We're combining three districts' worth of talent, energy, and expertise under one banner. Your network is about to explode with new connections and opportunities.
Here's what you'll notice right away: you'll start seeing articles about events and happenings from Districts 9 and 32 alongside our usual District 2 updates. That's not a mistake—that's your expanded world! We're all part of something bigger now.
Ready to dive deeper?
Kyle Hall's team has been documenting this historic journey through their blog, packed with insider insights and everything you need to know about what's coming. Check it out here! (or go to d2tm.org and click on the "District Realignment" tab)
Got questions? Join the virtual Town Hall, this Sunday, June 8th where you can chat with current District Directors from all three districts. These are the folks who've been making this transformation happen, and they're ready to answer whatever's on your mind. Register here!
This merger isn't happening to us—it's happening because of us. Get ready to help write the first chapter of the new District 2!
| | |
Taking a brief intermission this week to plan our next wave of can't-miss events. We're excited to be joining forces with district's 2 and 32 in this newsletter and look forward to sharing District 9's upcoming activities with our expanded Toastmasters community.
While our calendar is clear for the immediate week ahead, we have an exciting training event on the horizon for late June—stay tuned for details in the upcoming weeks!
| | District 32 Events & News | |
June 10 @ 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm AKDT
2nd Tuesday 6:00-7:00 PM Alaska / 7:00-8:00 PM Pacific
District 32 Division & Area Directors attendance required.
President & Vice President of Education attendance recommended.
D32 District Director is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
6:00-7:00 PM Alaska / 7:00-8:00 PM Pacific
Join Zoom Meeting
Zoom Link
Meeting ID: 854 6576 3071
Passcode: 123712
| | | |
THERESA HAYNES
Theresa joined Public Speaking Northwest just last September, and in that short time, she has made a remarkable impact. Her growth has been nothing short of inspiring—rapidly advancing her public speaking skills while stepping into key leadership roles. Currently serving as our Vice President of Membership, she is set to become our President this July.
Theresa embodies quiet strength and elegance. Though initially hesitant about public speaking, she courageously embraced every opportunity—online, in person, and even as a guest speaker at other clubs. Her journey is a testament to what’s possible when one faces fear with determination and leads with grace.
Thank you, Theresa, for your dedication, leadership, and example.
| | |
Congratulations Educational Achievements
See the full list of recipients
Pathways Education award recipient for last week:
Angelina Rose, Arun Yenumula, Franklin Vargas, Mary Redman, Patrice Tabor,
Paul Perry, Robert Meltzer, Sindhu Ankisettipalle, Victoria Kovacs
Great work everyone!
| | 🎤 Gavel Club AREA CONTEST – You're Invited! 🎤 | | |
We’re thrilled to present the District 2 Gavel Club Area Contest, showcasing the talents of our youth speakers in the International Speech and Evaluation Contests!
🌟 Participating Gavel Clubs:
- Bothell Gavel Club of Future Leaders
- Gurukul Gavel Club
- Voice Masters Gavel Club
The contest will feature Junior, Intermediate, and Senior categories, highlighting the communication skills and leadership potential of our future generation.
Contact: Vivek Garg bgcfl@hotmail.com
| |  | |
📅 Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025
🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
📍 Location: Park Ridge Church, Bothell, WA
🙋♂️ Calling All Toastmasters!
We’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers and judges to help make this event a success. Your support will directly impact and encourage the next generation of confident speakers.
Let’s come together to inspire, mentor, and celebrate these remarkable young leaders.
Join us and witness the future of Toastmasters in action!
| | |
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
| | |
Close your eyes for a moment. Picture the “Jetsons” future you once imagined — shimmering chrome skylines, robot companions, flying cars, endless possibilities.
Now open your eyes. You’re living it.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) isn’t here to replace our hearts, erase our humanity, or steal our creativity. It’s here as a partner — a spark, a springboard, a mirror for our biggest dreams. It’s a tool that can help you create more, learn faster, and reach higher — if you let it.
We may not have the flying cars just yet, but we do have something even more extraordinary: a thinking partner that never gets tired, never judges your wildest ideas, and is always ready to help you push further.
Sure, AI comes with big questions: ethics, fairness, even the origins of its training data. And yes, we must face those head-on. But here’s what I know:
We’ve all spent our lives working hard, proving ourselves, chasing bold ideas. And no tool, no technology, no shortcut will ever replace the grit and fire inside you. But some tools — like AI — can help you run farther on that fuel.
You don’t have to be an engineer or a tech wizard. You just need curiosity — that same spark that brought you to Toastmasters, that fire that makes you want to grow, to speak, to inspire others.
So here’s my challenge to you: don’t stand back. Lean in. Explore. Ask boldly: how can this help me think bigger? Create better? Become more?
Because this isn’t just the future we imagined — it’s the one we get to build now, together.
Empowering voices by Josh Hindman, your Starburst Editor
| |
2024/2025 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:
-
Topic: Focus on club special events.
-
Word Limit: Try to limit posts to 200 words or less.
-
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.
-
Contact Information: All articles must include your club website and/or a contact email for more information.
-
Event Posts: Submit up to three consecutive posts for a single event.
-
Deadline to Submit: 5:00 PM on the Friday before the upcoming Monday Starburst release.
Submission Process:
- 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 Josh Hindman.
| |
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 - Josh Hindman, 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. | | | | |
