Celebrating Our Distinguished Clubs!
As of June 22, 2025 | Toastmasters Year 2024–2025
It’s time to celebrate excellence!
As we near the close of the Toastmasters year, we proudly recognize the clubs that have already achieved Distinguished status—or higher. These clubs didn’t just set goals—they crushed them.
From completing education awards to building strong, supportive membership, these clubs embody what it means to lead, grow, and thrive together. Their success is a shining example of what’s possible when dedication meets teamwork.
Being named a Distinguished Club is more than a milestone—it’s a reflection of consistent effort, creative leadership, and a shared commitment to empowering every member’s voice.
To our Distinguished Clubs: You are the heartbeat of our District, and your achievements light the path for others. We’re proud to honor you.
👇 Check out the list below and help us celebrate these incredible teams!
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Distinguished
Clubs
- Confident Communicators Club
- Cosmos Toastmasters Club
- Timber Talkers Club
- MicroToast
- CTS Club
- Providence Toastmasters
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Select
Distinguished Clubs
- Lynden Toastmasters Club
- Bellingham Evening Toastmasters Club
- Barkley Toasters
- Toast Of The Town Toastmasters
- SPOTLIGHT Toastmasters
- Conservatively Speaking
- Redmond 2828 Toastmasters
- Eastside Toastmasters Club
- Bauer Speak Easys Toastmasters Club
- Costco Toastmasters Club
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Presidents
Distinguished Clubs
- Willows Voices Club
- Twin Speaks Toastmasters Club
- Northeast Toastmasters Club
- Kirkland Eclectics Toastmasters Club
- Redmond Nights
- Public Speaking Northwest Club
- Greater Issaquah Toastmasters Club
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🏁 Final Turn – Eyes on the Finish Line! 🏁
We're in the final stretch of the Toastmasters year—and now’s the moment to lead your club across the finish line!
Whether you're just a few points away or still closing the gap, there’s still time to achieve Distinguished status and finish strong. Every speech, every new member, every milestone matters.
Wondering where your club stands?
Check out the latest Almost Distinguished Tracker to see what goals remain: View Tracker
Let’s make sure your club gets the recognition it deserves—as a place where leaders are made and voices are empowered.
This Week’s Focus – URGENCY!
- Celebrate small wins on social media
- Tag District 2 Toastmasters with #BeatTheClockTM
- Post a “Club Win” or Distinguished Countdown video (30–90 sec)
- Encourage every member to contribute one final goal (award, guest, invite)
Don’t forget—you can still earn $25 D2 Dollars for each campaign-themed video you post!
You’ve built momentum all year. Now’s the time to push through the Final Turn and finish with pride.
If you have questions about this incentive or this Beat the Clock initiative, please reach out to Anu Jokinen, PQD
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A club officer has a very important role in Toastmasters International. By providing leadership and support, you foster a positive environment that’s conducive to members’ personal and professional growth, allowing them to achieve their Toastmasters education program goals.
Start off the new Toastmasters year with the right tools to have a thriving club on the path to Distinguished status!
Be on the lookout for more training dates! See below!
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VIRTUAL ONLY
Corporate Club Focus
Date: August 29, 2025
Time: 12 pm - 1 pm PST / 11 am - 12 pm AK
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Host Hybrid Meetings That Truly Connect
Want your hybrid meetings to feel less like a tech juggling act and more like a seamless, inclusive experience? Then don’t miss Hosting Great Hybrid Meetings, a live virtual training with the brilliant Chris Rimple—happening Thursday, June 26, from 6–7:30pm (PST).
This isn’t your average slideshow-and-lecture session. You’ll get real talk, real tips, and real setups that make hybrid meetings more dynamic and less chaotic. Whether you’re leading a club, hosting workshops, or just want to level up your Zoom game, this session will give you the tools, layouts, and strategies to make every attendee—online or in-person—feel like they’re in the room. All club officers and members are encouraged to attend!
✨ Bonus: ALL Officers can earn training credit by attending this course—making it a perfect opportunity to build your skills and meet your officer training requirements.
Chris will show you how to avoid echo chambers (literally), enhance engagement, and create a “wow” factor that bridges the digital divide. I’ll be there too, keeping the chat buzzing and helping your questions get answered live.
Let’s raise the bar for hybrid meetings—together.
For more information, please reach out to Josh Hindman
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Let’s Get to Know You – One Survey at a Time
Every week, we’re spotlighting one quick survey designed to help us better understand and support our members. This week’s focus: your goals, leadership interests, and what you value most in your Toastmasters journey.
Whether you're here to become a more confident communicator, explore leadership, or simply grow in new ways—your input helps shape the experience for everyone.
This short survey gives you a chance to be heard—and gives your leaders the insight they need to align club and district opportunities with what truly matters to you.
Take the Survey of the Week
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2526D2MIS1
We’ll be featuring a different survey each week and sharing the link on the District website. Your voice helps us grow together, one response at a time.
Please reach out to Roberta Craig, if you have any questions
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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!
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Sign the D2/9/32 Memory & Welcome Book!
As we transition into the new District 2, we’re celebrating the incredible legacy of Districts 2, 9, and 32—and welcoming the leaders who will guide us forward.
This digital book is your space to:
- Share a memory
- Offer words of encouragement
- Give advice for the road ahead
Whether you’re a longtime Toastmaster or just joined, your voice matters. Every message will be printed and presented to the new leadership team as a keepsake of our shared journey.
Let’s fill this book with joy, gratitude, and inspiration!
Please submit your message by July 4th, 2025
https://forms.gle/nxkT4X4t3dfc7Vjc9
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Connect with District leadership as they share updates, answer your questions and hear your ideas. As we step into the 2025 -2026 Toastmasters year in the new District 2, your voice matters more than ever. Let’s lead the way, together!
July 2, 2025 @ 6 pm AK / 7 pm PT
Meeting Registration - Zoom
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Did you blink and suddenly find yourself in the middle of a hallway conversation, halfway through a coffee, and missing half an Ed Session? We’ve been there. Conference days move faster than a Table Topics timer on turbo mode.
But don’t worry—your time-turner has arrived, and it’s called YouTube.
That’s right! Every single one of our amazing Conference Ed Sessions is now available online. Whether you missed a session entirely, caught just the Q&A, or want to rewatch that one tip that made your eyebrows raise in enlightened surprise—they’re all just a click away.
Watch. Pause. Rewind. Take notes. Rewatch again just for fun. You’re in charge now!
Here’s a quick peek at the lineup:
So grab your favorite beverage, maybe even your Pathways to Brilliance conference badge if you’re feeling nostalgic, and dive back into the brilliance that made the Galaxy Rising Conference truly out of this world.
District 2 YouTube Channel
The knowledge is waiting. And this time, the only person who can interrupt you is your cat.
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As we continue to reflect on the incredible moments from last month’s District 2 Pathways to Brilliance Conference, we’re reminded that it takes more than great ideas and inspiring voices to bring a vision to life — it takes strong support.
We’re proud to recognize Denise Seavitt & Sotheby’s International Realty for their meaningful contribution in helping make the event a true success.
Thank you for walking the path with us and helping our Toastmasters community shine!
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2024/2025 District 2 Trio - Lead with Joy |
Toastmasters of the Week: A Trio of Titans
June Lear · Anu Jokinen · Roxanne Spring
This week, we raise a glass (or a gavel) to not just one, but three phenomenal women who have carried the banner of District 2 through enchanted highs and the twisty, thorn-covered lows of leadership. Our outgoing Trio—June, Anu, and Roxanne—have led with heart, humor, and the kind of determination that can only be fueled by caffeine and an undying love of Toastmasters.
June Lear (Sara Rantschler), District Director
June, you’ve led with a joyful spark and a resilient spirit. Even when the path curved through wild undergrowth, your laughter was often the loudest in the room—and also the most contagious. Your leadership was clear, confident, and grounded in collaboration. You didn’t just guide us—you rallied us.
Anu Jokinen, Program Quality Director
Anu, you are the maestro behind our most memorable moments—from officer trainings to the brilliance of our conference. Your attention to detail, sense of timing, and ability to juggle flaming torches (metaphorically… we think) made this year unforgettable. You brought poise and purpose to every event.
Roxanne Spring, Club Growth Director
Roxanne, your energy could power a small city. Your innovative incentives, the Sparkling Synergists team, and your fresh ideas helped breathe life into new clubs and gave existing one's reasons to smile. You didn’t just chase growth—you planted seeds for future leaders.
To our Trio—thank you for your leadership, your laughter, your countless Zoom hours, and your belief in the people of this District. You showed us that leadership isn’t about doing it alone; it’s about bringing others with you on the ride—even if that ride includes a few plot twists and technical glitches.
Here’s to your next adventure. District 2 will never forget this chapter.
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Congratulations Educational Achievements
See the full list of recipients
Pathways Education award recipient for last week:
Caryn Axelrad, Cheryl Leidle, Dan Rystrom, Jason Clever, Katherine Watson,
Katherine Farmer, Kiranmai Kunta, Michael Umeano, Roberto Haza, Todd Steinhardt
Great work everyone!
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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
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In a world where clubs rise, fall, and sometimes quietly fade into the shadows… one force dares to cut through the digital noise and shine a spotlight on your greatness: The Club Blog.
[Cue the epic soundtrack]
Imagine this: your club becomes the star of its own saga—weekly blog posts highlighting inspiring speeches, spotlighting your members, celebrating achievements, and sharing insights that make people say, “Whoa, I didn’t know Toastmasters could be that cool!” A blog or vlog transforms your meetings into meaningful episodes of an ongoing story. Not just information—inspiration.
But hold onto your microphones, because the sequel expands into the social media multiverse.
Enter LinkedIn—the land of goal-setters, professionals, and late-night profile polishers looking for the edge to speak with power. If your club isn’t there yet, it’s time to get in the game.
Then, for a twist no one saw coming: Nextdoor. Yep, between lost cats and BBQ recommendations, your club could be the hidden gem neighbors discover and join. It’s grassroots meets growth.
And now… for the audio chapter of your franchise: the club podcast. Whether it’s short interviews, tips on public speaking, or behind-the-scenes banter, podcasting gives your club a voice—literally—and helps future members tune in before they even step in.
Blog it. Vlog it. Post it. Cast it.
Your club’s story is ready to be told.
Lights. Camera. Connection.
And maybe… a few new members.
Empowering voices by Josh Hindman, your Starburst Editor
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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:
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Topic: Focus on club special events.
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Word Limit: Try to limit posts to 200 words or less.
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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.
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Contact Information: All articles must include your club website and/or a contact email for more information.
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Event Posts: Submit up to three consecutive posts for a single event.
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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.
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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. | | | | |
