|
Climbing Together: Every Step Counts Toward Smedley Distinguished
At last week’s Toastmasters International Convention, District 2 leaders had the honor of attending the Hall of Fame, where many districts from around the world were recognized as Smedley Distinguished. Watching these celebrations was more than seeing awards—it was witnessing the ripple effect of lives changed.
To be Smedley Distinguished is not about a title. It is about what happens in every meeting: a guest who arrives quietly but leaves with hope, a member who delivers a speech and realizes their voice matters, a leader who discovers strength they didn’t know they had. It is about creating spaces where encouragement outweighs fear and growth becomes inevitable.
At the club level, you have the power to help us live this vision. The first step is simple yet powerful: completing your Club Success Plan. It’s not about checking a box—it’s about your club coming together to imagine the future you want for your members and mapping how to make it real. Already, 42 of our 210 clubs have taken this step, each one planting seeds of growth that ripple outward into our District.
And remember—you are not alone. Your District Trio and the entire District 2 team are here to support you. At the convention, your District Trio (aka Charlie’s Angels) stood together at Philadelphia’s Love Park and on the Rocky Steps. Just as Rocky climbed those steps with determination, we climb together—as one District—toward a future where every member reaches new heights.
Let’s step boldly into this future—together!
For additional help, attend the Road to Distinguished Office Hours on Wednesday, August 27th .
Connect with us about this at the D2 Get 2Gether on Tuesday, September 2nd, 2025.
Your District Trio,
Anu Jokinen, District Director
Roberta Craig, Program Quality Director
Joanna Tavera, Club Growth Director
| | | | TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL NEWS | |
World Champion of Public Speaking RESULTS!
- 1st Place - Sabyasachi Sengupta from Netherlands, District 59 Region 10
Just Nod
- 2nd Place - Mas Mahathir Bin Mohd from Malaysia,
District 51, Region 13
Raindrops
- 3rd Place - Allen Ang Boon Kiat from Brunei,
District 87, Region 9
Keep Dreaming
| |  |
Key Renewal Information
- Dues amount: $60 USD per member
- Submission deadline: October 1, 2025
- Minimum requirement: 8 members (including at least 3 renewing members)
- Speech contest eligibility: Contestants must have submitted their dues payment before the start of the contest to be eligible
- District Council Meeting eligibility: Your club must be in good standing for your club’s President and Vice President Education to be eligible to vote
Need help? Check out the Renewal Dues FAQ or email renewals@toastmasters.org.
| | |
A Word About Pathways
Check out this Pathways tip from our Division I Director, Carolyn Curley!
For every task you do, there are Pathways projects that can help you do the task better. Whether the task is for work, another organization, or for Toastmasters, look ahead to see which project may help you with that task!
For questions and support, join a Pathways Office Hour!
Click the District 2 Calendar for dates and times.
| | |
|
Your Voice Matters
Let’s Shape District 2 2Gether!
What’s on your mind? What fuels your growth? What do you want more of in your Toastmasters journey?
Every week, we share one short survey to help us get to know you better — your goals, your challenges, your ideas. It’s our way of listening so we can build stronger clubs, better opportunities, and an experience that truly fits what you need.
Your feedback isn’t just data — it’s a spark for positive change. Take a minute this week to share your thoughts and help us keep Toastmasters member-focused and future-ready.
One survey. One minute. One stronger community.
Take the Survey of the Week!
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, PQD, if you have any questions.
| |
How quickly time flies when you are having fun at club meetings under the summer sun. All too soon, Club Success Plans will be due into Club Central. To encourage clubs to participate in the Distinguished Club Program, District 2 is offering the Great Start Incentive:
Here are the details:
$75 D2$*/club that meets the following requirements by 9/15
- Club Success Plan Submitted
- 4 Club Officers Trained**
- 8 member payments submitted
*Dependent on budget approval 9/18
**Officers must complete training by 8/31
| |
Joining the Smedley Challenge
The Smedley Award program runs from August 1 to September 30. Toastmasters International provides details on eligibility and how to participate. To qualify, clubs need to add five new, dual, or reinstated members with a join date within the specified period. The addition of transfer and charter members does not count towards Smedley Award credit. Applications and payments for new members must be received by Toastmasters International or submitted online no later than September 30.
How to grow your club and earn the award?
- Host an open house
- Leverage social media
- Engage with potential members
By actively participating in the Smedley Award challenge, clubs can boost their membership, strengthen their programs, and earn well-deserved recognition for their achievements. This fosters a thriving and supportive environment that benefits all members.
Our District Club Growth Director, Joanna Tavera is ready to help you get started!
| | |
WHAT IMPRESSION DOES YOUR CLUB MAKE?
SCHEDULE A MOMENTS OF TRUTH
CLUB QUALITY STANDARDS EVALUATION
Do you remember what stood out to you when you visited your club for the first time? What was awesome? What was curious? What was frightening?
Our clubs only have one opportunity to make a first impression. Using the Moments of Truth survey, we can anonymously give feedback on just how well our club is dong in six key aspects. This information can then fuel plans for how our club strives to be the best that it can be. D2 is glad to invite you to experience the MOT with our Chair Richard Ripley.
Join us for the next Moments of Truth Office Hour
Date: Wednesday, August 27th, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 1:30 PM Pacific Time, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Alaska
There will be a presentation and opportunities for questions and answers. If this event doesn't work, check out the D2 Events Calendar for other Moments of Truth (MOT) Office Hours.
As a special August bonus, this session can count toward Officer training!
For any inquiries, feel free to reach out to Chair Richard Ripley.
| | | | | |
Club Success Plans Are The Roadmap to Distinguished
District 2 is Smedley Bound!
We have five weeks before the window of opportunity closes for timely submission of your Club's Success Plan. Why not visit this week's Distinguished Office Hour to answer questions and/or work on your Club's Success Plan?
Join us on Wednesday, August 27th, 2025 , for the next Distinguished Office Hour
Time: 7:00 – 8:00 PM Pacific Time, 6:00 – 7:00 PM Alaska
| | |
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!
Training deadline is August 31st!
Check the status of club officers trained for your club here.
We have 59 clubs that just need 1 or 2 more officers trained this week in order to meet the requirement. Register today for one of the final trainings!
| | | Training Date | Online | In Person | Hybrid | Register Today | | August 27
MOT Office Hour
Alaska: 11:00am-12:30pm Pacific: 12:00pm-1:30pm | Online | Register Today! | | August 27
Distinguished Office Hour
Alaska: 6:00pm-7:00pm Pacific: 7:00pm-8:00pm | Online | Register Today! | | August 28
MOT Office Hour
Alaska: 11:00am-12:30pm Pacific: 12:00pm-1:30pm | Online | Register Today! | | August 29
COT: Corporate Club Focus
Alaska: 11:00am-12:00pm
Pacific: 12:00pm-1:00pm | Online | Register Today! | | August 30
MOT Office Hour
Alaska: 8:00am-9:30am Pacific: 9:00am-10:30am | Online | Register Today! | | | |
Our Public Relations Committee will have it's launch soon!. Ready to unleash your creativity? Ready to try something new? Ready to make an impact?
Reach out to our Public Relations Committee, today—there is still time to make some magic happen together!
| | | |
District 2 Is Going to the Fair!
WE NEED YOU, TOASTIES! Four days, Fair fun, and unlimited opportunities for impact. IF YOU CAN'T GO, SEND YOUR STORY! 8/29/25 through 9/1/25
VOLUNTEERS GET FREE PARKING & ADMISSION!
Contact Debra Hartmann to volunteer.
Send your stories to Matt Hartmann.
| |
Is Your Club Website Current?
You could be missing out on new members!
I have a challenge for you, club officers! Go to your club's website and check out all the tabs. Is the information up to date? Are the contact names and numbers correct? Which individual(s) is/are assigned to receive emails from the "contact us" form? Is that person still a member? Does that person check their email?
You may be missing out on potential new members if their contact forms are not reaching someone who will quickly respond!
Another place to look is the Toastmasters.org Find A Club link. Is all the information correct? Today's a good day to find out!
Laura Higdon
| | | | | |
Emulate to Elevate
by Vincent Tang
The first time I went into my corporate Toastmasters meeting, I was a little nervous. I noticed there were only six people in the room—which meant there was no way to avoid speaking. Strangely enough, that smaller attendance was what drew me to the club. It meant more speaking practice for me!
Every club has a unique twist, whether it’s as small as mine was or a group of 20+ members. Each club offers something to appreciate, but there are also times we can borrow another club’s practices and make them our own. And the first step? Visit other clubs!
My journey to visit new clubs began when my president in that small corporate club encouraged us to explore new ways to grow. He challenged us to find the best techniques we enjoyed from other clubs and (shamelessly) use them to improve our own.
Have you ever been to a club that quizzes members on their listening skills at the end of a meeting? Or one that starts with a round of jokes? Maybe you’ve seen a club that schedules speeches two months in advance! Trust me—you’ll start noticing the things you love about other clubs, and those ideas will bring a wealth of inspiration to your next officers’ meeting.
Challenge your club by asking: “What makes our club unique?” or “What value do we want to provide to our community?” These small but powerful questions can guide how you want your club to grow.
So, what’s stopping you from visiting your next club? I encourage you to check out the clubs in your area and discover fresh ideas. As the saying goes, “Emulation is the sincerest form of learning.” Keep emulating what works—and who knows? You might just find other clubs adopting your best practices.
| | |
|
VPPR TIPS to Produce Your Powerful Presence™ – No. 6
Silence Isn’t Golden, It’s Confusing
Is your reputation at stake?
As leaders, our voices carry weight—but so do our inbox habits. You can command a room, but if it takes a week to answer an email, your presence starts to fade.
Fast responses matter more than ever. Everyone is busy. It is less about efficiency
and more about respecting people’s time.
When we do not respond quickly as leaders:
• People feel ignored.
• Our credibility takes a hit.
• Progress slows.
• People stop reaching out and engaging.
• Club growth and district projects stall.
📧 Best practice: Reply within 24–48 hours.
🕐 Leaders & client-facing: Same day if possible.
🚨 Urgent: Within 1–2 hours—or at least send a quick “Got it, more soon.”
The goal is not to drop everything each time an email hits your inbox. It is to close
the loop so projects move forward and relationships thrive.
👉 Leadership challenge: Notice your inbox habits this week. Use AI to speed up replies, set reminders, and respect people’s time. Ask yourself: Does this belong on my to-do list, or can I knock it out right now?
Keep your reputation shining! ✨
| |
As Always, Sparkle & Shine, Friends!
Kelly Fallucca
VPPR, Public Speaking Northwest Toastmasters
D2 Area Director, C35
| | |
|
The Toastmasters at Professionally Speaking, an advanced club in D2, Invite You to Be Our Guest to experience:
Two Talks. Eight Evaluations. Growth Guaranteed!
Attend this hybrid meeting in person or online! Register for either option here.
Thursday, September 4, 2025 at 6:30 pm PDT
In person venue: The Village Green Community Center, 26159 Dulay Road NE, Kingston, WA
The Village Green is within walking distance (1/2 mile) of the Kingston Ferry terminal.
In-person venue and Zoom will both open by 6 pm for socializing, and for refreshments in person.
Professionally Speaking is here to fine-tune your skills. It’s not your average club. Each speaker receives insightful feedback from four experienced evaluators, each with a special focus:
- Content – Was your message strong and clear?
- Pathway – Did it align with your goals?
- Visuals – What did your body language say?
- Vocals – How did you sound?
Whether you're a Toastmaster ready for more challenge—or simply curious about how professional-level feedback can transform your presentations—this will be the perfect meeting to visit, connect, and get inspired.
Take the next step in your speaking journey—come see what sets Pro apart. We’d love to meet you!
| | | |
| | |
SPEAKOUT! presents 20X20
August 26, 2025
Come see SPEAKOUT Advanced Seattle Toastmasters infamous 20X20!
Three speakers will entertain and inform as they speak to 20 slides for 20 seconds each. It's an astounding feat!
What: 20X20!!
Who: SPEAKOUT Advanced Seattle Toastmasters
When: August 26, 2025
Where: Downtown or Online
Our meetings are hybrid, so join us downtown or online. Information can be found on our website:
Come join the fun!
| | | | |
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
| |
2025/2026 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 Marty Varela
| |
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 - Marty Varela, 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. | | | | |
