District 106

Newsletter

December 2024

Upcoming District Events

NEW Promotion

High Five for a Slice

Add 5 New Members and Score a Chance to Win a Club Pizza Party!

District 106 Toastmasters Clubs -

Are you ready to grow and celebrate?

Bring in 5 new members from November 1st through January 31st and your club will be entered into a drawing for a delicious pizza party!

It’s your chance to build your club, grow your network, and add new perspectives...all while working toward a tasty reward!

Why Participate?

1. Strength in Numbers: More members = more ideas, diversity, and energy!

2. Pizza Party Perk: Who doesn’t love a good pizza party to celebrate success?

3. Inspire New Leaders: Each new member could be the next great leader in your club.

Ready to take on the challenge? Let’s make it happen by January 31st and put your club in the running for that slice of victory!

From the Desk of the District Director

The Ghost of Toastmasters Past

The Toastmaster meeting room was filled with laughter and excitement as members slid into their seats preparing for the meeting to start. The guest General Evaluator had not yet arrived when the Toastmaster called the meeting to order. “Good evening, Toastmaster members. Welcome to our Thursday night meeting. I’m so glad you made the drive on this snowy night to join us.”

The Toastmaster read the club mission statement and then invited role holders to describe their roles. The Timer showed the color cards stating the times with Yellow, Green and Red to finish speaking. Each evaluator shared what speech objectives they would focus on to give helpful feedback. The Tabletopics master was distracted peeling away a cupcake paper to get another nibble when a gust of wind blew the door open and the lights went out.

The members gasped as the Toastmaster hurried over to the door and pushed it closed. He fumbled for the light and flipped the switch on but was not prepared for what he saw. Something had happened that he could not understand. Each member had unknowingly reverted back to the person they were at their very first Toastmaster meeting. 

The Toastmaster followed the agenda calling on Speaker 1 first. The speaker rose timidly and went to the front of the room. She spoke softly as she gave her ice breaker. This was so strange to see. Next, the second speaker came up and gave his icebreaker. He spoke so fast and hardly looked at anyone. The icebreaker ended in 2 minutes and he quickly returned to his seat. "What was happening?" thought the Toastmaster.

The meeting continued as each member gave table topics, speech evaluations at the level they were when they first started Toastmasters. It was so strange to witness this turn of events. It was time for the final report of the night. Where was the General Evaluator? Just then the lights flickered and there standing at the podium was the General Evaluator. “Good evening, Toastmasters. At tonight's meeting you all were visited by your past self. When each of you presented your role, it was with the insecurities you had before joining Toastmasters. Seeing the struggle each member had to speak with confidence, give eye contact or even think about gestures impeded your presentations,” the General Evaluator described.  

The members marveled as they remembered how their fear and insecurities were real and had hindered their presentations that night as in years past. Toastmasters had made a significant difference in members' confidence and communication skills more than they had realized. It was truly a gift of transformation they would not forget.

The Toastmaster moved toward the podium to shake hands with the guest General Evaluator when the lights flickered again. The General Evaluator had vanished leaving everyone in the room in awe of the gift they had experienced that night. The Ghost of Toastmasters past was real. Do you believe?  

Katy Hursh, DTM

District Director, District 106

Email: tm.katy.hursh@gmail.com

From the Desk of the Program Quality Director

Toastmasters, Happy Holidays and sending you positive energy for a wonderful new year. 

We are approaching the new calendar year, however for Toastmasters, we are now halfway through the year. What we do now will not only help our members have a strong year but also our district. Little things go a long way. Let’s help our members and our clubs be the best they can be.

Have you signed up for the TLI on January 4, 2025? Let's start the year off with a big bang! Let’s get excited and motivated for what the next 6 months will bring. Please sign up today for our online learning experience.

We have speech contests coming up. The speech contest will be in person and we will be showcasing Tale Tales and International Speech Contest. I am hoping you can join us in Thunder Bay, Ontario, for the D106 conference in May. Look out for training sessions in January and February for running effective contests.

Check out the D106 calendar for our upcoming Club Officer Training. We have 8 dates in person. Division Directors will have dates in person and we have our TLI. Please ensure you sign up for one of these.



If you need a guest speaker for your club, feel free to reach out to one of the trio members as we are happy to visit your club and do a speech. We are here to support you.

Here’s to a happy new year and a great rest of the year for District 106. 

Matthew Villella, DTM

Program Quality Director, District 106

Email: tm.matthew.villella@gmail.com

From the Desk of the Club Growth Director

Sharing the Gift of Toastmasters During the Holidays

Greetings, District 106 Toastmasters!

As the holiday season unfolds, it’s a time for connection, celebration, and reflection. We gather with friends and family, sharing stories, laughter, and perhaps even aspirations for the coming year. This festive period presents a golden opportunity to share something meaningful: the transformative value of Toastmasters.

For many of us, Toastmasters has been a journey of personal growth. It has helped us find our voices, refine our communication skills, and develop leadership qualities that extend beyond the club. Imagine the impact it could have on someone you care about. This holiday season let’s make it a goal to introduce Toastmasters to our friends and family—not with a sales pitch but through authentic conversations.

How to Share the Toastmasters Experience

1. Share Your Story: Personal stories resonate deeply. Talk about a specific moment where Toastmasters made a difference in your life. Was it a speech you delivered, feedback you received, or a leadership role you embraced? Share how it helped you grow.

2. Highlight the Benefits: Toastmasters is about more than public speaking. It’s a safe space for self-improvement, networking, and building confidence. Highlight these aspects in your conversations.

3. Listen and Relate: During holiday gatherings, people often share their challenges—be it at work, in social settings, or in achieving personal goals. Listen actively and relate their experiences to how Toastmasters could support them.

4. Extend an Invitation: Offer a simple and welcoming invitation. Say, “Why don’t you come to a meeting with me? It’s a great way to practice speaking in a supportive environment and meet new people.” You can even invite them to a virtual meeting to make it more convenient.

5. Be an Example: Sometimes, actions speak louder than words. Demonstrate the confidence, poise, and communication skills you’ve developed through Toastmasters in your interactions. Let your growth be the proof of the program’s value.

Creating a Ripple Effect

Every person we introduce to Toastmasters has the potential to inspire others. Your holiday conversation might be the spark that encourages someone to join and embark on a journey of personal development. They, in turn, can positively influence their communities and workplaces, creating a ripple effect of growth and connection.

A Simple Holiday Challenge

This season, I challenge each member of District 106 to invite at least one friend or family member to a Toastmasters meeting. Let’s share this incredible gift that has enriched our lives. Who knows? Your invitation might be the beginning of a transformative journey for them.

As we celebrate the joy of the holidays, let’s also celebrate the gift of growth, confidence, and connection that Toastmasters offers. Together, we can make a lasting impact—one conversation at a time.

Happy Holidays, District 106! Let’s share the magic of Toastmasters with those we cherish.

With excitement and encouragement,

Ashok Sunkavalli

Club Growth Director, District 106

Email: tm.ashoksunkavalli@gmail.com

Phone: 319-431-2415 (call or text me!)

From the Desk of the Public Relations Manager

Bringing the Toastmasters Spirit Home for the Holidays

The holiday season is here, and as we gather with family and friends—perhaps even that one overly enthusiastic relative—one thing becomes clear: every festive gathering is a meeting in disguise.

Yes, Toastmasters, this is our time to shine. Amid the twinkling lights and sparkling sweaters, we become the unofficial Masters of Ceremonies, bringing humor, order, and joy to the chaos of holiday get-togethers.

Table Topics: Holiday Edition

Uncle Joe always has a story to tell, doesn’t he? This year, challenge him with a spontaneous Table Topic: “Describe your favorite holiday moment in 60 seconds—no tangents!” Table Topics are not just for club meetings—they’re a delightful way to steer conversations toward connection and away from controversy.

Evaluations: With a Dash of Love

The holidays are perfect for practicing positive feedback. Aunt Sally’s mashed potatoes? “A flavorful triumph! Maybe a touch less salt next year, but your confidence in the kitchen is inspiring.” Toastmasters evaluations remind us to celebrate effort while encouraging growth—a skill that shines far beyond our meetings.

Presenting with Presence

When it’s your turn to carve the turkey or lead the toast, Toastmasters training has you covered. Speak with confidence, articulate clearly, and maybe share a touching story about how you’ve grown this year. You’re not just leading a moment—you’re making it memorable.

Sharing the Gift of Toastmasters

As you share your Toastmasters journey, you might inspire others. A shy cousin may ask about public speaking, or a career-driven nephew might seek leadership advice. You are a living testament to the transformative power of Toastmasters.

The Spirit of Toastmasters

Toastmasters is about more than speaking—it’s about connection, growth, and uplifting others. This holiday season, embody those values: be the calm in the chaos, the voice of encouragement, and the example of poise and humor.

Leadership and communication aren’t just for the stage—they’re gifts we bring to every gathering. From all of us at District 106, happy holidays! May your toasts be heartfelt, your conversations engaging, and your ugly sweaters unforgettable.

Cheers,

Leo Smith, DTM

District 106 Public Relations Manager

Email: leo.w.smith@gmail.com

Phone: 651-600-0531

From the Desk of the Immediate Past District Director

CALL FOR CANDIDATES

District 106 DECEMBER 2024

There is a strong tradition of leadership service within Toastmasters District 106. It is time to surface our leaders for the Toastmasters program year 2025-2026 and beyond.

Any District 106 Toastmaster in good standing may nominate a candidate for office: including self-nominations.

Offices for which candidates are sought include District Director, Program Quality Director, Club Growth Director, and Division Director. Please send nominations to immediate past District Director Ed Aylward at tm.ed.aylward@gmail.com

A District 106 Leadership Committee with a representative from each division is in place and prepared to interview and approve a slate of officers for elections to take place during our April 2025 District 106 Business Meeting. Nominated candidates are asked to complete multiple questionnaires. Responses will be shared with the Leadership committee. Interviews with the committee will be scheduled. After completion of interviews, the committee will recommend a slate of approved candidates to District Director Hursh. Approved candidates will then be allowed to campaign within guidelines provided by Toastmasters International.

We need at least one candidate for each office. It is highly recommended to have two or more candidates for the office of Club Growth Director. As of this writing, there is one candidate nominated for each Division Director role, plus one candidate nominated for the office of District Director, one candidate nominated for the office of Program Quality Director, and one candidate nominated for the office of Club Growth Director. Two candidates for Division Director have accepted their nomination.

Are you impressed by the demonstrated leadership skill among our Area Directors? Nominate an Area Director for an elected office. Take a risk to stretch your leadership skills. Nominate yourself for office. There is much talent in our district.

Let’s identify the right leaders to further our demonstrated commitment to Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence!

Edward Aylward, DTM

Immediate Past District Director

Email: tm.ed.aylward@gmail.com

Follow us on the D106 Website, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok for exciting updates, inspiration, and more.

District 106 Social channel presence by the Numbers:

Facebook: 490 | X (Formerly Twitter): 214 | LinkedIn: 230 | Instagram: 311 | YouTube: 169 TikTok: 51