District News

Share Convention Excitement — Help spread the word about the 2026 International Convention with these fun promotional assets. Use the 2026 Convention Zoom Backgrounds in online meetings, post 2026 Convention Social Media Graphics or 2026 Convention GIFs and Stickers on social channels, add the 2026 Convention Email Signature to emails, and share the 2026 Convention Presentation Slides with members at club meetings or other upcoming events.

Rotary Strong! — Did you know that Toastmasters International and Rotary International, two long-standing organizations, have been strategically working together for almost seven years? Through this unique alliance, Rotarians/Rotaractors and Toastmasters can expend their membership opportunities to build meaningful relationships while they collaborate on activities and service projects, growing together both personally and professionally. Learn more about the Toastmasters/Rotary Alliance and discover how your club can leverage the strengths of the many similarities and complementary differences.

Prepare for District Leader Training — Toastmasters International will conduct District Leader Training in person at the Vancouver Convention Centre East in Vancouver, Canada on August 17 and 18 for 2026–2027 District Directors, Program Quality Directors, and Club Growth Directors. District leaders will develop core leadership skills, share best practices, and network with others from around the globe. Registration for District Leader Training is required. Submit your District leader list as soon as possible after District elections to ensure registration, travel, and training details are sent to elected leaders in a timely manner.

Is Your District on Track to Become Distinguished? — With only two months left in the 2025–2026 District Recognition Program year, the best way to make sure your District is on target is by regularly monitoring the District Performance Reports.

As a reminder, the District Recognition Program for the 2025-2026 program years is as follows:

Take Part in the Live Convention Club Meeting! — This is your chance to be part of the live club meeting experience on the 2026 International Convention stage in Vancouver! This event is designed to fully showcase the Toastmasters club experience in a high-energy environment, offering you the opportunity to participate in two ways: apply to be a club meeting experience speaker or apply to take on a club meeting experience role.

Club Visit Reports Due May 31 — Area Directors: are your clubs delivering the best possible member experience? Evaluate clubs based on the standards listed in Moments of Truth, and submit your Club Visit Report online through District Central by May 31. Remember your support affects the future of clubs in the Area and empowers officers and members alike to achieve their goals. Submitting your reports is a requirement toward your Distinguished Area Program goals. Please email any questions to districts@toastmasters.org.

Report Your Alignment Changes — Each year, Districts must review and amend the alignment of clubs for Areas and Divisions. Between June 1 and July 15, the Annual Alignment Tool will be accessible in District Central to all District Directors. Districts should amend their alignment for the 2026-2027 program year as soon as possible, and no later than July 15. If the approved alignment no longer meets the minimum Area and Division requirements as referenced in Protocol 7.0, the Alignment Committee will make the adjustments and seek two-thirds approval of the District Executive Committee by July 15. The District Executive Committee cannot approve changes to the number of Divisions previously approved by the District Council.

New Member Inspiration — Do you know a new member? Help them get more from their Toastmasters experience by sharing the replay of the More Than Meetings webinar. It's packed with practical ideas on roles, Pathways, and what to try next. It’s a quick, energizing overview you can pass along to set them up for early wins.

Gear Up for Corporate! — Use Transferable Skills for Corporate Clubs to show individuals and organizations how Toastmasters can benefit them and which skills transfer from Toastmasters to the workplace.

Achieve Club-Building Success in 2026 — It's the time of year when companies and individuals alike are turning to Toastmasters for growth and development opportunities. Keep your District's club-building goals and strategies on track by using the resources in the Club Building Curriculum, found in your Paths and Learning when you log in to Base Camp.

Chartering Clubs Made Easier — Good news for club growth: the club charter process is now simpler! The Application to Organize is still the starting point, but the remaining charter requirements have now been streamlined into a single form—the Club Charter Requirements Form.

Information Hub — The District Leader Tools website has recently been updated, allowing you an easier way to find the materials, tools, and resources you need to build your District. Take a moment to browse and bookmark each section for quick reference throughout the year.

Preparing for Success — Remember what it was like when you began your current role? Is there anything you know now that you wish you knew then? Think about what your successor needs to know as they transition into your role and refer to the Leadership Transitions webpage for ideas on how you can prepare them and the District for a successful year ahead!

New Club Officer Training Materials — New club officer training materials are an exciting new resource, developed by the Club Officer Training Project Development Team, a group of past District leaders. They worked under the guidance of the Club Officer Training Working Group, a team of Past International Presidents dedicated to strengthening District-sponsored Club Officer Training. Give them a try today!

From a Shy to a Confident Speaker: A Toastmasters Success Story — Listen as International President Aletta Rochat sits down with Past International President Radhi Spear to share the story behind the leader. From a shy young woman to finding her courage, Radhi opens up about her journey to becoming the leader she is today.

Get the Golden Backstory — Are you looking to find life balance and avoid burnout? Read about the communication journey of Jennifer Moss, this year’s Golden Gavel honoree, before her anticipated speech at the 2026 International Convention in August.

Professional Growth — As you’ve gained experience as a leader, are you considering transitioning to a new career? Learn how other Toastmasters (including Second Vice President Gauri Seshadri) have leveraged their Toastmasters networking skills to make the leap.

Share, Without Bragging — You’ve gained new skills and experiences through Toastmasters and your job, now discover how to let people know what you’ve done without making it sound like you’re showing off.

More Ways to Support Smedley — The Ralph C. Smedley Memorial Fund® is making it easier to give: the Smedley Fund now accepts donations via Google Pay, Apple Pay, Venmo, and PayPal, in addition to traditional payment methods. The expanded options make supporting the cause more accessible than ever! Learn more or donate and help take Toastmasters into its next 100 years.

Zoom Discount Offering — Zoom has discontinued its discount code program for organizations, including Toastmasters. We recognize this change may require clubs to adjust. A few alternative online meeting platforms that may meet your needs include: Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, and Jitsi Meet.