Watch the new Toastmasters Documentary, 100 Years of Confident Voices
2024-2025 – Table Topics and International Speech Contests
News and Reports
- Call for Nominations
- Contest Judges Tutorial
- Conference: Registration is Open
- Conference: Reserve a Room
- Conference: Request for Presenters
- DLC ’24-’25 Announced
- Announcing the Club Excellence Series
- Workshop: Table Topics Contests
- Club Coaches are Crucial
- Request for Videos
- Contest Rules: Areas
- 2024-2025 Contest Topics and Schedules
- Basecamp Outage, 9-26 October 2024
- D53 Town Hall Proxy Meeting
- Presentations for Club Officer Training
- Happy New Year! (Pardon our Dust!)
Recent Newsletters
Calendar of Events
Events in January 2025
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Area Contest Season Begins Area Contest Season Begins
Area Contests Begin
1 January 2025All Area Contests will be held between January 1, 2025 and February 28, 2025
Senior Staff Meeting Senior Staff Meeting
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1 January 2025The senior staff meets on the first, second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, via Zoom teleconference.
The Senior Staff consists of:
- District Director
- Program Quality Director
- Club Growth Director
- Administrative Manager
- Public Relations Manager
- Finance Manager
- and others as the District Director may invite.
Please contact the District Director to place an item on the agenda or to arrange an invitation so that you can make a report.
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Club Officer Training (COT) Club Officer Training (COT)
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4 January 2025The Division Directors and Area Directors are pleased to present Club Officer Training events in the winter season this year:
- Division A: Saturday 4 January 2025, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Division B: Thursday 30 January 2025, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Division C: Monday 10 February 2025, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Division D: Saturday 18 January 2025, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Division E: Â Wednesday 18 December 2024, 6:00 to 9:00 pm
Use the Club Officer Jumpstart page to help you prepare and "do your homework" so you get more out of your Club Officer Training.
Remember: clubs that get four or more officers trained in both the summer and winter training periods, complete Goal 9 in the Distinguished Club Program (DCP). Â Track whether you're on the right path to meet these goals here.
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Senior Staff Meeting Senior Staff Meeting
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8 January 2025The senior staff meets on the first, second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, via Zoom teleconference.
The Senior Staff consists of:
- District Director
- Program Quality Director
- Club Growth Director
- Administrative Manager
- Public Relations Manager
- Finance Manager
- and others as the District Director may invite.
Please contact the District Director to place an item on the agenda or to arrange an invitation so that you can make a report.
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Combined Area 31 and Area 34 Speech Contests Combined Area 31 and Area 34 Speech Contests
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9 January 2025Area 34 Director Sugan Kumar invites you to attend the Area 34 Speech Contests. Â Please contact Sugan for more information or to volunteer as a functionary.
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- Contest Chair: Paula Zajac
- Contest Master: Sugan Kumar
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D42 and D43 Combined Area Speech Contests D42 and D43 Combined Area Speech Contests
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11 January 2025Area Directors Steve Lanning and Alissa Monteleone invite you to the Area Speech Contests for Areas D42 and D43 on January 11, 2025 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm!
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Special Instructions: Either park in a marked spot on the street or around the corner and into the library lot. Do not park in the bank or other nearby local businesses.
- Please contact Steve Lanning  for additional information
- Contest Master/Chair (Name): TBD
- Chief Judge (if identified): TBD
There will be no online attendance available.
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Area 32 and Area 33 Speech Contests Area 32 and Area 33 Speech Contests
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13 January 2025Annette Wright, the Area 32 Director, and Anwar Mohammad the Area 33 Director, invite you all to attend the combined Area 32 and Area 33 Speech Contests on 13 January 2025 at 6:00 pm.
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Please contact Annette Wright as Contest Chair and Contest Master at this time for more information.
- Contest Chair: Annette Wright
Contest Chief Judge: Anwar Mohammad
- Contest Chair: Annette Wright
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Combined Area 21 and Area 22 Speech Contests Combined Area 21 and Area 22 Speech Contests
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14 January 2025Area Directors Ana Primeau and Eliza Yuliana are pleased to invite you to the Area 21 and Area 22 Speech Contests on Tuesday, January 14 at 7:00 pm. Briefings for contestants and functionaries begin at 6:30 pm.
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Although the meeting will be hybrid, all contestants and contest judges must attend in person.
- Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88320778965
- Meeting ID: 883 2077 8965
Please contact Area Director Ana Primeau if you have interest in competing, or participating as a contest judge or functionary.
- Contest Chair: Ana Primeau
- Contest Chief Judge: Eliza Yuliana
Remind your members! This is a great opportunity to grow, learn, and showcase their unique voice. Â By participating in a contest, members will:
- Sharpen Skills: Competing in a public speaking contest helps refine speech structure, delivery, and storytelling abilities.
- Boost Confidence: Taking the stage builds confidence that translates to all areas of life.
- Gain Feedback: Receive valuable feedback from experienced evaluators, enhancing future presentations.
- Inspire and Connect: Share the story, inspire the audience, and connect with others on a deep level.
- Represent Your Club: Compete locally, with the potential to represent your club at higher levels of competition!
Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or new to the stage, this contest is an incredible growth opportunity. Don’t miss out on this chance to push your limits and enjoy the thrill of friendly competition!
Club Excellence Series Club Excellence Series
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14 January 2025Moments of Truth series led by Area E54 Director Jim Ault.
Do you want your club to deliver a higher quality of evaluation to its members? Do you want a more welcoming and favorable club environment for guests and visitors? How does one make that happen?
In this series of webinars, Jim Ault will lead attendees through the Moments of Truth program over the course of the year. Â Attendees will get action-packed ideas on how to change their behaviors and to help their club adjust course to provide the highest possible club quality experience to both members and visitors.
- Tuesday 10 December 2024, 8:00 pm:
Moments of Truth, Pillar 1 = First Impressions - Tuesday 14 January 2025, 8:00 pm:
- Moments of Truth
- Pillar 2 = Membership Orientation
- featuring guest presenter Patti Walter PDD
- Tuesday 11 February 2025, 8:00 pm:
Special Guest Michael Whitehouse - How to Manage Social Media - Tuesday 11 March 2025, 8:00 pm:
- Moments of Truth
- Pillar 3 = Fellowship, Variety and Communication
- featuring guest presenter Simone Brooks
- Tuesday, 8 April 2025, 8:00 pm:
- Moments of Truth
- Pillar 4 = Program Planning and Meeting Orientation
- featuring guest presenter Professor Robert Ekblaw
- Tuesday 6 May 2025, 8:00 pm:
- Moments of Truth
- Pillar 5 = Membership Strength
- featuring guest presenter Sharon Mercado
- Tuesday, 10 June 2025, 8:00 pm:
Moments of Truth, Pillar 6 = Achievement Recognition
Please consider joining us for this series of programs, or for a single hour on any day in the program, to work on improving your club quality!
Register Here
Jim Ault joined the GE Niskayuna Toastmasters Club in Mar 2011, and achieved Competent Communicator in Nov 2012.
He joined the KAPL Toastmasters Club in Nov 2013, and has served in many club officer roles including SAA, Secretary, VP-PR and President in 2023-2024. He recently organized Speechcraft Training Classes with 8 students and 10 mentors at KAPL in April 2024.
James is now serving as Area Director for E54 for 2024-2025. As part of a High Performance Leadership project he is seeking to encourage and equip club officers and members to achieve excellence in their clubs and their personal Toastmasters journey.
Contact him at AD-E54@d53tm.org
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District Executive Committee (DEC) Meeting District Executive Committee (DEC) Meeting
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15 January 2025The District Executive Committee (DEC) for District 53 meets every other month in odd-numbered months, on the third Wednesday of each month, September excepted — plus the third Wednesday in June, and a staff meeting in July (Date TBA) for transitioning the District Officers from one program year to the next.
Dates for 2024-2025 are:
- July 17, 2024
- November 20, 2024
- January 15, 2025
- March 19, 2025
- May 21, 2025
- June 18, 2025
- July , 2025 (Date TBA by new District Director - this event may move)
Please contact the District Director to place an item on the agenda for each DEC meeting. Â Please contact District Administrative Manager (DAM) to receive Zoom teleconference credentials.
DEC Voting membership is as follows: District Director, District Program Quality Director, District Club Growth Director, District Finance Manager, District Administrative Manager, District Public Relations Manager, Division Directors, Area Directors, and the Immediate Past District Director. Other persons may attend only as invited guests or reporters of the District Director.
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Monthly D53 Pathways Support (Third Thursdays) Monthly D53 Pathways Support (Third Thursdays)
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16 January 2025Pathways Support Sessions!
3rd Thursdays of the Month at 7:00-8:00pm via Zoom (first session: September 19th)Goal-oriented support session for PathwaysComprehensive support for members at all stages of their Pathways journeyThis session is designed to support new members, those new to Pathways, and VPEs, while also providing goal-oriented motivation. We'll dedicate the first half of the session to enrollment support, answering questions, and helping members get started with Pathways. The second half will focus on setting goals, sharing ideas, brainstorming projects, and helping members overcome speech-writers-block. Whether you need backend support, want to get enrolled, or are looking to maintain momentum on your speaking goals, this session provides a collaborative environment to support your Toastmasters development. ÂRegister for this program here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D53PathwaysInstitute -
Club Officer Training (COT) Club Officer Training (COT)
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18 January 2025The Division Directors and Area Directors are pleased to present Club Officer Training events in the winter season this year:
- Division A: Saturday 4 January 2025, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Division B: Thursday 30 January 2025, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Division C: Monday 10 February 2025, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Division D: Saturday 18 January 2025, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Division E: Â Wednesday 18 December 2024, 6:00 to 9:00 pm
Use the Club Officer Jumpstart page to help you prepare and "do your homework" so you get more out of your Club Officer Training.
Remember: clubs that get four or more officers trained in both the summer and winter training periods, complete Goal 9 in the Distinguished Club Program (DCP). Â Track whether you're on the right path to meet these goals here.
Combined Area Speech Contests for Areas 11, 13, 14 Combined Area Speech Contests for Areas 11, 13, 14
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18 January 2025Division A will host a combined Area Speech Contest day on January 18, 2025 for Areas 11, 13, and 14:
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Area E54 Contests Area E54 Contests
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18 January 2025Area Director James Ault is pleased to welcome you to attend the Speech Contests for Area E54 on Saturday 18 January 2024 from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm.
Please contact Area Director James Ault for more information or to volunteer to serve as a judge or functionary - many hands make light work!
Location:
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Division D Council & Office Hours Division D Council & Office Hours
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21 January 2025The Division D Council (Area Directors + Division Director Stephanie Roy) meets on the third Tuesday of each month from 7:15 pm to 8:00 pm. Â Please contact Division Director Stephanie Roy to arrange to attend the meeting by Zoom.
Division D Director Stephanie Roy also holds office hours from 6:00 to 7:00 pm on these same nights. Please contact her directly for the Zoom Link.
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Mystic Aquarium Toastmasters Open House Mystic Aquarium Toastmasters Open House
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22 January 2025OPEN HOUSE JANUARY 22, 2025
5:00 – 6:30PMMystic Aquarium Toastmasters is pleased to invite you to their Open House event on 22 January 2025 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm.
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The event will be on the first floor at the Milne Center.
Learn how joining a Toastmasters club can help you gain confidence in communication and public speaking, develop leadership skills, and network while learning from local professionals!
GUEST SPEAKER: BRANDON EASTMAN
Founder of Be Better Industries® and sales coach Brandon Eastman has carved a niche as one of this nation’s leading thought experts in the sales profession. His internationally recognized podcast - The Be Better Broadcast -helps sales leaders & business owners around the world unleash confidence and activate peak performance in their lives. Brandon believes that in a world full of distractions and noise, it’s more important than ever to prioritize your mental and emotional health so that you can both succeed in sales and create an extraordinary life.
Senior Staff Meeting Senior Staff Meeting
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22 January 2025The senior staff meets on the first, second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, via Zoom teleconference.
The Senior Staff consists of:
- District Director
- Program Quality Director
- Club Growth Director
- Administrative Manager
- Public Relations Manager
- Finance Manager
- and others as the District Director may invite.
Please contact the District Director to place an item on the agenda or to arrange an invitation so that you can make a report.
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Area 51 Speech Contests Area 51 Speech Contests
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25 January 2025Area 51 Director Frank Palmeri cordially invites you to attend the Toastmasters Area 51 Speech Contests at from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Saturday 25 January 2025.{hcard}Please contact Frank as Contest Chair until further details are announced.- Contest Master: TBA
- Contest Chief Judge: TBA
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Area 41 Speech Contests Area 41 Speech Contests
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27 January 2025Area 41 Director Kate Scarcella is pleased to invite you to the Area 41 Speech Contests on Monday 27 January 2025 at 6:00 pm (briefings at 5:30 pm).Even if you're not participating as a contestant, we still need people to fill functionary roles and to cheer on our contestants: please mark this time off on your calendar to attend! Â It should be a fun time where we can celebrate our fellow Toastmasters and see what our Area can do!Please sign up to fill Contest Roles here:Â- Role briefings will be held virtually before the contest is held so you can ask any questions and come in prepared.
CONTEST DETAILS:- When:Â Monday, January 27, 2025
- Time: Contest starts at 6:00pm
- Where: The Tarriffvale Room (lower level), at
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Senior Staff Meeting Senior Staff Meeting
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29 January 2025The senior staff meets on the first, second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm, via Zoom teleconference.
The Senior Staff consists of:
- District Director
- Program Quality Director
- Club Growth Director
- Administrative Manager
- Public Relations Manager
- Finance Manager
- and others as the District Director may invite.
Please contact the District Director to place an item on the agenda or to arrange an invitation so that you can make a report.
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Club Officer Training (COT) Club Officer Training (COT)
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30 January 2025The Division Directors and Area Directors are pleased to present Club Officer Training events in the winter season this year:
- Division A: Saturday 4 January 2025, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Division B: Thursday 30 January 2025, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Division C: Monday 10 February 2025, 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Division D: Saturday 18 January 2025, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
- Division E: Â Wednesday 18 December 2024, 6:00 to 9:00 pm
Use the Club Officer Jumpstart page to help you prepare and "do your homework" so you get more out of your Club Officer Training.
Remember: clubs that get four or more officers trained in both the summer and winter training periods, complete Goal 9 in the Distinguished Club Program (DCP). Â Track whether you're on the right path to meet these goals here.