May 2025 Leader Letter

Prepare for District Leader Training — Toastmasters International will conduct District Leader Training in person at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on August 18 and 19 for 2025–2026 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. Submit your District leader list as soon as possible after District elections to ensure registration, travel, and training details can be sent to elected leaders quickly.

Schedule Candidate Talk Time — Have you scheduled a conversation with the international candidates yet? Learn about the candidates, then use this online scheduling form to schedule time to talk.

New Toastmasters Journey Workshops — Get inspired at this year's convention Toastmasters Journey Workshops. Sharpen your skills as a Toastmasters club member and enhance the club experience! Each workshop features three dynamic speakers delivering growth-minded insights and strategies — register today to secure your spot!

Area Directors: Club Visit Reports Due May 31 — 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. Submitting your reports is a requirement toward your Distinguished Area Program goals. Please email any questions to districts@toastmasters.org.

Report Your Alignment Changes by July 15 — 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. 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.

Achieve Club-Building Success in 2025 — 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.

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 Transitions webpage for ideas on how you can prepare them and the District for a successful year ahead!

Meet the 2025 Golden Gavel Honoree — Learn more about Matt Abrahams—author, podcaster, and Stanford lecturer—and how he exemplifies communication and leadership skills in today's world.

Can I Ask That? — Find out what is and isn't appropriate to ask someone from another culture, and how to balance curiosity with a desire for connection.

Learning to Love Decisions — Overcome doubt and indecision with useful tips on making informed choices.

Keep Your Communication Style Authentic — Your style might change depending on your situation, but don't discard your character and values.

Is Your District on Track to Become Distinguished? — With only two months left in the 2024–2025 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 2024-2025 program years is as follows:

Prepare to Vote on the 2025 Proposals — The Board of Directors is putting forth eight proposals this year for consideration by the voting membership at the 2025 Annual Business Meeting on August 22. Visit the 2025 Proposals page and read through the Frequently Asked Questions for more information on the proposed amendments to the Bylaws of Toastmasters International and the Club Constitution.

Trademark Violation Phishing Alert — Be aware of a current phishing scam targeting social media accounts, including several Toastmasters District accounts. Scammers are sending messages that appear to be official notices about trademark violations with malicious links. DO NOT click these links as they can capture your login credentials, resulting in hijacked or deleted accounts. Always verify suspicious messages through official platform channels and report phishing attempts to Meta. Stay vigilant!