Welcome to a new year in Toastmasters! I am honored to serve as your District Program Quality Director (PQD), collaborating with all clubs to achieve excellence and support your growth and success.
My responsibilities as your PQD are:
Nurturing Quality Clubs: Ensuring high standards and a valuable experience for all members.
Member Engagement: Keeping our members motivated and facilitating retention and development.
Promoting the Distinguished Club Program (DCP): Encouraging clubs to strive for excellence.
District Conference Planning: Organizing a successful conference with valuable learning and networking opportunities.
Speech Contests: Coordinating and promoting district speech contests to display members’ talents and encourage friendly competition.
Our goal is to help each member reach their full potential as confident leaders and speakers by leveraging Toastmasters International’s resources.
If you are new or considering joining, please reach out. We are here to support you. Discover Toastmasters’ benefits by visiting our clubs, joining the conversation, and developing your skills through our programs.
To our established members, your experience and dedication are invaluable. Your continued involvement and mentorship will inspire and guide newer members.
To our upcoming leaders, this is your opportunity to step up and have influence. Embrace the challenges and opportunities ahead, and remember, the district team and I are here to support you every step of the way.
Sharing useful resources for you:
- Why Toastmasters
- Toastmasters Education Program
- Pathways Learning Experience
- Tools for Club Officers
- DCP Framework
- Tools for District Leaders
I hope you are as eager as I am to achieve your goals this year. It will be a pleasure and honor to serve you alongside the District Program Quality Team.
PQD Team Members

April Burroughs
Spring Conference Co-Chair

Mikael Gatje, DTM
Spring Conference Co-Chair

Belynda Thomas, DTM
DTM Chair

Teresa Carolan
Mentoring Co-Chair

Marianna Burka, DTM
Mentoring Co-Chair

Stephanie Manica
Inclusivity, Diversity, Equality, and Accessibilities Chair (IDEA)
General District 86 Resources
Click to Download
- Selecting your Path.
- Onboarding in Pathways.
- Approve level in Base Camp.
- Submit Education Awards in Club Central.
- Distinguished Toastmaster(DTM) Award Requirements: Toastmasters International -Distinguished Toastmaster
- Accessing the Pathways Mentor Program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=SZZUPKrSvyU - Pathways Updates and Maintenance Schedule: Toastmasters International -Pathways Updates
Click here to download the PQD Incentives
Note:
- TI Online Meetings: Toastmasters International -Online Meetings
- Timer Zoom Backgrounds: Toastmasters International -Timer Zoom Backgrounds
- Core values Zoom Backgrounds: Toastmasters International -Core Values Zoom Backgrounds
- Zoom Virtual Backgrounds: Toastmasters International -Zoom Background
Click to Download
- Selecting your Path.
- Onboarding in Pathways.
- Approve level in Base Camp.
- Submit Education Awards in Club Central.
- Online Meeting Tips for Club Officers: Toastmasters International -Online Meeting Tips for Club Officers.
- Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) Award Application: 8956-pathways-dtm-award-
application-ffe-(1).pdf (azureedge.net). - Build Confidence with Toastmasters: https://www.youtube.com/user/
Toastmasters. - Why Should I Bother with Club Officer Training? What is in it for ME?: Why Should I Bother with Club Officer Training? What is in it for ME? – Toastmasters District 86 (toastmasters86.org).
- Club Officer Tools: https://www.toastmasters.org/
leadership-central/club- officer-tools . - Club Officer Roles: https://www.toastmasters.org/
leadership-central/club- officer-tools/club-officer- roles.
Click to Download
- Selecting your Path.
- Onboarding in Pathways.
- How to request DTM project: First complete at Level 3 of your second path and then contact Toastmasters International to release the DTM Project. Email educationprogram@toastmasters.org and request access the DTM Project. Once granted read through the Distinguished Toastmaster resources to learn about the current requirements.
- Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) Award Application:
- Build Confidence with Toastmasters
- Challenging Conversations Presentation by Monique Levesque-Pharoah.
- Leadership Checklist by Margaret Page DTM
Click to Download
Running a Successful Hybrid Club Meeting: Toastmasters International -Running a Successful Hybrid Club Meeting.
- District 86 Hybrid Meeting Guide
Click to Download
Click to Download
Build Confidence with Toastmasters: https://www.youtube.com/user/
Toastmasters. Communicating Across Cultures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=sP0fBcEEWLc&list= PLARJuJxGkTBTFQeOZOVRXnIrzhDGb UsqC .
Click to Download
- Quick Video Tips : Video Tips (toastmasters86.org)
Easy Speak
Easy-Speak is a meeting management software program written by a Toastmaster for Toastmasters designed to minimize human effort in the administration of the club and maximize the data available to run the club effectively.
Contact District 86 Easy Speak Chair – if you are interested in learning more about the product. The Easy Speak Chair is very knowledgeable about the software and how it can help your club and make the entire meeting management process for VPE’s easier and more productive.
Click to Download
Click to Download
- District 86 – Area and Division Success Planning: 1490 District Recognition Program (azureedge.net)
District 86 Contest Information
District86 will be having the International Speech contest and Evaluation
contest this year. Both these contests
will be in-person starting from Area, Division and District levels. At these contests:
- Members have an
excellent opportunity to develop and display their public speaking skills. - Contests provide
different opportunities to engage and help members develop through
Toastmasters. - Looking to attract new
members, invite guests to your contest.
Both the contest periods in District 86 are:
- Club
Contests: November 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.- Areas with four or
less clubs in good standing 8 weeks prior to the Area Contests, will send
two contestants from each club to the to compete at each of the Area
contests. - Areas with more than
four clubs in good standing 8 weeks prior to the Area Contest, will send
one contestant from each club to compete at the Area contests.
- Areas with four or
- Area
Contests: January 1, 2025, to February 15, 2025.- Divisions with four or
less Areas will send two contestants from each of the Area Contests to
compete at the Division contest.
- Divisions with four or
- Division
Contests: February 16, 2025, to March 31, 2025.- Divisions will send
the first-place contestant of each of the Division contests to compete
and the District Level Contests.
- Divisions will send
- District
86 Contest: April 26 – 27 2025.- Winner of the
International Speech Contest goes on to the Region Quarter Final. - Any other type of
Contest concludes at the District level.
- Winner of the
Toastmasters’ International provides the resources below on their
website:
Wishing you a fun and successful contest season! The Program Quality
Team is here to support You!
Wishing you a fun and successful contest season!
The Program Quality Team is here to support You!
Click to Download
- Meeting Roles: Descriptions for fulfilling roles during a club meeting.
- Successful Club Series: Resources for building and maintaining a successful club.
- Club Meeting Agenda Template
- Club Quality: Tools and resources to conduct top performing meetings, improve membership retention and gain leadership skills.
- Resources for planning Club Events
- Toastmasters Online and Hybrid Meetings Resource
- Online Meeting tools:
- Timer Zoom Backgrounds: Toastmasters International -Timer Zoom Backgrounds
- Core values Zoom Backgrounds: Toastmasters International -Core Values Zoom Backgrounds
- Zoom Virtual Backgrounds: Toastmasters International -Zoom Background
Click to Download
- Selecting your Path.
- Onboarding in Pathways.
- New LMS System
- Submission of Level completion:
- Accessing the Pathways Mentor Program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZZUPKrSvyU
- Pathways Updates and Maintenance Schedule: Toastmasters International -Pathways Updates
Click to download
- Distinguished Toastmaster(DTM) Award Requirements: Toastmasters International -Distinguished Toastmaster
- Educational Program FAQ
Our Conference is expected to be around April and the date is to be confirmed. Attending a Toastmasters District Conference is beneficial for both members and leaders, offering numerous benefits that can enhance your Toastmasters journey. Some of these are:
- Networking: Connect with Toastmasters members from different clubs and club officers from other areas and districts, forming valuable connections and friendships.
- Educational Sessions: Participate in workshops and seminars on public speaking, leadership, and personal growth.
- Inspiration: Listen to keynote speeches from distinguished speakers who share their success stories and insights.
- Recognition: Celebrate the achievements of clubs and members, motivating you to strive for excellence.
- Speech Contests: Watch top speakers compete, providing learning opportunities through observation and evaluation.
- Leadership Development: Gain insights into effective leadership practices from experienced district leaders.
- Fun and Fellowship: Enjoy social events and entertainment, bonding with fellow Toastmasters.
Click to Download
- Toastmasters International -Distinguished Toastmaster – DTM Award Requirements
- Educational Program FAQ
Click to Download
Easy-Speak is a meeting management software program written by a Toastmaster for Toastmasters designed to minimize human effort in the administration of the club and maximize the data available to run the club effectively.
FreeToastHost is a webhost which comes with easy-to-use web-based software ideal for any Toastmasters club. FreeToastHost websites use the domain names ToastmastersClubs.org and ToastmastersDistricts.org for the club and district websites, respectively.
Contact District 86 Easy Speak Chair and/or FreeToastHost Chair– if you are interested in learning more about these products and how it can help your club. Both these are free of cost to clubs.
Click here to download the PQD Incentives
- TI Online Meetings: Toastmasters International -Online Meetings
- Timer Zoom Backgrounds: Toastmasters International -Timer Zoom Backgrounds
- Core values Zoom Backgrounds: Toastmasters International -Core Values Zoom Backgrounds
- Zoom Virtual Backgrounds: Toastmasters International -Zoom Background
Click to Download
- Selecting your Path.
- Onboarding in Pathways.
- Approve level in Base Camp.
- Submit Education Awards in Club Central.
- Online Meeting Tips for Club Officers: Toastmasters International -Online Meeting Tips for Club Officers.
- Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) Award Application: 8956-pathways-dtm-award-
application-ffe-(1).pdf (azureedge.net). - Build Confidence with Toastmasters: https://www.youtube.com/user/
Toastmasters. - Why Should I Bother with Club Officer Training? What is in it for ME?: Why Should I Bother with Club Officer Training? What is in it for ME? – Toastmasters District 86 (toastmasters86.org).
- Club Officer Tools: https://www.toastmasters.org/
leadership-central/club- officer-tools . - Club Officer Roles: https://www.toastmasters.org/
leadership-central/club- officer-tools/club-officer- roles.
Click to Download
- Selecting your Path.
- Onboarding in Pathways.
- How to request DTM project: First complete at Level 3 of your second path and then contact Toastmasters International to release the DTM Project. Email educationprogram@toastmasters.org and request access the DTM Project. Once granted read through the Distinguished Toastmaster resources to learn about the current requirements.
- Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM) Award Application:
- Build Confidence with Toastmasters
- Challenging Conversations Presentation by Monique Levesque-Pharoah.
- Leadership Checklist by Margaret Page DTM
Click to Download
Running a Successful Hybrid Club Meeting: Toastmasters International -Running a Successful Hybrid Club Meeting.
- District 86 Hybrid Meeting Guide
Click to Download
Build Confidence with Toastmasters: https://www.youtube.com/user/
Toastmasters. Communicating Across Cultures: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=sP0fBcEEWLc&list= PLARJuJxGkTBTFQeOZOVRXnIrzhDGb UsqC .
Click to Download
- Quick Video Tips : Video Tips (toastmasters86.org)
Easy Speak
Easy-Speak is a meeting management software program written by a Toastmaster for Toastmasters designed to minimize human effort in the administration of the club and maximize the data available to run the club effectively.
Contact District 86 Easy Speak Chair – if you are interested in learning more about the product. The Easy Speak Chair is very knowledgeable about the software and how it can help your club and make the entire meeting management process for VPE’s easier and more productive.
Click to Download
Click to Download
- District 86 – Area and Division Success Planning: 1490 District Recognition Program (azureedge.net)
District 86 Contest Information
District86 will be having the International Speech contest and Evaluation
contest this year. Both these contests
will be in-person starting from Area, Division and District levels. At these contests:
- Members have an
excellent opportunity to develop and display their public speaking skills. - Contests provide
different opportunities to engage and help members develop through
Toastmasters. - Looking to attract new
members, invite guests to your contest.
Both the contest periods in District 86 are:
- Club
Contests: November 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.- Areas with four or
less clubs in good standing 8 weeks prior to the Area Contests, will send
two contestants from each club to the to compete at each of the Area
contests. - Areas with more than
four clubs in good standing 8 weeks prior to the Area Contest, will send
one contestant from each club to compete at the Area contests.
- Areas with four or
- Area
Contests: January 1, 2025, to February 15, 2025.- Divisions with four or
less Areas will send two contestants from each of the Area Contests to
compete at the Division contest.
- Divisions with four or
- Division
Contests: February 16, 2025, to March 31, 2025.- Divisions will send
the first-place contestant of each of the Division contests to compete
and the District Level Contests.
- Divisions will send
- District
86 Contest: April 26 – 27 2025.- Winner of the
International Speech Contest goes on to the Region Quarter Final. - Any other type of
Contest concludes at the District level.
- Winner of the
Toastmasters’ International provides the resources below on their
website:
Wishing you a fun and successful contest season! The Program Quality
Team is here to support You!
Wishing you a fun and successful contest season!
The Program Quality Team is here to support You!