District 55 July Newsletter - Prepare for a Great Year
- 4 hours ago
- 3 min read
To help members stay connected and informed, District 55 periodically sends broad communications containing reminders, opportunities, news, and upcoming events. Some information may not apply to every recipient.
District 55 July Newsletter
Welcome to a Year of Growth and Success
Welcome to a brand new Toastmasters year! Whether you're a returning member, a club officer, or new to the journey, now is the perfect time to get organized and set yourself up for success. Let's inspire, lead, and grow together this year.
In This Issue
District Leadership Announcement
Upcoming Training
New Distinguished Toastmasters
Proxy Information
District 55 on Social Media
What you can do
Introducing Our New Leadership Team
We’re excited to introduce the 2026-2027 District Leadership Team; a team of experienced Toastmasters ready to help you and your club soar this year. Our executive team for the '26-'27 Toastmaster year is Dawn Trenholm Colvin, DTM, District Director; Tracey James, DTM, Program Quality Director; Bill Friedrich, DTM, Club Growth Director; Angie Collier, Public Relations Manager; Ryan O'Connor, DTM, Administration Manager; Dulce Abundis, Finance Manager; and Wendii Lord, Immediate Past District Director.
The list below includes committee members and area & division leaders.
Don't miss our upcoming virtual training by the 2024 Toastmasters World Champion of Public Speaking, Luisa Montalvo, "18 Steps to a Winning Speech" on Thursday, July 30 at 7 PM.
Upcoming Training
Whether you’re a club officer or simply want to grow as a Toastmaster, you are invited to a Club Officer Training (COT) or TLI (Toastmaster Leadership Institute)! Club officers receive the training needed to succeed in their roles, and all members can benefit from the leadership ideas, communication skills, and insights shared during each session.
Member Spotlight
Our New Distinguished Toastmasters 2025-2026
Barbara Abbate, DTM
Phillip Bernhardt, DTM
Anca Ducea, DTM
Al Kaufmann, DTM
Bart Loeser, DTM
Ryan O’Connor, DTM
Sandie O’Neill, DTM
Wafae Owen, DTM
Pressanna Parackal, DTM
Maria-Cristina Spiak, DTM
Dawn Trenholm-Colvin, DTM
Attention Club Officers: Proxy Assignments Due August 12
Toastmasters International's Annual Business Meeting is coming up, where international officers such as the International President and the International Board Director are elected. Each club has two votes. Make sure yours are counted by assigning your club proxy in Club Central by August 12.
Start by:
Learning about the candidates
Discussing them
Holding the club vote
Key dates:
Proxy Assignment will go live no later than July 10, 2026
Proxy assignment will close on August 12 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time
The online Credentials process will be conducted August 13-16, 2026
Stay Connected With District 55
Did you know District 55 is active on social media? Whether you’re looking to connect with fellow members, sharpen your skills, or share your Toastmasters journey, we have a place for you!
Facebook Join our private District 55 Facebook group to connect with Toastmasters across the district. Celebrate achievements, exchange ideas, ask questions, and stay informed about upcoming events, training opportunities, and district news.
LinkedIn Follow our LinkedIn page and help us share the professional side of Toastmasters. It’s the perfect platform to showcase how Toastmasters develops leadership, communication, and career skills. Like, comment, and share our posts to help us reach more professionals.
YouTube Have you seen our YouTube channel? Our YouTube channel has videos you've never seen before. We’d also love to feature you! Send us a short testimonial (1-2 minutes) of why you love Toastmasters, something amazing you've learned or a goal you have achieved. Email your video to prm@tmd55.org and you may be featured on our channel!
Together, we can inspire others, celebrate our members, and share the value of Toastmasters with our communities.
What You Can Do To Increase Excitement on Social Media
Share a post
Like and Comment
Tell us about your club successes
Ask a question
Tell us your funny club moments
Share a great Table Topic Video or a short clip of a speech
We’re building something strong together and you can make a real difference.
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