Centennial Memorabilia — Start celebrating this milestone year with exclusive 100th anniversary merchandise. Shop now for 100 Years pen, pin, keychain, ribbon, and t-shirt.

Centennial Snaps — Want to get in on a fun way to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Toastmasters International all year long? Each month, Toastmasters will have a different ‘100 photos’ social media theme. Celebrate the month of February by showcasing the Toastmasters spirit! Share photos of you and/or your club members proudly donning your favorite Toastmasters-branded swag and gear using #toastmasters or #Toastmasters100Years and tagging Toastmasters.

2024 International Convention Sponsorships — Now that Toastmasters International is taking applications for this year's convention sponsors, consider asking your company or your club's corporate sponsor to take advantage of the opportunity to network with global leaders during this 100th anniversary year! Share the convention sponsors webpage to get them started.

Tune In! AI, Authenticity, and… Stand-Up Comedy? — In this episode of The Toastmasters Podcast, public speaking coach and stand-up comedian Aman Chopra enlightens listeners with stories of mixing artificial intelligence (AI) with comedy.

Submit Club Officer Training Reports — The due date to complete the second round of club officer training is February 28. Club officer training credit should be entered through District Central by March 31 for accurate reporting in the Distinguished Club Program. Districts will have until May 31 to make final adjustments to the second round of club officer training. Please review the Distinguished Performance Reports regularly for accuracy.

Centennial Celebration Resources — From now through December 31, 2024, you are invited to celebrate in centennial style with resources developed at World Headquarters specifically for you and your Districts. Please utilize and have fun with these: Centennial Email Signature; Digital Centennial Wallpapers; Centennial PowerPoint Template; and 100 Years Logos.

Corporate Recognition Award Nominations — If your District is scheduled for an official International Officer or International Director District Visit this spring, consider nominating up to two corporate sponsors for this distinguished award. Nominations are due six to eight weeks prior to your event, so visit the Corporate Recognition Award program website for information on nomination requirements and criteria, for marketing materials, and to submit your nomination form.

Achieving Club-Building Success in 2024 — The momentum of a fresh, new year is a great time to capitalize on building new clubs in your District! Leverage the tools and resources found in the Club Building Curriculum to keep on track or develop new strategies for meeting your District's goals. Find these resources in your Paths and Learning when you log in to Base Camp.

International Speech Contest Region Quarterfinals — Are you ready for your District-level International Speech Contest? Regardless of the contest format selected by your District, the Online and Hybrid Speech Contest Best Practices and Video Recording Guidelines documents provide helpful resources and reminders to prepare you for a successful contest and recording. For more information about speech contest format, see the Speech Contest FAQ.

Review District Operating Procedures — Many Districts establish operating procedures to guide them and provide consistency from year to year. Review the District operating procedures regularly to ensure it is relevant and current. If the District changes the operating procedures, follow the guidelines in the District Leadership Handbook. Email the proposed changes to districts@toastmasters.org for review. Once approved by the District Executive Committee or District Council, post any approved changes on the District website.

Humor in the Ordinary — Identifying comedy in everyday life can alleviate stress, improve your mood, and enhance your speeches. Learn how to find the funny and connect with others through laughter.

Remembering Dr. Ralph C. Smedley — How well do you know the founder of Toastmasters International? This month, 146 years ago, Dr. Ralph C. Smedley was born. As the organization celebrates its centennial, the Toastmaster is highlighting the life of Smedley. Those who have donated and continue to donate help keep his vision alive. For more information on the history of the fund and how it is used, along with how to donate, visit the Smedley Fund webpage.

Speech Contest Rulebook Updates — The Toastmasters International Board of Directors recently approved some changes that will go into effect beginning with the 2024-2025 speech contest cycle. Learn more about decisions related to contest format and translations updates.

Thank You Mid-year Training Attendees! — Mid-year Training is built on foundational sessions conducted at District Leader Training last August. Your discussions, sharing of best practices, and collaboration made the training valuable and tremendously successful. We wish you the best of luck in achieving your year-end goals.

Successful District Elections Start Here — The District Leadership Committee (DLC) is responsible for seeking, identifying, evaluating, and nominating the best-qualified candidate(s) for each role to ensure long-term District success. The DLC notifies the District Director of the nominated candidates six weeks prior to the election date, and the DLC report must be posted four weeks prior to the Annual Meeting of the District Council.

Consider Club Growth for District Alignment — There are several factors to consider when aligning clubs in the District, such as geographic proximity to other clubs, the ability of the Area Director to effectively provide service, club size and strength, and the likelihood of eligibility for Distinguished programs. As Areas and Divisions are aligned, be sure to consider new clubs being added throughout the program year. If you have any questions, please email the District Growth and Support team at districts@toastmasters.org.