2025-2026 – Strengthening the bonds, Inspiring others, and Becoming ONE

Clara Ngwenya
TLI Co-Chair

Lola Stone
TLI Co-Chair

Leadership Training Report – updated as 08/28/25

 

District 25 2025–2026 TLI Season                                                                     

The stage is set, the momentum is building, and the future is full of opportunity. District 25’s Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) is the official launch pad for your club’s success in the 2025–2026 Toastmasters year. And the D25 TLI Team is energized and ready to help you lead with confidence and purpose.

Whether you’re stepping into a club officer role for the first time or returning as a seasoned leader, the D25 TLI is where preparation meets inspiration.

 

WHAT IS TLI?

TLI is the premier training experience for club officers who want to grow as leaders and communicators. TLI equips Toastmasters with the knowledge, tools, and support to lead effectively and confidently.

TLI is not just for officers—it’s open to all Toastmasters who want to sharpen their skills, gain insights, and grow within this organization, their careers, communities, and everyday lives.

 

WHY ATTEND?

Receive Officer-Specific Training
Gain clarity on your role and responsibilities, learn best practices, and leave feeling empowered to make a real difference in your club.

Earn DCP Credit for Your Club
When four or more club officers attend TLI, your club earns credit toward the Distinguished Club Program (DCP)—a key milestone on the path to becoming a Distinguished Club.

Strengthen Club Success
Trained officers lead stronger and more engaged clubs. TLI helps set the tone for a vibrant, high-performing year.

Grow as a Leader and Communicator
TLI provides valuable leadership development and public speaking tools for every Toastmaster.

Connect with the D25 Community
Exchange ideas, share inspiration, and collaborate with other Toastmasters across the District and the globe. The relationships you build at TLI can last all year—and beyond.

Explore Supplemental Training – Here’s your opportunity to expand learning with unique and creative supplemental training sessions. Also, if you hold different officer roles in the same or different clubs, you need to attend additional training for the additional offices. This can be completed by attending 1) the general session, 2) one officer-specific training, and 3) one supplemental training.

DATES AND REGISTRATION

 

We offer TLI Club Officer training twice a year.

• Summer TLI:  Between June 1 and August 31

• Winter TLI:  Between December 1 and February 28

 

District 25 is committed to providing a quality, engaging, and interactive training experience. Our sessions are designed to foster meaningful dialogue and shared learning among participants. To support this collaborative environment, turning your camera and microphone ON is expected during your training sessions.

 

GET READY TO LEARN

For the best Club Officer Training experience, please take some time to prepare and come with your questions.  We recommend you:

• Read the Club Leadership Handbook 

• Explore the Distinguished Club Program 

• Explore the Club Success Plan 

• Review Roles and Responsibilities 

 

The TLI Training dates are below.  Registration is REQUIRED.

 

2025-2026 D25 Summer TLI – Strengthening the bonds, Inspiring others, and Becoming ONE

 

READY TO LEAD?

Join us as we launch a year of growth, excellence, and purpose—for yourself, your club, and your Toastmasters journey. Register early and encourage all 7 club officers to attend both the summer and winter TLI sessions (Yes, there is an incentive for that, too!).

 

Division Registration

 

DIVISION D TLI – Thursday, August 28, 2025

Zoom Bridge opens at 5:00 PM, Training Sessions start at 5:30 PM

• High Performance High Impact Leadership by Sheralyn Payne
• From Blank Page to Full Speech by Keith Boepple
• Canva for Beginners by Anna Silver

Meet the TLI Mascots—and Let Your Pet Take the Spotlight!

This year’s TLI comes with twice the cuteness and a lot more fun! Meet our official 2025–2026 TLI mascots— Ranger and Captain Boots

 

But we’re not stopping there. We want to see your furry friends too.

After you register for your TLI session, we invite you to submit a photo of your cat or dog. At each TLI session, attendees will vote to select the “Paws-itively Perfect Pet” from among the submissions received.

Here’s how it works:

• Submit your pet photo after TLI registration (or at the start of your chosen TLI session)
• Attend your TLI session and see the other adorable entries
• Vote live for the “Paws-itively Perfect Pet” award
• The Paws-itively Perfect Pet will take the spotlight and earn some district-wide bragging rights!

Leadership and learning are important—but so is a little fun and community. Let’s make this year’s TLI sessions memorable, heartwarming, and just a little more paw-some!

 

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QUESTIONS?

See Frequently Asked Questions.

If we can be of further assistance, you may reach us at TLI@d25toastmasters.org. We’re here for you!

TLI #1 – Saturday, June 28, 2025 – Completed

Zoom Bridge opens at 9:00 AM, Training Sessions start at 9:30 AM

Supplemental Sessions:

• “Contest Chair Training” by Lola Stone, DTM, Contest Coordinator
• “Chief Judge Training” by Tracy Speyer, DTM, District Chief Judge
• “Navigating D25 Website” by Diana Patton, DTM
• “Writing a Club Success Plan” by Ninfa Flewitt, DTM
• “Overcome being an Overwhelmed Leader” by Lauren Midgley, DTM
• “The Power of AI” by Samantha Watt

 

TLI #2 – Monday, July 7, 2025 – Completed

Zoom Bridge opens at 5:00 PM, Training Sessions start at 5:30 PM

Supplemental Sessions:

• “Contest Chair Training” by Lola Stone, DTM, Contest Coordinator
• “Contest Judge Training” by Tracy Speyer, DTM, District Chief Judge
• “Youth Leadership Program” by Karen Coleman, DTM
• “Find The Funny” by Kim Haagen, DTM
• “Parliamentary 101: Ensure your meetings are efficient and productive” by Charlie Bowles, DTM
• “Pathways and Base Camp Training” by Jim Jameson, D25 Pathways Coordinator

 

TLI #3 – Friday, July 11, 2025 – Completed

Zoom Bridge opens at 5:00 PM, Training Sessions start at 5:30 PM

Supplemental Sessions:

• “Contest Chair Training” by Lola Stone, DTM, Contest Coordinator
• “Words Matter” by Nicole Dogan
• “From Blank Page to Full Script” by Keith E. Boepple, DTM
• “The Three Golden Rules” by Rebecca Pontaski, DTM
• “Club Mentor and Coach Training” by Jerod Blackman

 

TLI #4 – Monday, July 14, 2025  – Completed

Zoom Bridge opens at 5:00 PM, Training Sessions start at 5:30 PM

Supplemental Sessions:

• “Contest Chair Training” by Lola Stone, DTM, Contest Coordinator
• “Chief Judge Training” by Tracy Speyer, DTM, District Chief Judge
• “Writing a Club Success Plan” by Emily Murray, DTM
• “Using Interactive AI to Practice Public Speaking” by Lorenzo Navarez
• “High Performance High Impact Leadership” by Sharalyn Payne“
• Pathways and Base Camp Training” by Jim Jameson, Pathways Coordinator

TLI #5 – Thursday, July 17, 2025 – Completed

Zoom Bridge opens at 5:00 PM, Training Sessions start at 5:30 PM

Supplemental Sessions:

• “Contest Chair Training” by Lola Stone, DTM, Contest Coordinator
• “Contest Judge Training” by Tracy Speyer, DTM, District Chief Judge
• “Navigating D25 Website” by Diana Patton, DTM
• “Youth Leadership Program” by Karen Coleman, DTM
• “Club Mentor and Coach Training” by Jerod Blackman
• “From Blank Page to Full Script” by Keith E. Boepple, DTM

TLI #6 – Sunday, July 27, 2025 – Completed

Zoom Bridge opens at 1:00 PM, Training Sessions start at 1:30 PM

Supplemental Sessions:

•  “Contest Chair Training” by Lola Stone, DTM, Contest Coordinator
• “Contest Judge Training” by Tracy Speyer, DTM, District Chief Judge
• “Writing a Club Success Plan” by Emily Murray, DTM
• “Find The Funny” by Kim Haagen, DTM
• “Parliamentary 101: Ensure your meetings are efficient and productive” by Charlie Bowles, DTM
• “Let Me Introduce Myself: Networking That’s Not Fatal!” by Marty Varela, DTM

BETA TESTING TLI – July 24, 2025, 5:15 PM to 9:45  PM – Completed

Registration is Required

Use this button to register for the Beta Testing TLI

We’re excited to invite everyone to participate in a groundbreaking initiative. Toastmasters International is launching a beta test of newly developed Club Officer Training (COT) materials, and District 25 has been selected to represent our Region in this global effort!

This new training package has been developed by a team of experienced Toastmasters and Past International Presidents to modernize and improve the club officer experience. After extensive research, redesign, and initial Alpha testing, the materials are now ready for the next big step—Beta Testing with real club officers like you.

By participating, you will:

• Get an exclusive preview of the future COT experience
• Contribute meaningful Live- feedback that will shape training for years to come
• Learn from some of Toastmasters’ most experienced trainers
• Be part of a global team helping to elevate leadership and club excellence

This is more than training—it’s your chance to influence the next generation of Toastmasters leaders worldwide. We encourage all club officers and interested members to attend and share their insights.

Note: As a participant in the Beta Testing Training, you will receive your official club officer training credit. To be eligible, you must attend the full session from start to end – 5:15 PM to 9:45 PM.

While the District typically awards credit per session attended, for Beta Testing purposes, full participation is required (General Session 1, Officer Training, and General Session 2) so we can gather your feedback at the end of the training. Your insights are essential to help improve the new materials before they are released globally.

Help us build the future of Toastmasters—your voice matters!

Registration is required for attendance tracking.

DIVISION E TLI – Friday, August 1, 2025 – Completed

Zoom Bridge opens at 5:00 PM, Training Sessions start at 5:30 PM

Supplemental Sessions:

• “Club Business: Understanding the Rules” by Jodie Sanders
• “Canva for Beginners“ by Anna Silvers

DIVISION C TLI – Wednesday, August 6, 2025 – Completed

Zoom Bridge opens at 5:00 PM, Training Sessions start at 5:30 PM

• Writing Your Club Success Plan – Emily Murray
• Ask Me Anything – Q&A – Les Condit

DIVISION G TLI – Thursday, August 14, 2025 – Completed

Zoom Bridge opens at 5:00 PM, Training Sessions start at 5:30 PM

• “Club Success Program” by Brenda Lentz, AD 72