TOASTMASTERS DISTRICT 119
Manhattan South of 34th St., Brooklyn, Queens & Long Island
——— ELECTED DISTRICT OFFICERS 2025-2026 ———
Congratulations to Our Newly Elected 2025–2026 District Officers!
Your leadership journey is just beginning—and we’re cheering you on every step of the way!
Let’s connect, support, and grow together. We invite you to be part of the District Executive Committee team.
To express your interest, please contact District Director-Elect Denise Collins at denisecollinstm@gmail.com
——— DISTRICT CONTESTS WINNERS ———
Congratulations to Our 2025 District Contest Winners!
You stepped up and delivered with heart, humor, and excellence!
Your powerful performances not only entertained us—they inspired and motivated us to raise the bar in our own journeys.
Thank you for reminding us what’s possible when we lead with courage and speak with purpose.
We celebrate your achievement and look forward to the excellence you’ll continue to bring to the Toastmasters stage and beyond!
| Contest | First Place Winner | Presenting Club |
|---|---|---|
|
Humorous Speech Contest |
Christopher Cosci |
Babylon Babblers |
|
Evaluation Contest |
Angela Lee |
America’s Best |
|
Table Topics Speech Contest |
Elizanne Warren-Russell |
CCC Good News Orators |
|
International Speech Contest |
Mario Lewis |
Cervantes – 100% in Spanish |
——— SPRING CONFERENCE APRIL 2025 ———
"Chasing the Stars, Sharing the Light"
We are Sold Out! Looking Forward to Meeting You at the Conference!
——— THRIVING TOGETHER - RENEWAL HALL OF FAME ———
CELEBRATING OUR MEMBERS AND CLUBS
Club Of The Month – Toast of Queens
Creativity and persistence might just be the mantra this year for Toast of Queens, our April Club of the Month.
Under the guidance of President Victoria Pilotti, Toast of Queens has reversed its two-year decline in membership and achievement, adding an incredible 13 members this year to its current roster of 19 — and growing! Victoria found a new meeting space in Bayside and was able to add back a much-needed monthly in-person meeting. The club won both of the District 119 renewal incentives in March and members are diligently working on speech projects. Toast of Queens has a long history as a Distinguished Club; we are looking forward to celebrating the club’s big comeback at the end of June.
Meeting Times: Toast of Queens meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at 7:15 PM.
MEMBER EDUCATION
Toastmasters Member Orientation + Pathways Onboarding
Supporting clubs and members is one of our District mission. To support new members in our District, We will be offering monthly new member orientation and this is Open To All District 119 Members. It is an opportunity to understand
- The benefits of Toastmasters
- Different meeting roles, and
- Toastmasters education program – Pathways
——— DTM SPOTLIGHT ———
Congratulations to Nina Babcock of Toast of NY
Nina Babcock of Toast of NY earned her Distinguished Toastmaster award despite moving around the country for work and being a busy homeschooling mother of three now living in Kentucky. Many others would have quit, but Nina stayed the course for 5 years it took her to earn the award. She shares her lessons with District 119 here:
Which two pathways did you complete for your DTM? Motivational Strategies and Engaging Humor.
The DTM requires a year of District service. Which District role did you hold? I was the first 12 & 15 Area Director for District 119 in 2020-2021.
Can you tell us about your DTM project? It was a passion project 5 years in the making! I chartered a Toastmasters club at my alma mater, The United States Military Academy. The club is called West Point Toastmasters. It’s an open, hybrid club and we meet the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month.
What other DTM requirements did you complete? I mentored and sponsored the club I started. And I coordinated two Youth Leadership Programs (YLPs).
Why was it important to you to complete your DTM? As soon as I learned about the DTM award, I knew I was going to earn it. I didn’t realize how long it would take me, but I quickly discovered that I enjoyed Toastmasters and would be a member regardless, so there wasn’t any stress about getting the award, it was just a matter of time and effort.
What advice would you give to someone working towards their DTM? It was about doing what you like to do and having fun. I was told “Do nothing for free” and that’s great advice: Always get credit for what you do in Toastmasters.
——— DISTRICT INCENTIVES ———
District 119 is pushing clubs, leaders and members to achieve and succeed this year – and get rewarded in the process. From socks and pins to reimbursements, we want to see you shoot for the stars!
We are a SELECT DISTINGUISHED DISTRICT!
Thank you to all of our members and leaders!
——— DISTRICT VISION ———
COMMUNITY • FUN • VALUE
Today, we have a marketplace full of options for personal development as well as apps and AI promising outcomes based on algorithms and automation. And yet Toastmasters still stands alone as the most cost-effective and transformational option out there. No other program offers our brand of experiential learning and real-time feedback from a network of peers in a safe and supportive space. The value you get from Toastmasters is unparalleled. The sea change that you can experience in your life from Toastmasters is immeasurable. And the impact that you can have in the world as a result of Toastmasters is boundless.
On behalf of District 119, we hope you find community, fun and value from your experience in Toastmasters. Cheers to your journey and your successes.
In the past two decades as a Toastmaster, I made many great friendships and connections in this community. That is in addition to enhancing my communication and leadership skills. I am honored to be your Club Growth Director this year, and to serve this community to thrive.
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Together, we made this journey of growth and success truly remarkable.
Thank you for your support, dedication, and unwavering commitment to Toastmasters.
Your enthusiasm and passion inspired me, and I treasure this incredible adventure with each and every one of you.
What an extraordinary year we had, filled with achievements and memorable moments.
Thank you, District 119, for this opportunity.
