TOASTMASTERS DISTRICT 119
Manhattan South of 34th St., Brooklyn, Queens & Long Island
Dare to Lead • Dare to Grow • Dare to Be Distinguished
In Loving Memory of Robert W. Deacon 🕊️
Robert was not only a cherished friend and fellow member of Toastmasters, but also a shining example of passion, encouragement, and growth. He represented our Toastmasters community with grace and skill, most recently earning second place in the Evaluation Contest at the District 119 2025 Spring Conference — a testament to his thoughtful listening and insightful feedback that inspired so many.
His dedication to excellence, mentorship, and personal development touched everyone lucky enough to stand beside him on the Toastmasters stage. We will forever remember his laughter, his encouragement, and the way he made every person feel seen and supported.
Rest in peace, Robert. Your voice and spirit will live on in every toast, every speech, and every evaluator who follows in your footsteps.
Please join us in offering prayers, condolences, and memories for Robert’s family, friends, and fellow Toastmasters.
Virtual Training Workshop
Training & Resources
Club Cash Incentives
Club Cash Incentives Expiring Soon!
Act Before Deadlines Pass!
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Pathways Training
Benefits of Pathways:
Personalized and flexible online learning designed to build communication and leadership skills
Customizable learning paths tailored to individual goals
Real-world projects that apply skills in practical settings
Interactive tools and resources to enhance learning
Self-paced learning to fit any schedule
District 119 Spring Contest Season
The Toastmasters District 119 Spring Contest is the annual competitive event where Toastmasters members from clubs in District 119 compete in speech competitions. The Spring Contest follows a progression of contests:
- Club Level – contests happen at individual clubs
- Area Level – winners from clubs compete against each other
- Division Level – area winners compete within divisions
- District Level – division champions compete at the District 119 Spring Conference
The District 119 Spring Contest Finals will occur during the Spring Conference at LaGuardia Marriott on April 25, 2025.
The International Speech Contest is a core Toastmasters speech competition offered every year at all levels. Participants deliver an original, prepared speech 5 to 7 minutes long on a topic of their choice. Speeches are judged on content, structure, and delivery quality.
How It Works
- Start at Club Level: Members compete within their clubs.
- Advance Through Levels: Winners move on to Area, then Division, then District contests.
- Beyond District: The winner of each District contest advances to international-level rounds, including the World Championship of Public Speaking® at Toastmasters International’s annual convention that will take place during the 2026 Toastmasters International Convention in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, from August 19–22, 2026.
The Table Topics Contest is an impromptu speaking competition. Unlike the International Speech Contest, contestants do not prepare a speech in advance. Instead, they receive a surprise topic once they are introduced and must speak about it on the spot for 1–2 minutes.
How It Works
- Same Topic for All: Every contestant speaks on the same topic, but they don’t find out what it is until their turn.
- Contest Progression: Like other contests, the Table Topics Contest begins at the club level, and winners can advance through Area, Division, and District contests.
- Judging: Judges look for quick thinking, clear structure, coherent content, audience engagement, and effective delivery.
Wall of Distinction 2024-2025
Dare to Lead • Dare to Grow • Dare to Be Distinguished
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 help this community to thrive.
