Toastmasters - District 36

Toastmasters - District 36 Toastmasters International is a nonprofit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs.

District 36 represents over 3000 members in the MD and DC area.

🎤 Spotlight on excellence! Valarie Austin, representing the District 36 Speakers Bureau, presented her breakout session ...
06/27/2026

🎤 Spotlight on excellence! Valarie Austin, representing the District 36 Speakers Bureau, presented her breakout session “Toastmasters as a Leadership Laboratory” at the Senior Executives Association (SEA) Leadership Summit—held June 24 at the Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs in Washington, D.C.

What a powerful example of Toastmasters in action: bringing the skills of communication and leadership to some of our nation’s top public service executives. Thank you, Valarie, for representing the Speakers Bureau so well and showing how Toastmasters builds leaders who lead. 👏

Toasty Talks Episode 10: Coming Soon! 🔥Get ready, District 36! Our next episode drops this June, and we are featuring th...
06/22/2026

Toasty Talks Episode 10: Coming Soon! 🔥

Get ready, District 36! Our next episode drops this June, and we are featuring the incredible Clarence Featherson, Esq., DTM.

From commanding the international stage as a 3x World Championship Semifinalist to helping members refine their skills as a District 36 Evaluation All Star, Clarence has been inspiring audiences since 1996. Whether you are a competitive speaker or just looking to level up your presentation skills, this is an episode you can't afford to miss.

Keep an eye out for the new episode to drop very soon!

✨ In the meantime, get inspired by browsing our library of past conversations. Check out more Toasty Talk episodes at https://district36.org/toastytalks/

Toastmasters International Brown University Howard University

Can we take a moment to celebrate an unforgettable 2025–2026 year?! 🎉District 36 Toastmasters brought the energy, the gr...
06/18/2026

Can we take a moment to celebrate an unforgettable 2025–2026 year?! 🎉

District 36 Toastmasters brought the energy, the growth, and the community spirit across D.C. and Western Maryland this past year. From expanding our open houses to bringing the pressure and excitement back to live stages, our 2,000+ members truly stepped up!

Here are just a few of the amazing things we did together:

Empowered Our Clubs: New incentive programs like the Up and Coming Award and Moments of Truth check-ins helped our clubs thrive and elevate the member experience. 📈

Brought Back Live Contests: We returned to strictly IN-PERSON Evaluation Contests, bringing back that authentic, high-stakes stage experience! 🎤

Hosted an Epic Spring Conference: 135+ clubs came together in May for world-class networking, learning, and our District International Speech Contest! 🏆

As we look ahead, we are thrilled to pass the torch to a dynamic new leadership team. Join us in congratulating our incoming leaders: Arvind Venugopal, DTM (District Director), Augusta Inniss, DTM (Program Quality Director), and Jill Vanderweit, DTM (Club Growth Director)! 👏

Drop a 🎙️ in the comments if you hit a public speaking or leadership goal this year!

❤️ The people behind District 36's success.Before District 36 becomes part of District 220, we're taking a moment to rec...
06/08/2026

❤️ The people behind District 36's success.

Before District 36 becomes part of District 220, we're taking a moment to recognize the leaders whose service made a lasting impact.

Meet...

🌟 Arvind Venugopal, DTM — District Director 2025–2026

Arvind Venugopal carries a responsibility unlike any leader before him — leading District 36 through its centennial year and its historic transition into District 220.

During this milestone year, District 36 has: 🌱 Nurtured leaders and grown clubs across the District 🤝 Strengthened collaboration and mentorship throughout the organization 🌉 Emphasized connection, innovation, and preparation for what comes next 🎯 Built a high-performing leadership team ready for the future.

Arvind stands at the bridge between what District 36 was — and what District 220 will become.

Thank you, Arvind, for carrying the legacy forward. 💙

🏛️ A District 36 legacy worth remembering.During our final District 36 conference, we recognized leaders whose service h...
06/08/2026

🏛️ A District 36 legacy worth remembering.

During our final District 36 conference, we recognized leaders whose service helped shape our district.

Today, we spotlight...

🌟 Ramu Garapati, PM4 — District Director 2024–2025

Ramu Garapati guided District 36 through a year of transition and resilience.

During his year of service, District 36: 🏛️ Revitalized in-person engagement through open houses across the District 🏆 Successfully returned Area, Division, and District contests to live events after several years 💪 Remained strong, connected, and focused on growth despite organizational and economic challenges.

Ramu helped this District rediscover something it had missed — the power of being in the same room together.

Thank you, Ramu, for bringing us back together. 💙

✨ Hall of Fame SpotlightAs District 36 closes one chapter and joins District 220, we're celebrating the leaders who help...
06/08/2026

✨ Hall of Fame Spotlight

As District 36 closes one chapter and joins District 220, we're celebrating the leaders who helped build our history. Meet...

🌟 Gwen Miller, DTM — District Director 2023–2024

Gwen Miller led District 36 with an emphasis on connection, collaboration, and member engagement.

During her year of service, District 36: 🤝 Strengthened clubs and supported leaders across the District 📚 Built momentum through educational and leadership opportunities 💛 Created an environment where members felt encouraged to grow

Gwen reminded District 36 that people don't just join Toastmasters for the skills — they stay for the way it makes them feel.

Thank you, Gwen, for your warmth. 💙

🎉 Recognizing the leaders behind the legacy. At our final District 36 conference, we honored past and present district l...
06/08/2026

🎉 Recognizing the leaders behind the legacy.

At our final District 36 conference, we honored past and present district leaders whose dedication strengthened our clubs and members.

Today we recognize...

🌟 Annmarie Walker — District Director 2022–2023

Annmarie Walker led District 36 through a pivotal year of growth, stabilization, and innovation — building on three years of Trio service that began at the onset of COVID.

During her year as District Director, District 36: 🤝 Helped charter 5 new clubs virtually 💡 Led innovative hybrid engagement initiatives, including the district-wide "It's All About You" open house to re-energize members 🛡️ Strengthened and stabilized District 36 by investing in struggling clubs and building healthier, more sustainable ones 🎤 Closed the year with a fully in-person conference featuring keynote speakers Past International President Richard Peck and Dr. Johnny Parker 🏆 Proudly presented the Community Award to UMGC, celebrating partnership and impact

Annmarie's leadership reminded District 36 that real growth isn't always measured in numbers — sometimes it's measured in how strong the clubs you have become.

Thank you, Annmarie, for the foundation you strengthened. 💙

📖 A look back at District 36 history.Throughout the years, dedicated volunteers helped District 36 grow and thrive. One ...
06/08/2026

📖 A look back at District 36 history.

Throughout the years, dedicated volunteers helped District 36 grow and thrive. One of those leaders is...🌟 Bonnie L. Maidak, DTM — District Director 2021–2022

Bonnie Maidak led District 36 with a focus on collaboration, innovation, and leadership development.

During her year of service, District 36: 💻 Introduced digital systems that improved continuity for future leaders 🎨 Supported creative initiatives including the Toastmasters Canva pilot program 🤝 Kept members connected through education and community-building 🌱 Strengthened resource sharing across the District

Bonnie led with the future in mind — building tools and systems that still serve District 36 today.

Thank you, Bonnie, for what you built to last. 💙

🌠 Legacy Leaders SeriesDuring our final District 36 conference, we celebrated the individuals who helped shape our distr...
06/08/2026

🌠 Legacy Leaders Series

During our final District 36 conference, we celebrated the individuals who helped shape our district. This week, we're highlighting...

🌟 Sandra Coles-Bell, DTM — District Director 2020–2021

Sandra Coles-Bell is one of District 36's most accomplished leaders — having served this District not once, but twice, more than a decade apart.

During her first term as District Governor (2008–2009), Sandra led District 36 to its seventh consecutive Distinguished District recognition — a remarkable achievement that cemented her legacy as a leader defined by excellence.

More than a decade later, she answered the call again — returning as District Director (2020–2021) to lead District 36 through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic with resilience, optimism, and innovation.

During her return year of service, District 36: 💻 Delivered virtual educational summits and Pathways webinars 📈 Drove membership growth initiatives during uncertain times 🎤 Hosted a fully virtual District conference 🏆 Once again achieved Distinguished District recognition.

Sandra's leadership is defined by excellence, resilience, and a deep commitment to mentoring future leaders. She showed this District that optimism is not the absence of hardship — it is a choice a leader makes every single day.

Thank you, Sandra, for answering the call — twice. 💙

💙 The people behind District 36's success.Before District 36 becomes part of District 220, let's celebrate the leaders w...
06/08/2026

💙 The people behind District 36's success.

Before District 36 becomes part of District 220, let's celebrate the leaders who helped write District 36's story.

Today we honor...

🌟 Tanya Pritchett, DTM — District Director 2019–2020

Tanya Pritchett led District 36 through one of the most challenging periods in modern history — the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During her year of service, District 36: 💻 Pivoted contests and engagement to virtual platforms almost overnight 🤝 Kept members connected during a season of uncertainty ⚡ Stayed energized, engaged, and growing when leadership mattered most

Tanya proved that the strength of a District isn't measured in easy years — it's measured in the hard ones.

Thank you, Tanya, for leading us through. 💙

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2301 L St NW
Washington D.C., DC
20037

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