Kadian Grant, DTM

Program Quality Director, 2025-2026

District 83,

We are now at the six-month mark of the Toastmasters year. Club officers, this is the perfect time to revisit your club’s success plan. Are you on track to achieve your goals, or do you need to adjust your strategy to ensure your club becomes Distinguished this year?

Pathways Ambassador Program

We’ve launched the Pathways Ambassador Program, and our ambassadors are actively supporting clubs that request assistance. With this year’s focus on increasing enrollment and Level 1 completions, consider whether your club could benefit from an ambassador to help you cross the finish line.

New YouTube Videos

The Program Quality Team’s mission this year is to create a learning environment that supports your personal development and enhances your club’s success. Explore our latest videos on:

• Pathways: New Updates
• Recording New Meeting Roles and Educational Modules video
• How to Judge Competently and Without Barriers at Any Speech Contest
• Judges Training 101 video
• How to Conduct a Fun and Successful Contest
• Mock Speech Contest video
• Transforming Speakers into Trainers
• Train the Trainer video

Level Up! Conference – May 2, 2026

We are thrilled to announce that Dan Rex, CEO of Toastmasters International, will be our Keynote Speaker at our Level Up! Conference on May 2nd.

This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from the leader of our global organization. Dan will share powerful insights on leadership excellence, building stronger clubs, the lifelong impact of Toastmasters and more.

In addition to his keynote, you’ll have the chance to engage with him during interactive workshops and club visits.  This is truly a one-of-a-kind event you won’t want to miss. Secure your ticket today and be part of this inspiring experience!

Conference Tickets Now Available

• Early Bird Price (first 50 tickets): $135
• Regular Price: $150 for District 83 members | $200 for non-D83 members

Let’s Level Up together and charge into 2026 with unstoppable energy, making this Toastmasters year truly unforgettable.

Have a spectacular holiday season! 

Two decades ago, a small group of aspiring speakers earned their Toastmasters charter, meeting humbly in a local deli. Originally called The Brooklynites Toastmasters—a nod to founder Scott Linde’s Brooklyn roots—they laid the foundation for a club that would thrive for years to come.

In 2009, when beloved member and leader Jim Friend passed away, the club honored him by becoming the Jim Friend Toastmasters Club, a name reflecting his unwavering dedication and encouraging spirit.

On September 1, 2025, the club celebrated its 20th anniversary and achieved Distinguished Status with five DCP goals—a testament to its commitment to growth, excellence, and community.

From humble beginnings to today, the club’s resilient spirit has never wavered. In 2022, after the challenges of COVID-19 and transitioning to Zoom, membership had dwindled to six: Tom Friend—Jim’s son, Michelle Klaiss, Tony LaRocca, Hemu Shere, Tom Somers, and Lynda Wonski. Rather than let the club fade, they stepped up, shared meeting duties, doubled roles, created new outreach materials, and poured energy into rebuilding.

Their dedication paid off. Today, that group has grown to eighteen and is proud to be sending two members, Carolyn Duarte and Art Simonson, to compete in the upcoming International/Tall Tales Contest.

 Jim Friend Toastmasters Club is one of the district’s shining examples of resilience and creativity—proof that renewal is possible when even a few people refuse to give up.

Here’s to the next twenty years—and to the legacy Jim Friend left behind, carried forward by his son, Tom, and every member who shows up, speaks up, and helps others rise.

Carolyn Duarte, VPPR

Jim Friend Toastmasters

Ms. Aana Gajendran

Profession: 

Ms. Aana works in IT and brings over a decade of experience leading data‑driven initiatives. Her background spans data engineering, analytics, business intelligence, and data science, primarily within the banking and insurance sectors. She has played a key role in large‑scale merger and acquisition programs, applying her expertise to complex organizational challenges.

Toastmasters Journey: 

She joined Toastmasters in 2021 as a member of Conackamack Toastmasters.

Benefits from Toastmasters: 

Through Toastmasters, Ms. Aana has gained the confidence to interact with members from diverse backgrounds without hesitation, becoming more adaptable in different settings. The program has also helped her discover and strengthen her patience when working with children, enabling her to connect, guide, and inspire them effectively.

Community Service: 

Ms. Aana is an active volunteer with the Youth Leadership Program (YLP), coordinating numerous sessions and workshops for the district. Her dedication and service to the community are deeply appreciated, and we thank her for the positive impact she continues to make.

Somesh Chablani, DTM

District 83 has made significant progress in promoting and celebrating Youth Leadership and Gavel Clubs across our District.

With the help of our dedicated clubs and members, we have already completed 6 YLP batches in the new term and 3 more YLP clubs will be starting in early Jan 2026. 

In the new Toastmasters Term year, our clubs and YLP volunteers have trained more than 65+ students empowering young leaders on Leadership and Public speaking skills.

We'll continue our mission to help young people build confidence and leadership skills. A huge thank you to our district leaders Pamela Johnson, Kadian Grant, and Louis Wasser for their support.

Over the next few weeks, be sure to visit the Youth Leadership Program (YLP) page on the district 83 website to see the new updates.

We want to support you! If your club is sponsoring an existing YLP or plans to start a new one, please reach out to Somesh Chablani (Email: toastmaster.somesh@gmail.com). We want to ensure your success and celebrate the completion of every program.