Toastmasters District 216
District Events Calendar
Officer training, the speech contest season, and the gatherings that bring the district together — across Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Ontario.
Upcoming events
This calendar updates automatically as events are added. Use Month / List / Day to switch views, and click any event for full details. Hosting an open house, contest, or training? Submit your event at least 21 days ahead.
Events
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Detroit Rocks! Annual Spooky Tales
Coleman A. Young Community Center 2751 Robert Bradby Dr, Detroit, MI, United StatesDetroit Rocks! Toastmasters hosts its annual Spooky Tales storytelling competition. In person in Detroit or on Zoom. Free, guests welcome.
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Advanced Articulators Evaluation Workshop
Virtual EventAdvanced Articulators (A+), Club 8109, invites all District 216 members to an interactive online evaluation workshop led by Stephanie Coleman, DTM, a three-time District 28 Evaluation Contest winner and two-time […]
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Innovative Orators Toastmasters Celebrates 38 Years
UDJ / Johnson Recreation Center 8550 Chippewa Avenue, Detroit, MI, United StatesInnovative Orators Toastmasters (Club 2883) celebrates its 38th anniversary. In person in Detroit or on Zoom. Free, guests welcome.
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Unlock Your Speaking Potential! with Fursey Gotuaco
St. Thomas Community Presbyterian Church 55355 Mound Rd, Shelby Township, MI, United StatesConfident Communicators Club hosts World Championship finalist Fursey Gotuaco. Hybrid, in Shelby Township or online. $5; register on Eventbrite.
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Winter TLI: In-Person Club Officer Training
Portage United Church of Christ 631 W. Milham Rd., Portage, MI, United StatesKick off the Winter round of Toastmasters Leadership Institute in person in Portage. This half-day session trains club officers in their roles, with breakouts led by experienced Toastmasters.
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Toastnotables Fall Open House
Deborah A. Stabenow Building, Brake Conference Room (Atrium Level South) 525 W Allegan St, Lansing, MI, United StatesToastnotables hosts its Fall Open House with guest speaker Mike Stout of Michigan Waterways Stewards. In person in Lansing or via Teams. Free; RSVP on the club website.
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Winter TLI: Virtual Club Officer Training
A three-hour virtual Club Officer Training session on Zoom, part of the District 216 Winter TLI series.
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Winter TLI: Virtual Session, Part 1 of 2
A lunch-hour virtual Club Officer Training session on Zoom, paired with Part 2 on Wednesday, January 13. Officers attend both parts to complete training.
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Winter TLI: Virtual Session, Part 2 of 2
Part 2 of the lunch-hour virtual Club Officer Training pair that begins Monday, January 11. Officers attend both parts to complete training.
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Winter TLI: Virtual Club Officer Training
A three-hour evening virtual Club Officer Training session on Zoom, part of the District 216 Winter TLI series.
Free
Speech Contests
Speech contests are one of the highlights of the Toastmasters year — a chance to sharpen your skills and watch the district’s best. One contest follows the official Toastmasters International path all the way to the world stage; the others are run by the district just for the challenge and fun of it.
International Speech Contest
Toastmasters International’s flagship contest runs through a set series of levels. Win at one level and you advance to the next:
- Club. It starts at your home club, where members compete and the club selects its winner.
- Area. Club winners advance to the Area contest, against winners from neighboring clubs.
- Division. Area winners move up to the Division contest.
- District. Division winners meet at the District contest — the top level within District 216, held at the Spring District Conference.
The International Speech Contest is held in person under official Toastmasters International rules. The District champion advances beyond District 216 toward the World Championship of Public Speaking.
Beyond the official contest, District 216 hosts its own competitions — a friendlier, lower-pressure way for more members to get on stage. These aren’t part of the official advancement path above; they’re a district tradition, with finals at the District Conference.
Training, Conference, and District Business
TLI — Club Officer Training
The Toastmasters Leadership Institute (TLI) trains club officers to run their clubs well and make the most of their term — and to trade ideas with officers from other clubs. Training runs twice a year: a summer round (June–August) and a winter round (November–February). Clubs earn Distinguished Club Program credit when at least four officers are trained in each round.
Summer 2026 round completeWinter round: Nov 2026 – Feb 2027
Winter sessions run November 14 through February 25 — see the calendar above for dates, and register once for the whole series. Missed the summer round? Email info@216toastmasters.org to ask about make-up options.
Spring District Conference
The annual District Conference is the district’s signature gathering — education sessions, the District speech contest finals, the district business meeting, and recognition of the year’s achievements. The inaugural District 216 Conference is planned for Spring 2027.
DEC Meetings — Monthly
The District Executive Committee (DEC) — the district’s leadership team, including the trio plus division and area directors — meets monthly to conduct district business and support clubs. Members are welcome to observe; watch the calendar above for dates.
Have an event to share?
Clubs, areas, and divisions can submit open houses, contests, and training to the District Calendar. Questions? Reach out anytime — we’re happy to help you get involved.
Event dates and formats are set each year by District 216 and are subject to change.