by Marcheta Gardner, DTM, 2022-2023 District Director
The final awards at the Year End Celebration are always so exciting. Here are the top five individual awards that I as District 25 2022-2023 District Director presented.
Director’s Service Award for the year 2022-23
This award honors a District 25 member whose dedication to service, loyalty to the district, and adherence to the Toastmasters Promise provided outstanding leadership, inspiring other to excel.
The recipient of the Director’s Service Award is Jim Jameson.
Marcheta: Being the Pathways evangelist is not easy. Jim marshaled resources to help us all embrace the change in the educational curriculum. In fact, he has served in several roles to facilitate adoption of Pathways in our District. Jim has made a name for himself while patiently helping us embrace change and finding the joy of accomplishing education awards at every level! Thank you, Jim, … we’re all the better for it!
District Focus Award: Empowering Your Legacy 2022-2023
This award recognizes a member who unselfishly helped the members of District 25 have a quality experience, empowering their legacy, this year.
The recipient of the District Focus Award: Empowering Your Legacy, is Distinguished Toastmaster, Joyce Trimble.
Marcheta: Who is serving in a leadership role because Joyce tapped you on the shoulder? Everybody raise your hand! LOL. Many of us appreciate Joyce’s passion for Toastmasters and epitome of legacy. She serves year in and year out in vital roles that propel the District forward. Last year she served in the role of News Editor. With her leadership, the team increased the readership of Hot Topics and other media double and triple fold. And yes, she continues to pull in new talent and encourage others to share their talent! Thank you, Joyce for your continued passion and legacy of excellence!
Area Director of the Year 2022-2023
This award recognizes an area director whose dedication. Commitment, and area team significantly contributed to district goal achievement.
Our Area Director of the Year is Laurie McKee.
Marcheta: Laurie McKee brought her Area back from being non relevant. With the possibility of losing two of her five clubs, she worked tirelessly to have two clubs join to form a thriving club! This effort was no small feat and speaks volumes of the character, passion and drive that this quiet but impactful leader embodies. Thank you, Laurie, for continuing to shine and bring others with you!
Division Director of the Year 2022-2023
This award recognizes a division director for outstanding performance in membership building and retention, club extension, education/training, leadership, and other areas critical to district success.
Our Division Director of the Year is Distinguished Toastmaster, Celeste Castro.
Marcheta: Celeste Castro not only takes care of members but also models and encourages members to become leaders. The only Division Director to have ALL FOUR of her ADs move into a higher or other role of leadership, exemplifies her impact and service of excellence! She served with heart and her people responded-:). Thank you, Celeste, for representing leadership well!
Toastmaster of the Year 2022-2023
This award recognizes the Toastmaster whose dedication, commitment and efforts significantly contributed towards achieving the goals and mission of the district and who best exemplifies the values of Toastmasters International: Integrity, Respect, Service and Excellence. This honoree exemplifies the true meaning of Toastmasters.
Toastmaster of the Year is Distinguished Toastmaster, Larry Prince.
Marcheta: Larry Prince took the District Chief Judge role by the horns … literally! Being brought in mid-way through the year, he quickly assessed what was needed, educated himself as well as conversations with previous District Chief Judges, outlined a plan for the District Contests and executed the plan flawlessly! We enjoyed a competitive and non-eventful contest season and even secured representation at the Regional level! Thank you, Larry, for your organization and quickly getting your arms around the District Chief Judge role … without any complaints! Thank you for serving well!
