by Susan Ruth Editor’s note: For 2 years our meetings have been held virtually. For newer members and for those of us who may have forgotten, an unfamiliar piece of furniture is emerging in our meetings. Thank you Susan for reminding us what that weird contraption is and why each club has one. Have you…
This was compilation was a labor of love with contributions by many who learned, respected and whose lives were impacted by Bonne. There was no rhyme or reason about the order of the memories in the post., The memories are listed as they were received or discovered on social media and being sent to the…
by Ankur Bora PM5 Toastmasters blossomed out of a single club. Ninety-eight years ago, Ralph C. Smedley, hosted the first meeting. The organization grew generation after generation, each carrying it to the next level. During World War II, especially in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor, conducting regular meetings was nearly impossible, and…
by David Winkowski SR1 Area 51 Director On April 28, 1945, Wichita Falls was a growing community, firmly rooted in the cattle and oil industries. One man, Lewis E. Thompkins, had a desire to bring greater opportunity to the people of the area. Good communication skills were at the core of this dream, so he…
by Ankur Bora Life is an endless unfolding, an endless process of self-discovery, and an endless dialogue. It is built out of the experience of humankind. One must only listen. The ingredients are there. Put them together and a beautiful story is created — or if you are a Toastmaster, a memorable speech! In 1961,…
by Katie Britt Wichita Falls Toastmasters turned 76 this year. That is 76 years of meetings exactly the same. That’s 3,952 meetings that were exactly the same. We struggled with membership retention and growth. The meetings felt stale and forced. The meeting room was located in a local church, under yellowing fluorescent lights, with bad…
by Robi Ley, DTM, District Director On April 3, 2019, the Waco Early Birds celebrated 50 years as a Toastmasters chapter. It was a great meeting with every current member showing up, plus five visitors, some traveling from as far as Arizona. The level of Toastmasters experience ranged from Don Ferris (a charter member) to…
