It’s been a while since I posted a Toastmasters News and Notes blog as I’ve been busy with other blog content. I’ve also embarked on my job search during the month of November with much success. I’ve since landed a part-time job at Giant Eagle and I’m getting established there.
Toastmasters International launched its first club in West Virginia in 1949 when the Wheeling Toastmasters club chartered in March. The East Central part of the state was next when it came to seeing interest in Toastmasters. District 13 was known as the Keystone District and the formation of the Reading Toastmasters would keep that theme intact. They’d get support from clubs in Philadelphia and Wilkes Barre, primarily locally.
The Pittsburgh club started doing demo meetings in 1949, at the time a new PR campaign. They’d speak at other meetings about what Toastmasters has to offer and what the club does. It’s kind of like the alliance that Toastmasters International and Rotary have today.
The beginning of Evaluation contests took place in 1949. This coming Spring Conference in 2022 is having that contest to go along with the International Speech contests. The different levels of contests took a lot longer in 1949 than they do now, starting in September and going until March.
That September saw Philadelphia charter its second Toastmasters club, the Quaker City Toastmasters. The first club is called Philadelphia’s First. The formation of Quaker City Toastmasters gave the clubs an opportunity to work together and ensure continued growth and success for the new club.
Toastmasters then came to Beaver County as the Beaver Falls club chartered. While Beaver Falls is no longer around, the Beaver Toastmasters honors that legacy by being the premier Toastmasters club in the area.
Stylish 🍒 