It has a been successful run for the Carlton Trail Toastmasters.
The Humboldt based group celebrated their 30th anniversary with a special Toastmasters meeting on Nov. 28 with present and past members invited to celebrate such an achievement.
Toastmasters clubs around the world support members as they develop their public speaking skills and the club in Humboldt is no different.
From a district and international perspective, 30 years is a huge accomplishment, says District 99 Director Donald Zurakowski, with not a lot of clubs able to claim that milestone.
“Any club that gives to the community for 30 years does something right. And there’s a culture that develops in that club...this club is a testament to the fact that they do help people learn, communicate better, and they have fun doing it.”
Zurakowski is always impressed when he attends Carlton Trail meetings and even though his home club is in Prince Albert, he feels very much at home in Humboldt.
Carlton Trail Vice-President Amanda Perrot says their biggest strength is their family mentality and that shows, even for guests like Zurakowski.
“We take care of each other. When one of us has a health issue, we know and we care. That environment; that caring, nurturing environment is one of the best environments to learn skills like leadership, communication.”
One person who was unable to make it to the celebration but who was a major player in the clubs founding was Jerry Angelstad.
The long serving Toastmasters member is currently having health problems but he did send a prepared speech, read by Dee Robertson.
“Why does someone stay so long with one thing? When you see the improvements it makes for the individual and then having that member help another newer member to improve, you know its truly a worthwhile organization,” wrote Angelstad.
Adrienne Perrot, Area Director and Carlton Trail member, says that Angelstad is the longest serving member and rarely misses a meeting.
“A lot of what we’re doing is to recognize (Angelstad) and his legacy and his efforts to building this club over the last 30 years.”
The past year has been a great year for the Toastmasters club with the club reaching 20 members for the first time since it was chartered in 1987.
According to Toastmasters International, 20 members means a well run club with all the duties divided up.
Carlton Trail has had some tough times when it comes to member numbers with only two members in the early 1990s but they made it through.
This year also saw the club celebrating former club president Amanda who received Toastmaster of the Year during the District 99 Fall Conference in Prince Albert on Nov. 18. Zurakowski presented the award again during the anniversary celebration in front of her fellow members, which was an overwhelming experience.
Thinking about what lead her to receive this award, Amanda thinks back to what her parents taught her about doing something and doing something well.
That speaks to many of the rural members, says Amanda.
“The farmer attitude, the ‘can do’ attitude, that’s integral in our club. Anyone can do it, you just have to decide.”
Zurakowski says there are around 2,600 members across District 99 who were eligible for the award and the honour is not taken lightly.
“It takes dedication, passion, accomplishment, caring, and there are a lot of criteria that go into deciding who’s going to have that accolade.”
To have a member from one of the district’s smaller clubs is no small feat and takes a club with a ‘can do’ attitude.
