20th Anniversary
Valley Town Toastmasters (Club No. 9709) was chartered on January 29, 1994. [Click on History's Archive to see more information.]
Early in 2013, a 20th Anniversary Committee was formed by Chair Karen Wood (photo) and included club members Abeer Musleh, Kate Cave, Mark Mullins and Nina Goncharenko.
Karen's vision for the club's 20th Anniversary was to include the membership in its planning and execution. To accomplish this, she started early.
While serving as Club President in early 2013, Karen initiated the event planning with a special presentation at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch in Dundas in March of that year.
She followed up with regular reports and updates to the club - making each one special in its own right - such as this double banner display in May, 2013, outside the Dundas Town Hall.
It is easy to imagine Karen "burning the midnight candle" as she planned, pushed and led the planning committee and the club towards the big day of our 20th Anniversary Celebration - Thursday, January 30, 2014 - at the Dundas Golf & Curling Club.
Among the many things that Kate Cave did to help and support this event, she created this invitation that was posted on our web site.
Long time club member, Jonathan Spiegel, purchased the 1st ticket in a special ceremony during a club meeting in September, 2013.
Former members of Valley Town Toastmasters were contacted and many attended the 20th Anniversary Celebration along with many community and Toastmaster dignitaries and current club members, friends and family.
Upon arrival, we were all regaled with such wonderful sights as the above artistic "theme poster", Honours & Awards Table and below beautiful table place settings.
Neighbouring Toastmaster and good friend, Mon J Gamil, provided excellent musical accompaniment to the evening's delightful events.
The Honourable David Sweet, Member of Parliament, was in attendance and made a special presentation to the audience. David has been a longstanding supporter of the Toastmaster organization and of our club.
Toastmaster International Director Lori Lococo and her husband, Philip, made the long journey from Niagara Falls to honour our club's achievements.
Both Lori and Phil were instrumental in introducing their concept of "Coach's Corner" into our club's educational program over two years ago.
A very important part of our ceremony was the recognition of Gary Reid, current and founding member of our club.
Gary was our keynote speaker and he also talked about the many memories of the club's history.
From left to right in the above photo: charter member Mark Mullins, Club President Kenrick Chin, International Director Lori Lococo, event chair and immediate past president Karen Wood, Toastmaster District 86 Governor (and club member) Tony Bratschitsch and The Honourable David Sweet, Member of Parliament.
Similar to this cake, everything about our 20th Anniversary Celebration was done in good taste.
All the members of Valley Town Toastmasters - past, present and future - owe Karen Wood and her committee a large debt of thanks for making this Celebration a valuable memory.
The evening's printed program is attached at the bottom of this page.
Valley Town Proud!
