“Don’t blend in, standout.”
~ Unknown

Celebrating 55 years

District 26__Over the Years

Toastmasters District 26, Region 1, includes Colorado, the eastern slope of Wyoming, and the Nebraska panhandle and is comprised of six divisions; Denver, Metro, Eastern, Foothills, Northern, and Southern. It was chartered on September 19,1948 with Gordon Merrick serving as the first district governor.

Through activities in more than 160 local clubs, our members help each other develop effective communication and leadership skills. Throughout the year, our district also provides a variety of growth opportunities through conferences, speech contests, and educational workshops.

Four past District 26 governors have risen to the international level

Don Paape was international director, 1966 – 68 and international president 1972 -73. It was during his term that women were first admitted to Toastmasters International. Watt Pye was district governor from 1969-70 and international director from 1970 -72; Dorothy Chapman served as district governor, 1989-90 and international president from 1990-92; and Beth Boaz was D26 governor from 1995-96 and international director, 1997-99. Marilyn Boland served as the first female District 26 governor in 1975 -76.

Notable members of District 26

• In 2000, Ed Tate, a member of Cherry Creek Toastmasters, won the World Championship of Public Speaking. Ed is now the principal of a professional development firm that provides keynote and endnote presentations, workshops and other training. He has spoken professionally in 46 states, 12 countries and on five continents, authored a book, contributed to two others, and co-produced two audio albums.

• In 2007, Rory Vaden, also a member of Cherry Creek Toastmasters, was the first runner-up in the World Championship of Public Speaking. He has since co-founded a multi-million dollar public training company and been featured on Oprah Radio with Dr. Oz and in SUCCESS™ Magazine.

• Byron Embry, a former baseball player, was a contestant in the final round of the 2009 World Champion of Public Speaking and Ian J. Humphrey of Simply Speaking participated in the finals in 2010. Both were new to Toastmasters when they rose to the top ten international contestants.

• Rich Hopkins represented District 26, Region 1 in the semi-finals of the 2011 World Champion of Public Speaking. He competed for the WCPS in 2008 as a representative of Region 1 and in 2006, Rich earned third place among 10 finalists from around the world.

• A. Edward Bick became a member of D26 when he moved to Colorado in 1996. Ed represented D40 as international president 1990-91 and presided over the creation of the Excellence in Marketing, Excellence in Education (won by Norm Frickey, D26 governor 2011-12) and Excellence in Leadership recognition programs.

• Peter Coors joined a Toastmasters club at the Coors Brewing Company early in his career to gain the skills and confidence needed to appear as the company spokesman for a series of national TV commercials. He currently is the chairman of the Molson Coors Brewing Company and MillerCoors.

Raising our profile

• Our district newsletter, formerly The Sage, was renamed the District 26 Dialogue in 2010 and a new design and format were introduced in March 2011.

• The Speakers Bureau, chaired by Hugh Curley, DTM, was expanded as part of a public relations and marketing campaign spearheaded by Tom Hobbs, DTM, Lt. governor marketing 2011-2012.

• A complete website makeover, initiated by Julia K. Davis DTM, district governor 2010-2011, was launched August 17, 2011 to coincide with the international brand refresh. Developed by Carol A. Harris, PRO 2011-12, web technology administrator Alexander Pyle (Toastmaster of the Year 2010-11), and webmaster Jonathan Sterner, it’s a work in progress as we strive to raise the bar and set the benchmark to which all other Toastmasters districts will aspire.