• Founding
• 1947-1960: Organization
• 1961-1971: Development
• 1972-1979: Growth and Recognition
• 1980-1989: The Tradition Continues
• 1990-1999: Preparing for the New Millennium
• 2000 - present: The New Millennium Begins

Presidential Citation Awards

Founding

Founder's District began operations on July 1, 1944. Prior to that, it was the Eastern Division of District 1. At an Eastern Division Council meeting, February 18, 1944, Graham J. Albright, then Governor of the Eastern Division, appointed a committee to study the advisability of dividing District 1.

At a Toastmasters International Board of Directors meeting on July 28, 1944, James Barnet, Governor of District 1, moved the approval of a request for final division; the motion carried. Governor Barnet then presented Graham J. Albright as the first Governor of Founder's District.

Governor Albright is credited with suggesting the name "Founder's" for the new district. The title is said to have come to him in a dream. The name was submitted to the Eastern Division Council which received it enthusiastically. It was approved later by Toastmasters International Board of Directors as the official name for the newly formed district.

Founder's District began operations with three areas, simply "1", "2" and "3". There were 18 clubs in the district, six in each area. Six new clubs were chartered and area "4" was formed during the first year, 1944-1945.

1947-1960: Organization

The office of "Lieutenant Governor for Districts" was officially approved by Toastmasters International Board of Directors at its 1947 convention. During the remainder of 1947-1948, the District could fill the office by appointment; thereafter it was to become an elective office of the District. Governor R. E. Lee Aldrich did not make an appointment during his term. At the Spring Conference in 1948, L. A. White was elected as the first Lieutenant Governor of Founder's District for the year 1948-1949.

All District Governors have been elected at annual Spring Council meetings except Harvey L. McPherson. He was elected at the Fall Council meeting in 1952 to fill the vacancy when Wayland A. Dunham resigned to become Associate Educational Director of Toastmasters International.

At the same Fall Council meeting in 1952, the Council passed a resolution asking all clubs of the District to contribute 50 cents per member for allocation to travel expenses of district officers. This practice continued until 1963 when the Board of Directors of Toastmasters International provided additional funds for district operations. The 1952 Fall Council also voted to separate the District into an Eastern and Western Divisions for the purpose of selecting district speech contest participants.

The first District Humorous Speech Contest was held during the year 1954-1955. The District winner was determined immediately after the noon luncheon at the Spring Conference. In 1954, the first District Bulletin, called the All Points Bulletin began publication. The editor was Richard Michter. That bulletin was discontinued after several years.

At the Spring Conference in 1956, the Club Extension Committee recommended that Founder's District be divided into three Divisions, which was approved by the District Council The office of "Lieutenant Governor for the District" was changed to "Lieutenant Governor Marketing" at the same conference. The officers elected to fill the newly established offices were: Paris S. Jackson, Administrative Lt. Governor; John Zimmerman, Lieutenant Governor for Division A; Maurice A. Shebaum, Lieutenant Governor for Division B; and Horton Swicher, Lieutenant Governor for Division C.

1961-1971: Development

The District Council voted to add Division D to the District at its 1963 Spring Conference. William W. Irwin was elected as the first Lieutenant Governor for Division D, serving during the term 1963-1964. This same year, under District Governor Donald D. Foss, DTM, the District Bulletin was named The Founder. The District reached a total of 117 clubs in 1965, under Governor H. Al Richardson. That was the largest number of clubs attained during the District's first 35 years of operation, 1944-1979.

During this period, three past Governors of Founder's District were elected Directors of Toastmasters International; Glen E. Welch in 1953, Paris S. Jackson in 1960 and Amos W. Randall in 1964. Two of these men were also elected to senior offices in Toastmasters International during that period; Paris S. Jackson was elected Vice President for Education in 1962, Senior Vice President in 1963 and President of Toastmasters International in 1964. Amos W. Randall was elected Third Vice President in 1968.

The title "Administrative Lt. Governor" was changed to "Senior Lieutenant" at the 1968 Spring Council meeting. Vance J. Mingus was elected at the same conference as the first Senior Lieutenant Governor. Toastmasters International later requested that all districts use the same title for the top three district officers. The titles uniformly adopted were: District Governor, Lieutenant Governor Administration and Lieutenant Governor Education. These changes were approved by the District Council at the Spring Conference on May 15, 1971 and became effective July 1, 1971.

The Silver Anniversary of Founder's District was celebrated March 22, 1969 with a dinner-dance at the Grand Hotel in Anaheim. Past Governors Paris S. Jackson and Maurice A. Shenbaum were co-chairs and Governor C. A. (Bud) Welch, ATM presided. During the program, the new District insignia, designed by Max R. McVay, PDG, DTM was displayed for the first time.

1972-1979: Growth and Recognition

The Constitution and Bylaws of Toastmasters International were amended at the International Convention in 1972 to permit the induction of women members, a change which had profound and beneficial effects on the membership growth and officer makeup of Founder's District in subsequent years.

The 1974 Toastmasters International Convention was hosted by Founder's District, under District Governor A. W. (Art) Hofner, from August 13th through 17th at the Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim. Past District Governor C. A. (Bud) Welch, ATM and Vance Mingus, DTM, served as Chair and Co-Chair, respectively, for the event. More than 200 Toastmasters from Founder's District volunteered their services for the five day event.

Under the leadership of Governor John S. Latin, DTM, Founder's District received recognition as a Distinguished District in 1975-1976. Past District Governor Latin was elected International Director in 1977 and served with distinction for his two year term.

Founder's District reached the top in 1976-1977 as President's Distinguished District under District Governor Walt Hamilton, DTM.

Recognition as a Distinguished District came again in 1977-1978 under Governor Howard Clark, DTM. During the same year, The Founder was awarded the distinction of Top Ten District Bulletin, under the editorship of Mary Lee, CTM. Only one year after its chartering, Rockwell Bicentennial Club #3798 became the first club in Founder's District to be designated as one of the Top Ten Clubs in Toastmasters International.

The Western boundaries of the District were changed and a fifth division was created at the Spring Conference in 1978, under District Governor Howard Clark, DTM. Rich Weis, DTM was the first Division Governor for Division E. The first Administrative Committee was proposed and formed that year by Christos Gratsinopoulos, DTM, Administrative Lt. Governor. The Committee was approved and formed at the August 1978 District Executive Committee meeting.

In 1978-1979, under Governor Don Robinson, DTM, Founder's District was again recognized as a President's Distinguished District. The Founder, under the editorship of Diane Gratsinopoulos, became a Top Ten District Bulletin. Club bulletins published by Smedley Chapter #1 and by Westwinds Club #2436 were among the Top Ten Club Bulletins in Toastmasters International. Blue Flame Club #2717 was designated as one of the Top Ten Clubs in Toastmasters International. A new record for the entire international organization was set when 21 new clubs were chartered in Founder's District with Vance J. Mingus, DTM, PDG as Club Extension Chair.

Its own record for new clubs formed in one year was broken by Founder's District in 1979-1980 with Chris Gratsinopoulos, DTM as District Governor and John S. Latin, DTM, PDG as Club Extension Chair. Twenty-nine clubs were chartered and active clubs at year-end totaled 164. Rockwell-Anaheim Bicentennial Club #3798's bulletin Rab's Rappings was listed among the Top Ten Club Bulletins. Founder's District again received recognition in 1979 when Past District Governor, H. Al Richardson, DTM became the fifth person from Founder's District to be elected International Director.

During the same year, Division C was realigned with the resulting new division being called Division F. This action was taken at the Spring Conference of 1980. Jerry Weitzman, ATM was elected first Lieutenant Governor for Division F.

1980-1989: The Tradition Continues

Kermit Ekegren, DTM was Founder's District Governor for 1980-1981, and Founder's was once again recognized as a Distinguished District. An outstanding achievement of the year 1980-1981 was the registration of 74 Speechcraft programs by Founder's District. This was a new record for Toastmasters International. Major credit for this achievement was given to Roy D. Graham, DTM, PID, District Speechcraft Chair.

That year again, The Founder received the recognition of a Top Ten District Bulletin with Alice Hollman, DTM as Editor. Three club bulletins were listed among the Top Ten Club Bulletins of Toastmasters International. They were Westwinds Report, Club #2436, Speaking Easy, Club #2495 and Rab's Rappings, Club #3798. Blue Flame Club #2717 was recognized as a Top Ten Club by Toastmaster International.

The first woman to be elected District Governor for Founder's District was D. Adele Stagner, DTM who received this honor at the 1981 Spring Conference. At this same conference, Division A was realigned and a new Division was formed for the Southern part of Orange County with John Hall elected as the first Lieutenant Governor for Division G. For her expert leadership that year, Adele Stagner, DTM received the honor of Distinguished District, and Editor, Frank Ortega, DTM published The Founder, a Top Ten District Bulletin.

At the 1981 International Convention in Phoenix, John S. Latin, DTM, PID was elected Third Vice President of Toastmasters International.

At the Fall 1981 Conference, the Gene Beckwith Memorial Trophy, through the generosity of Dr. Tom Kuramata and the members of Westwinds Club #2436, was established. It is for the District Governor selection of the Toastmaster in Founder's District who best exemplifies the humor, wisdom and leadership qualities of Gene Beckwith, DTM, PDG. The first recipient of this award was Roy D. Graham, DTM, PID.

At the 1982 International Convention in Philadelphia, John S. Latin was elected Second Vice President; then in 1983 in San Diego, he became Senior Vice President. The winner of the 1983 International Speech Contest in San Diego was Founder's own Roy Fenstermaker, DTM.

The 42nd District Governor, Myra L. Obert, DTM led the District to Distinguished status for 1983-1984, and Brenda Keeling, DTM, Editor for The Founder, was honored with a Top Ten District Bulletin.

At the 1984 International Convention in Orlando, Founder's District proudly witnessed John S. Latin elected as International President.

Founder's was once again a Distinguished District for the year 1984-1985 under District Governor Herbert J. Stockinger, DTM. In addition, Club #841 published Passwords, a Top Ten Club Bulletin.

The District had two publications recognized in 1985-1986; The Founder with Rita Chastain as Editor produced a Top Ten District Bulletin and Smedley Club #1 produced Tattles, a Top Ten Club Bulletin.

The next three years found the District recognized as Distinguished under 1986-1987 Governor John A. Garcia, DTM, 1987-1988 Governor Colette Gardner, DTM and 1988-1989 Governor Brenda L. Keeling, DTM. Preparation for the new District 12 began during the 1988-1989 year with Co-Lieutenant Governors serving. July 1, 1989, District 12 was formed out of Founder's Divisions C and F. August 1989, Governors Marian Bell (District-12) and William Doane (Founder's) jointly hosted the International Convention in Palm Desert. Toastmasters from both Districts worked together in serving nearly 2000 guests from around the world. In 1987-1988 The Founder was a Top Ten District Bulletin thanks to Editor, Charlotte Simmons, ATM. The Founder's 1989-1990 Editor, Steve Woods, changed the format of the bulletin and its quality was again recognized as a Top Ten District Bulletin.

1990-1999: Preparing for the New Millennium

1991-1992

The 1991-1992 term introduced new titles for the top officers. The Educational Lieutenant Governor became the Lieutenant Governor Education and Training. The tasks of the Lieutenant Governor Administration were divided between two newly titled officers, the Lieutenant Governor Marketing and the Public Relations Officer. At the same time the Division Lieutenant Governors became Division Governors. The 50th District Governor, Betty Colston, DTM, achieved Distinguished District for the year 1991-1992.
1994-1995

In 1994-1995, The Founder was a Top Ten District Bulletin thanks to Editor Michelle Wedemeyer. Club bulletin, Kaiser Permanente TOASTMASTERS, was one of the Top Ten Club Bulletins with Keri Tahara as Editor. Hank Kunkel, DTM, Lieutenant Governor Education and Training was recognized for Excellence In Education and Training.
1995-1996

In 1995-1996 Jeffrey L. Chess, DTM, Lieutenant Governor Education and Training was recognized for Excellence in Education and Training.
1996-1997

In 1996-1997 Ron Maroko, DTM, Lieutenant Governor Education and Training was recognized for Excellence in Education and Training.

In July 1997, Toastmasters International changed the educational system originally implemented in 1984. It established a clearly defined communication track and a clearly defined leadership track that are not mutually exclusive. CTM remains the first award members may achieve. DTM remains the highest award, although it's requirements changed. The new program adds the awards of CL and AL while changing the Able recognition awards to Advanced. TI ran both the old and new programs until July 1999, at which time the old program was suspended.
1997-1998

In 1997-1998 Founder's District achieved Distinguished status under District Governor Ron Maroko, DTM. Club 5174, Wolden Multimedia Presenters earned President's Top Five Distinguished Club and was ranked number one in the world for Clubs with fewer than 20 members. Club 615, Zingers, received recognition in the Top 10 Newsletter contest for its club bulletin "The Serrated Edge" published by Regina Roland. The District launched its presence in cyberspace by establishing its own web site.
1998-1999

At the 1998 International Convention in Palm Desert, Alfred Herzing, DTM, PID was elected Third Vice President of Toastmasters International.

Founder's hosted International President Terry Daily, DTM, at its Fall Conference in November 1998. President Daily visited many potential club locations while in Founder's and at the mid-year Board meeting, recounted how hard Founder's had worked him. Founder's Mike Lattimore won the Region II International Speech Contest, earning the honor of competing at the International Convention in August 1999 in Chicago. For the District's educational successes in 1998-1999 John Angiolillo, DTM, Lieutenant Governor Education and Training was recognized for Excellence in Education and Training.
1999-2000

The last Toastmaster year of the century ends with Founder's having seven Divisions and 36 Areas serving 179 Clubs.

During the 2000 International Convention in Miami Beach, Florida two Founder's Leaders received recognition: Linda Northrop, DTM for Excellence in Education and Training and Ron Maroko, DTM/PDG as Editor of 'The Founder' a Top 10 District Newsletter.

2000 - 2009: The New Millennium Begins

Presidential Citation Awards

Five members of Founder's were honored with a Presidential Citation at the International Conventions:
Recipient Year Where
Juanita Skillman, DTM 1991 Dallas, TX
John S. Latin, DTM, PIP 1994 Louisville, KY
Gladys Flint, DTM, PDG 1997 New Orleans, LA
Joan Laing, DTM, PDG, of District 1 1999 Chicago, IL
John Angiolillo, DTM, PDG 2002 San Antonio, TX