Our Story
Gilbert Toastmasters Club #499 has met almost every week for nearly five decades, and been President's Distinguished every single year since 1989. Here's how we got here, and who we became.
Since 1978
Nearly five decades in, here is how the club became what it is today.
Gilbert Toastmasters was chartered on June 1, 1978, as Club #499. We've met every Thursday since; same commitment, same room, same purpose. The club has been President's Distinguished every year since 1989.
Club Spirit Award
Every meeting, we present the Vicki Treciak Spirit Award in honor of an enthusiastic Gilbert member who passed away. The award goes to whoever went above and beyond to make that meeting successful.
In the video, Vince Di Franco, our longest-standing member, shares the story of Vicki.
Notable Members
Dee Dees, DTM, served as District 3 Governor in 1992-1993, then as International Director of Toastmasters International. In 2004, she received the Presidential Citation, one of the highest honors in Toastmasters, awarded by the International President to members who have shown exceptional dedication to the organization. It can only be given once in a lifetime. She's still a member today.
Art Nieto, DTM, followed a similar path. He served as District 3 Governor in 1994-1995, and also became an International Director. He spent years criss-crossing Arizona to help charter new clubs wherever there was interest. District 3 named its Club Excellence Award after him.
DJ Reed, DTM, served two consecutive years in the District 3 Trio, as Club Growth Director and then Program Quality Director. She was also the Gilbert Treasurer who helped keep the club running when the pandemic hit.
The pattern didn't stop with them. Gilbert supplies Area Directors to the district on a regular basis, the leaders who guide clusters of nearby clubs, and most recently one of our own served as the district's Public Relations Manager. The “Home of the District Governor” ribbon still rides on our banner.
In Photos
Nearly five decades of Thursdays, contests, installations, and nights out. Tap any photo to see it full size.
Today
Today we're a large, in-person club. We're multigenerational and international, with members from India, Mexico, China, France, Brazil, Bahrain, and across the United States. We meet every Thursday, we pair new members with mentors, and the whole room is invested in each other's growth.
We bring pompoms to district events. We also give really good evaluations. We're not here to impress you. We're here to help you get better.
