WHO WE ARE

The oldest club in the District is Woodfords #816 chartered in April 1950. In addition to Woodfords, there are two other clubs that are currently active and were active at the time the District formed. Those clubs are #897 Bangor and #1479 Saint John. Sears-Halifax #1555 is the first club still in existence chartered after the District was formed. They chartered in February 1956.

The first International Director elected from District 45 was Jack Kiuru. Other International Directors from our District are Jim Kokocki and Wendy Harding. Jim later went on to be elected as 2nd Vice-President and served as International President in 2015 – 2016. The Presidential Citation is presented to members who have shown continual support and dedication to the organization. Recipients of this citation are selected at the sole discretion of the International President. There are nine recipients of the Presidential Citation from District 45. Those recipients are Bill Chase, Phil Works, Jean DeVigne, Terry Chinnery, Heather Perkins, Jim Kokocki, Carl Duivenvoorden, Dave Fraser, and Dorothy Doyle.

In 1991, Toastmasters International announced the Excellence in Leadership award which is presented to Districts that achieve Distinguished for at least three years in a row. District 45 was presented with this award in 1992 which was the first year it was presented. The following year, District 45 achieved this recognition again and was the only District in Region 7 to receive the award in 1993.

Some other notable facts:

• The Can-Am newsletter was first published in March 1956. We are currently publishing Volume 66.

•The District did not have Divisions until the 2004 – 2005 District year.

•The District had a 4th position Senior Leadership district that was an elected position. This was not recognized by Toastmasters International until they created the position now known as Public
Relations Manager (PRM). District 45 is one of only two or three Districts that elect that position – others appoint the PRM.

•The first fall conference was held in November 1990 in Woodstock, NB. The final fall conference was in Fairlee, VT in 2017.