Spring Conference – Communication and Leadership Nominations

Dave Sopha, the artist (Photo credit: Patrick Johanneson)

The Toastmasters District 86 Spring Conference starts on April 19. That’s next month. There is lots of work that needs to be done, and all those things which for months I’ve been saying there’s still lots of time, that’s not the case any more. The conference is next month already!

One of my responsibilities as District Public Relations Officer is to oversee the selection of our Communication and Leadership (C&L) Award Recipient.

The C&L Award is the highest award that Toastmasters grants to a non-member. Members of Toastmasters clubs nominate someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the community in the field of Communication and Leadership, and who is not already a Toastmaster. A selection team reviews all nominations and selects one, who will receive the award at the C&L Luncheon which is held on Saturday morning at the conference.

Roberta Bondar (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Richard Rohmer (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Sue Johanson (Photo credit: mastermaq) Hazel McCallion (Photo credit: Wikipedia) James Bartleman (Photo credit: pesbo)

Past recipients in District 86 have been:

• Carl Zehr (Mayor, City of Kitchener).
• Don Harron (Entertainer); Dr. Gordon Flett (Scholar)
• Major General Richard Rohmer (aviator, lawyer, writer)
• Sue Johanson (Media Educator)
• Bob Proctor (International Speaker; Ronald McDonald House)
• Major General Lewis Mackenzie (Canadian general (retired), author and media commentator)
• Mayor Hazel McCallion (Mayor, City of Mississauga)
• Ken Shaw (News Anchor-CFTO)
• Laura Sabia (Womens Advocate)
• Lincoln Alexander (Lieutenant Governor Of Ontario, 1985-1991)
• Mike (Pinball) Clements (coach – Toronto Argonauts)
• Dr. Roberta Bondar (Astronaut); Erin Davis (CHFI Radio)
• James Bartleman (Lieutenant Governor Of Ontario, 2002-2007)
• Dave Sopha (artist)

Dave Sopha was the recipient at our Fall Conference in November. I had the pleasure of meeting him and his daughter Terri, and of introducing Dave as a guest of honour at the C&L Luncheon.

District 86 is a large district, geographically, and encompasses clubs in the Niagara region, Mississauga, Oakville, Burlington, stretches up north to include Sudbury, west to include Sarnia and Sault Ste Marie, and points in between. It takes a lot of effort to reach out to the entire district, to ensure that all clubs are aware and have the opportunity to nominate a candidate for the award.

I’m pleased with the responses I’ve been getting. Some of the nominees we’ve had put forth include:

• Narine Dat Sookram (founder of Active Vision Charity Association)
• Mary Jo Haddad (president and CEO of Sick Childrens Hospital)
• Joe and Stephanie Mancini (founders of The Working Centre, Kitchener, ON)
• Mike Lazaridis (founder and Vice Chairman of Research In Motion)

Who will be the selected from among these to receive the award? Find out at the District 86 Spring Conference, April 19-21 at Holiday Inn, 3063 South Service Road, Burlington, ON. Visit our Event Registration page to register.

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