The Beginnings of
Rock Climbers Toastmasters
Club 867930
By Arnie Grot, DTM
The journey to the presentation of the Charter of Club 867930 on March 24, 2006 starts before that first demo meeting on June 17, 2005 at McKesson Corporation’s facility on Dividend Road in Rocky Hill, CT.
On November 20, 2001, the first McKesson facility Toastmaster club chartered in District 25 in Carrollton, TX. Over the next three years, four more clubs were chartered at McKesson facilities in Georgia, California, Texas and New Jersey. It was through visits to The Toast of Delran Toastmasters Club (#624719) in New Jersey, that the seed and enthusiasm for a club in Rocky Hill was planted.
David Morrissey and Mabel Marshall both answered the call to build a Toastmasters Club. Dave made the call to then District 53 Governor Rich Couture for help and encouraged Mabel to take the lead role in organizing the club within McKesson at Rocky Hill. As the 2004-5 Lt. Governor Marketing, John Lynch, with Dave and Mabel, set June 17 as the demo date and assembled a demo team consisting of himself, Arnie Grot, Don Logie and Dolly Reed. A group of around fifteen McKesson associates attended this first meeting and quickly became the core for building the club.
The early meetings during the summer were at 8:30 AM on every other Friday with McKesson providing continental breakfast for all attending. The word quickly caught the attention of Rich Couture, who, having completed his year as District Governor, discovered a new meaning to “But Wait. There’s More!” Having more time available, the attraction of a friendly group and the lure of food, Rich became a permanent addition to the club building team. In early fall, the meeting time was changed to 11:30 AM on the first and third Friday. Those in Rocky Hill, also opened up there meetings to associates working in McKesson’s New Britain facility. The McKesson members soon selected Rock Climbers as the soon to be clubs name. Rich, Arnie, Don and Dolly regularly attended the meetings, encouraging the members and guiding them on conducting meetings and along the steps to establishing the club. Elaine Hetu, President of The Toast of Delran Toastmasters Club, attended few meetings while visiting McKesson’s Rocky Hill facility, encouraging the members and giving a speech before the club.
The members selected the first officers, rewarding Mabel for her organization by electing her President. Dave was chose VP Membership for his work in establishing ties between McKesson management and associates. Mike Caron was voted to be first VP Education for the Club as he was first in doing Table Topics, first in doing prepared speeches and first in being the Toastmaster. Ruben Feliciano was instantly made VP Public Relations after his second speech in which he enumerated the many ways his brief Toastmasters experience has and his future expectations will help his confidence. His speech was one of the few “campaign” speeches for a club office that I have seen in my 15 years in Toastmasters. Paul Federico was made Sergeant-at-arms for his enthusiasm as support of all members in their quest to grow as communicators and leaders. Kim Taylor took an early lead in preparing and distributing agendas and became Secretary. Linda O’Donnell, with her knowledge of Inventory Control was unanimously voted in as Treasurer.
When District Governor Paul Young presented the Rock Climbers Toastmasters Club Charter on March 24, recognized Rich Couture and Arnie Grot as the club sponsors and Don Logie and Dolly Reed as the club mentors. He also installed the clubs officers. Perhaps the best reward for their work was given in a testimonial by Pete Pasquale, McKesson’s Senior Vice President of the Northeast Region, at the conclusion of the ceremony.
Photo at right: District Governor Paul Young, DTM presents Rock Climbers Charter #867930 to Club President Mable Marshall. Photo below: During the charter presentation Paul Young, DTM installed the Club Officers of the Rock Climber Toastmasters Club. (Pictures by Don Logie, DTM) |
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