VALDOSTA – Valdosta Toasts, a local chapter of Toastmasters International, will celebrate its 10th Anniversary with an Open House Reception on Friday, April 28, from 5-7 p.m., at Ambling Companies, Inc., located at 348 Enterprise Drive. Current, past and charter members are invited to attend, as well as other interested members of the public.
“This year marks is an exciting time in the history of Valdosta Toasts,” said Stacey Whatley, Valdosta Toasts member and Division Director for District 14, Division G. “Not only has the club provided professional communication and leadership programs in Valdosta for the past decade, our club has also been instrumental in chartering other clubs in the area– Wiregrass Georgia Tech, Moody Air Force Base, and the South Georgia Regional Library, for example–that have enriched the lives of many people in the Valdosta-Lowndes County community.”
Whatley, who is also the Human Resources Director for Ambling Companies, credits former Ambling Vice President of Finance Curt Fowler for having the vision to bring Toastmasters back to Valdosta and the Ambling management who has sponsored the club since it was chartered in April 2007. Ambling continues to provide the facilities and support for the club and its members, who meet in the companies training room every Tuesday at noon, and have been for the past 10 years.
“Milestones are important to celebrate because they remind us of where we’ve been and where we are going in the future,” said the 2017 Valdosta Toasts President Larry Hagen. “We invite the public to enjoy this occasion with us as we celebrate the personal development resources offered weekly at Valdosta Toasts meetings and the lives that continue to be enriched by the Toastmasters program.”
In addition to providing a positive learning environment for personal growth, the local club has also recognized local leaders who demonstrate exceptional leadership and communication skills in our community. Those recognized publicly by Valdosta Toasts since 2008 are: Former Valdosta Mayor John Fretti (2008), Radio Personality Scott James (2009), Author Dean Poling (2010), Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Stuart Mullis (2011), Wiregrass Georgia Tech. Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Ron O’Meara (2012), Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber President Myrna Ballard (2013), Georgia State Rep. Dexter Sharper (2014), Valdosta Mayor John Gayle (2015) and WWII Veteran George Aigen (2017).
Anyone interested in learning more about Toastmasters is invited to attend the Open House on April 28. The event will celebrate Valdosta Toasts’ Distinguished Club status—Toastmasters International’s highest quality club and a status maintained by Valdosta Toasts throughout its entire 10 years. Attendees are invited to fellowship with current and past members, enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, and enjoy several giveaways, such as a 6-month membership to Valdosta Toasts.
Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. Valdosta Toasts is one of three chapters in the Valdosta area and one of nearly 16,000 clubs in 142 countries. Valdosta Toasts members are part of a network of more than 345,000 members worldwide who meet regularly to improve their speaking and leadership skills.
For more information about Valdosta Toasts’ 10th Anniversary Open House Reception or about its communication and leadership programs, call 229-219-8028.
