A Brief History of High Noon Toastmasters
By Steven Rosenberg, Distinguished Toastmaster
There have been hundreds of members who have participated in High Noon Toastmasters since it was chartered in March 1988.
The club has provided a forum throughout the years for members to expand their horizons in a warm and supportive environment. Many High Noon Toastmasters have used the lessons in communication and leadership they learned in the club to advance their careers.
Two long-time Toastmasters – Merle Nall, DTM and Angus Jackson, CTM, have especially enriched our club. Merle was a member of Toastmasters for over 48 years and was active until he passed away in 1998. He was an inspiration to the club, providing encouragement and constructive suggestions to the members. His favorite expression was "Bring it on home!" – a phrase he used with emphatic gestures to remind a Toastmaster to show more enthusiasm. The club inaugurated a "Merle Nall Spirit Award" in 1997 to be awarded to the member who showed an extra bit of initiative, an extra dash of zest in the meetings or in helping the club.
Angus was an active member until he passed away in 2005 at the age of 98. Our club has had a tradition of celebrating Angus’ birthday every December. Angus is always willing to help out and always has a speech ready to go. He constantly wins the Table Topics award for his impromptu speeches that combine wit, wisdom and a solid dose of humor. The stories – especially about his fishing exploits – are sometimes hard to believe, but Angus assures us that all his stories are true. Angus serves as a constant reminder that Toastmasters has something to offer to all ages.
Our club has maintained high standards throughout the years. We have several ribbons from Toastmasters International recognizing our achievements.
Our club is composed of professionals in a wide variety of occupations with a common goal – self-improvement. However, Toastmasters quickly learn that the best way to accomplish this objective is by helping their fellow Toastmaster. With such a diverse group, every meeting provides an opportunity to learn something new and useful.
Since the club was founded, we have had many capable club presidents. They have included Ann Burlingame, Michelle Rich, Susan Holbrook, Marion , Camille Mims, Kathy Wilson, Donna Emmary, Frank Herlant, Ray Paquette, Steven Rosenberg and Larry Hull, Brian McNeill, Ann Murphy, and Shea Cleveand, Ann Murphy, Howard Jeffries, Susan Bradshaw and now Jay Hemphill, a lawyer from Ragsdale Liggett.
Over the course of the club’s existence, we have wandered from the Highwoods conference room to the Home Builders Association to the Days Inn to the Atlantic Boulevard executive offices to the Landmark Center to Inland (now Erwin) Mortgage to the Salvation Army and back to the conference room at the Landmark Center.
We are now located in the McDonalds conference room on the 2nd floor of the Landmark Center.
We have switched meeting days from Thursday to Wednesday to Tuesday. However, we have always met at noon.
Our present location – the conference room at the Landmark Center on Six Forks – is a great place for providing us with a professional and comfortable environment. We welcome and encourage new members. Please come join us.Call Steven Rosenberg at 919-848-4332 for current information.