The District's Outstanding Toastmasters

by Jim Miller, DTM, Immediate Past District Governor

Last Toastmasters Year, I had the honor not only of serving each of you as District 48 Governor, but especially of working with such an incredible team of leaders. It's especially gratifying to watch folks grow in their leadership capabilities and qualities. The new Toastmasters tag line, "Where Leaders Are Made" absolutely fits our organization. This year at the Fall Conference, it was my privilege to recognize a few of the many that really stood out in their service to our district. Each year, we recognize an Area Governor, a Division Governor, and a Toastmaster of the Year for service above and beyond the leadership that we come to expect.

Patricia Heiss

Our Area Governor of the Year for Toastmasters year 2011-2012 is from Toast of St. Johns County Club and San Sebastian Toastmasters. She is President's Distinguished Area 62 Governor, Distinguished Toastmaster Patricia Heiss. Not only did Patsy lead an outstanding Area, she did so in a manner that always exemplified a can-do and a will-do attitude. If it needed to be done, Patsy was always ready with a smile and a capability that always put me at ease. If Patsy was in charge, it would be done and done right!

Lisa Franklin

Division Governor of the Year goes to Select Distinguished Division E Governor, Distinguished Toastmaster Lisa Franklin. Lisa is a member of Tip Top Toastmasters, 19th Hole Toastmasters, and Oscar Toastmasters. Lisa is among the easiest, most competent, and nicest people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing. It was such a pleasure to work with her, and to know that whatever the task, it was in good hands. Her dedication is second to none.

Mary Carol Holbert

Distinguished Toastmaster Mary Carol Holbert of Omni Toastmasters served as our Public Relations Officer last year, and is our Toastmaster of the Year. As PRO, Mary Carol was in charge of our communications internal and external to District 84. Whether it was emails to the membership, SunTalker newsletter articles and coordination, website coordination, Mary Carol had it all playing like a symphony. She was responsible for taking us into the wonderful world of social media, including Facebook, Linked In, YouTube, Twitter, and Meetup. Whatever she undertook, she did so with class, competence, and creativity. Mary Carol was an important part of every decision affecting the District. She is indeed a leader's leader.

Donna Lazarek
George Kostopoulos

We had a new award this year; one that we hadn't planned on, but sometimes someone just steps up. This year, that someone was actually a husband and wife team. Our Sergeant-at-Arms, Donna Lazarek, ACB and our Audio/video Director, George Kostopoulos, ACB of Oviedo Toastmasters are the District 84 "Dynamic Duo" of the Year. If you attended a Conference or Toastmasters Leadership Institute in Orlando, you saw them everywhere. They integrated technology into presentation in a way that our District has never had before. All this was done while they were busing visiting clubs all around the District (George was Club Ambassador of the Year). It is such a joy (and a relief) to have such hard working and talented people working at the heart of the District.

If you see any of these five individuals around the District this year (and you probably will), be sure to congratulate them and thank them for their extraordinary service. They are the proof the Toastmasters is Where Leaders Are Made.