History of Cabot Toastmasters Club (20th Anniversary)

The Cabot Toastmasters Club (9168-U) is located in St. John's. The club was sponsored by Joel Sweeney and was formed from a split of the Terra Nova Toastmasters Club. Membership in the Terra Nova Toastmasters had grown to exceed 50 members. This growth was the result of the dedication of local radio personality Dick Reeves who promoted the Toastmaster organization throughout the year and the efforts of the core members of the Terra Nova Toastmasters Club.

The club name was suggested by Jim Murphy, Area Governor for area 11 District 45. Jim was an electronic technologist at Halifax International Airport and was in town on business. Jim installed the charter executive;

President: Dave Russell VP Education: Craig O'Niel VP Membership: Patrick Dunne Jr VP Public Relations: Mark Croucher Treasurer: Wayne Watson Secretary: Randy Cheema Sergeant at Arms: John Janes

The installation was conducted at a regular meeting of the club at the Taiwan restaurant Wed Nov 4, 1992.

The club was presented with the official Charter by Dr. Rex Gibbons, Provincial Minister of Mines and Energy, at a dinner and dance held at the Hotel St. John's on Feb 20, 1993. Dr. Gibbons, CTM was an active member of Terra Nova Toastmasters in the early 1980's.

A tribute was given to Pat Dunne Sr. who had died on Jan 4, 1993. At the time he was the longest active member of Toastmasters in Newfoundland.

In 1994 it co-sponsored, with Terra Nova Toastmasters, the Memorial Toastmasters club. The club has produced 5 of 6 of the province’s DTM’s (as of Feb 2013): Patrick Dunne Jr Joel Sweeney David Morrissey Kenneth Lawrence David d’Entrement Paul White (Capital Toastmasters)  

Committee Members; Chair: Joel Sweeney Patrick Dunne Frank Walsh Ray Kavanagh David Morrissey Timeline Summary: ? Oct 1992 Met at Bally Haly to agree on split of Terra Nova members 4 Nov 1992 Charter Executive installed by Jim Murphy – Taiwan Restaurant 15 Jan 1993 Official date of Club Charter 20 Feb 1993 Club Charter Presentation – Hotel St. John’s Charter Night Executive: President: Patrick Dunne Jr VP Education: David Morrissey VP Membership: Robert Wells VP Public Relations: Mark Croucher Treasurer: Valery King Secretary: Randy Cheema Sergeant at Arms: John Janes Parliamentarian: Glenn Noseworthy Special Guests for Charter Ceremony: Mrs Wilma Dunne: Wife of Patrick Dunne Sr. Rex Gibbons: Minister of Mines & Energy & former Toastmaster Aiden Ryan: President & CEO Newfoundland Power & former Toastmaster Juanita Keel-Ryan: Director of Tourism & former Toastmaster John Reid: Long-time Toastmaster, sponsor for Terra Nova & Apollo Portunus Clubs Philip Power: Long-time Toastmaster from Grand Falls Warrick Canning: Long-time Toastmaster from Grand Falls Jim Walsh: Minister of Tourism (unable to attend – sent letter) Honorary Members installed at the Charter Ceremony: Dick Reeves Rex Gibbons