The Beginning of a Great Club

And so it was on Thursday, November 14, 1996 that Leona and Angie hosted a demonstration meeting to introduce the Westmount community and its neighbours to the benefits of the Toastmasters educational program. The meeting attracted 66 people! Interest in a local Toastmasters Club was there; however, there was still much work to be done before the Club could apply for its charter. Weekly meetings ensued and many activities were planned to raise the Club's profile and increase its membership. Club activities included participating in Westmount's Santa Claus Parade; hosting a Laugh It Up Night and a Table Topics Auction; setting up an information booth on Westmount Family Day; having a Toastmasters in the Park meeting; organizing an evening at the ComedyWorks, and holding six joint meetings with Montreal area Toastmaster clubs.

In late May, the Club received sad news from Angie that she could no longer continue her commitment with the Club. Despite the loss of a very valuable member, the Club knew that it was close to reaching official charter status and was not about to give up. Supported by the Club sponsor, Leona Hamel; mentors, Michael Hinton, DTM (Moderator Toastmasters) and Georgia Remond, ATM (Ville Marie Toastmasters), the Club rallied together. Support and participation soared! On June 26, the Club acquired three more members, satisfying the criteria for charter status. Congratulations were in order! Westmount Toastmasters Club, No. 7041 was awarded its official charter by Toastmasters International on July 24, 1997.