For the past 60 years, Moose Jaw’s Big Country Toastmasters have been doing their part to help people with self-esteem and empower individuals with communication and leadership skills.
Ever since launching their charter back on Feb. 1, 1962 with K.H. Stephenson as the first president, Big Country’s weekly meetings and regular speaking competitions have seen folks develop and improve their abilities to the point many have used them to advance their real-life careers -- and in some cases even successfully jump into politics.
On Saturday night, it was time to celebrate.
More than a dozen current and former members of the Big Country Toastmasters gathered on Zoom for an evening of fun and memories that included a special presentation from former club president Ken Tanner.
A three-time Distinguished Toastmaster, Tanner not only led the local club from late 1977 through 1978, he served as a District 42 director from 1984 to 1985 and had the rare distinction of serving on the Toastmasters International board of directors from 1986 to 1988.
And it all started when some guys from his SIAST Campus workplace brought him out to a meeting one night back in 1975.
“My boss and our department manager were members of the club and invited me out and I just can't imagine what my world would have been like had it not been for the foundations I learned in this club,” said Tanner, who is still active in Toastmasters with the Wild Rose club in Edmonton.
“This anniversary tonight allows me to look back, way back to my starting days in the club. Looking back, I wonder how many of us ever joined Toastmasters with high expectations or lofty goals? If you do, I applaud you. But that wasn't how I started.”
Tanner was just happy to observe, listen and learn through his first few meetings with the club, but it wasn’t long until he made his first presentation, an entry in a humorous speech contest.
He was able to work with Toastmasters veterans like former Moose Jaw mayor and Saskatchewan MLA Glenn Hagel, Al Munroe and Ian Clothier to refine and improve his technique, and it wasn’t long before he moved up the ranks.
It all led to the 1978 Toastmasters International convention in Vancouver, where Hagel himself was a finalist in what amounts to the world championship of public speaking. By the time Tanner and the Moose Jaw crew were back home, he was hooked.
While Tanner was moving up through the Toastmasters ranks, people were also taking notice in his professional career. And when an instructor position at SIAST -- now Sask Polytech -- opened on four days' notice, he ended moving successfully into the role in part because of his work with Big Country.
“Thankfully I didn't have to worry about the speaking or presentation skills I needed in the classroom. I just had to do a crash course on the curriculum and jump right in,” Tanner said.
As his educational career advanced, Tanner found himself leading many a conference and symposium, with the aforementioned skills making him a natural fit.
“I recall at one point asking one of the science executives why did they select me for some of these certain initiatives,” he said. “And I was told it was because ‘we knew you'd be able to speak up and keep the initiative on track.’
“That, to me was really telling about the importance of what we do in our clubs here, and the impact it can have on our professional future and our community service.”
Even when Tanner later moved on to a career in financial services, his leadership and speaking skills continue to serve him well, to the point he’s an instructor for those seeking insurance certification.
“So perhaps you can tell from the stories, why I've been active in Toastmasters over the years,” Tanner said. “It feels truly vital for me, and clearly has made a world of difference in my life.”
The evening continued with a scavenger hunt put together by event host Laurel Wingert, featuring all sorts of Toastmasters memorabilia. From bookmarks to gavel pencils to awards and plaques, participants showed off their many ducats won and awarded over the years.
Things wrapped up with a special trivia contest through the Kahoot app, with Big Country member Dan Lonechild taking top spot out of the 22 questions that touched on everything from the earliest club presidents to bits of Moose Jaw lore and history.
For more information on Big Country Toastmasters and a deeper look into the club and what one can achieve, be sure to visit their website at www.bigcountry.toastmastersclubs.org.
