Georgia TM History
In the 1940’s, Harry Jaffe, an Alabaman, introduced Toastmasters to Georgia. In December 1944, the first club was chartered. It is club # 289, the Henry W. Grady Club, known today as the The Alexander Stephens club is thought to be the second Georgia Club. Other clubs chartered in the 40’s are Augusta #326 (July, 1945) and Savannah #705 (July, 1949).
In 1966, John Lister became the editor of the first District Newsletter The Rebel Rouser (name changed to The Georgia Gavel in later years). In 1969, the first Toastmaster of the Year award was presented to P. Greg McCarthy, a member of the Georgia – Carolina club #2523. The District had three Divisions (Northern, Southern and Eastern).
In the District year 1968–69, the first Communication award for a non-Toastmaster was presented to Dr. Noah Langdale, President of Georgia State University in Atlanta.
District 44 Toastmasters was established in 2013, after the reformation of District 14, and supports Toastmasters clubs West of Interstate 85 in Georgia USA.
DISTRICT GOVERNORS & DIRECTORS
Roxane Rush, DTM
District Director
2021-2022
Karen Doyle’s DTM
District Director
2020-2021
Phyllis Breech, DTM
District Director
2019-2020
Kim Gibson, DTM
District Director
2018-2019
NETANIA WALKER, DTM
District Director
2017-2018
Victoria NOETHLING, DTM
District Director
2016 – 2017
LANA MCFARLANE, DTM
District Director
2015-2016
Parren Shannon, DTM
District Director
2014-2015
Janice Andrews, DTM
District Director
2013-2014
INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORS
ROY GANGA, DTM
International Director
2020-2022
Region Advisors
NETANIA WALKER, DTM
Region 8 Advisor
2021 – 2022
Victoria NOETHLING, DTM
Region 2 Advisor
2019 – 2021
LANA MCFARLANE, DTM
Region 8 Advisor
2019 – 2020
ROY GANGA, DTM
Region 8 Advisor
2017 – 2019
PARREN SHANNON, DTM
Region 5 Advisor
2017 – 2018
District Achievements
Distinguished District
- 2014 - 2015 President Distinguished District, (District led by Parren Shannon, DTM)
- 2015 - 2016 Distinguished District, (District led by Lana McFarland, DTM)
District 44's Honorable Guests
- 2022 Matt Kinsey, DTM, International President (2022 Virtual Winter TLI)
- 2023 Anwesha Banerjee, DTM, International Director (2023 Evolution Conference)
Presidential Citation Recipients
- 2019 Roy Ganga, DTM
District 44 Proclamations
- State of Georgia Toastmasters Proclamation: 2018-2019 – May 2019 (Photos of May)
- Cobb County Toastmasters Proclamation: April 2019 (Photos of April)
- State of Georgia Toastmasters Proclamation: 2017-2018 – May 2018
- State of Georgia Toastmasters Proclamation: 2017-2018 – October 2017 (Photos of October)
- Fulton County Toastmasters Proclamation: October 2017 (Photos of October)
- State of Georgia Toastmasters Proclamation: 2016-2017 – May 2017 (Photos of May)
- State of Georgia Toastmasters Proclamation: 2015-2016 – May 2016 (Photos of May)
- State of Georgia Toastmasters Proclamation: 2014-2015 — May 2015 (Photos of May)
- City of Sugar Hill Toastmasters Proclamation: 2014-2015 — May 2015 (Photos of May)
LEGACY TOASTMASTERS
DISTRICT 44
“We honor our District Leaders who we lost this Toastmaster year. During their life, they gave so much to our organization. Their spirits will live on as legacies in District 44. Click their names to learn more about their service and dedication to Toastmasters and District 44.”