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Cover Story. . .

Look Who’s Turning 75!

Erik Bergman, DTM - Club Growth Director

2015 marks the diamond anniversary of District 7 Toastmasters.
It’s fitting that we celebrate our diamond jubilee, because
District 7 is a true gem in terms of learning, leading and personal
growth. We surely are no diamond in the rough. Rather, we’re
polished and sparkling in every facet of Toastmasters achievement as we reached the
ranks of Distinguished District in 2014-15 and aim to be President’s Distinguished this
year.

And there’s no way we want to be a hidden gem: We want to share the news with those
who haven’t yet heard of our organization and how it helps people reach their personal

and professional goals. We want the public to know about our
long tradition of building leaders and communicators.

We will be celebrating this landmark throughout the
year in many fun ways. We started by enjoying specially
decorated cakes at the June Toastmasters Leadership
Institute in Wilsonville. And we’ve commissioned a
special commemorative pin for the big year. We started
handing out the pins to all Toastmasters who attended TLI.
Now District officers will spread them around to members
districtwide as they visit clubs and conduct further trainings.

People don’t join a Toastmasters District — they join a club. But this year, more than
ever, each and every Toastmaster across District 7 can feel a little prouder — and wear
the bling to show that pride — with our 75th anniversary pin. To showcase how far
we’ve come, let’s travel back in time to see how District 7 came to be.

A look back at 1940
Oregon and the Pacific Northwest was a much different place 75 years
ago. The Great Depression was winding down, and what jobs could be
found were in logging, fishing and agriculture. Meanwhile in Europe and
Asia a war was raging that would soon engulf the world and propel the
United States to superpower status. In 1940 Oregon’s population was just
over 1 million, versus nearly 4 million now. Portland was a city of 305,000,
half its current size, where a waitress could earn $240 and a draftsman
$800 — per year!

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