Page 38 - February 2021 Voices

BURIED TREASURE

Frank Paulding & First Canadian

Toastmasters Club #38 (Part Four)

Henry Schowe, DTM - District 7 Historian

The Vancouver YMCA promoted a public German submarine torpedoed and sank the S.S.
speaking education organization debating team Lusitania.

on October 9, 1913. Public speaking courses were In 1928, the YMCA public speaking students
offered in 1915. After World War I, YMCA staff and Frank Paulding organized two clubs. The
continued the education program. The program junior organization known as the YMCA Public

included agriculture, salesmanship, public Speaking Club organized with H. C. Duffus,
speaking, foreign trade, and business courses president; P. J. Salter, vice president; Ed Allen,
with an enrollment of 250 students. secretary-treasurer. The club members met
Dr. C. C. Cameron spoke about the value of Thursday evenings at the YMCA for supper. The
public speaking at a dinner meeting on Friday, Public Speaking class final meeting held a speech

November 11, 1921. Businessmen in the audience contest for the Henri trophy. Silverware was
enrolled in the course. A public speaking club presented to the winner. The Spokes Club, that
was organized on Thursday, October 23, 1924. had operated for several years, re-organized for

Members arranged oratorical contests and the term with Harold A. Jones, president; Clifford
revived the old Vancouver Debating League. Babcock, vice president; and Cline Singleton,
On November 25, 1925, YMCA public secretary-treasurer. Club members met on
speaking instructor, Mr. T.S. Baynes, delivered Mondays at the Piccadilly Restaurant. During
the speech “How to Acquire Self-confidence the 1930 YMCA Summer School that was held at

in Public Speaking.” Several businessmen Whittier College campus Los Angles, California,
spoke about benefits of the course. The YMCA Ralph Smedley began organizing Toastmasters
public speaking classes continued to have on July 26th. Clark Chamberlain was elected

high enrollments. While serving as YMCA temporary chairman and committees were
secretary, Frank Paulding became a public appointed to study plans. Frank Paulding
speaking instructor. The term ended for the attended the Toastmaster organization meetings
New Westminster YMCA public-speaking class where he expressed interest in having Spokes
on April 22, 1927. A banquet was held with A. Club become associated with Toastmasters.

W. McLeod as Toastmaster. After the banquet,
the students presented Frank Paulding the book
Elbert Hubbad’s Scrap Book as an appreciation

for his work as an instructor. Elbert Hubbad
was a famous American artist, philosopher,
and publisher. Elbert and his wife died after a

38 ONE COMMUNITY