The Terra Nova Toastmasters Club took its name
from a previous club. The first club, 3192-U, was chartered in St. John's
in 1960. The original Terra Nova club was the first civilian chapter of
Toastmasters in Newfoundland. Representatives of the Argentia club
conducted the installation ceremony. One of the key persons responsible
for the formation of the club was, Doug Wheeler, Public Relations Officer
with the Tourist Development Board. Doug was elected President of the new
club. Other members of the executive included; VP Education: Bill Parsons,
VP Administration: Alex Felix, an official of Trans Canada Air Lines,
Secretary: Reg Good, Manager of Mutual Life Insurance Company, Treasurer:
Jim Allan, Newfoundland manager for Golden Eagle Refinery, Sergeant at
Arms: Sgt. Pat Dunne of the Newfoundland Constabulary.
This chapter of Terra Nova Toastmasters remained active until the early
seventies.
In March, 1979 a steering committee was formed to establish a new
Toastmasters club in St. John's. Members of the committee included;
Charlie Rennie, Assistant Director of Personnel at Memorial University;
Fred Roach, Assistant Manager of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce;
Hal Austin, President of Austin Advertising Company Limited; Bob Symonds,
General Plant Manager, and John Reid, Chief Accountant, both of Terra Nova
Telecommunications Inc.
Terra Nova Toastmasters (3995-U) received its charter in Jun 1979. The
Charter Executive were; President: Robert Symonds, VP Education: Max
Skinner, VP Administration: Scott Chafe, Secretary: Harold Austin,
Treasurer: John Reid, Sergeant at Arms: David Moore. The club had 22
charter members. In January of 1993 there were two charter members
remaining in the club, Pat Dunne Sr. and Pat Dunne Jr. Pat Dunne Sr. died
in January leaving his son as the only remaining charter member active in
the club.
The club has produced three ATMs Peter Bryce, Pat Dunne Jr. and Joel
Sweeney and two DTMs; Pat Dunne Jr. and Joel Sweeney.
Terra Nova Toastmasters has sponsored three clubs. Cabot Toastmasters,
Conception Bay South Toastmasters, and Memorial Toastmasters. The Memorial
Toastmasters club was co-sponsored with Cabot Toastmasters.
Terra Nova Toastmasters publishes a bi-monthly newsletter entitled;
"The Screech Sheet".
"If one advances confidently in the direction of their dreams, and
endeavors to lead a life which they have imagined, they will meet with a
success unexpected in common hours."
Henry David Thoreau
