Valdosta Toasts, a local club of Toastmasters International, hosted their 4th annual Christmas Toast, on Dec. 1, at the Rainwater Conference Center. 

The annual event celebrates the accomplishments of the club, its members, and key communicators in the community.

At the event, Valdosta Toasts President Sementha Mathews awarded Stuart Mullis, Executive Director for the Valdosta-Lowndes County Habitat for Humanity, with the 2011 Communication Achievement Award—Toastmasters International’s highest communication award. 

Mullis was selected for his exemplary communication and leadership abilities that benefit the mission of the Habitat for Humanity organization and the greater Valdosta-Lowndes County community. 

His service to local charities is commendable, as is his involvement as an auctioneer at various fundraising events. 

Past recipients of the Communication Achievement Award are Mayor John J. Fretti (2008), radio personality Scott James (2009) and VDT editor and author Dean Poling (2010).

Several Valdosta Toasts members were recognized at the event for program achievements: 

• Stacey Whatley received her Advanced Leadership Bronze;
• Michael Barr received his Competent Communicator (CC) award;
• Mallory Harris, Christine Sherling, Kevin Tolliver and Andrew Wardle were recognized for being halfway through the CC requirements;
• Brett Johnson, Stacey Whatley, and Sherry Zipperer received their Competent Leadership (CL) awards;
• Michael Barr and Kathy Brunot were recognized for being halfway through the CL requirements;
• Kathy Brunot, Mallory Harris, Christine Sherling, Kevin Tolliver and Andrew Wardle were all recognized for completing the Role Wheel, awarded to new Toastmasters who have filled all meeting roles within their first six months in the club; and
• Alexandra Arzayus, Desiree Baker, Duncan Jackson, John Murray, Scott Taylor, Christine Sherling, Wanda Roe and Gail Winston received Toastmasters pins at the ceremony for being the club’s newest members.

The club also presented the Mark Tidrow Toastmaster of the Year award, named after the club’s only Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM). 

DTM Tidrow passed away unexpectedly a week before last year’s Christmas Toast, but he left behind a legacy for excellence in communication and a passion for public speaking.  

Michael Barr was voted by his fellow club members as the 2011 Mark Tidrow Toastmaster of the Year. 

Barr is the club’s current Sergeant at Arms and is a club member who demonstrates the principles and programs of Toastmasters International, exercises leadership ability for the benefit of the local club and community, and serves as a role model and mentor to other club members.

At the event, several members were present from the Moody Talking Tigers—a club that Valdosta Toasts birthed in 2009 that meets at Moody AFB on Thursdays.  Those recognized were: 

• Wendy Byrd received her Competent Leadership award;
• Melissa Geier received her Advanced Communicator Bronze; and 
• Juanita Walker received her Competent Communicator and Competent Leadership awards.           

Valdosta Toasts, formed in early 2007, has received state recognition for its efficient organization and rapid growth. 

The local club provides a communication and leadership development program for its members and is one of nearly 11,000 Toastmaster clubs around the world. 

Members meet each Tuesday, from Noon to 1 p.m., in the training room at Ambling Companies, at 348 Enterprise Drive.  Visitors are always welcome. 

For more information on club meetings or how to start a new Toastmasters club in your organization, visit www.valdostatoasts.org or call Sementha Mathews at (229) 563-7713.