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.
Region Advisors
Netania Walker, DTM
Region 8 Advisor
2021 – 2022
Vicki 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
Cindy Cannon, DTM
Region 8 Advisor
2011 – 2012
Click above to view District 44’s history of past district governors and district directors.
Past International Directors
Presidential Visits
◊ 2007-2009 Lee Holliday, DTM
◊ 2005-2007 James Fair, DTM
◊ 2000-2001 Mary D. Hamilton, DTM
◊ 1986-1988 John Lister, DTM
◊ 1982-1984 Chuck W. Rooney, DTM
◊ 1975-1977 P. Greg McCarthy, DTM
◊ 1969-1971 Phil Viviani, DTM
◊ 1965-1967 Fred Delves
◊ 2008 Jana Barnhill, DTM, AS
◊ 2001 (Fall) Alfred Herzing, DTM
◊ 1995 (Fall) Ian Edwards, DTM
◊ 1989 (Spring) Tommy Richardson, DTM
◊ 1983 (Fall) Eddie Dunn, DTM
◊ 1968 or 69 Earl Potter, DTM
Presidential Citation Recipients
◊ 2019 Roy Ganga, DTM
◊ 2012 Lee Holliday, DTM
◊ 2011 Mark L. Brown, DTM
◊ 2009 Joy Lewis, DTM
◊ 2003 Michael Hayworth, DTM
◊ 2001 David Caraway, DTM
◊ 1997 Alvin Thurman, DTM
◊ 1995 Mary Hamilton Williams, DTM
◊ 1990 Claude Payton, DTM
◊ 1988 Phil Viviani, DTM
◊ 1988 P. Greg McCarthy, DTM
◊ 1986 Jerry Samples, DTM
◊ 1985 John C. Whitmore, DTM
◊ 1984 Hollis C. Hurst, DTM
◊ 1979 John Lister, DTM
District 44 Proclamations
◊ 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)
District 44
Legacy Toastmasters
We honor our Toastmasters who gave so much to this organization. Their spirits will live on as legacies in District 44.
Leave your loving comments, stories, and photos to share with your fellow Toastmasters. Keep and cherish their memories together and may they continue to inspire us.