Decade – 1939

District Number: Two

District Two Officers:

District Governor:

Richard Butchart of Vancouver, British Columbia Canada 1938-1939 and Ernest C. Davis 1939-1940

Lieutenant Governors:

James Smith of Seattle, Washington 1938-1939

 Frank Paulding of Victoria 1938-1939

H. G. Jones of Spokane 1938-1939

Ros Schmidt of Aberdeen 1938-1939

Ernest C. Davies of Portland 1938-1939

Oregon Clubs Chartered

Eugene Toastmasters Club chartered December 1939. 

Salem Toastmasters club 138 charted April 18, 1939.  Ernest Davis- TI Secretary and Frederick H. Ely –TI Treasurer presented the Salem club charter.  Source:  TI magazine June 1939 page 29  

District Two Events:

Source: Toastmasters Magazine June 1939 page 35

Title of Article: THE SECOND DISTRICT MEETS

    History was made by the Second District of Toastmasters International on May 20 when they held their first district meeting at Seattle, as guests of the five Seattle Clubs.  Of the twenty-six clubs in the district, twenty-one were represented at the afternoon business session.  District Governor William Butchart, of Vancouver British Columbia had charge, and Past President William A. Dunlap was an honored guest. 

    Ernest C. Davis of Portland, Oregon, was elected to succeed William Butchart as District Governor.  At the close of the business meeting, a memorial, signed by all those present, was given to Governor Buchart in appreciation for his untiring efforts during the past year of service. 

   At the evening dinner, 130 men and women were present for the district Inter-Club Speech Contest finals.  William Gowdy, president of Seattle Number Five Toastmasters Club, welcomed the guests.  Official judges of the contest were Judge Douglas of Washington bench, Judge Crawford of the Oregon bench and T.G. Norris, a member of the bar in British Columbia.  Toastmaster of the evening was District Governor-Elect Ernest C. Davies.  John Jewett served as chairman of the committee of Seattle Toastmasters in charge of the event. 

   The speakers were Forest Richardson of Aberdeen, Washington, H. M. Ahlquist of Walla Walla, Washington, Don Hay of Salem, Oregon, Fred Orth of Seattle, Washington and Forest Richardson was adjudged winner, Fred Orth as alternate.  The winner is expected to represent the district at the San Jose convention in competition for the President’s Cup.  

   Most interesting was the toast to Toastmasters International, proposed by John Jewett and responded to by William Burchart, who spoke of the splendid assistance he had received from Past President Raymond Huff, Past Vice-President Edward Hed, Director Clarance Bailey and Lieutenant Governors James Smith of Seattle, Washington, Frank Paulding of Victoria, H. G. Jones of Spokane, Ros Schmidt of Aberdeen and Ernest C. Davies of Portland.  Other distinguished visitors who were introduced were Past President William Dunlap, Past Treasurer Fred Eley and Past Director Louis LaBow.  James A. Smith of Seattle was chairman of the contest committee this year and he deserves a great deal of credit for its success. 

Source: Glen Meek handwritten documentation

“The year of 1936 there were 64 Toastmasters clubs –one in Oregon.  The clubs of California organized into a District #1, all clubs outside of California were governed by District #2 Seattle.”  October 1936 Governor of District #1 Bill Harvrick recommended: each district be no larger than one state.” 

   May 1939, District #2 Seattle held a combined meeting of its 26 clubs, 5 Seattle clubs, 5 from Oregon, 2 from Canada, 14 other clubs from Washington, Arizona, Indiana and 21 represented.”  “Ernest Davis of Portland elected governor.”  June 1940 Ernest Davis was appointed Governor of District 7 (had 7 clubs.)”

Source: Glen Meek hand written notes

“Forming District 7:  Permission was granted in December 1939 to take effect at the spring meeting 1940.   At this time, there were six clubs in Oregon: Portland, Salem, Medford, Klamath Falls and Eugene.  Toastmasters believed active at the time E. Davis, Chal Blair, Wayne Stevens, Dick Crabes, Don Nelson, Carl Hasenkamp, and F. Eley.” 

Seven clubs in 1940 to form District 7

1.         Portland #31   4-1935

2.         Medford #67                1-1939

3.         Timberline #94            2-1938

4.         Klamath Falls #          2-1938

5.         Salem #138                 4-1939

6.         Eugene #145               12-1939

7.         Hillsboro #158            1940

President Toastmasters International

Gordon R. Howard 1938-1939

Ralph R. Guthrie 1939-1940