The Highnooners Toastmasters Club is celebrating its 50th anniversary

BISMARCK, ND (KFYR) – A lot has changed in the last 50 years.

From the price of gas (a gallon of gas in 1972 averaged $0.36) to the average family income (in 1972, the average family earned about $11,000 a year).

But one thing that hasn’t changed over the years is the success of a local Toastmasters group.

Highnooners Toastmasters Club was founded on November 1, 1972.

50 years later, the club is still helping people overcome their fear of public speaking.

This is no ordinary Toastmasters meeting. This is a celebration. Toastmasters Highnooners Club # 1371 was founded 50 years ago. Mike Days was a charter member. He mentions that starting a club can rock the boat a little and get women involved.

“I couldn’t think of any reason why they shouldn’t. They joined and did well. And they were good speakers,” Deiss said.

The Highnooners Club is one of the first clubs in the world, if not the first, to allow women to become members. June Hanson was one of those women.

“I was kind of scared, a little shy, but what a joy it was to come together,” she said.

Now, 50 years later, women like Hanson and men like Deiss continue the Toastmasters tradition of becoming not only better and more confident speakers, but better leaders in the community.

Highnooners meet on the first and third Tuesday of the month at BSC. You can learn more about the group on your website.

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