Member Recognitiont3chYT3am20172020-11-10T17:01:53-07:00
Annual Awards
Visit the Event Calendar for more details about annual awards events
This award is the highest honor District 3 Toastmasters can bestow upon a non-Toastmaster. It recognizes individuals within our communities who have demonstrated outstanding communication & leadership skills. Any member or club in good standing can nominate someone for this award.
This award is to be presented by District 3 at the Hall of Fame Luncheon at the upcoming District Conference.
Criteria
The recipient must:
Not be a Toastmaster
Reside within District 3 boundaries
Agree, in advance, to attend the luncheon to receive the award and to speak at the awards presentation
Have made a significant contribution to the communities within District 3, through his/her communication and leadership skills
Not have previously received this award
In addition, the Selection Committee should select a recipient whose stature and contributions facilitate the efforts of District 3 to generate publicity in the community for Toastmasters and promote Toastmasters attendance at the Spring Conference
Past Communication and Leadership Award Recipients
Year
Awardee
Spring 2018
Jody McPhearson Three C’s Youth Project
Spring 2015
Courtney Klein, Co-Founder & CEO of SEED SPOT
Fall 2014
Kristi Tedesco, KVOA News Anchor/Reporter
Spring 2014
Sharon Bates, Anthony Bates Foundation
Fall 2013
Dr. Ron Barnes
Spring 2013
Dr. David Beyda, Medical Director, Medical Mercy
Fall 2012
Dr. Lynn Olslen, Educator and Community Organizer and Facilitator
Spring 2012
Scott Jacobson, Leadership & Community Developer
Fall 2011
Helen Handler, Nazi concentration camp survivor
Spring 2011
Rosie Romero, Radio Personality
Fall 2010
Jason Schechterle, Phoenix Firefighter and community activist
Spring 2010
PJ Dixon, Motivational and Inspirational speaker
Fall 2009
Lew Reese, Radio Personality & community servant
Spring 2009
Brenda Combs, Educator and community activist
Fall 2008
Pat McMahon, Television & Radio personality
Spring 2008
Bill Pepicello, PhD, President, University of Phoenix
Spring 2007
Betty Fairfax, Educator and Philanthropist
Spring 2006
Linda Cobb, “Queen of Clean”
Fall 2005
Bob Walkup, Mayor of Tucson and his wife Beth Walkup
Spring 2005
Dan Davis – KTVK Channel 3
Spring 2004
Jane Robertson – 2004 Arizona Teacher of the Year
Spring 2003
Laura Lawless – Miss Arizona 2002
Fall 2001
Robert A. Khan – Firefighter & Spokesman
Spring 2001
Marshall Trimble – Arizona Historian and Storyteller
Spring 2000
Kathleen Mitchell – Community Leader
Spring 1999
Jana Bommersbach – News Commentator
Spring 1998
Jerry Traylor – Motivator
Spring 1997
Dr. Jack Copeland – Heart Transplant Surgeon
Spring 1996
Sheriff Joe Arpaio – Maricopa County Sheriff
Spring 1993
Kent Dana – News Anchorman
Fall 1992
Linda Turley – News Anchor
Spring 1991
James H. Click – Chairman of Board, Interwest Bank
Fall 1990
Michael Dixon – Radio Talk Show Host
Fall 1989
Idelia B. Riggs – Educator
Fall 1988
Jerry Foster – Helicopter News Reporter
Fall 1987
Sister Mary Kathleen Clark – Community Leader
Fall 1986
Joy E. Marx
Fall 1985
Sandra L. Tarlen – Ashes to Life – Burn Support Group
Fall 1984
Larry Nielsen
Fall 1983
Joseph Black – Corporate Leader
Fall 1982
Ken Coy – News reporter and volunteer
Fall 1981
Joel M. Weldon – Professional Speaker
Fall 1980
Mary Jo West – Television Reporter
Fall 1979
Jesse Owens – 1936 Gold Medal Olympian & Humanitarian
Fall 1978
Lori Cox – High School Student Activist
Being named the Outstanding Toastmaster of the Year (OTMOTY) means that you have taken full advantage of the educational and service opportunities offered through the Toastmasters program.
There are several awards that are given at the end of each Toastmaster year (July to June) which recognize extraordinary effort in their role. Please send all award applications to awards@toastmasters.org
Outstanding Toastmaster of the Year (OTMOTY)
Being named the Outstanding Toastmaster of the Year (OTMOTY) means that you have taken full advantage of the educational and service opportunities offered through the Toastmasters program. Every District 3 Toastmaster should complete and submit an application, not only for the chance to win the award, but also as a means of measuring their personal performance within the Toastmasters program.
Current Award Holder: 2019-2020 Hallie Adams , DTM
OTMOTY Past Award Recipients:
Year
Awardee
2018-2019
Kristin Gramando , DTM
2017-2018
Jim Eng, DTM
2016-2017
Jeannie Enders
2015-2016
Bettie Covington
2014-2015
Marcia Roberts
2013-2014
Lisa Corwin, DTM
2012-2013
Patti Boyce, DTM
2011-2012
Nancy Goins, DTM
2010-2011
Jeff Morud, DTM
2009-2010
Al Gramando, DTM
2008-2009
Rose Beeson, DTM
2007-2008
Lynne Brasher, DTM
2006-2007
Mukund Moorthy, DTM
2005-2006
Roberta O’Connell, DTM
2004-2005
Don Griffith, DTM
2003-2004
Brenda Bird, DTM
2002-2003
Art Nieto, DTM
2001-2002
Trish Blackwelder, ATM-B/CL
2000-2001
Mike Kaml, ATM-S/CL
1999-2000
Nancy Starr, DTM
1998-1999
Doris Koressel, ATMB
1997-1998
Janette Gann, DTM
1996-1997
Beryl Burke, ATM
1995-1996
Bill Bristol, DTM
1994-1995
Robert Wagner, DTM
1993-1994
Steve Broe, ATM-B
1992-1993
Elizabeth Bebo, DTM
1991-1992
Kathy Collins, DTM
1990-1991
Avi Shalom, ATM
1989
Patricia Berardi, ATM-S
1988
Rita Kane, ATM
1987
William Chambers, ATM
1986
Mary E. Fleming, DTM
1985
Glenn Pike, DTM
1984
Margie J. Nieto, DTM
1983
Bob Erickson, DTM
1982
Tom Bintliff, DTM
1981
Deane Erickson, DTM
1980
Len Baker
1979
Paul Wiggs
1978
William D. Hamilton, DTM
1977
Bob Pultz
1976
Gerson Mosbacher
1975
Juris Kursulis, DTM
1974
Daniel J. Mahoney
1973
Joel H. Weldon
1972
Gerard Baronnat
1971
No Award
1970
Ken Skinner
1969
Ray Pruzzo
Each year, all Area Directors in good standing and completing their term of service are eligible. Congratulations to these past Area Directors recognized for their leadership and service contributions to the District. To submit someone for this award (even yourself), fill out an application form to be reviewed by the committee, and announced at our September Celebration!
Each year, all Division Directors in good standing and completing their term of service are eligible. Congratulations to these past Division Directors recognized for their leadership and service contributions to the District. To submit someone for this award (even yourself), fill out an application form to be reviewed by the committee, and announced at September Celebration!
The Betty Gillis Youth Leadership Award was established in honor of Betty Gillis following her death (1995) in recognition of her work through Youth Leadership with the Youth of Tucson.
Betty was a longtime member of District 3. She joined the Eyeopeners in Tucson in 1976 and Catalina club in 1990. During the 1980’s, Betty was an Area and Division Governor and achieved her Distinguished Toastmaster award.
She and her husband, Bob (a past Division Governor), were very active in youth leadership and helped influence many other Toastmasters to get involved with the Youth Leadership Toastmasters Program. Bob and Betty were always present at District 3 Conferences, even as their health began to decline.
In recognition of those who have shown excellent dedication to the Youth Leadership program:
Year
Awardee
2019 – 2020
Lucinda McNeil
2018 – 2019
Jeannie Enders
2017 – 2018
Neena Murickan
2014 – 2015
Mary Lee Madison
2013 – 2014
Patty Boyce, DTM
2012 – 2013
Floyd Parks
2011 – 2012
JD Austin, DTM
2010 – 2011
Mike Zakis, DTM
2009 – 2010
Liz Shaw, DTM
2008 – 2009
Mukund Moorthy, DTM
2005 – 2006
Bobbie O’Connell, DTM
2004 – 2005
Michael DiCerbo, DTM
2001 – 2002
Caroleen Hitchens, DTM
2000 – 2001
Leonard Knight, DTM
1999 – 2000
Stan Walters, DTM
1998 – 1999
Caroleen Hitchens, DTM
1997 – 1998
Paul Knutson, ATM
1996 – 1997
Robert Wagner, DTM
1995 – 1996
Mike DiCerbo, DTM
1994 – 1995
Liz Bebo, DTM
Each year at the discretion of the District Governor, a deserving Arizona Toastmaster is presented the Russ Backus Award. The recurring award is presented to recognize members for their continual service to District 3 and to the Toastmasters program.
Russ Backus Distinguished Service Award Recipients
Each year at the discretion of the District Governor, a deserving Arizona Toastmaster is presented the Russ Backus Award. The recurring award is presented to recognize members for their continual service to District 3 and to the Toastmasters program. Learn more about the history of the Russ Backus Award.
Current Award Holder: Hallie Adams
Year
Awardee
2019-2020
Kristy Hopper
2018-2019
Hallie Adams
2017-2018
Tim Noble, DTM and Ellen Flanary, DTM
2016-2017
Bill Bristol, DTM
2015-2016
Bobbie O’Connell, DTM
2014-2015
Emi Bauer, DTM
2013-2014
Tim Swearingen, DTM, PID
2012-2013
Jeff Morud, DTM
2011-2012
Toni Leiboff, DTM
2010-2011
Jim Davis, DTM
2009-2010
Mike Kaml, DTM
2008-2009
Laurie Carr, DTM
2007-2008
Rick Saxton, ATM
2006-2007
Glenn Barber, DTM
2005-2006
P.J. Glauz, DTM
2004-2005
Steve Broe, DTM; Marcia Golombik, DTM (in memoriam)
2003-2004
Judy Norris, DTM
2003-2003
Jodie Kay Petra, DTM
2001-2002
Nancy Starr, DTM
2000-2001
Dee Dees, DTM
1999-2000
Lee Wagner, DTM
1998-1999
Juris Kursulis, DTM
1997-1998
Art Nieto, DTM
1996-1997
Mike DiCerbo, DTM
1995-1996
Jo Ellis, DTM & Lee Ellis, DTM
1994-1995
Bob Gillis, DTM
1993-1994
Glenn Pike, DTM
1992-1993
Oscar Herford, DTM
1991-1992
George Barnett, ATM
1990-1991
Russ Backus, DTM
Established in 2004, the Art Nieto Club Excellence Award recognizes an active member dedicated to raising the standard of excellence in District clubs.
The 2004 Spring Conference saw the inauguration of a new award—the Art Nieto Award for Club Excellence. DG Joe De Rico suggested we should not wait until people were gone to recognize their contributions to District 3 Toastmasters and noted that Past International Director and 3 time District 3 Director, Art Nieto, a 30-year member of District 3, has been Club Extension Chair for more than twenty of those years. Joe went on to say that Art was demonstrating exemplary service to Clubs, particularly new Clubs. The DG said this award would be a namesake to the legacy gift of Art Nieto.
The purpose of this award is to recognize a Toastmaster who contributes exceptional service to the Clubs of the District. While Club officers serve their Clubs as part of their position descriptions within the Club, this award aims to recognize someone beyond the Club level who goes beyond the call of duty in service to Clubs.
Year
Awardee
2019 – 2020
Michael Holian
2018 – 2019
Trish Blackwelder
2017 – 2018
Prince Leftridge, II, DTM
2016 – 2017
Eddie Davis
2015 – 2016
Kristin Gramando
2014 – 2015
Nancy Goins
2013 – 2014
Jim Davis, DTM
2012 – 2013
Bill Bristol, DTM
2011 – 2012
Laurie Doeing, DTM
2010 – 2011
Tim Swearingen, DTM and Sally Goodwin, DTM
2009 – 2010
Melissa Jones
2008 – 2009
Susan Ball, DTM
2007 – 2008
Kathy Shoemaker, DTM
2006 – 2007
Mukund Moorthy, DTM
2005 – 2006
Shelly Dudley, DTM
2004 – 2005
Michael Desiderio, CTM
2003 – 2004
Jeff Morud, DTM
The Juris Kursulis Sprit Award is bestowed at each District 3 conference upon the person who demonstrates unusual enthusiasm, dedication, and caring for District 3 and its members. The award is in the name of Past District Governor Juris Kursulis, DTM.
The Juris Kursulis Sprit Award is bestowed at each District 3 conference upon the person who demonstrates unusual enthusiasm, dedication, and caring for District 3 and its members. The award is in the name of Past District Governor Juris Kursulis, DTM.
Juris and his wife, Betty, were regular attendees of District 3 conferences for over 30 years. Juris always sported his vest from the 1981 International Convention hosted in Phoenix, and continued to festoon the vest with memorabilia, ribbons, pins, and awards. In 2004, when Juris knew that he had not much longer to contribute to the District, he asked International Director Nancy Starr-Cassidy to take possession of his beloved vest with the promise that it would be used to do something “good for the District.” What better way to honor Juris than to honor those who continue the tradition of caring and giving?
The award is presented at the Hall of Fame Luncheon at each District conference. The winner must be present to receive the award and to earn the right to wear the Vest!
About Juris Kursulis
Juris came to America as a teenaged immigrant, escaping war in his homeland of Latvia. He became a U.S. citizen and joined the Air Force, where he met his bride, Betty, and her two amazing daughters in New Mexico. The family moved to Arizona where Juris went to work for Motorola. He became a member of Voice of Motorola Toastmasters (now Voice of Many), where he remained a member the rest of his life. In 1995, Juris helped form the Leaders Plus club, where he also remained an active member until his passing in 2005.
Juris was a man “bigger than life”–passionate about family, service to the nation, and Toastmasters. He was an outspoken, active member of the Past District Directors Committee and was always willing to challenge leaders to ensure they were doing the right things for the right reasons. In later years, as he needed a cane to assist with his walking, he was known to wave the cane to add emphasis to an important point.
Unknown to many, this bear of a man was truly a gentle giant,always ready to share a quiet word of encouragement to leaders as they made difficult decisions or took other actions that showed their growth as Juris’s Vesta leader, and was a friend to many. He held us to a higher standard, and for that we were grateful.
About the Vest
In 1981, Phoenix served as the host District for the International Convention at the Phoenix Convention Center. The host committee volunteers received vests made of blue denim, embroidered with the conference theme and date. Juris served on the host conference committee, and wore his Vest at every conference thereafter.
Past Award Recipients
Year
Awardee
Spring 2019
Don Griffith
Fall 2019
Connie Weiss
Spring 2018
Sandee Brogan
Fall 2017
Laurie & Lou Rangel
Spring 2017
Michelle Zalak
Fall 2016
Jim Davis
Spring 2016
Connie Weiss
Fall 2015
Eddie Davis
Spring 2015
Jennifer Sarracino
Fall 2014
Ryck Klecak
Spring 2014
Glenn Barber
Fall 2013
Debby Waugh
Spring 2013
Lynne Brasher
Fall 2012
Scott Holly
Spring 2012
Nancy Goins
Fall 2011
Maggie Sherwood
Spring 2011
Diane Travers Shipman
Fall 2010
Kristin Gramando
Spring 2010
Jeannie Enders
Fall 2009
Marc Dratch
Spring 2009
Mike Kaml
Fall 2008
Emi Bauer
Spring 2008
Susan Ball
Fall 2007
Judy Norris
Spring 2007
Steve Broe
Mike DiCerbo Excellence in Mentoring Award commemorates the service and dedication of District 3’s longest serving Youth Leadership Chair. Mike DiCerbo served as the Youth Leadership Chair for over 25 years and once estimated that he had mentored and coached over 10,000 students in the Scottsdale and Phoenix area.
Each year, all Committee Chairmen in good standing and completing their term of service are eligible. Congratulations to these past Committee Chairman recognized for their leadership and service contributions to the District.