2021 Annual Awards

In District 101, we recognize efforts by Toastmasters who lead the way through their example. We have special annual awards to be presented to Toastmasters in various roles for their great contribution throughout the year.

Take a look at the criteria and submit your nomination (Self or otherwise) to the District Director at dd@d101tm.org by June 15th.

Club Officer of the Year

This award recognizes a Club Officer whose dedication, commitment, and area team significantly contributed towards achieving success for the Club and its members.
Club Officer of the Year 2020-2021 – John Webb
 
The 2020 – 2021 program year was certainly a year of the unexpected.  There were so many challenges to face in every Toastmasters Club, every Area, every Division, and the entire District.  However, without fail week after week, month after month I saw club members throughout the District shine and none more brightly than those I was blessed to serve at the Aptos Club.  I am completely humbled by this recognition!  It was never in my plan to be our Club President and certainly never a remote thought that I would be named the Club Officer of the Year.  Of course, 2020 had different ideas for me, and it is with such gratefulness to my fellow club members and peers across the district for the honor of this recognition.  
 
Toastmasters has been changing my life since my first meeting and every week since, and I look forward to many more unexpected adventures.
 
Thank you to each and every one of my fellow Toastmasters, and remember to “Say Yes” and see what happens!
 
 
 

John Webb

Area Director of the Year

This award recognizes an Area Director whose dedication, commitment, and area team significantly contributed towards achieving the district mission.

Area Director of the Year 2020-2021 – Chie Kawahara

I’m glad I returned to Toastmasters after a 17-year hiatus. In addition to becoming a better speaker, I’ve grown as a leader in the last 4 years.

One of my goals as the Area A4 Director was to have all five clubs participate in the Area Speech Contest. I remembered how much I grew when I competed. I wanted the club members in my area to experience this too. So, early on, I gave a short pep talk about this to all the clubs during my club visits. Then for the few months leading up to the contest I continued a steady drip of sharing tips, videos, and contest information. When the club that had not participated before sent in a competitor and a functionary, I was thrilled!

Another goal was to set up each of the clubs for success when my term ended. During the last three months of my term as an area director, I worked with an exceptional guidance committee for my High Performance Leadership project to help clubs identify future leaders, have club elections early, and encourage knowledge transfer. I invite current and future ADs to use and improve on the tool I’ve created.

 

Division Director of the Year

This award recognizes a Division Director whose dedication, commitment, and Division team significantly contributed towards achieving the district mission.  Several activities and accomplishments are categorically listed.

Division Director of the Year 2020-2021 – Kalpana Aroda

When I began my professional journey two decades ago, I  very quickly realized that I needed to work on my communications skills. It wasn’t broken,  it was just not dependable..  What do I mean when I say dependable, it’s simple, Presentations were simply a hit-and-miss scenario. Some were excellent and some were borderline embarrassing. Like any normal human being, I identified the problem and thought it would go away with time.  Guess what? It did not, on the contrary, I  passed on opportunities at work where I lacked the confidence to speak in public and then life happened, priorities changed…. 

One day an opportunity came along my way and I decided I will not let this pass by.  It was an opportunity to introduce a guest speaker in a room full of 100+ participants.  When my name was proposed to introduce the speaker, I knew I had to do all I could to give my 100%.  I immediately searched for the Toastmasters clubs meeting near my home,  I spoke in front of 10 people as a guest and I knew I had a long way to go…I joined the club on that very day I walked in as a guest and never looked back.  I took on officer roles, district roles and with each opportunity have only learned that there is so much more to learn in the field of communications and leadership… and my journey now continues as a program quality director for the district.  I have to totally acknowledge one simple fact, Toastmasters is and will always be a part of my life and hopefully so will my growth. Thankful to all who have mentored me these past five years, looking forward to where growth takes us next.   

 

Kalpana Aroda

Division Director of the Year 2020-2021 – Megan Mayer

This year’s team of Area Directors was Awesome, as was the entire District leadership team.  At the very start, we supported each other, working closely together, to craft excellent Online Club Officer Trainings that maximize our Club Officers’ learning experience.  Learn. Troubleshoot. Grow. Repeat.  I learned more tech in our first 3 months than…ever? – and had great fun doing so.

This same teamwork and support carried through the rest of the year, at every level of leadership in the District.  I learned how to work effectively with multiple styles of leadership while finessing my own, and made wonderful friendships while serving our members on their growth journey.  Watching future leaders blossom in their roles as Contest Chairs, Chief Judges, Club Officers, District Officers, and public speakers has proved heartwarming.

Identifying how to equip your team for success is liberating – and Toastmasters teaches us just that!  Thank you all for making this year one of learning and friendship.  My goal was to reflect upon a productive and educational year with fondness for my team members.

Mission accomplished – you are all Awesome!  Thank you for a great year.

 

Megan Mayer

Toastmaster of the Year

Toastmaster of the Year award recognizes a Toastmaster whose dedication, commitment significantly contributed towards achieving the district mission.
Toastmaster of the Year 2020-2021 – Nishant Chandrashekar

When I initially started out as a Toastmaster at MCA Toastmasters in October 2018, I had little intention of doing anything except improving my speaking skills. However, I would have never guessed I would be the Toastmaster of the Year a couple years later. 

I always liked helping people, sometimes too much! When I started my journey, I just wanted to help out my club members by becoming a Secretary and later, a President. I constantly tried to help others by taking on more as I got more comfortable. With this mentality, I soon participated in the Fall Fusion 2019, May Conference 2020, and became a Tech Guru as part of the 2020-2021 PQD Team. 

What Toastmasters taught me was my limits and how they are just an illusion. I never needed to know how everything worked, never had to commit more than I could, and never felt that I wasn’t being challenged. All I had to do was communicate my willingness, my abilities, and my bandwidth. Thank you to all the Toastmasters, many of whom have become great friends, who have helped me through my journey. You gave me feedback when I needed it, helped when I felt overwhelmed, and encouraged me to be a leader. I’m happy to have just helped out others grow and learn what I’ve learnt. This award is the cherry on top.

 
 

Past Annual Award Recipients

2019-2020

Division Director of the Year

Shoba Rao, 2019-20 Division B Director

Shoba Rao

Division B Director

Achieved President’s Distinguished Division!

Area Director of the Year

Ines Ben Cheikh

Area B5 Director

Achieved President’s Distinguished Area!

Club Officer of the Year

Abhijeet Joshi

Nspeak Toastmaster

Toastmaster of the Year

Mythili Prabhu

2018-2019

Division Director of the Year

Hedi Moalla

Hedi Moalla

Division B Director

Achieved President’s Distinguished Division!

Area Director of the Year

Shyamala Sista

Area E4 Director

Achieved President’s Distinguished Area!

Club Officer of the Year

Eddie McMorrow

Los Gatos Toastmasters

Toastmaster of the Year

Rita Barber

2017-2018

Division Director of the Year

Sophia Liu

Division B Director

Achieved Select Distinguished Division!

Area Director of the Year

Satish Shenoy

Area C6 Director

Achieved President’s Distinguished Area!

Club Officer of the Year

Rex Coleman

Toast on Fire

Toastmaster of the Year

Gergana Angelova

 

2016-2017

Division Director of the Year

Aditi Vijaykumar

Aditi Vijaykumar

Division G Director

Achieved President’s Distinguished Division!

Area Director of the Year

Lydia Lee

Area G2 Director

Club Officer of the Year

Anahid Avakian

MoToast

Toastmaster of the Year

Sriraj Vaidyanathan

Sriraj Vaidyanathan