History

History of

About Afterburners.
Afterburners Toastmasters was founded in 1982. Club #6191, originally got it's name "Afterburners" because it was a General Dynamics Inc (GD) company club which is now Lockheed-Martin, a jet fighter and aircraft manufacturer. It was originally formed as an advanced club for members that completed the Competent Toastmasters program: hence the name Afterburners due to the activity after the initial thrust. The club became a community club in 1993 when GD moved one of it's divisions outside it primary plant.

It is an exuberant club with a very solid core member support base. We are known to be a tad crazy and we are lots of fun. We are located at the Tarrant County Building at 200 Taylor St, Bluebonnet E Room, 5th Floor.

The Afterburners takes Toastmastering seriously but doesn't take themselves too seriously. The club is proud to have produced many District 25 leaders: 18 Area Governors, 9 Division Governors, 3 Past District Governors including current member Dr. Jeff Johnson, DTM. Guests are welcome to visit and encouraged to join.

Mentoring is the one thing that the club is very serious about. We want to motivate all our members to be the best they can be and have fun in the process.

About District 25.
District 25 was founded in 1948. Our first District Governor was Dr. Lewis Thompkins. Club #305, Wichita Falls Toastmasters founded in 1945 is the oldest club still in existence in District 25. Originally spanning from Louisana to Abileen, Texas District 25 has experience phenomenal growth. Since it's beginning of 8 clubs we grew to well over 200 clubs and in 1994 gave birth to a whole new District (50). Our network of clubs continues to grow adding 40+ new clubs since 1994.

For a more detailed account see The Genesis and Genius of District 25 on the District website

About Toastmasters International.
Toastmasters International is a non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors elected by the membership. The first Toastmasters club was established on October 22, 1924, in Santa Ana, California, by Dr. Ralph C. Smedley, who conceived and developed the idea of helping others to speak more effectively. More clubs were formed, and Toastmasters International was incorporated under California law on December 19, 1932. For more information visit the Toastmasters International website.

Dr. Ralph C. Smedley

The Mission