Matthew Wegner, co owner of computer gaming company Flash Bang studios , achieved his 1/2 Competent Communicator Ribbion on August 8,2007.  Matthew has completed 5 of the 10 projects in the Toastmasters International Competent Communicator Manual.

Matthew joined Rio Copa Toastmasters in January 2007 and has been a great asset to the club with his strong presentation skills and attention to detail!

Vickie Gillespie achieved her Competent Communicator Award on August 8, 2007!  She is the first Rio Copa Toastmaster to complete a communication award in the 2007-2007 Toastmasters year.

Vickie will receive her Competent Communicator  certificate from Toastmasters International this week.

On July 19th, Patrick Fitzgerald became the second
member of Rio Copa Toastmaters to achieve the Distinguished Toastmaster Award!

Patrick also achieved the Accomplished Area Governor Award from Distirct 3 Toastmasters for being a successful Area Governor of a Distinguished Area.  Patrick completed his term as the Gila Area 5 Governor on June 30th.

JD Austin also achieved this award as Successful Rio Area 2 Governor. 

JD Austin ended his term as the R2 Area Governor and began his term as Rio Division Governor on July 1, 2007.

In April and May JD campaigned for the Rio Division Governor position and was elected on May 19th.  His campaign slogan was: 

Share the LOVE!
Live the Promise!
Support the Mission!
I DO!

As the Rio Division Governor he will be the servant leader for five areas which each have an Area Governor (Rio Copa is in R4) with a total of 27 clubs and about 500 members. 

The mission/purpose of the Division Governor is to achieve the mission of the district within the division, accomplishing district goals in membership building and retention, club extension, and educational accomplishments. Ensure that each club realizes its mission and fulfills its responsibilities to its members.  Responsible for achieving Distinguished Division Program goals and for ensuring that areas and clubs within the division achieve Distinguished status. Serves the division clubs by providing district support and resources through the area governors.

  On July 11, 2007 JD was the first Rio Copa Toastmaster to achieve the Distinguished Toastmaster Award and the first Toastmaster in District 3 to achieve the DTM award in the 2007-2008 Toastmasters year..  

The Distinguished Toastmaster award is the highest award that Toastmasters bestows and it recognizes both communication and leadership skills. To be eligible or the award a member must have:

Kathleen Cleveland joined Rio Copa Toastmasters in November 2005 and has grown greatly since then!  She started in Rio Copa Toastmasters as an employee of Maricopa County Community College District but left for a short while when she took a new position at Sanmina-SCI Corporation.  Since her return she has been very supportive of the club!   Kathleen has been an asset to Rio Copa Toastmasters as an active member and club officer (Sergeant at Arms) and will surely continue be so in the future.

On June 27, 2007 Kathleen completed her 5th speech in the Basic Toastmasters Communication manual and has acheived her 1/2 Competent Communicator ribbon!