Schwarzenegger compliments a Mission Viejo non-profit.

California’s Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger congratulates Toastmasters—a 250,000 member-strong non-profit organization that helps hone community leadership skills—on eighty-five years of “promoting the art of public speaking” and “helping countless individuals in California and beyond,” in a letter sent to Michael Varma, the District Public Relations Officer of Toastmasters International. Varma presented the letter to Marguerite Rathbone, the Mission Viejo President of Toastmasters’ club “Possibilities Unlimited.”

The Possibilities Unlimited, who celebrated its 21st anniversary with a special “birthday” meeting in April 2009, were excited to receive a copy Governor Schwarzenegger’s letter. “It’s nice to have recognition for a job well done,” said Rathbone.

Toastmasters, founded in 1924 at the YMCA in Santa Ana, California, has helped more than four million men and women give presentations with poise and confidence. This non-profit organization serves 250,000 active members in a worldwide network of 12,000 clubs in 106 countries.

Club members continued with the evening’s agenda preparing for a humorous speech contest. Gary McCoppin shared a fishing tale, where the fish got away but a father and son’s friendship was captured for a lifetime, and Marko Peers revealed the adventures of Hornet Man.

Possibilities Unlimited meets every Monday (except national holidays) from 7 to 9 pm at Carrow's Restaurant 28502 Marguerite Parkway, Mission Viejo. New members always welcome. Call 949.743.1444  ext. 107, email Join@putm.org, or visit www.putm.org.

For more information or to find a local Toastmasters club, go to www.toastmasters.org.