Youth Leadership Award  dedicated to Bob and Betty Gillis They joined District 3 Toastmasters in the 70's and maintained an active presence throughout the 80's and early ninety's until declining health began to keep them home. Bob and Betty Gillis originally joined Eyeopeners where they were viewed by their fellow Toastmasters as staunch club supporters who could always be counted on to be present and to fulfill the responsibilities they accepted. Later, they were also active members of the Conquistadors Club and the Catalina Club. When Betty joined Eyeopeners in 1976, she became the first woman Toastmaster in District 3. They served as Area Governors in the early 80's and earned their DTMs. Bob also served as a Division Governor. In the following years they became two of Tucson's most enthusiastic Youth Leadership supporters.

Bob and Betty Gillis are pictured during one of the many District 3 Conferences they attended. Youth Leadership Award & Recipients

Their support of the program prompted Art Nieto, DTM, who was District Governor at the time of Betty's death in 1995 to initiate the presentation of a Betty Gillis Youth Leadership award each year.  In January, 2000, Bob passed away.

At the January 22, 2000, District 3 Executive Council meeting a resolution requesting the District Leadership to rename future Youth Leadership Awards as the "Bob and Betty Gillis Youth Leadership Award" won approval.

Bob and Betty are pictured (center) in the Winter 1983 issue of TheRoadrunnerwith (l-r) Outstanding Toastmasters Bob and Deanne Erickson, Past District Governor and past International Director Mary Margaret Dockendorff, District 3 1985 Speech Contest winner Tom Bintliff, Jan McKenize and past District Governor Ralph McKenize while attending a 1984 Region III Conference.

 

District Home Page | The Roadrunner