Saturday Opening

Toastmasters' memories from our veterans


Jack Embrey and Jack Punter

Jack Embrey

Jack Embrey was born in Toronto on April 25, 1918. A World War 2 veteran, he served in the Cadet 2nd Armoured Tank Brigade, which landed on Juno Beach, Normandy on June 10th, 1944. Jack served through France, Belgium and Holland.

Jack joined Toastmasters Podium Club in 1957, and has been an active member ever since, rarely misses a meeting.

Learn about his introduction to Toastmasters and memories of interesting highlights experienced over the past 50 years, overcoming speech barriers, the entry of women into the organization, and what Toastmasters has meant to him.

Jack has had his own Insurance company for 50 years and has been an ardent Golfer at the same time, still playing regularly. He has been a member of the Rotary Club for many years.

Jack Punter

Jack Punter was born in London, England, July 10, 1922. As veteran of World War 2, Jack served in Britain's Royal Air Force from December 1940 until May 1946 as a wireless operator. He also spent 2 years in West Africa then joined the European invasion force in September 1944 through France, Belgium and Germany to Berlin and the Russians at the end of the war.

He emigrated to Canada in 1951 and settled in Toronto where he still lives. Jack discovered Toastmasters in 1956 and was one of the six founding members of the Podium Club in January 1957. In 1963, he was a finalist in the International Speech Contest held in St. Louis, Missouri, where he came fourth. During the conference he met and talked to the Toastmasters founder Dr. Ralph Smedley.

Jack will entertain us a brief history of the Toastmasters organization, its founder, the changes that have occurred over the past 50 years and what the Toastmasters experience continues to mean to him.

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Competitions & Draws

Registration Draw 1
Connect with any Audience (4 Audio CD set) — What 7 World Champions Know…
and You Should Too!
Registration Draw 2
Speaking Secrets of the Champions (6 Audio CD Set — Jim Key, 2003; Mark Brown, 1995; Craig Valentine, 1999; Ed Tate, 2000; Darren LaCroix, 2001; David Brooks, 1990)

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