News and Events

Tall Tales and Table Topics Contest

An exciting Tall Tales and Table Topics Contest was held on October 7, 2025 in the club. The winner of the Tall Tales contest was Tyler Cseh and the winner of the table topics contest was Jon Danh. Congratulations to both of them. They both performed well in the Area contest and Jon Danh was selected to complete in the Division contest. Jon placed third in the Division contest held on November 15. The competition was strong and Jon is to be congratulated for a job well done.

Chris Hickey Toastmaster of the Year

The Will Rogers Club is proud to announce that our own Chris Hickey as been awarded “Outstanding Toastmaster of the Year” for District 16 for the 2024-2025 year. Chris is our Sergeant-at-Arms, Zoom Master, an outstanding speaker, a member of more than one club, and active in District activities. Congratulations to Chris!

Joe Charleston Selected as Top 100 Speaker

Joe Charleston has been selected as a Top 100 speaker at the Top Speaker Tournament held on September 6, 2025. This is indeed a great honor considering that there were over 3000 applications for the event originating from Sydney, Australia. Congratulations to Joe.

New Officers for the 2025-2026 Year

New officers were installed at our meeting on July 8, 2025 by Area 2 Director, Barbara Crockett. The Club Officers section shows the position held by each member. We look forward to another great Toastmaster year.

From left to right, Chris Hickey, Michelle Craig, Amelia Baskin, Isabel Perozo, Chandra Nandikolla, Deb Olejownik, LiChing Hickey

Will Rogers Celebrates 17th Straight Years as President’s Distinguished

The club enjoyed a delicious cake at its meeting on June 17, 2025 in celebration of receiving President’s Distinguished for 17 straight years. Thanks to Sandy Knox for bringing the cake.

The club also celebrated the occasion at the El Patron Cocina Mexicana Party room, 11101 E. 41st Street, Tulsa, on June 24th, 2025. This is also the end of the Toastmaster year.

Gwen Latus Wins Second Place in District 16 Humorous Speech Contest

Congratulations go to Gwen Latus, DTM for winning second place in the District 16 Humorous Speech Contest held on May 2, 2025. Her speech talked about her daughters humorous experiences when she was 4 years old. Gwen is the past president of the Will Rogers Club. Well done!

We are proud of the active participation of club members at the contest. Chandra Nandikolla served as the General Chair of the contest. Other members participating in the conference include Andy Craig, Joe Charleston, and Christoper Hickey.

Christmas Party

Our annual Christmas Party was held on December 10, 2024 at the home of Ray Poudrier. The food was superb and everyone had a good time. Appreciation goes to the Poudriers for hosting this annual event.

Andy Craig Receives Ziglar Master Coach Certification

Andy Craig was one of four persons that was recently honored for receiving the “Ziglar Master Coach Certification”. Will Rogers is honored to have a professional public speaker in its ranks. Congratulations to Andy!

The Will Rogers Club is also proud of our own member Andy Craig for placing 3rd at the Oklahoma Toastmasters District Conference held on April 20, 2024. He did the very best he has ever done…& now is more than ever ready to continue winning with more competitions and speeches and events…international is still in his sight!

Easter at the Piano

Sandy Knox, professional pianist, and 18-year member of Will Rogers Toastmasters performed her “Easter at the Piano” program 17 places this year. She performs regularly at various venues around the Tulsa area. Toastmasters has helped her tremendously when speaking with her audiences. Attending weekly Toastmasters meeting has also increased her confidence in all aspects of her life, including performance.

75th Anniversary Party a Huge Success!

Around 50 people met at Golden Corral on August 22, 2023 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Will Rogers Toastmasters Club on August 20, 1948. The event was attended by current members, past members, District 16 officials and Channel 6 news. The party was an epic event, and a considerable amount of credit goes to Sandy Knox who was the principal organizer of the event. There were many photos taken and a few will be shared below.

Past President Sandy Bach, DTM, presents a special gift to Sandy Knox who organized the event.

Attendees meeting in a decorated room with a patriotic theme.

District Director Ray Willis, DTM, congratulates The Will Rogers Club for its success.

Congratulations to Chandra Nandikolla

Congratulations to Chandra Nandikolla, DTM, for recently receiving an MBA degree from the University of Oklahoma. He has worked hard over the past four years and his dream for receiving an MBA has been achieved. Chandra credits Will Rogers members for their encouragement and for the high standards promoted by the club. Chandra is the past Program Quality Director for District 16.

Meet the Most Patriotic and Enthusiastic Member!

President Andy Craig said it so well at our July 6 meeting when introducing Jon Danh as the Toastmaster for the evening. Jon is an immigrant to this country from Viet Nam and has become a proud citizen of the United States.

Andy Craig Joins Professional Speakers Bureau International

The Will Rogers Club is proud to announce that Andy Craig has joined Professional Speakers Bureau International as one of its elite speakers. Andy is an international keynote speaker and trainer. This is indeed a true honor for Andy and our congratulations! The link below provides additional details.

Www.TerrificSpeakers.com/andy-craig

Andy Craig’s New Book

Andy Craig has written a new book that is available on Amazon. His book is entitled Passion Power: Discover the 3 Indispensable Keys to Your Success! Andy Craig walks you through the three key areas in creating the success you seek in life. He starts with the question: “Are you settling?” He shares his own journey in the pursuit of his desires in life. He continues and discusses the 3 keys to empowering your success. (1) Your Past. Break through the bondage that has held you captive in your past. (2) Your Provision. Uncover the hidden resources you have in your provision. (3) Your Purpose. Unleash what you were created for with your purpose. Follow these three keys to wield your Passion Power and fuel the achievement of your hidden desires.

Early reviews of the book were very positive.

New Members

The Will Rogers Club welcomes several new members to the club. These include: Tyler Cseh, Greer Baskin, Joshua Hawkins, Anthony Ingram, Isabel Perozo, Amelia Baskin, Darryl Baskin, and Jared Mullings.

Tyler Cseh. Tyler has joined Will Rogers as a young member to develop his speaking and leadership skills. He has a great sense of humor and has already actively participated in the activities. He is starting his own business in the installation and maintenance of garage doors for homes and businesses.

Greer Baskin. Greer joins Will Rogers as the third member of the Baskin family. Greer is young in his professional career and off to a good start having given his icebreaker speech.

Joshua (Josh) Hawkins. Josh joins Will Rogers with a goal of gaining skills and confidence as a public speaker. He is off to a good start with an outstanding icebreaker speech.

Darryl Baskin and daughter Amelia Baskin. Darryl is a former member of Will Rogers and ran a program on KRMG called “The Future of Real Estate”. He wishes to polish up his skills as a speaker and perhaps return back to radio or in creating podcasts. Amelia is already off to a good start in her speaking program. She is also the Secretary for the 2025-2026 term.

Jared Mullings. Jared is a former Toastmaster from another club and joins Will Rogers with a goal of developing his speaking skills.

Anthony Ingram. Anthony comes to Toastmasters with a goal of improving self-confidence and speaking skills as he prepares to enter law school. We were reminded that he already possesses good speaking skills when he won the best table topics award for the evening as a new member.

Isabel Perozo. Isabel comes from Caracas Venezuela. She is a journalist, broadcaster, actress, and playwright. She is a founder and instructor at Soy Mas, a TV host and producer at Teletlul Estrellatv Tulsa. Isabel is coming to Toastmasters with a goal of acquiring additional speaking skills that will enhance her professional career. Isabel is also the Vice President of Public Relations for the 2025-2026 term.

Chris Hickey, General Evaluator, calls on Tyler Cseh to serve as an evaluator.