ABOUT
FORTUNATE 500
TOASTMASTERS
MISSION OF THE CLUB
“The mission of a Toastmasters club is to provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment in which every individual member has the opportunity to develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.”
-Toastmasters International.
WHY TOASTMASTERS?
Toastmasters will help you develop strong communication skills such as:
- Speaking Effectively to a Group
- Thinking Quickly and Clearly on your Feet
- Using Visual Aids
- Improved Listening Skills
- Valuable Leadership Experience
WHAT'S IN A NAME?
The Fortunate 500 club was founded in June of 1988. Long time member and club Secretary/Treasurer Bob LaDu remembers it was started as the Emanuel Club. Later, LaDu says, when Legacy Emanuel’s club merged with Kaiser Permanente’s, the members decided that Legacy-Emanuel/Kaiser-Permanente Toastmasters was not the ideal name, the club held a naming contest.
At the time, the Club had just been relocated to Building 500 on NE Multnomah Avenue, and club members considered themselves fortunate to have some place to meet. Thus the name “Fortunate 500”, a pun on Forbes’ “Fortune 500”, was coined.
Since then Building 500 has become a secure building with limited access and the Fortunate 500 relocated to the Kaiser Town Hall on N. Interstate Avenue, where it meets Tuesday nights at 6pm, providing a relaxed, supportive atmosphere for members to work on speaking, leadership, listening, and other communication skills. Guests are always welcome—in fact we’re fortunate to have them!
Copyright 2001-2009 Toastmasters International. The names "Toastmasters International," "Toastmasters," and the Toastmasters International emblem are trademarks protected in the US, Canada, and other countries where Toastmasters Clubs exist. Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited:)
