Award Background
This award was created in 2001 to honor Lorin Pollmann. Lorin was a charter member of the Hutchinson II Toastmasters Club, its first president and from the very start was very active at the District level. Lorin was Area Governor of the Year for 1985-86 and Toastmaster of the Year in 1988. Lorin served in many capacities outside his Club including District Public Relations Officer, District Treasurer, Credentials Chair, and Achievement Though Education Chair among many others. From 1996 until he passed away in 2000, Lorin served the District as Speechcraft Chair where he recognized and promoted Speechcraft as both an educational tool and club growth opportunity for Toastmasters. His Toastmaster friends established this award in his memory.
Each year the Lorin Pollmann award is presented at the District Spring Convention to a Toastmaster Club that has conducted Speechcraft sessions to help educate members of their community and to help promote membership growth in Toastmasters.
Qualifications
The nominated Club must be in good standing and must have completed one or more successful Speechcrafts during the current Toastmaster year.
This article was taken from the Hutchinson Leader newspaper, May 1989.
Pollmann earns top Toastmasters awards
Lorin Pollmann of rural Glencoe, a five-year member of the Hutchinson Toastmasters II club, was named Outstanding Toastmaster for Toastmasters International District 6 last month in Bloomington. At the presentation are: (from left) Joanne Dahlin, district administrative lieutenant governor; Pollmann; Richard Peterson, district governor; and Sally Muraski, district educational lieutenant governor.
A charter member of the Hutchinson Toastmasters II club recently received two of the highest awards bestowed by the international organization.
Lori Pollmann, a five-year member of the Hutchinson club, earned his Distinguished master (DTM) designation from Toastmasters International "for outstanding accomplishments in the total masters program." It is the highest honor Toastmasters grants for program participation.
"The significance of the DTM reflects the highest ideals of service and dedication to others as you have shown though the promotion of the educational and leadership programs..." read a letter to Pollmann from Toastmasters International Executive Director Terrence McCann.
Prior to reaching DTM status, Pollmann also earned Competent Toastmaster and Able Toastmaster designations.
The DTM award is based on years in the organization, number of speeches given in the community, involvement in a youth leadership seminar and in "Speechcraft" for adult education. In addition, candidates had to have served as a club and district officers and have helped start a new club. Pollmann helped organize a Toastmasters in Montevideo.
The second honor was bestowed in April at the District 6 spring conference at the Thunderbird Hotel in Bloomington when Pollmann was named the district's Outstanding Toastmaster.
He earned the award for his outstanding leadership within the district and by helping fellow club members to achieve their goals, according to District Governor Richard Peterson. Pollmann's activities within the organization that contributed to his honor include assisting in training programs, judging and chairing speech contests and attending educational workshops and meetings. His community involvement includes membership in the county livestock Exhibitors Association, church stewardship committee, American legion and Disabled American Veterans.
Pollmann is a past president of Hutchinson Toastmasters II, past area governor and past division lieutenant governor. He currently holds the district offices of achievement through education chairman, registration and finance conference chairman and district club extension committee member. The extension committee works to establish new Toastmasters clubs.
In addition, Pollmann belongs to two specialty clubs which assist other clubs, Center Speakers of Bloomington and Crest O'the Hill in Richfield.
District 6 encompasses Minnesota and the southern part of Ontario, Canada, and is the top district in terms of achievement and recognition, Pollmann said.
It includes 220 clubs with 4,200 members. Toastmasters International, created about 60 years ago, now includes 68 districts worldwide. The organization exists to assist members in developing speaking, thinking and listening skills as well as in providing communication and leadership growth opportunities. Goals are accomplished through constructive evaluations.
Hutchinson Toastmasters II was chartered in 1984 and now includes 23 members. Pollmann said he has achieved the goals he set forth for himself when joining the organization but will continue to be an active Toastmaster. With his pending retirement from 3M Co. this summer, he said he plans to devote even more time to the organization.
The Hutchinson II club honors Lorin Pollman at every meeting by using a gavel donated in his memory.