Town North Trendsetters officially became a chartered club of Toastmasters International early in the decade of the 80s, on May 8, 1981, boasting twenty-two members. The group had been meeting in the community surrounding Addison prior to that. During April 1981, they decided to move the fledgling club into the Town of Addison offering the opportunity of Toastmasters to the employees. An exciting demonstration meeting was held in the Council chambers of the town hall located in the antebellum mansion on Belt Line Road. Thus TNT was born. A banquet celebrating TNT’s charter was held in July, 1981 and attended by district dignitaries.

From the Town Hall to Swenson’s to Jim’s restaurant, TNT moved from meeting place to meeting place bringing in new members and addressing challenges along the way.

In the fall of 1984 TNT hosted the District 25 Fall Conference held at the Harvey Hotel (now the Crowne Plaza) on Midway Road. All of the members were engaged with Jerry Coen, Jo Anna McWilliams and Pauline Shirley serving as conference co-chairs. Quite a triumvirate! The club members grew in speaking and leadership skills as they traveled from speech contest to speech contest across the district promoting the conference.  Addison’s Mayor welcomed Toastmasters and opened the conference. It was a huge success.

In addition to employees of the Town of Addison, TNT’s membership was made up of a wide variety of professions. From ministers to doctors to computer gurus to entrepreneurs to musicians to engineers, their speeches fascinated as their skills developed. The minister shared that he received many more compliments from his congregation as he honed his skills. He admitted most of the compliments were generated because his sermons became more concise… and perhaps, more importantly, shorter.

Early on, TNT became a club to be reckoned with and during the 80s, in addition to hosting the district conference, TNT produced area governors, division governors, district governors and an international director. A history of members serving and contributing beyond TNT and in all levels of leadership started early.

Lewisville Toastmasters sponsored TNT and because Lewisville Toastmasters had been started by Executive Toastmasters, TNT was privileged to have mentors, supporters and sponsors from both clubs ensuring a solid foundation.