The Doug Kelly Award
Beloved Toastmaster, Mentor, and Force of Nature: 1940 - 2025
About Doug:
Doug Kelly was a cornerstone of the Toastmasters District 55 community and a larger-than-life presence in every room. Known for his booming voice, trademark Hawaiian shirts, and relentless commitment to excellence, Doug didn’t just participate—he drove people to be better. Because he gave his all, he expected the same from everyone else.
Doug joined Toastmasters in 1969 and spent more than five decades sharpening his own skills and challenging others to rise. He served as a District, Division, and Area Governor, and was the Chief Pathways Ambassador for District 55, leading the rollout of Toastmasters’ modern education program. As a Pathways Guide, he didn’t sugarcoat things—he told the truth, offered help, and expected you to step up.
Never one to shy away from hard work, Doug was the backbone of club operations, quietly maintaining easy-Speak systems for dozens of clubs since 2012. But make no mistake—Doug wasn’t quiet. He was the one calling it like it was, pushing for 10/10 Distinguished status every year, and never accepting “good enough.”
He coached clubs that were faltering, sponsored and mentored new clubs into being, and had an uncanny ability to turn chaos into order—especially when a contest or conference needed a leader. Doug chaired two regional conferences and countless district events, always with precision, high standards, and plenty of personality.
As a Chief Judge, Contest Chair, and even a judge at the World Championship of Public Speaking, Doug’s voice was one that demanded attention—and respect. He was fair, exacting, and deeply proud of the people he helped succeed.Doug’s expectations were high because his commitment was absolute. If you were willing to work, he’d support you all the way. If you weren’t, he’d tell you—and then ask again, because he believed in what you could become.He didn’t fade into the background. Doug stood out, showed up, and called us forward. He made people better. And he did it all with a laugh, a colorful shirt, and a fierce love for Toastmasters and the people within it.
This award is in his honor.
Award Criteria
Doug Kelly was always there when you needed him. His commitment to Toastmasters and our District was unparalleled. To honor his memory, we introduce the Doug Kelly Award. This award will go to the individual who embodies what Doug did, volunteers & steps up to help.
For every District event/activity you volunteer for, you get a point. At the end of the year, all the points will be added up and the individual with the highest total number of points will be the first winner of the Doug Kelly Award!
Eligible Activities You Can Get Points For:
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Helped with an Area Contest, Division Contest, or District Contest
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Participated in a District Open House or District Demo Meeting
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Volunteered at another District Event, like the Conference
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Volunteered for a TLI or continued education training
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Served as a District Officer (assistants & unofficial roles count)
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Served as a member of a District Committee
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Served as Club Sponsor, Club Mentor, or Club Coach
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Lead or volunteered for a Speechcraft
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Lead or volunteered for a Youth Leadership Program
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Sponsored a new member for your club (Must have your name submitted as a sponsor on their application)
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Created a new resource for district (e.g., flyer, how-to guide) - must work with Eva Tweedy, PRM to get credit for this
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Additional programs may also apply as applicable
How Do You Get Credit?
The chair of each event (Contest, TLI, Open House...) is responsible for submitting a list of all volunteers here
Committee leads will submit the names of committee members here
The PRM will submit names for each of the continued education training sessions, like the AAT series for inclusion, as well as anyone who has created a resource to be shared with the District
For club sponsors, mentors, & coaches, your name will be submitted via CGD Tracey James.
New member sponsors will automatically get credit, as will District Officers
Submit this form - https://forms.gle/2CVkVXg8Y2ppucYx5
*NOTE: You only get one point per event. For example, if you are the registration person and also the President break out session for a TLI, you get 1 point for volunteering at that TLI.