OFFICIAL REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE OF OZARK DIVISION

DISTRICT 50 COUNCIL MEETING

August 13, 2026

Issue: At issue is the previous process used for the naming of what is currently referred to as the “Ozark” Division.   It is our understanding that a small number of individuals made the name decision of “Ozark” during the District Realignment Meeting.  Anecdotally, it would be safe to say that most club members in our division were not aware of, or at least did not fully understand, the name selection and/or the methodology used to that end. Therefore, broad input was absent.

Background: Following the realignment, D50’s Arkansas boundaries included all counties, except for Benton, Crawford, Washington, Crittenden, Lee, Mississippi, Phillips, Sebastian, and St. Francis.*  It should be noted that Benton, Crawford, and Washington Counties are in the northwestern corner of the state, considered part of the Ozark National Forest area, and are now part of D209. The other “exception” counties were assigned to D77 and are located on the eastern border of the state, commonly referred to as the “Delta”.  (*excerpt from Toastmasters International)

Request Rationale: None of the AR clubs currently reassigned to District 50 are in the Ozark region of the state.  For that reason and others, we believe the Division should consider a new name, one that is more representative of most of the State, and which better symbolizes Toastmasters. 

Proposed New Name:  The name we would like to put forth is “Diamond” as it symbolizes endurance, brilliance, top value, and toughness. 

We further submit the following as solid reasons the name “Diamond” would serve the Division well: 

1) Arkansas has the only active publicly owned diamond mine in the nation [AR Crater of Diamonds State Park, Murfreesboro AR];

 2) The diamond mine is open to the public and “finders” get to keep what they discover; 

3) The diamond mine now falls within District 50 boundaries (between Hot Springs and Texarkana); and

 4) In Toastmasters, we help individuals a) find their voice, b) discover their talents, c) build  their confidence, and d) develop and operate under pressure so that they can shine.  All these benefits remain with us for a lifetime. Consider "DIAMOND".

If you have questions or need more information, please contact Nancy Robinson Lott by email, lrn.12050@gmail.com or phone 214-542-7880. 

Thank You,

Requestors:

Nancy Robinson Lott, DTM, President, Speakers-N-Action, VPE-Northside Post Toasters

Dr. Rhonda Mattox, DTM, PCGD, PPQD - District 43, Speakers-N-Action 

Dr.  Linda Avington, DTM, Area Director 75- District 50, Little Rock Toastmasters

Sabrenna Lee, DTM, Speakers-N-Action

Tracey Shine - Speakers-N-Action

Regina Norwood, DTM, Northside Post Toasters

Margaret Robinson, DTM, PCGD (District 43) - Speakers-N-Action

Joyce Biddle, DTM - VPE, Health Masters Toastmasters

Lenelle Thompson, DTM, Area Director 73 (District 50), PCGD (District 43) Baptist Health Toastmasters