District 56 was formed July 1, 1957. We cover 90 square miles and are comprised of 27 counties in Southeast Texas. District 56 was officially created as a result of a north-south split of District 25 along the 31° North Latitude on July 1, 1957, becoming only the second Toastmasters district in Texas.
In the beginning, District 56 included all of South Texas: Houston, Galveston, Pasadena, Beaumont, San Antonio, and Austin. The first District Governor was Alston McAnear, a member of the Houston CPA Toastmasters club. High Noon Toastmasters (club# 505) is the only club from 1957 that is still active today.
Shortly after the north-south split, District 56 (Houston) hosted the 29th Annual Toastmasters International Convention in August of 1973. The convention voted to allow women to become members of Toastmasters.
By July 1, 1997, District 56 was split east-west during the 40th Anniversary of the district. District 55 to the west includes San Antonio, Austin, and Corpus Christi while District 56 to the east includes all the clubs in Houston and the surrounding areas.
As of January 1, 2020, District 56 was home to 194 clubs, 3,593 members, with a balanced blend of corporate and community clubs.
History of District 56 Toastmasters
View our District 56 History Slide Show
Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development with more than 345,000 members.
District 56 Toastmasters is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people become better communicators and leaders.
District leaders put service above self in supporting all clubs in achieving excellence.
