The 27th Anniversary Meeting and Awards
February 2007

The 27th Anniversary Meeting featured a potluck luncheon and annual Toastmaster awards.

Margaret Meier-Brush of Atherton was honored with the club’s Communication and Achievement Award. Ms. Meier-Brush is the president of the Children’s Health Council Auxiliary, a volunteer group that holds fundraisers and organizes volunteers to support the Children’s Health Council. The club presents the award annually to a local leader who is not a member of Toastmasters, who uses communication and leadership skills to serve the community. Margaret Winterburn presented the award.

The club also honored two members. Susan Swope, a charter member, received the Toastmaster of the Year Award for distinguished service and accomplishments; Jeanne Ledbetter received the Karl Lind Award for dedication and service to the club beyond the call of duty. Since both were unable to attend the meeting, their awards were presented at a later meeting. They missed the food and conversation, but not our appreciation for their contributions to the club.

Left to right: Margaret Winterburn, Margaret Meier-Brush

White Elephant Sale
December 2006

The annual SRI Organon “White Elephant Auction” and potluck meeting is held in December. Each member brings an item to auction off – often something no longer wanted or something that just never worked out. Thus, the items get new homes and the club raises a little money for its budget.

Everyone got to auction off an item and bid on others. The bidding sometimes got vigorous. Some wily auctioneers used humor to get the bidders outbidding each other. An orphan item surely needs a home with you!

This year at the beginning of the meeting, we took time to pile our plates with the food we brought –something for every taste. Yes, we did go back for seconds.

View the 2006 pictures of our White Elephant Auction.

Margaret Winterburn of Menlo Park was recently named "Toastmaster of the Year" by the SRI Organon Toastmasters club at its 26th anniversary luncheon at SRI International in Menlo Park.

Two others were honored:

• Menlo Park Councilwoman Kelly Fergusson received the Communication & Achievement Award, given to a local leader who is not a Toastmaster and who has used communication skills to serve the community. Ms. Fergusson was recognized for her efforts to organize community support for the reopening of Kepler's bookstore.

• Hal Huntley of Los Gatos received, for the second time, the Karl Lind award for exceptional service to the club. He previously won it in 1990.

Ms. Winterburn was recognized for winning five "best speaker" awards and for demonstrating gifts as a storyteller. Ms. Winterburn's talks included memories of growing up in England during World War II and coming to America as a young nurse.

Left: Hal Huntley; Right: Margaret Winterburn	Kelly Fergusson

Toastmaster's Club Reaches 25th Anniversary
November 2005

Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year is a Menlo Park club -- SRI Organon Toastmasters, part of the international Toastmasters organization, which is dedicated to developing public speaking and leadership skills.

The club's name -- Organon -- means an instrument of thought or knowledge.

It is rare for a Toastmasters club to be continuously active for 25 years.

Fifty-four people attended the club's September anniversary dinner and awards ceremony, including current and former members, and guests -- from as far away as San Francisco, Pleasanton, and San Luis Obispo. Attendees included people from the entire span of the club's history.

Naomi Levinson, the club's co-president, gave special acknowledgement to Esmond Lyons, founding member; and Melanie Killian and Susan Swope, both charter members.

The Founders: (from left to right) Melanie Killian, Esmond Lyons, Susan Swope

Susan has the distinction of being the only continuously active member since the club's inception. She looks forward to the 30th anniversary and hopes even more of the 350 or so past members join the celebration.

At the anniversary event, two members were recognized for distinguished service in the club: Peter Jarvis, who received the Karl Lind Award, and Eileen Behr, the Toastmaster of the Year award.

In addition, each year the SRI Organon Toastmasters Club gives the Communication & Achievement Award to a local community leader for serving the community; advancing a cause, idea or business; effecting change; or improving the lives of others. This year's recipient is Angela McConnell, executive director of the Community School of Music and Arts in Mountain View.