"Toastmasters in Transition"
President's Distinguished Club!
CH@Home's First 3 Presidents--
Maggie Yen, Beth McElhinney, Blaise Pabon
By July 2001, CH@Home
Toastmasters had changed quite a bit since it was started. CH@Home had developed into a true community club, with half of the
members working at Excite@Home, and the rest working or living nearby. Two new members added their creative energy to the club. Maggie Smith created the club's first monthly newsletters and submitted them for the Golden Quill Award. Louise Wolfe started a new club website which won the Platinum Page Award for best in the district.Founder Randy Samberg reflected: "I am
constantly amazed at the success of our club, the wonderful members and
officers, and the progress each one of them has made in such a short
time. And then I realize, 'I started the club!' Without the training I
received from all of my years as a Toastmasters member, I never would
have had the courage to do it."
In December 2001, the young club faced a major challenge when its
host company, Excite@Home, filed bankruptcy. Almost half of its members
faced impending layoffs, but they were determined to continue the club
at a new meeting site. CH@Home Toastmasters chose PeninsulaWorks, a career
center located nearby, since the new partnership would be mutually beneficial. The first meeting at PeninsulaWorks was held on Dec. 19, 200l with guest speaker Ginny Livingstone welcoming CH@Home to its new home by explaing the job search resources available at PeninsulaWorks.
Even in the midst of turmoil, on Dec. 4, 2001, CH@Home celebrated
an "Evening of Inspiration". At this special event, three members (Ravi Char, Maggie Yen, Louise Wolfe) gave
their tenth speech and earned their CTMs. The club hopes this will become an annual or semi-annual tradition. Ravi and Louise earned their CLs soon afterwards, and Louise Wolfe earned CH@Home's first ATM-Bronze less than six months later.
In February 2002, CH@Home celebrated its second anniversary with another CTM (Joe Schramm) and two new members (Fran Cruz and Wendy Siu). CH@Home also scheduled a series of special job search seminars in March through July. CH@Home's "Toastmaster of the Year", Louise Wolfe, also received both Area C1 and Division C "T.O.Y." honors. According to founder Randy Samberg, "We believe we have one of the best clubs in the area and
possibly in the district and beyond." CH@Home backed up that boast by achieving President's Distinguished Club,
Toastmasters highest club award in June 2002.
CH@Home's 2nd Anniversary Party - Feb. 2002
![CH@Home's 2nd Anniversary](Pictures/g02ANAll400x150.jpg)
(Photos provided by Randy Samberg) More Randy's Webshots (Slow Download!)
![ChatHome Logo](chathome.gif)