Naval R&D Toastmasters Club installs new officers
February 4, 2011 6:20 AM
The Naval R&D Toastmasters Club met at Naval Base Point Loma on Jan. 11 to install its new 2011 officers.
The new officers are Sherry Strothers, President; Kim Kruger, VP Education; Chris Horne; VP Membership; Frances Young, VP Public Relations; David Dawson, Secretary; David Schmiedeberg, Treasurer; and Paul H. Lee, Sergeant at Arms. Members elect their officers to two-year terms.
Long-time club member and Mentor Helen Blanchard (seated), President Sherry Strothers (with gavel) and six (of seven) new club officers. Marcia "Marcy" Hays (far right), District 5, Area 13 Governor, attended the installation ceremony.
Toastmasters clubs provide a mutually supportive and positive learning environment where every individual member can develop oral communication and leadership skills, which in turn foster self-confidence and personal growth.
The Center's club was chartered on Oct. 1. 1957. "We were the Navy Electronics Laboratory then - it was called the NEL Club. Since the Center went through so many name changes through the years, it was renamed Naval R&D, which kind of covers the whole function," said Helen Blanchard, who was the International President of Toastmasters, 1985-1986.
Former division head of the Center's Technical Information Division, Ms. Blanchard, mentored many scientists, engineers, senior leadership, and military personnel on the importance of giving great presentations during her career. She received the Center's Lauritsen-Bennett Award in 1991.