Star Search 25th Anniversary

March 19, 2008

We had a fantastic 25th celebration! There was pizza, laughter, and most importantly, good people! Ed Stoermer gave a fascinating history lesson on the clubs' beginnings. We had a number of guests and members, including 6 past presidents (Ed Stoermer, James Lechner, Kuan Sian Go, Marianela Pena, George Marshall, Eric Gwerder). Our current President, Albert Mo, was in Texas attending a business conference, so could not make it to the celebration party.

Margaret gave a wonderful, competition-ready speech with a clear message, "Get out of your box!" Jim stepped up as backup speaker and delivered a polished speech about nonsensical signs. Murthy lead the group in an exciting round of Table Topics. Sharad, our official table topics champ, took home Best Table Topics Speaker. Margaret won for best speaker (Jim was overtime!!) Diana gave an excellent evaluation of Jim's speech. Margaret asked for, received, a round table evaluation to help her prepare for the Sprint speech contest.

Go Star Search!

Editor's Note: Eric was the Immediate Past President of Star Search at the time of this note. The club attained President's Distinguished Club status, Toastmasters highest club recognition, while he was president.

The History of Star Search Toastmasters

March 9, 2001

Peterbuilt Motors of Newark manufactured truck engines. They had a very large staff. They formed their own Toastmasters club in April 1983, which was very successful for several years. It was primarily a corporate club with almost all members being employees of Peterbuilt. The planned move of the company caused many layoffs and transfers. As a result, the membership of the club dropped to three attending members. In 1989 or 1990, I was asked to serve as a club specialist to see if we could save the club from extinction. At that time Marlin Eagles was president. Dr. Satya Sarkar was an active member.

We realized that the meetings were in too remote a location to attract new members. We decided to move to Fremont and change the name. Star Search Toastmasters was born. Rosine Rediess joined. She was also a member of the F.U.N. club and Dramatically Speaking. Gradually, we began to invite more and more newcomers to join us.

Star Search has maintained a very active role in District 57. Marlin Eagles became the District Public Relations Officer. Then I held that position for a year. Satya, Marlin, Rosine and I all held positions as area and division governors. I was also District Chief Judge one year. All of us judged many contests in the district, traveling all over to attend contests when needed.

Satya Sarkar was active every year in some district role. He was honored many times for his work helping new club and for presenting Youth Leadership Programs. He was named Toastmaster of the Year in 1994-1995. In addition, he served the Fremont community as a Commissioner for the Library Advisory Board. His list of achievement would be worthy of a full program some evening.

Rosine Rediess was a Toastmaster before me. She was a charter member of the Educators Toastmasters, a past president of the F.U.N. Club, area and division governor, Co Chair of the 1992 District Fall Conference, a mentor to many Toastmasters. She was also very active in judging for youth speech contests and served on the board of directors of more than one service organization. She was the 1992-1993 president of Star Search. In May of 1993 she was elected Lt. Governor of Marketing for District 57. Unfortunately for all Toastmasters, Rosine Rediess was killed in an auto accident the following week. Each year in her memory, Star Search and the F.U.N. club present the Rosine Rediess Memorial Award to a Toastmaster who has been active in the community.

Editor's Note: Ed Stoermer is an honorary lifetime member of Star Search Toastmasters, in recognition of his outstanding service to Toastmasters, and to Star Search club.