Del O'Shaughnessy
Del O'Shaughnessy, DTM,
President of Rich Del Toastmasters (1978-1979)
Members of the Rich-Del Club, I have fond memories of Rich-Del during this month of October. Why, you may ask? October 1, 1975, I joined Rich-Del Toastmasters. This year, 2005 is my thirtieth birthday in Toastmasters.
At the time I joined, Rich-Del met Wednesdays over lunch at the Quilchena Golf Course. It was a lovely venue, and we had the challenge of making dynamic speeches with lettuce in our teeth. The club at that time was made up of Realtors and lawyers. Your founder was realtor Alan Hall. Alan was in a meeting and wanted to speak up on a matter, but couldn't find the courage to express his opinion. So he resolved then and there to start a Toastmasters club. Your club, as a result of his resolve was chartered in the fall of 1974. Your parent club is the North Shore Club, and your sponsor–mentors are Dick Dixon and Bernie Searle who worked very hard for your best welfare.
By about 1976, Rich-Del reached out to the Richmond community to involve members of more diverse backgrounds, and started out by meeting evenings in schools and community centers, eventually settling on Thursday evenings. You formed your first club in 1980, the Delta club, the club to which I, as a result, now belong. Ferdie Chen, Howard Lam and myself were the sponsors. Delta, your first "offspring", celebrates its 25th anniversary this November. Next you formed the Richmond Club, and I can remember the joy Rich-Del expressed over fulfilling its unofficial mandate – namely to serve the Richmond and Delta area, as reflected in its name, Rich-Del. From that time, you have greatly contributed to your community by the forming of many other clubs in the area.
I congratulate you for your contributions to the Richmond-Delta communities and thank you for the 8-year membership I enjoyed with your club. May you continue to prosper and contribute to the community you serve.
Sincerely yours,Del O'Shaughnessy, DTM