Cherry City Toastmasters Celebrates 10th Charter Anniversary

Toastmasters International President Michael Notaro is honored guest and featured speaker at the Cherry City Open House and 10th Year Charter Anniversary celebration on Tuesday, April 3, 2012, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., San Leandro Library, Trustees Room, 300 Estudillo Ave. All guests are welcome. The City of San Leandro is issuing a proclamation acknowledging Cherry City's community service as an educational nonprofit organization.

Launched by Michael Notaro and Michael Lien, Cherry City Toastmasters started in a small room that was part of the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce's offices. Cherry City moved to the San Leandro Library when those Chamber offices were torn down and the Library has been its meeting place ever since.

Cherry City Toastmasters had has distinguished presidents:  Sara Ennor, a San Leandro probate attorney; Dr. Gordon Epstein, owner of Bella Vista Optometry, an optometrist, visionary, teacher, and research scientist; Michael Lien, CFO and Operations Manager for Tric Tools; Julius Esowune, a project manager for Engineering & Transportation Department with the City of San Leandro and a native Ugandan; Gina Championsmith, a business owner, fitness instructor and future Toastmaster leader; Ernie Brogdon, owner of numerous web sites who set us firmly on the road of technology; Connie Stephens, community activist and leader; Eddie Keator, who advanced Cherry City’s use of Toastmaster online tools with proven success; and currently Tom Ogas, a criminal law attorney, teacher and leader. 

Cherry City has always embraced an international roster with members from Uganda, Nigeria, Slovenia, Guatemala, Malaysia and many other world destinations. The diversity of members from various ethnic, economic, political and religious groups creates an intellectually stimulating environment that is open and willing to receive new ideas. 

Founding member Connie Stephens says, “Cherry City Toastmasters has the reputation for being ‘scrappy’, which originated from our history of small meetings where everyone has to pitch in and spontaneously fill roles.”

Please join us! We’ll gather starting at 11:30 and gavel start at noon.