Recorded on: June 8, 2018
Air Date: June 11, 2018
In a local tradition unique to City Club of Eugene, every year since 1991 the Turtle Award, a cast iron turtle, has been given to two, or three under-recognized civic leaders in Eugene for “sticking their necks out”. That is, they have demonstrated the strong beliefs, vision and courage required to persevere in a risk prone venture for the good of the whole community.
The Turtle Award winners are selected by a committee of previous winners who meet in person each spring to select the year’s honored award winners. The only task of the Committee is to nominate and vote on the winners for the year.
The criteria for nomination includes:
- Fostering creative problem solving in Eugene’s public affairs.
- Stimulating constructive action.
- Forging cooperative relationships.
- Honoring diverse perspectives.
- Sticking one’s neck out for the good of the community.
- Being under-appreciated by the public.
During the program, John VanLandingham, Turtle Committee Chair, of the Lane County Legal Aid & Advocacy Center, explains the history of the Turtle program and then introduces one or two presenters for each individual who receives an award. Each presenter gives a short dialogue about the person receiving each award, describing the “Turtle-worthiness” for each person. The new Turtle then shares his/her motivation for doing what makes him/her a Turtle.
The Turtle Award personifies the quality of character and self-less community service that is critical to a healthy common life. By recognizing such contributions to Eugene’scollective quality of life, the City Club of Eugene strives to encourage many more Turtles in the future.
Tom Bowerman of PolicyInteractive will be presented a Turtle award by Robin Quirke
Erik & Fay de Buhr of Community Supported Shelters will be presented a Turtle award by Tod Schneider
Copyright KLCC, 2018
