Turtle Awards and Annual Meeting

On May 29, at noon at the WOW Hall, the City Club of Eugene program will be the Turtle Awards.

New Turtles are chosen by the Club’s Turtle Committee, which consists of all the living Turtles. The criteria used by the Turtle Committee to choose new Turtles are:  

1. Fostering creative problem solving in Eugene’s public affairs.
2. Stimulating constructive action.
3. Forging cooperative relationships.
4. Honoring diverse perspectives.
5. Sticking one’s neck out for the good of the community.

And an unwritten criteria: Should be someone who is underappreciated by the public. Almost every year since 1991, the Club has combined the Turtle Awards with the Club’s annual meeting. During that period, the Club has recognized 69 individuals and one group with its Turtle Awards, and you can view them here. This year the Club will recognize another 3 individuals and one group as new Turtles.

This year’s Turtles will be introduced at the May 29 City Club of Eugene meeting. The program will be emceed by the Head Turtle, John VanLandingham. A current Turtle will introduce each new Turtle and describe why that individual or group is worthy of being recognized as a Turtle. Then that new Turtle will talk about why they do what they do. And all new Turtles receive small cast-iron turtle statues engraved with “2026 Turtle Award, City Club of Eugene.”

The new Turtles, and their presenters, are:

1. Black Thistle Street Aid. Integrative team of volunteer medical practitioners, herbalists, & advocates providing access to free healthcare through direct outreach & pop-up clinics to people experiencing houselessness; represented by Bridgette Butler and Sophia Ricci. Presenter will be Lauren Regan.
2. Jenny Jonak. Attorney and 4J School District board member. Presented by Colt Gill.
3. Judge Michael McShane. Chief Judge for the US District Court (federal) for Oregon. Presenter will be Paul Solomon.
4. Jennifer Scurlock. Former AP/IB teacher with Eugene 4J School District; now chair of the State Board of Education. Presenter will be Deb Langes.

Please come and be inspired by these new Turtles, and stay for the annual meeting!