Support the Club: Centennial Gala

The Commonwealth Club's Centennial Gala

The Commonwealth Club of California celebrated its 100th birthday with a Centennial Gala on October 21. Chaired by Club Board of Governors member Athena Troxel Blackburn, the evening honored the presidents of The Commonwealth Club - men and women who have led the organization through a century of enlightened civic discourse. Delivering the keynote address was news anchor and author Tom Brokaw who, looking at the world from the vantage of one who has spent a career in journalism, took stock of the challenges facing the U.S. and the world. In order to meet these epic challenges, he said, it was time for Americans to "re-enlist as citizens."

The black-tie affair at the Westin St. Francis was kicked off with a reception and silent auction to raise funds for The Club. Members bid on private lunches with the likes of Carl Djerassi, Steve Wozniak and Gavin Newsom. They bid on globe-trotting excursions to destinations including the Galapagos, Vietnam and Costa Rica. Or closer to home, they vied for weekends away in Napa, tickets to the Berkeley Rep and dinner at Chez Panisse Café, a "Pumpkin Dream Wrap" at the Nob Hill Spa, a tasting excursion to the Anchor Brewing Company, and a tour of five wineries in a '56 Bel Air convertible. Scharffen Berger chocolates were on the list, as were fine wines, golf with Robert Trent Jones and photography lessons in Point Reyes.

The more than 800 guests then repaired to the ballroom, where they were welcomed by Club Board of Governors President Dr. Joseph R. Fink. Dr. Fink also recognized some of the people who have made outstanding contributions to The Club over the years - including Jeanne Wong, who now serves as The Club's meeting coordinator and who began working at The Club more than 40 years ago. After the crowd enjoyed dancing to the big band sounds of Dick Bright and his orchestra, Club CEO Dr. Gloria C. Duffy introduced a short documentary film commemorating The Club's centennial. Produced by Francée Covington, the film highlighted some of the great moments in The Club's first century and featured interviews with some of the people who help lead The Commonwealth Club today.

The founders of The Club envisioned an organization that would help people make informed decisions about the vital issues in society. Rather than having decisions that shaped the future of the state made in smoke-filled rooms, or by a voting populace swayed by misinformation, they wanted to get to the bottom of the problems a growing California faced. The Club credo became "Get the facts." And from these founders, a tradition of volunteerism became the backbone of The Club, carried on for a century by legions of volunteers. In marking The Club's centennial, special recognition was given to the active involvement of thousands of Club members and hard-working volunteers, and The Club's Board of Governors.

The past presidents of The Club were honored as the leaders of this very large group. Dr. Fink called to the stage all those past presidents who were able to be present for the festivities: Col. Charles Travers (1967), John A. Busterud (1970), Eugene M. Herson (1981), J. Dennis Bonney (1985), Joseph F. Perrelli (1990), Jean Auer (1991), Claude B. Hutchison Jr. (1993), Victor J. Revenko (1994), William German (1995), Judith F. Wilbur (1996), Joseph I. Epstein (1997), Justice Ming W. Chin (1998), Dr. Julius Krevans (1999), Skip Rhodes (2000), Toni Rembe (2001) and Connie Shapiro (2002). As the most senior president attending, Col. Travers took to the podium and reflected on the remarkable achievements of The Club he personally has witnessed over more than a half-century of membership - and he received a standing ovation from the crowd. Justice Chin spoke as well, and he noted that this is time "to give thanks, a time to remember our founders and predecessors, and a time to think about the future of The Commonwealth Club of California."

The centennial celebration was also occasion to recognize the corporation in our community that has been the greatest corporate supporter and friend of The Club, a founding member of The Club's Business Council - ChevronTexaco. The Club presented its Corporate Recognition Award as to ChevronTexaco for its role as outstanding corporate champion. Vice Chairman Peter Robertson received the award on behalf of the company.

With the stage set, news anchor Tom Brokaw delivered a thought-provoking analysis of the state of the world in which we now find ourselves, and he wondered aloud whether citizens and leaders were rising to the challenges we now face - as did those he calls "The Greatest Generation," who not just survived but endured the Great Depression and World War II. Following his talk, Tom Brokaw was presented with a Commonwealth Club Centennial Medallion.

It was an outstanding celebration and an exhilarating climax to The Commonwealth Club's centennial year. Following are the remarks delivered by Col. Travers, Justice Chin and Tom Brokaw - and, of course, lots of photos from the 100th birthday party of the nation's oldest and largest public affairs forum.