The gentleman on the right (in the white shirt) is Keith H Hall. He was a President of the Active Club of Sacramento in 1953. The next year, 1954, he participated in the Public Speaking Contest for his district but did not win. He did, however, get elected as Lieutenant Governor for District 6.
One of our objectives is leadership, and what better way to work on that then through self development with Public Speaking. It seems that each year, there was a list of topics they could pick from, and then deliver in a speech contest. Below is the speech that Mr. Hall gave during the District 6 Convention.
Topic Sentence:
Active International in order to succeed in its conquest for permanent growth and expansion needs a powerful secret weapon.
Body:
If Active Club is to achieve its deserved place in the orbit of other great international service clubs, we had better stop right here and now and analyze our present position and design a plan to ensure that we arrive at our destination.
The course we are now following is apparent. The stronger clubs are increasing our membership by chartering new clubs, but the weaker clubs are offsetting this growth by losing members faster than their big brothers can charter. Now the conclusion to this cycle is obvious. But this need not be.
No solvent establishment sets its sights on a single period, but rather aims at the horizon of the years ahead. That is why I suggest that the International resolve itself to a long range, three-year plan.
The first (1) year dedicated to the bolstering of the membership of the existing clubs.
The second (2) to the exploiting of the service and welfare to the communities of those same existing clubs.
The third (3) to the expanding of Active International to the far corners of our unlimited boundaries.
Now let’s take a look at these yearly plans separately. First, I say we must strengthen our existing clubs. From the reports I have seen there are very few clubs that have such enormous memberships that it renders them unwieldy. But rather I would say that the truth is just about the opposite. If we are to succeed in adding more stories to our International edifice, it might be wise to check our foundations first. Some of it may be in need of repairs by now.
A leaning tower of Active Clubs, might provide a curious interest to a touring prospective member but to what purpose could it serve him? Once we are sure that we have our foundations in good order, and enough reinforcing steel, the sky’s the limit.
Now after we have accomplished our first goal we can turn confidently to the next. The purpose of the 2nd year is to harness this new-found energy and direct it to the main objectives for the welfare of its community and the progress of its members. The staging of local and international welfare projects will sink our roots deeper in those same existing communities. Then and only after we have accomplished our first 2 goals do we turn our sights to the expanding of ideas to the new surrounding communities.
Then we shall find that with this added manpower and new-born energy we can and will charter bigger and stronger clubs. For if we build carefully, slowly, and painstakingly we will have found our secret weapon for success.
Then in the using of this modern weapon in these modern times, we will no longer just be ACTIVE but radioactive. And in a correct, logical sequence we shall set off a contagious chain reaction, that will discharge a perpetual energy in forms of enthusiasm, progress, and goodwill.
And we shall let the “Geiger counters” of public opinion, our own progress, growth and expansion be the measurer of our success.
I thank you.
(Thank you to the family of Keith H Hall for the donated items).
You can read about his life here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/fair-oaks-ca/keith-hall-5358104
This photo was included in the email; Herbert Noel Worsham is the one on the left. The other two gentlemen are Tag Manning (middle) immediate past president for Southern California District, and Jimmy Walker, Orange Club president in 1953.
This is a historical first for Active 20-30. Presidents of two local clubs are husband and wife.
Past President of Healdsburg #205, California
Any offices you held/hold in 20-30?
Active 20-30 Club Historical Findings 