The 20th Anniversary Supper Club is a bit of a legend at Leadership Austin. A group of seven alumni have been meeting for dinner on the first Monday of every month for 20 years. Here, a remembrance from one of those alumni, Sandi Aitken Tomlinson (Essential 11 – 1990).
Sandi Tomlinson, Christopher Kennedy (Essential 16 – 1995), Cookie Ruiz (Essential 16 – 1995), Marianne Rochelle (Essential 13 – 1992), Mark Salmanson (Essential 12 – 1991), Joene Grissom (Essential 10 – 1989) and Eugene Sepulveda (Essential 9 – 1988).
Community of Leadership
When asked by the executive director of Leadership Austin to take the lead on a project, there’s only one correct answer: uh, yes! In early 1999, we were approached by both Lee Thomson and Polly Scallorn, the staff directors at Leadership Austin, to create a 20th birthday celebration for the organization. The ask went out to Board Chair Eugene Sepulveda, Joene Grissom, Sandi Aitken, Mark Salmanson, Marianne Rochelle, Cookie Ruiz and Christopher Kennedy.
We gathered for our first meeting in the lush courtyard of Fonda San Miguel with margaritas, queso and chips. Everyone knew each other casually but we had never worked together so our first focus was getting to know each other. We were given two event objectives: raise $30,000 to support Leadership Austin programs and develop a memorable event that could be replicated.
After much planning, we hosted a successful event for 200 attendees at the fairly new Four Seasons Hotel. We celebrated 20 individuals nominated by each of the Essential classes with IBM executive Leroy Wormley being named Outstanding Alumnus. Once the event was over, the seven of us had become trusted, fun-loving friends and no one wanted our cherished time together to end. We pivoted from party planning to hosting potluck dinners on the first Monday of every month. Our dinners provided a magical roundtable to discuss the important issues of 1999: the Columbine High School massacre, Bill Clinton’s impeachment trial, technology fears with the Y2K bug, the high cost of gasoline ($1.22/gallon) and Cher’s number one hit, “Believe”.
Two decades later, the gratitude we feel for Leadership Austin’s mission and purpose has multiplied. Our monthly dinner table discussions are as enchanting as ever, and many of the topics from 1999 linger on: school shootings, impeachment processes and technology security. Potluck planning is simplified and we rely on each other, knowing that more often than not it’s Eugene who brings the wine, Sandi prepares the salad, Marianne stirs up the soup, Cookie scoops the ice cream, Joene rocks the chicken and beans, Mark covers the appetizers and Christopher does the dishes. Showing up for each other is how we live – it’s essential and our choice.
Leadership Austin changed our lives. We have all served on the Leadership Austin Board of Directors. Eugene introduced me to his uncle Bob, who became my husband eight years ago. Marianne retired from IBM with a strong commitment to community. Mark is now a full-time community volunteer who does technology consulting to keep the lights on. Eugene launched the Entrepreneurs Foundation to partner with member companies in defining an innovative culture with community involvement. Joene’s multiple interests and involvement keep her invested in community, business and politics. Cookie raises the barre for dancers at Ballet Austin, and who would have figured one of us would one day be the CEO at Leadership Austin?
Today, Leadership Austin is as relevant and crucial as ever. We each joined Leadership Austin with an application and investment of a few dollars. Today we are a community invested in valuing diversity of thought on regional issues. Our strength is in our collaboration to work beyond our personal boundaries to open our hearts and minds for increased civic engagement. This small spin off potluck dinner group, dedicated to Leadership Austin, serves up meaningful and transformative conversations. Showing up at our potluck dinners, we understand the greatest dish we can bring is gratitude for our treasured friendships. These are the friends that are always there for us, appreciating the challenges, dishing up the truths and guidance needed for life’s journey.
This month we returned to Fonda San Miguel (an Austin tradition that is still open) and celebrated 20 years of friendship and 40 years of Leadership Austin. We toasted with mango margaritas (fewer today than the first time) but with much gratitude for the past and hope for the future. We also toasted that we met the original party objectives of raising $30,000 and establishing a signature event that today we all know as the Best Party Ever!
– Sandi Tomlinson
Thanks for sharing this incredible story, Sandi!
Save the date for Best Party Ever 2020 – Friday, May 29. More details coming in the new year!
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