Sandi Mende Award

Sandi Mende founded the Pleasanton Mothers Club in October 1992. Each year, in honor of Sandi Mende, the PMC recognizes a member who has made an impact on the club through her contribution of ideas, teamwork, or volunteer efforts on specific projects or events. The Sandi Mende Award acknowledges a PMC member who has "gone above and beyond" for our club. The nominated moms exemplify the enthusiasm, initiative, and consideration, concern and care for fellow moms that Sandi Mende did in founding our club. Members currently serving in a board position are exempt from being nominated.

2010 Sandi Mende Award Ceremony – February 16, 2010

Congratulations to Faith Fowler, this year's Sandi Mende Award Recipient!

We would like to congratulate all of the following outstanding PMC moms who were nominated for the Sandi Mende Award:

Faith Fowler:

• Faith is the kind of person who just goes above and beyond the call of duty for everyone, all the time. I am in book club and playgroup with Faith, and she is always the first one to open up her home to us for functions, who offers to host baby showers and going away parties, brings snacks to every playgroup, and makes a meal when someone needs it. Faith is simply just constantly thinking of how she can help her fellow PMC members. Faith is truly there for her friends, and that's why she deserves this award.
• I am nominating Faith for this award because she has made a significant impact on so many members of this club. She has served on the Board in a number of positions: co-director, historian, new membership, playgroup coordinator and currently bookclub coordinator. In these roles, she hosts many PMC events at her home. She has also provided meals for the in-a-pinch programme for about 4 years. These contributions alone are significant but Faith still finds the time to help her friends in other ways, especially in times of crisis. She will offer to drive, look after the kids, cook you a meal etc. Faith really goes 'above and beyond' and is very deserving of the Sandi Mende Award.
• In-a-Pinch meals, book club coordinator, playgroup coordinator and all-around good person. She's been involved with the board and is a former co-director. I can't think of anyone who more perfectly embodies the teamwork, volunteer efforts and "above and beyond" qualifications of the Sandi Mende Award.
• Faith has served on the PMC board for several years in positions like playgroup co-ordinator and membership co-ordinator. Faith has graciously hosted a lot of PMC events at her house, above and beyond call of duty from Book Club meetings to new member socials to board meetings. Faith has always done 110% when PMC members asked for help
  
• There are few people I've met in the PMC who are as involved as Faith. Regularly taking on responsibility through various roles in the club, Faith continues to help PMC stay valuable. Her personality helps attract people to her, but her wits keep them interested and coming back for more. I'm constantly amazed at how hard she has worked for new membership, the book club, playgroups, and even forming moms-nights-out to keep us all sane. The bottom line is, I am thankful for her work which is why I nominate her for the Sandi Mende Award. Without her, I might not have drawn the full value from this group.
• Faith has served on the PMC board for several years in positions like playgroup coordinator and membership coordinator. She was my co-director in 2007-2008. But that is not the reason for this nomination today, Faith is actively involved in PMC. Faith has graciously hosted a lot of PMC events at her house, Above and beyond call of duty from Book Club meetings to new member socials to board meetings. Faith has always done 110% when PMC members asked for help. Another reason I want to Nominate Faith is because she has made In-A-Pinch meals for the last 3-4 years and she puts a lot of thought into every meal she makes. Anyone who has received a meal from Faith knows. Faith is the Book-Club co-ordinator for 2 years and she also co-ordinates both the playgroups she is part of. On a more personal note, I tore a ligament in my ankle earlier this year and was not able to drive for a few weeks. Faith showed up at the door and took us all out so my kids could play. She made us lunch at her place and drove us back home. She kept this up till I was better and able to drive again. That's the kind of friend Faith is and I wanted to recognize that. I am sure there is other PMC members who think so too. :)
• Faith has been a part of PMC for a few years and has been involved in many aspects. In addition to having held Board positions, Faith has provided numerous In-A-Pinch meals. She goes all out in preparing something fantastic, and has done it for many, many moms. Faith goes beyond this to constantly offer or just show up with something she's made when someone she knows personally is sick or has just had a baby. She is generous and helpful, and a strong supporter of her friends. She's always ready to listen or give advice to a fellow mom, and she's usually ready with a good story to make people laugh. Faith would do anything she could for a fellow mom and friend, and many women of PMC have benefitted from her generosity and kindness.

Michelle Flanagan:

Michelle has helped out at many events, volunteering her time and energy to help make something successful. I don't think she's ever held a Board position, but she is the kind of PMC member that quietly steps up to contribute to the success of a project. Her volunteer efforts have supported many events and endeavors of PMC, and she should be acknowledged for her readiness to help out.

Audrey Gillette:

I don't personally know Audrey, but her name stuck to my mind when one of our fellow PMC members sent a desperate note to the chat asking for help. I, like many responded to her and did what I could. Audrey, not only did the same, but she rolled up her sleeves and put a small group together and organized us to help this woman in need. I know Audrey has served in the Board in past years, I also see her in the volunteers list for IAP meals. Plus she is always in the chat being useful responding to people with questions.

Recognition also goes to Patience Ofodu and Kim Rice-Masek. Due to their Board member status, neither were allowed to be nominated but each were recognized by a fellow mom for their efforts.

We are very honored to congratulate this year’s winner, Faith Fowler! Congratulations to her and to all of this year’s nominees. Each of you brings a special quality to the Pleasanton Mothers Club and we are grateful for your thoughtfulness and generosity.

Previous Sandi Mende Award Recipients include:

• 1994 Sandi Mende
• 1995 Zareen Babu
• 1996 Ellen Williams
• 1997 Christy Doherty
• 1998 Karen Eisenberger
• 1999 Gina Landis
• 2000 Evie Clausen
• 2001 Beth Hager Green
• 2002 Heather Brillhart
• 2003 Patty Powers
• 2004 Stephanie Becker
• 2005 Beth Green
• 2006 Jodie Hitchen
• 2007 Jeri Ann May
• 2008 Jennifer Montague
• 2009 Yogini Parkhi
• 2010 Faith Fowler