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A Tribute to the Exceptional Leadership of Helen Bridge
Submitted by Art Larson
Chabot College
It is with great pleasure that I, as the co-founder of the Chabot
Association of Retired Employees, write this Tribute to recognize,
commemorate and honor Helen Bridge for her exceptional leadership
and many contributions to C.A.R.E., the Chabot-Las Positas
Association of Retired Employees.
As I have observed the organization as it has represented and served
the retired employees for over a quarter of a century, I have seen
how dependent the success of the organization is upon the leadership
role of the President. Helen Bridge has served as one the most
effective, successful, influential and respected Presidents in the
organization's history. She was elected to the Presidency for four
terms during which time she led the organization through some of the
most difficult and challenging times in its history.
Helen brought to the Presidency a unique background: She came to
Chabot as a student and graduated with an AA Degree; she transferred
to California State University Hayward where she earned her BA and
MA Degrees; she returned to Chabot as an English Instructor; she
became Chair of the Language Arts Division; was elected to serve on
the Faculty Senate. She was awarded the Reed L. Buffington Faculty
Award, the most prestigious honor a faculty member can receive.
Helen served a number of times on a W.A.S.C. Accreditation Team. She
retired from the District in 1997.
As a retiree, Helen became a member of C.A.R.E. She was committed to
C.A.R.E. and its objectives and accepted a position on the Board of
Directors where she first served as newsletter editor. She assumed
the Presidency of the Board for the year 2006 and was reelected to
that position for three more calendar years: 2007, 2008 and 2010.
Helen brought to C.A.R.E. a background of experience, service and
relationships that was recognized and respected by the District
Board of Trustees, the District and College Administrators, the
members of the classified and certificated staffs, and by the
membership of C.A.R.E. She brought innate leadership skills to the
presidency. Helen delegated responsibility to the members of the
Board and led them to be creative, innovative and involved. She
never missed an opportunity to represent C.A.R.E. at various
District functions. She created a new wave of interest in the
organization, and during her tenure the number of retirees taking
active roles on the Board and attending the annual reunion has grown
remarkably. Helen continues to serve the organization as a member of
the Board of Directors.
Helen has left a legacy without equal having served the Presidency
of C.A.R.E longer than any other person. No outgoing President has
ever left the organization in as fine a condition as has Helen
Bridge.
A legacy without equal.
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