Presenting… THE TONI AWARD By Jean Duck
Reprinted from "Professional Speaking" magazine, monthly publication of the National Speakers Association.

1999 Phil Frankio, Speakers Guild, Inc: "Toni!
Congratulations and all my best wishes to you on the beginning of your second twenty years! You've been a great friend."


Toni & Jeanne


At the Opening Staff Session of the NSA Convention, attendees put stars on a timeline to indicate their length of service. Four years. Eight years. Ten. Then Toni Meredith walked up. Attending her 18th consecutive convention, Toni placed her star nearly off the charts.

"Toni Meredith is the perfect complement to Jeanne's (Robertson, CSP CPAE) work," says Janet Rittenhouse of McKinney Associates. "Her professionalism, loyalty, and genial nature surely have helped propel Jeanne to the top in speaking."

There may be a person within NSA, who has staff longevity over Toni, but I have searched - even asked through this column- and I can't find one. If there is one- discounting spouses- I dare say that individual hasn't served NSA like Toni. And I bet they haven't had as much fun in their work.

Here are just some of the highlights of the dynamic duo's relationship over the years.

60's: Toni and JR attend Auburn University at the same time. Jeanne doesn't recall Toni, but Toni remembers JR because, as she says, "She was so tall."

70's: JR & Toni both wind up living in Burlington, NC.

79: JR hires her first and only staff person. JR: "Four months after Toni began working for me, I went on the NSA Board. Toni asked, "Will this Board stuff take much time?" I said, "Nah, not much."

Joanne Van Hook (Orange County Speakers Bureau): "I wish I had someone to take care of me the way Toni takes care of Jeanne! Her love, admiration, and respect for Jeanne shines through the telephone every time I call. And I always appreciate Toni's thoroughness and quick response."

81: Toni's first NSA convention, JR: "I explained to Toni that she was not invited to Og Mandino's private party for the Board, but when I was ready to go, there was Toni dressed and waiting to depart. It was awkward. I again explained that she had not been invited. Wrong. Toni had spent the day by the pool next to 'the nice lady' who had invited her. When we arrived Betty Mandino's voice rang out, 'Toni you're here!' Toni's over-the-shoulder glance was priceless."

82: JR: Toni stayed up all night at the Chicago convention to help match mentees with mentors for the next day. She fell asleep at 4:30 A.M., but awoke when she fell out of her chair straight onto the floor. She dressed in a little M&M costume the next day but later announced, "My contract doesn't mention costumes." 

83: Toni helped Jeanne during her year as Convention Chair, planned the Staff Fair and helped with on-site registration at the convention.

84: First Employee Awards Banquet. JR: "These events are big deals with invitations going to about forty of Toni's friends. I announce each category (such as "Employee of the Year"), open the envelope, read the winner, and Toni parades forward to thunderous applause. She milks it. One year she also won the Employee Safety Award for calling the fire department when she discovered our house on fire."

85-86: JR is NSA President. Toni helps organize 19 receptions in the presidential suite, and repeatedly traipses with Jeanne's husband Jerry to grocery stores all over town. JR: "Toni did mounds of extra paperwork and telephoning, but even today what she talks about the most is 'cleaning up after those parties.'  I'm putting it nicely."

89: JR wins the Cavett, and her first book is published several months later. JR: "As the book deadline approached, Toni threatened to hit me in the head with the Cavett." 

Brian Palmer (National Speaker's Bureau):  "Nineteen years ago, when I was fresh out of college, Toni Meredith helped me understand the meaning of the word 'No'."

90: Toni coordinates speeches around parties for Jeanne's son, who is getting married, and sits with the family on the big day. At 5' 2", she is not mistaken as a family member.

91: JR chairs CPAE Selection Committee, giving Toni mounds of extra paperwork over the holidays. JR: In the middle of our two-person Christmas party, Toni looked at me and said, "Get off that committee." I knew she meant it.

93: Jeanne is to keynote the NSA convention. Tension levels soar to new heights in the office. Toni's in the front row when someone passes out. In the ensuing lull, Toni mouths to Jeanne on stage "Did you plan this?" 

94: Toni, Jeanne and their husbands go to Las Vegas for Toni's 15th anniversary "perk trip" just before Jeanne breaks the news that they are doing a staff program at the convention.

95: JR's second book, which is dedicated to Toni and compares her to Barney Fife, is published. JR: "That was a compliment, but I had to explain that to her." 

96: JR takes weeks off to be in a play. Toni organizes ticket sales and receptions surrounding the event. Toni quips: "If you take time off to mud wrestle, you're on your own." 

97: Toni attends NSA convention ten days before her daughter's huge wedding.

99: Toni's 20th anniversary! Toni, JR and their husbands go to Hawaii for a business retreat to plan the next 20 years.

Bernie Swain (Washington Speaker's Bureau): "Toni's a legend in the industry, and her reputation is based on integrity, honesty, and professionalism."

Toni has booked Jeanne for more than 2,000 speeches. Jeanne and Toni have survived the death of friends and family members; building and remodeling homes. Their offices have been located in utility rooms, corners of apartments and spare bedrooms. They've gone through sickness, heartaches and Auburn losing to Alabama. During this time, Jeanne served as NSA president, won the Cavett Award, published books, cut videos and received Toastmasters International's Golden Gavel Award. Jeanne says, "It's been fun.  I can't imagine the ride without her."