The City Club of Eugene will present its annual Turtle Awards, honoring community members and organizations that stick their necks out for the common good, at its meeting Friday, May 29.

The meeting begins at noon at the WOW Hall, 291 W. Eighth Ave. Club meetings are open to the public and free to attend.

The club typically combines its annual meeting with its Turtle Awards, meant to honor people and organizations that foster creative problem-solving in Eugene public affairs, stimulate constructive action, forge cooperative relationships and honor diverse perspectives. Since 1991, the club has honored 69 people and one organization.

Winners are chosen by the Turtle Committee, which includes all the living previous Turtle honorees. 

This year’s winners are:

  • Black Thistle Street Aid, an integrative team of volunteer medical practitioners, herbalists and advocates providing access to free health care through direct outreach and pop-up clinics to people experiencing homelessness.
  • Jenny Jonak, attorney and Eugene School District 4J board member.
  • Michael McShane, chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon.
  • Jennifer Scurlock, a former 4J teacher who is now chair of the state Board of Education.

New Turtles receive small cast-iron turtle statues engraved with “2026 Turtle Award, City Club of Eugene.”

Friday’s program will be livestreamed on the club’s YouTube channel. Club meetings are rebroadcast Mondays at 7 p.m. on KLCC, 89.7 FM, and are available later on the club’s podcast.