Japanese American National Museum Presents Miki Tanimura Outstanding Volunteer Award To Buddy Takata At Recognition Dinner

The 2000 Miki Tanimura Outstanding Volunteer Award was presented to Buddy Takata at the Japanese American National Museum’s annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner & Awards Presentation on Friday, April 6 in the George and Sakaye Aratani Central Hall of the National Museum’s Pavilion.

The Miki Tanimura Outstanding Volunteer Award was established by the National Museum to honor one volunteer each year who made an exceptional contribution to the Museum.

“The Museum is so fortunate to have such a multi-talented volunteer in its ranks,” said Mary Karatsu, the 1999 recipient of the Tanimura Award, during her presentation to Takata. “He does not seek any personal recognition—everything he does is for the betterment of the Museum—and is willing to do any job that needs to be done—from clerical to outreach programs.”

Takata began volunteering at the National Museum in 1988 after retiring from Hughes Aircraft as Corporate Director of Training and Development. He joined the Museum staff in 1992 as the Director of Administration. After serving in this position until 1996, he decided to retire to become a volunteer once again. He was on the committee that developed the Museum’s Practices and Procedures Manual, and now serves as chair of the newly formed Docent Committee and as a member of the President’s Volunteer Circle.

“I was very flattered and honored to receive the award,” said Takata after the recognition dinner. “I just want to share the award with all my fellow volunteers because without their support and cooperation, I don’t think I would have ever received the award. I’m really grateful to all my volunteers, the staff, and the National Museum for this honor.”

Takata also described Miki Tanimura, the Museum’s first head of the volunteer department who passed away in 1992—and who this award is named for—as compassionate and “interested in all volunteers.” He also reflected on how Tanimura inspired and influenced him greatly.

“I worked with Miki as a volunteer. She taught me a lot about what a quality volunteer program is. It’s about focusing on needs of the museum and not to bring personal agendas to work,” Takata said. “She always said to strive for excellence.”

Five other awards were presented to volunteers by Museum staff during the recognition dinner.

The Program Award, which recognizes outstanding service or achievement in Collections, Public Programs, the Hirasaki National Resource Center, Docent Program, or Education, was awarded to Babe Karasawa and Kathryn Madara. Associate Curator Sojin Kim and Assistant Director of Education Claudia Sobral were the presenters.

The recipients of the Administration Award, which recognizes outstanding service or achievement in the Museum Stores, Visitor Services, Facilities, or as Staff Support, were Ann Masuda and Marge Wada. Deputy Director Ed Prohaska and Assistant Deputy Director John Katagi were the presenters.

The Community Outreach Award, celebrating outstanding leadership and achievement in Community Outreach, Special Events, or Speakers Bureau, was given to Hideo and June Honma. Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, Carol Komatsuka, presented the award.

The Museum Family Spirit Award, in honor of outstanding service and innovative contributions that exemplify the Museum Family Spirit, was presented to Ray and Suzie Miyamoto by Vice President of Development Susan Redfield.

The Lois Padilla Student Award, for outstanding service and innovative contributions to the Museum by a student, was awarded to Mariko Tu and Todd Sato. Elman Padilla, husband of the late Lois Padilla, and Mike Kaneshiro, Volunteer and Docent Program Assistant, were the presenters.

Mary Karatsu and Kirby Tanimura, son of Miki Tanimura, presented the Miki Tanimura Award to Takata.

Volunteers at the National Museum participate in all aspects of the Museum’s operation. Volunteers find themselves in a personally rewarding atmosphere of art and historical exhibits, lectures, arts & crafts classes, musical and stage performances, film and video screenings, panel discussions, field trips, food fairs, and much more.

For more information on the Japanese American National Museum, please call 213.625.0414.