|
|
« Leadership is the ability to translate your vision into reality. Successful leadership is inspiring others to contribute to the achievement of that vision »
|
At the Association’s 2017 Annual Members Meeting Volunteer Recognition Dinner in June, stories were shared honouring our exceptional volunteers for their commitment and dedication to the Association, its members and its overall mission and vision, as well as to their communities. And the award goes to....
National Awards for Individual Excellence
Pat Jarrett, former president of Winnipeg and District Branch, was awarded the Claude Edwards Leadership Award. Ms. Jarrett has been described as a “natural leader,” a “go-to” person who can be counted on to provide thoughtful, thorough and insightful feedback. Some highlights of her contributions:
- With Pat’s leadership, her branch was one of the first to complete the branch by-laws and have them approved.
- She implemented a mentorship and succession planning program at her branch to ensure that key positions always had a backup.
- She revised the format of the annual regional conference to include a learning component to support the development of board members for the whole region.
- She was a strong advocate for the inclusion of the President’s Forum at the AMM.
- She implemented many strategies focused on recruitment and engagement of new members.
Ms. Jarrett also was asked to take part in the Volunteer Engagement Advisory Committee and the Risk Committee, which developed an enterprise risk management plan.
Serge Boisseau of the Quebec branch received the Collaboration Award. After Quebec introduced medically assisted dying legislation, Mr. Boisseau and the Quebec branch organized a free public conference featuring experts explaining the legislation. Mr. Boisseau, branch communications director Yves Bouchard and Nicole Laveau, our representative at the Quebec City roundtable, asked 30 other partner associations from each table to publish the conference details in their newsletters.
By all accounts, the conference was a resounding success. It raised the Association’s profile, received tremendous feedback and encouraged more retirees to consider becoming Association members.
Shirley Tolhurst, member and volunteer with the Nova Scotia Central branch, received theVolunteerism Award. Ms. Tolhurst is a long-serving volunteer for many organizations, including the Heart and Stroke Foundation (27 years), the Girl Guides of Canada (55 years), the Lawrencetown Volunteer Firefighters Ladies Auxiliary (40 years), the Dartmouth Seniors’ Club (nine years) and Findlay’s Seniors’ Club. In recognition of her work with the Heart and Stroke Foundation, Shirley was honoured with an Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2011 in a ceremony hosted at the Lieutenant Governor’s residence in Halifax. Ms. Tolhurst also was awarded the Girl Guide Nova Scotia Mayflower Award, the highest award that can be presented at the provincial level.
Ms. Tolhurst began volunteering with our Association in 1998. Over the last 19 years, her responsibilities have steadily increased from general office management duties to being elected to the branch board in 2009, where she currently serves.
Awards for Branch Excellence
The Central Okanagan Branch received the Advocacy Award. The branch, with two other organizations, sponsored an all-candidates meeting before the 2016 federal election. The sold-out event attracted 325 participants and raised awareness on key issues and the candidates’ positions, while exposing the community to the work of the National Association of Federal Retirees. The branch also partnered with the Canadian Medical Association to hold a series of town halls in Kelowna, B.C., on the new health accord.
The Membership Recruitment and Engagement Award went to the Avalon-Burin Peninsula Branch. The branch has maintained a proactive approach to recruitment and retention of members and has achieved a high level of success. The drive to find new members included:
- a major effort by the branch’s Recruitment Committee to identify and contact potential members, followed by personal telephone calls, which yielded 50 new members;
- advertisements at local radio stations, “coffee matters” flyers posted free of charge;
- partnering with organizations such as Safety Services and the Canadian Hard of Hearing Association, which has led to some very well-attended meetings;
- the establishment of four committees to promote recruitment and retention — Communications, Information Technology, Members Services and Recruitment and Retention.
The Winnipeg & District Branch received the Volunteer Support and Development Award. The branch has a strong volunteer recruitment and succession plan in place for the board, ensuring the branch has a committed board of directors at all times.
The branch invests considerable energy in volunteer training and orientation. In May of each year, a day-and-a-half orientation/team-building workshop is held for board members to introduce them to the national strategic plan and solicit their input in developing the branch strategic plan. The branch also hosts an annual learning conference for volunteers that helps foster engagement and retention; the theme for 2016 conference was Building Bridges Between Branches.
Honourable Mention and a President's Commendation
The Winnipeg and District Branch was recognized for all of its efforts in recruiting and engaging current and potential members. From participating in community activities to facilitating pre-retirement sessions and delivering Second Career Assistance Network (SCAN) sessions, its valiant efforts have yielded growth in its membership.