Serving the Eastern Townships English-speaking Community since 1979.
AN EVENING OF YOUTHFUL INITIATIVES, LEADERSHIP, FOND FAREWELLS AND ONGOING GROWTH
Georgeville June 4, 2010
The sleepy, picturesque town of Georgeville was the site of this year’s Townshippers’ Association’s Annual General Meeting and Awards Banquet. The evening showcased the works of young Townships’ artists, welcomed a new Executive Director, honoured the recipients of this year’s Young Townships Leaders and Outstanding Townshippers Awards, and gave special recognition to both its outgoing Executive Director and President.
Charming Studio Georgeville provided an inspiring venue to honour young Townships artists and conduct the Annual General Meeting. Youth Council co-presidents, Stacey Vaughan and Otus Paré awarded prizes to Emily Sylvester, Olivia Page, Emma Murrin and Julia Canzani. Their works from the “Townships P.I.” contest were on display alongside photos and texts from the “Color my region” photo contest.
Townshippers’ Association’s Vice President Gerry Cutting promptly called the Annual General meeting to order by welcoming the members of the Association, incoming Executive Director Ingrid Marini and special guests to the meeting.
Outgoing Executive Director, Rachel Garber, presented the Executive Director’s report and concluded by adding that “Again and again, decisions were taken that put the community’s well-being before that of the Association. I appreciated working with an organization with that sense of ethics.” She was greeted with a very heartfelt standing ovation from all in attendance.
The Awards Banquet took place just up the street at Murray Memorial Hall and, as in years past, CBC’s Tim Belford emceed the event. Belford invited Jim Kanner, Treasurer of Townshippers’ Association, to speak on behalf of the 2010 Danville Townshippers’ Day Organising Committee. Kanner spoke of the beautiful town of Danville and the group of hard-working volunteers there, and added, “come see the beautiful town they are celebrating - come one, come all - we need to see 10,000 people there.”
Following a generous meal and delicious dessert, Michael van Lierop, President of Townshippers’ Association, highlighted the significance of this year’s Awards Banquet saying, “This year marks the first intergenerational awards banquet.” He added “Young Townships Leaders are lifetime achievers too… they have years left to contribute and be outstanding.”
Kate Wisdom presented the first Outstanding Townshipper, Kelli-Ann Ferrigan. Reading from a text prepared by nominator Eve Denis, Kate said she “brings so many great ideas for Sutton Community and families. She is always willing to volunteer and we don’t know where she takes the time to always do it with her own three kids.”
Marg Logan presented Heather Keith as “an amazing lady who has left a mark on every community she has lived in.” Logan presented a long list of accomplishments and noted Keith’s dedicated service to Townshippers’ Association including two terms as President. On receiving the award from van Lierop and Nancy Robert, chair of the Community and Culture committee, Keith recalled her long-time commitment to Townshippers’ Association, beginning in 1979 when she was invited to be on the very first board of directors. Keith concluded by saying, “I have done some fabulous things and worked with some fabulous people, and I hope fabulous things will continue to happen to me.”
Heather Thompson introduced Mary Purkey by noting her work as an educator, and particularly her inspiring leadership as coordinator of the Humanities and International Studies Departments at Champlain College. Thompson drew attention to the influence Purkey has had on her students outside the classroom, as Thompson noted, “she has made it possible for students to see that one person can make a difference.”
Immediately following the presentation of the Outstanding Townshippers Awards, presentations were made and awards given to this year’s Young Townships Leaders.
Melanie Cutting presented Rachel Hunting, coordinator of the Lennoxville Youth Centre, as a “visionary member of our community whose greatest reward is seeing our youth grow and achieve.” Cutting described Hunting as the “ideal candidate for her youth, demonstration of leadership and commitment to the Townships, and Lennoxville in particular.”
Anik Dionne-Dubreuil reading from a prepared statement from nominator Shelley Jacklin, introduced Young Township Leaders Award recipient and Bury resident Melissa MacIver by saying, “Melissa is an essential volunteer for our community, and we are very fortunate to benefit from her giving heart.”
Louise Retchless, nominator for Patrick Wang, introduced him as a “charismatic and courageous leader, talented public speaker and excellent role model for his peers.” On accepting the award, Patrick said, “I am extremely honoured” and thanked his student council, his parents, “who always pushed me to take leadership roles” and friends, “who encouraged me in whatever I was doing, even if they called me an alien.”
At this point, Belford asked Gerry Cutting to come forward to present gifts of recognition to outgoing Townshippers’ President Michael van Lierop and Executive Director, Rachel Garber.
Cutting spoke of van Lierop’s role on the Board of Directors as being one of careful attention and innovation and added, “he played a key role in the positive evolution of the Association to its new intergenerational phase.”
Cutting then went on to describe outgoing Executive Director Rachel Garber as a person “who makes her life a formal commitment to a project, and her project was to bring Townshippers’ Association along.” Cutting remarked Garber “has the ability to be a little ahead of the pack, and at the same time can circle back and make sure everyone knew her support, her commitment and that she was there for everybody.”
Both were presented with paintings from local watercolour artist and 2009 Outstanding Townshipper, Denis Palmer.
It was a jam-packed evening of events for, from and about the young and not-so-young – an inclusive package from an embracing Association.