The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
What does volunteerism in its highest form look like? According to the Valley’s nonprofits, it looks like the four community members who were nominated for the Volunteer of the Year Award given annually by the Community Foundation. Each year, nonprofits are invited to submit nominations for this prestigious award – given for outstanding service and volunteerism on behalf of a community organization. This year’s nominees included Suzanne Esty (Gunnison Assisted Living Center – Willows), Gerald Lain (Six Points), Ellen Osterling (Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum) and Jeff Walker (Partners). Being nominated in itself is an honor – each of the nominees is worthy of great applause and recognition. The 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Jeff Walker. As stated in the nomination letter from Tina McGuinness of Partners, “every day, people willingly give their time to serve their neighbors and their communities, exposing the generosity and compassion of volunteers. Jeff is one of those very special and active citizens, dedicating himself daily to making a positive difference in our world. He was commended for guiding the organization toward sustainability, building relationships and leading with purpose – guided by his heart, passion and compassion.”
The Board of the Community Foundation created a special award this year, to be given occasionally at Board discretion to a person for Illustrious Service to the Foundation. By acclamation, it was determined to give the very first award to Gail Digate. Gail became involved with the Foundation five years ago at the very beginning of the Civility Program when she came to the formative meetings and volunteered to help create the curriculum for the first sessions of that Initiative. She has become an integral part of all programs that have their roots in the Initiative, including training facilitators and the Board Development Series currently being offered by the Foundation. Her work with WSC, RE1J Schools, the Women’s Leadership Group, facilitating the Realtor-sponsored debate in the last election and her consultation with many other community nonprofits furthers the work of the Civility Program. Gail’s expertise on civil discourse and difficult conversations has helped inform the rhetoric in the valley. Pam Montgomery, Executive Director of the CFGV presented the award for Gail’s “unquenchable belief in civil dialogue as a way of being in community, her passionate vision of a valley of engaged, enlightened and informed citizens, her keen enthusiasm for helping others live beyond their expectations and into their possibilities and for hundreds upon hundreds of hours of expertise generously shared.”
For more information about the Foundation, visit them online at www.cfgv.org or call 641-8837.
