KAGAWONG—The Township of Billings will honour those who make a difference in the community.
The volunteer appreciation committee has received support from council.
“This is a very good thing to develop. We have so many good volunteers in the community,” said Councillor Michael Hunt.
The community volunteer appreciation committee had put forward a request to council to allocate $2,000 towards a volunteer recognition ceremony.
Mayor Bryan Barker explained, “the township has a new volunteer recognition committee, and the committee terms of reference were adopted by council at their October 7 council meeting. The committee has since started meeting and has an initial proposal for council to consider.”
“The committee is looking to host a recognition event in mid-December,” continued Mayor Barker. “Preliminary planning includes a wine and cheese type event for approximately 100 attendees. Along with the volunteer recognition event would be the firefighter and employee service recognition.”
Veronique Dion, CAO/clerk of Billings pointed out the committee request of $2,000 is for preparation of the event, the preparation of a plaque and recognition items for the volunteer award recipients.
The volunteer recognition categories include: arts and culture. Awarded for their valuable contribution to the development, support, preservation or promotion of culture, music, visual, performing or literary art; outstanding community group award for their outstanding voluntary contribution to the well-being of the community; senior volunteer-awarded to individuals over the age of 60 who demonstrate a true commitment to the community and their volunteer work; youth volunteer-awarded to an individual 21 years of age and under who demonstrates a true commitment to the community and their volunteer work; historical pillar of the community-for an individual who has supported, and has brought recognition of the community through their efforts over the course of a lifetime; mayor’s volunteer service-awarded for exemplary behaviour, and contributions to enhance or improve the community and the lives of residents within it.
Ms. Dion explained the committee chose the seven volunteer recognition categories this year and will be advertising in The Manitoulin Expositor for nominations from members of the public. She pointed out the committee will next meet on November 12 to consider all the nominations and are tentatively looking at December 12 for the awards recognition event to take place.
Council approved the request from the committee.
In a social media post the township wrote, “if you know someone from Billings that merits formal recognition for their volunteer work in any of these categories, please send in their name and a short outline of why you feel they deserve the award. Nominations will be accepted until November 11, and can be sent to the Township at deputyclerk@billingstwp.ca or in person or by mail at 15 Old Mill Road, Kagawong, Ontario POP IJO.
