Duane Hicks
The Town of Fort Frances will be recognizing Canada’s 150th anniversary–and celebrating volunteerism at the same time–with special “Canada 150” pins.
Economic development consultant Tannis Drysdale told council Monday night that the town’s Economic Development Advisory Committee has been exploring ways to mark Canada’s sesquicentennial throughout the summer.
And one of them is to recognize volunteers.
“We’ve ordered 500 pins that are specially-made to represent the Canadian emblem for 150 years and then the ‘Town of Fort Frances’ underneath it,” Drysdale explained.
These pins will be awarded to citizens of all ages who have made contributions to the community.
The first 100 will be allocated to town volunteers on boards and committees, as well as notable individuals such as the first baby born in 2017, the oldest living citizen, and the “Citizen of the Year.”
But the majority of pins will be given to citizens of all ages, as determined by the public.
Drysdale said EDAC is proposing the first 150 pins be given away to residents under the age of 50.
“The conversation was that so often young people–in competition with those of us that are a little long in the tooth–don’t get the recognition that they well deserve [for their volunteerism],” she noted.
“So if you have 30 years of volunteerism, it’s hard to compete as an 18-year-old in the community.
“Yet it’s really that 18-, and 20-, and 33-year-old that are our future, and it’s their volunteerism that will carry us through the next 50 years,” Drysdale stressed.
“So we wanted to reserved a number of pins to recognize the next generation of Fort Frances and their very important contributions.”
The remaining 250 pins can be given to nominees over the age of 50.
Later this month, an electronic nomination process will be launched on the town’s website.
The nomination period will open May 23 and close on June 30, Drysdale told the Times.
The nomination form will require the proposed recipient’s name, age, contact information (phone and e-mail), and a one-line description of the proposed recipient’s contribution or good deeds to the community.
If the town gets more nominations than it has pins and some vetting is required, the list will be sent to the “Citizen of the Year” selection committee for review.
Awards will be presented in August, ideally during a ceremony at the new Rainy Lake Square, noted Drysdale, although some likely will be given out at the regularly-scheduled meetings of the town’s boards and committees.
“We think it would be a great way to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, as well as celebrate what’s great about Fort Frances,” Drysdale concluded.
Council approved of the “Canada 150” pin initiative.
“I like this idea because we don’t often get a chance to acknowledge our volunteers,” said Coun. Wendy Brunetta.
“I think it’s great.
“And I really like the idea of acknowledging those under 50, as well, for the reasons you said,” she told Drysdale.
