The Citizen of the Year celebration
The Citizen of the Year event is Whistler's longest running celebration - since 1969. The honour is awarded once a year to an outstanding community member who contributes significant volunteer time to enhancing the quality of life in Whistler.
The event is an opportunity for us to celebrate the contributions of our many volunteers - the backbone of our community.
This year six community members have been nominated for the award. Although there is only one winner each year, it is the collective contribution of all volunteers that make Whistler a wonderful community.
Leading up to this year's event on Nov. 6, Pique is partnering with the Community Foundation of Whistler to acknowledge the contributions of two nominees per week.
Name: Patrick McCurdy
Time in Whistler: 25 years
Snapshot of Volunteer Contributions:
• Rotary Club - Past Director, member 1988-present
• Whistler Sailing Club - Founding President and Director, member 2008-present
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Whistler, mentor/member, 2007-present
• Whistler Valley Tennis Society, member, 2006-2010
• WORCA, member, 2005-present
• One Whistler, past chair, member 1996-2006
• Tourism Whistler - Past Director, member 1987-present
• Chamber of Commerce - member 1986-1998
• Whistler 2020, member Visitor Experience, Economic Task Force, 2000-present
• Whistler Community Concert Band - member & summer coordinator, 2009-present
• Tapley's Neighbourhood Christmas Carolers - coordinator, 2006-present
"Through his involvement with a variety of non-profit organizations, Patrick has provided passion, leadership and vision that has touched the community in a positive, lasting and impactful way. Patrick's continued mantra of 'service before self' (from Rotary) has contributed value to many service clubs and business associations in our community. His management skills have assisted several of these organizations to run more efficiently so that they may attain and maintain their vision. Patrick has literally invested hundreds of volunteer hours to the great benefit of many Whistlerites." - Tom Horler, Nominator
Name: Joan Richoz
Time in Whistler: 30+ years
Snapshot of Volunteer Contributions:
• Whistler Arts Council
• Whistler Public Library
• Sea-to-Sky Radio Society
• One Whistler Business Group
• Assembly of BC Arts Councils
• Association of BC Library Directors
• Maurice Young Millennium Place
• Whistler 2020 Learning Task Force
• Whistler Learning Communities Committee
• Public Library Services Branch, Distance Education Committee
• Myrtle Philip Community School
• Whistler Secondary School
"Joan has been active for over thirty years in our district. I have known her for all those years and seen her respond to the needs, which were many, in a newly formed community. She has been the leading volunteer, innovator, implementer, and mentor of art and culture in Whistler. This has provided positive and lasting impact in our community. Through those years and to present day, Joan has given and still gives generously her time, expertise and full commitment to whatever she undertakes." - Florence Petersen, Nominator
"The fact that she was at the table for the very first meeting of the Arts Council, subsequently offered to sit on its first board of directors and then stayed the course for 26 years is testament alone to her commitment and tenacity, her remarkable resourcefulness and her diplomatic skills in engaging others to make dreams come true." - Doti Niedermayer, nomination letter of support
The Event:
This year's celebration will take place on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2010 in partnership with the Whistler Arts Council's "Our Whistler: Celebrating Our Stories" event at Millennium Place.
All past winners of the Citizen of the Year award, 2010 nominees and all members of the community are invited to enjoy an intimate evening of storytelling, tapas-style fare, live art and entertainment and silent and live auctions. Cuisine prepared by executive chefs from the Fairmont Whistler, Nita Lake Lodge, the Mix, Players Chophouse and Quattro.
Tickets are $100 each and could be purchased through the Whistler Arts Council. A $50 charitable tax receipt will be issued per purchased ticket.
