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Introducing the 2004/2005 Making A Difference Award Winners
by Katherine Romain, Making A Difference Awards Chairperson
On behalf of the Making a Difference Awards (MADA) Committee, thank you to everyone who had a hand in putting together the 2005 MBC Annual General Meeting and Conference. Mattawa was a beautiful and relaxing setting. It’s wonderful to connect with familiar faces and meet some new ones. Thanks for all your hard work!
This year, the MADA Committee consisted of Katherine Romain from Durham Region POMBA; Darlene Nagy, Debbie Ralph and Nancy Young both from Newmarket POMBA, and Lynn Stadler from Guelph POTTA.
The Making a Difference Awards (or “MADA” as they are affectionately referred to) was created in 1999 in memory of our founder, Sheryl McInnes. MBC’s mission statement is to improve the quality of life for multiple birth individuals and their families in Canada. The awards were established to acknowledge those individuals who exemplify this statement. An award is presented in three separate categories: local, national and international. Each member of MBC had the opportunity to nominate an individual deserving of this distinction. We would like to thank everyone who sent in nominations and would to encourage those who didn’t to do so next year. There are so many wonderful volunteers in this organization who deserve to be recognized for their hard work-we encourage each of you to take the time to nominate someone!
It is an honour to be part of a national organization with so many amazing women. As our lives become busier and busier, volunteering tends to be one of the first casualties. But volunteering not only helps others, it is also food for our souls. It is a way to give back to those who need our support, but it is also a way to receive new friendships and achieve the feeling of doing something selfless and good. We encourage everyone to think about volunteering in their local chapters and with MBC at the national level. Many hands make light the work!
International Category:
Pat Malmstrom is the 2005 MADA winner in the International Category. Pat has served on MBC’s Advisory Board for many years and was the keynote speaker at the 2001 AGM and Conference in Niagara Falls. Serving as director of the International Society for Twin Studies’ Council of Multiple Birth Organizations (“COMBO”), Pat was the catalyst behind COMBO publishing the Declaration of Rights and Statement of Needs document over 10 years ago. She is also the Director and main author of ‘Twin Services’ a Twin Care Handout Collection which is a lifeline for parents throughout the U.S. She is also the co-writer of The Art of Parenting Twins. Pat is off to New Zealand this year as a keynote speaker at a multiples conference.
Pat is an internationally-known advocate for the improved care of multiples and their families who served as a mentor to Sheryl McInnes, MBC’s founder. Spanning over 25 years, Pat has always shared important resources with MBC and provided ongoing encouragement for MBC’s advocacy work. Pat has earned the monecher as a foremost authority on multiple birth development and care. Congratulations Pat and thanks for all your hard work!
Pat’s comments:
Dear Multiple Births Canada,
That MBC has honored me with its Making A Difference Award delights me! POMBA’s 1978 convention in Winnipeg was the first multiple births event I ever attended. There, POMBA founder, Sheryl McInnes, gave me a terrific boost of encouragement to go ahead with my idea for Twin Services.
During the years since, I have had the privilege of working with many wonderful POMBA folks toward our mutual goal of developing resources and information for families rearing multiples. Now, POMBA’s evolution into the collaborative network of professional and volunteer resources called Multiple Births Canada culminates a dream many of us have shared – and blazes a trail for other countries to follow.
I accept this commendation with particular gratitude for POMBA’s and MBC’s support and encouragement all these years.
Sincerely, Pat Malmstrom
National Category:
The winner in the National Category is someone who has touched the lives of everyone in this room in one way or another. Her tireless work with MBC knows no limits. She is the kind of person who never looses her cool and is always there to help in any way she can. What does her nominator say about her? “Simply put, she’s Multiple Births Canada’s #1 asset. Her heart and enthusiasm for the work that she does shines through no matter how difficult a day she is having. She is very supportive, positive, willing to listen and offer kind suggestions when needed. As a personal friend or as a friend of MBC, you can find no better! This person is truly an inspiration.”
The winner of this year’s National MADA award is Vicki Riley. Vicki was shocked because she orders the plaques for the winners and her name was not on the original plaque! Thanks to Kim Weatherall and Gail Moore, as well as some tricky detective work, the surprise worked!!
Vicki has been with MBC for over five years and began as the Business Office Manager three years ago. Vicki goes above and beyond the hourly duties set out for her position. She also takes on a number of other responsibilities not directly covered through the Office Manager position.
In addition to all her work with MBC at the national level, Vicki is still very involved with her local chapter in Barrie. She is the mom of monozygotic twin boys, Nick and Pat, and daughter Sydney. She also volunteers with her sons’ hockey team. A common saying around MBC is “I am not sure about that, but I bet if you ask Vicki, she will know, she knows everything!”
Vicki’s comments:
Well, you guys really got me! What a surprise! Thank you so much for this special honour. It is a pleasure to work with such strong, committed women at both the national and local levels. The teams I work with give me the encouragement and motivation I need to continue to try to make a difference in the lives of multiple-birth families in Canada, day-by-day. It has been truly inspirational these past few years and the National Multiple Births Awareness Day event has really drawn our chapters, members and families together for a united cause. I can feel the difference… you have all made a difference. Thank you very much to those who took the time to nominate me for this special award.
With multiple thanks, Vicki
Local Category:
We received several fantastic nominations but one consisted of an unbelievable 5-page letter filled with glowing praise for our local winner. Mira Chan is the president of the Vancouver Chapter. She joined the executive when her special development needs twins were less than a year old and while she was working part-time. What does her nominator say “totally on top of things, sensitive to the needs of the members, creative and innovative, a contagious enthusiasm and flexibility when faced with obstacles.” In her spare time she has started a company called “Fun in a Box” which develops creative learning and play activities for strengthening a child’s developmental skills. Mira, along with her executive, has been able to meet the challenges of offering services and approaches to address the diverse ethno-cultural background of Vancouver-Burnaby. Mira is the initial contact with expectant families and is committed to ensuring that all members receive the latest information from Health Canada and MBC. She is also a liaison for health professionals in the Vancouver Area and has linked up with other chapters and groups in the area to share activities. Mira holds a number of positions in the Vancouver Chapter and is very involved in almost every aspect of the club’s activities. As the committee members read this letter, we were in awe of the selfless devotion Mira brings to her club. We are proud to present Mira with the award in the Local Category. Congratulations to you Mira!
Mira’s comments:
I feel very honoured that the Vancouver Twins and More Club team and I were recognized this year for our efforts. Even with everyone’s varying schedules, responsibilities and lifestyles, our executives and volunteers have committed to developing a cohesive and thriving Club. Special thanks to Linda Leonard, UBC’s Multiple Birth Specialist, who continues to offer her time and positive spirit to the Club. Her volunteer commitment in supporting our multiple birth families not only legitimizes Vancouver Twins and More Club but offers me personal motivation and energy.
Thank you, Multiple Births Canada, for this esteemed award!
With much appreciation, Mira Chan
This year, the committee unanimously voted to present a honourable mention award in the local category. This person has held the positions of newsletter editor, president and past president as well as running numerous programs in the local chapter. She dedicated many hours to revitalizing existing programs and creating new ones within her Chapter and is now volunteering at the national level by helping all chapters across Canada. One nominator said that she did the job of president so well that when she stepped down it took 2 people to fill her shoes! Another nominator states “I have not witnessed one person give more of themselves and of their time in serving others as this individual has done over the years and continues to do.” For these as well as many other reasons, it is with great pleasure that we present the honourable mention in the local category to Nicole Fisher of Kitchener-Waterloo POMBA.
Nicole’s comments:
I am a bit embarrassed but quite honoured by this attention. The kind sentiments my nominees have expressed in recommending me for the Local Making A Difference Award have moved me to tears. Quite simply, it is an honour to give back the assistance and care that was given to me when I first joined K-W POMBA. This volunteering has in fact led to several of my best friendships. It’s not out of a sense of obligation, but rather, it is the joy of serving other families of multiples in my various volunteer roles that has motivated me. Thank you for the acknowledgment of my volunteering; it is my hope that it is making a difference to others.
Nicole
Winners and Nominees:
Pat Malmstrom, Vicki Riley and Mira Chan all received engraved plaques. All MADA nominees in attendance were presented with an MBC pin as a token of thanks for their hard work.
- International: Pat Malmstrom and Bonnie Schultz (past-MBC President and past MBC Office Manager);
- National: Vicki Riley and Shelly Blizzard-Jones (MBC Representative Liaison, past-Clothing Sale Updates, Friendship Awards);
- Local: Mira Chan, Nicole Fisher, Melody Parent (K-W POMBA), Sarah Seed (Chatham-Kent MBA and Karen Derochie (Multiples Are Us-Sault Ste Marie MBA).
Those not able to make the ceremony had their pins mailed to them.
We would once again like to congratulate everyone for their hard work and dedication. Please take a moment next year to nominate someone. We all have strengths and together we can all make a difference.
Katherine Romain is the Vice President of Durham Region POMBA. Katherine
and her husband Rodney are the proud parents of 6 year old fraternal
twins Charlotte and Samantha and 4 year old James. The Romains reside
in Whitby, Ontario.
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Volunteer Opportunities
