On June 8, 2011, communicators, marketers, public relations professionals and business professionals got together to award those in the Ottawa communications and creative design community. The International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Ottawa chapter hosted the 2011 Excel Awards program to promote winners in a variety of ways to professionals across the National Capital Region, including publication on IABC’s website, and inviting local media to the Excel Awards Gala.
Communications and creative design organizations across Ottawa submitted their best work. A group of selected judges then evaluated each submission and gave it a value. The awards with high values won an IABC Award.
IABC Ottawa also encouraged students to submit their best work. So, I submitted a news release in the student writing category. I submitted a news release I had written for Kevin Frost, Ottawa’s own deaf-blind speed skater. My news release promoted a man trying to promote Paralympic speed skaters. Kevin’s goal is for speed skating to be recognized as a Paralympic sport by 2014. You can follow his adventures on his blog.
At the Excel Awards Gala, the student division was the first to be announced. I was overjoyed to hear I had won an Award of Merit for the news release I had submitted.
As a casually started to make my big exit off the stage, Alan Neal, the host of the event, asked me to stay on stage. Confused, but delighted to hang out in front of the crowd, I patiently waited while Andrea Petruzella read my biography.
To my surprise, once Andrea had finished reading my biography she turned to me and presented me with the Rick Green Award.
Every year, one student is award the Rick Green Award. Rick Green was an IABC member for 25 years. He served on the board for 12 years, during which he was president twice. He also served on the district board of IABC and even on the international level where he served as part of the accreditation committee.
Mr. Green liked to get things done, he loved to get people involved, and he believed in volunteerism. He left behind a vast legacy that you should always be developing yourself and expanding your horizon.
The Rick Green award not only honors the legacy of this great man, but it was developed to encourage young people to take leadership roles very early in their career.
The award is given to one student a year who:
- excels in their studies of communications;
- shows their interest and commitment to volunteering; and,
- is determined to make a difference.
Check out this video explaining the Rick Green Award, produced by r+d creative.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3yHls0jC68&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3]
I cannot explain how honored I am to be the recipient of this prestigious IABC award. I vow to uphold it’s honor and value by continuing my volunteerism with Kevin Frost and IABC Ottawa, as well as always strive to expand my horizon and be a leader in the communications industry.
I want to thank IABC Ottawa for presenting me with the Award.
I want to also thank my teacher and mentor, Stephen Heckbert, for believing in me from the moment I stepped foot in my frist class room at Algonquin College.
I want to thank my parents for always believing in me. And to my partner, Alain, who supported me through the happy and stressful times.
And finally to all my friends, family and coworkers who contributed to the knowledge and confidence I have today.
To learn about IABC Ottawa or to become a member, visit their website.
To learn about Kevin Frost, follow his blog.