Volunteer of the Year

Great example (250 words or less)

The Mineralogy Group (M Group) is pleased to nominate Ira Lazarus for Volunteer of the Year. Over the past four months, Ira has played an integral role in M Group by spearheading several outreach and educational programs. Ira is a creative, motivated and enthusiastic volunteer who strives to share knowledge and enthusiasm about mineralogy with others in the community. While assisting in many different ways, from grant proposal writing to web design, Ira’s most significant contribution to M Group is the development and implementation of educational and mentorship programs for youth. As part of this, Ira developed educational pamphlets and interpretative signs, and compiled resources and information to distribute at key educational events. Ira also successfully paired half a dozen youth with mentors in their field of interest/expertise. Ira has made a real difference in the areas of public outreach and education. It is for these reasons that M Group believes Ira should be the successful recipient of Volunteer of the Year award.

Not-so-great example - too short & non-specific

Ira Lazarus has been nominated by M Group for Volunteer of the Year. Ira is originally from Ontario, but came to the Yukon seven years ago. Ira has two dogs, and enjoys being outside hiking or biking. Ira has been an active volunteer with M Group for four months.

Not-so-great example - too wordy

The Mineralogy Group (M Group) is pleased to nominate Ira Lazarus for Volunteer of the Year. M Group is an educational organization with a mandate to foster and deepen understanding, interest and enthusiasm of mineralogy in Yukon. It depends on the commitment of volunteers to exist. Ira is a new volunteer who began volunteer training in March and graduated nine months later in November. Our volunteer training calls for long-term commitment to the organization, over ten hours of training and a self-directed study course. Over the past four months, Ira has played an integral role in M Group by spearheading several outreach and educational programs. Ira is a creative, motivated and enthusiastic volunteer who strives to share knowledge and enthusiasm about mineralogy with others in the community. Ira now holds a position on the board as Outreach Coordinator. As Outreach Coordinator, Ira redesigned the M Group website, and boosted its social media presence. In addition, Ira contributed to M Group outreach by developing and implementing educational and mentorship programs for youth. As part of this, Ira developed educational pamphlets and interpretative signs, and compiled resources and information to distribute at key educational events. Ira also successfully paired half a dozen youth with mentors in their field of interest/expertise. Along with coordinating outreach, Ira has worked to increase volunteer membership, and helped with fundraising for M Group. This included writing grant proposals, organizing raffles and soliciting support from various community businesses. Through tireless work, impressive technical skills, generous nature and pervasive sense of humour, Ira has made and continues to make, impressive contributions to our community as a volunteer. It is clear from all of the things listed above that Ira has made a real difference in the areas of outreach and education, as well as membership and fundraising. It is for these reasons that M Group believes Ira should be the successful recipient of Volunteer of the Year award.