Page 10 - Brandon Sun - 2018 Community Leader Awards

10 • COMMUNITY LEADER AWARDS 2018 THE BRANDON SUN • THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018

Award winners and supporters listen to a speaker during The Brandon Sun’s Community Leader Awards at the Victoria Inn on Wednesday evening. (Photos by Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)

What to look for in a leader

BY MATT GOERZEN
You don’t have to look very
hard for the leaders in your
community. They are the men
and women who take on the
burdens of ensuring
celebrations and events go
forward, who put on those
skates and coach a kids’
hockey team, or pick up that
piece of garbage lying in a
public park.
They are the folks who bake
pies for the community bake
sale fundraiser, put in time
setting up a stage for a local
festival, organize a community
fish fry, and do the heavy
lifting for an elderly neighbour
who needs their sidewalk
shoveled.
They take initiative. They
give back. And they take the
lead on a community project,
help foster team spirit and
energize their volunteers. They
are the ones who make our
communities worth living
within — our often unsung
heroes.
Last night, in our second
Community Leader Awards
event, we celebrated Westman
individuals who have made a
difference, either through their
leadership, or their humble
actions.
In this special awards
section, we have recounted the
efforts of 23 individuals who
fit the description of a
community leader. As part of
the process, our selection
committee ranked each leader
in their respective category — Mayor Rick Chrest speaks during the Community Leader Awards presentation at the Victoria Inn on Wednesday evening.
Coach, Teacher, Courage &
Bravery, Above & Beyond, to my mind, our award • They think ahead toward stewards — That hockey rink after the fact is a great way to well, and encourage their best.
Emergency Services, Service winners and finalists are the community’s future needs needs a campaign manager, ensure volunteers in the future It takes more work, perhaps,
Organization Volunteer, worthy of the recognition that — It’s not just the needs of the the cemetery lawn needs as well. but community leaders know
Youth Volunteer, Volunteer, has been bestowed upon them. here and now — or even those mowing, and the community • They make tomorrow’s that efficiency isn’t always as
Environmental Leader, As you read through the of next week — that are top park needs to be cleaned up. leaders possible — In addition important as being inclusive.
Community Builder, Seniors’ various articles written about of mind in those who deserve Our leaders take responsibility to finding new volunteers, • And lastly, they use talents
Advocate and an overall our community leader award the mantle of community for the welfare of the community leaders also look effectively — You just never
Community Leader of the winners and finalists, you may leader. They look toward community as a whole — its to help build up new leaders know who will step up to the
Year. notice some striking leaving a legacy of recreational facilities, its green for the future. Every plate to lend a hand — kids
And while they are all similarities between them — community building that can spaces, and the safety of its community needs a strong and teenagers, seniors, the
exceptional individuals, I note binding characteristics that last far longer than any one streets. pool of people to count on to able-bodied, and those
that we had a total of 57 define their actions, and the event, or even one lifetime. • They lend a hand when get things done. Having perhaps who aren’t so nimble
names put forward as part of purposes behind them. Here’s • They are accountable — needed — Leading by people ready to take on new but just want to be a part of
the nomination process — and what I see: Anyone who takes on the example often means just leadership duties is essential the team and have a role to
there are plenty more in our • They lead from beside — responsibility of organizing an asking “what can I do to for the continued success of play. A community leader uses
region who are just as A leader’s job is to work with event knows all too well that help?” and “where do you not only an event, but the what talents they have
deserving of being nominated. everyone in the community, the people of your community need me?” Stepping up to lend community itself. effectively, and play to their
And again, as last year, most and those who do it best work are the beneficiaries of your a hand is a sure way to inspire • They foster a strong team strengths and interests
of them don’t want shoulder to shoulder with actions — and they are also others to help. — You can’t do everything by wherever possible.
recognition. In many cases, it those under their command. the ones to whom you are • They get others on board yourself, no matter how To all of our noteworthy
was difficult for our scribes to Yes, the leader has to make accountable. Leadership is — Sometimes people just need talented you may be. It takes community leaders, we give
get nominees and award sometimes difficult decisions, more than how you conduct to be asked and supported in a village to raise a child, and you our thanks for stepping
winners to open up about but they must also live the yourself, or what orders you order to become volunteers. it also takes a strong up, and for caring about your
themselves. They believe that principles and practices of give, it’s about why you are Approach them and see if they community to make any event communities in so many
their work is built and what makes a good leader. Not volunteering or shouldering have time to give. You might or program successful. And to different ways.
solidified upon the actions and a top-down, “do as I say” that responsibility, and who be surprised at the answer. build a team, you have to
efforts of other men and approach, but rather by you are doing it for. And making sure people feel support individuals of that » mgoerzen@brandonsun.com
women in the community. Yet example. • They are community appreciated for their efforts team, motivate them to do » Twitter: @MattGoerzen