The Maple Leaf Award is the highest honor the United Ostomy Association of Canada can bestow on one of its members or associates. The award is presented annually to an eligible individual, at the annual Conference, who has performed the most outstanding volunteer service for the organization. The award can be presented to any member at any level of the organization with the exception of the current Executive and Board of Directors.
The award consists of a large glass maple leaf with an engraved base. Jim gets a small replica to keep as well as a gold maple leaf lapel pin.
Following is the presentation given by Di Bracken, Past President of UOAC.
�It gives me great pleasure to present this award on behalf of Ron Bartlett, (the Maple Leaf Award winner of last year), the Maple Leaf Award to this year�s recipient. The Maple Leaf Award is the most prestigious award of the association and is presented to the person who has gone out of his or her way to help fellow ostomates and promote the work of the association.
Our recipient this year has done a great deal to help fellow ostomates whenever or whatever the need arises. This ostomate is the founder of the local chapter and has been its president since its inception. Not only does this president write a monthly article in the newsletter, but also drops off the newsletter to the printer, then collects it for distribution. When it comes to monthly meetings, the president not only organizes the meeting, but arranges for the speakers, prepares the agenda and organizes the refreshments.
This president, on an annual basis, arranges for chapter funding for candidates to attend the youth camp. In addition to the annual funding, this year, this person arranged for the chapter to donate to this particular fund. Our person is also supportive of our sister organization, FOW and assists in th packing and shipping of ostomy supplies.
Our president is particularly keen in the public awareness arena and is always ready to man information sharing booths and was most active in the celebrations around World Ostomy Day.
Our person, although not a member of the District Services team, has organized a satellite chapter and when two of the chapters in the surrounding area were in difficulty, this person kept members of both chapters in the UOAC ostomy fold by taking members into his chapter.
This past year, we have evidence of his boundless energy at the national level as he has assumed the tremendous responsibility of Conference Chair for the 2001 Conference here in Richmond.
Jim, for your tremendous devotion to ostomates wherever they may be, we salute you. Ladies and gentlemen, please recognize with me, the recipient this year of the Maple Leaf Award, Mr. Jim DeGeer.�
