Here's the official Press Release:
The brightest stars are those that shine for the benefit of others and this week Halton's brightest stars were honoured for their work and commitment to the cause.
Thursday night saw Halton Voluntary Action host Halton's second Voluntary and Community Sector Awards Night. This celebration of everyone who voluntarily gives up their time and energy to improve the lives of people in Halton was attended by over 100 guests. Attendees had the exciting experience of selecting the winners of the awards on the night after watching short films on each of the nominated groups, projects or individuals. Guests also enjoyed presentations from Halton Voluntary Action as well the evening's sponsors; Halton Housing Trust and Connexions Greater Merseyside. The evening was completed with an emotionally charged speech by the Voluntary and Community sector Champion of the Year, Dee Graal of the Widnes & Runcorn Cancer Support Centre.
Comments received from guests after the event included:
"Last night was truly amazing - thoroughly enjoyed myself. Please pass my thanks on to all who worked on it."
"We at Halton Housing Trust really enjoyed ourselves on the night. A few of us were quite choked at points when watching the video clips, it really was a great production."
"I must say that last night was the best awards event I have ever attended. It was an honour and a privilege to be involved in such a worthwhile cause"
The nights award winners were:
Volunteer of the Year: Colin Egerton (Runcorn Scouts)
Connexions Young Volunteer of the Year: Daniel Baker (Halton Youth Action Team)
Best Business Support of the Year: Jennie Beechey and Widnes Asda
Halton Housing Trust award for the Project with the Biggest Impact: Halton Speak Out
Board Member of the Year: Matthew Roberts (Halton Access to Media)
Voluntary and Community Sector Champion of the Year: Dee Graal
For more information regarding the event please contact Matthew Roberts or Andy Guile at Halton Voluntary Action on 01928 592405 or aguile@haltonva.org.uk
For me personally, I was just relieved that all the slides played in the right order and that all the audio files worked correctly. The recipients of the Awards seemed truly delighted and if they enjoyed the night, then I think it was a triumph overall.
It was very strange (and embarrasing) to sit in a room full of people and listen to bits of me on the HVA Radio Show being played out. Still, it got a few laughs (especially the clips featuring Chris Carlin). A poor man's "Mark and Lard" (and proud of it).
I really hope that we can do the event again next year.
Did you enjoy this year's event?
Would you like to see another Voluntary & Community Sector Awards Night in 2010?
Please post below and let us know what you think.
Matthew Roberts
(01928 593118)
mroberts@haltonva.org.uk
7 comments:
Personally I find the thought of an awards evening distasteful. A celebration event is one thing, but to attempt to evaluate and reward someone for being the ‘best’ of the year I find belittling.
Volunteer’s time is precious and each minute is of the highest value. They give what their circumstances and means allows, be that a ‘lot’ or ‘little’. They serve generously as their talents and abilities permit.
I believe this event also sets the wrong tone for the relationship between volunteers and those who are supposed to serve them. The emphasis should be on listening, serving and supporting not evaluating, measuring and rewarding.
Volunteers serve people and causes they value and have chosen. Their reward comes from the satisfaction of working for a cause they value and their thanks come from the people they serve and the outcomes of their labours.
When an outside, non voluntary (or voluntary) organisation attempts to assess, evaluate and determine a reward for a volunteers endeavours it is sailing close to arrogance.
It would be far more beneficial to local communities if voluntary groups were listened to and served in simple and practical ways. Support and help being offered to strengthen and help the wellbeing of the groups work. All too often it appears help is provided to meet other people’s targets.
I suggest that a major weakness of initiatives to ‘improve’ volunteering is the urge to mould and shape volunteers into some preset model deemed desirable from on high. Far better to humbly listen to their concerns, understand their circumstances and provide appropriate support.
I attended the Awards night and thought it was a really great night. It was a real celebration of everyone involved - everyone got a certificate and the audience showed a great appreciation for all the nominees. I also thought it was a great touch that the audience voted for the winners - not some stuffy old panel of judges. The winners were all really pleased and proud - but everyone walked away with a certificate.
I thought the night placed a great emphasis on the value of volunteering - and the point was made loud and clear. It certainly made me think about how I might be able to give a little more of my time. Well done HVA and all the volunteers who attended.
Reply to annonymous.
Are you cazy? By your logic we should not award troops with medals as they are all brave so why single out a few. You obviously have an axe to grind, did you not get a certificate?
As for setting the wrong tone, you set the wrong tone in this blog. Your negative remarks have the sound of someone who is bitter.
What does this mean? "shape volunteers into some preset model deemed desirable from on high"
Can you give an example or are you just making this up as you go along.
I was at the event and felt that the HVA staff did a brilliant job, letting the nominees peers decide on the winners clearly removed any interference from 'on high'. So well done guys
It strikes me as ludicrous that somebody who claims to hold the voluntary sector in such high regard would begrudge our local volunteers a bit of recognition. I was at the awards night and felt the tone was perfectly judged. It also provided an opportunity for people from the private sector to talk about the work that they do for the local community, which in all fairness can sometimes be overlooked. Finally I think it’s a shame that somebody has already posted such a bitter and, in my opinion poorly considered, statement on what could have been an uplifting and positive stream of conversation.
Many thanks for the comments left so far.
I'm delighted to see some healthy debate, but please don't be rude to one another. Genuine worthwhile debate can quickly turn into pointless name calling and that's the last thing we want.
In my personal opinion, the Awards Night was a chance for Voluntary groups to say "thank you" to their volunteers, not an opportunity to pass judgement on their standard of volunteering. The recipients of Awards were nominated and voted for by their peers, HVA played no part in the process (even the 3 nominees in each category were selected by an outside agency) so accusations of arrogance from on high are unfair.
My Mum attended the event and said afterwards that she felt ashamed that she had never done any volunteering. She was inspired by one of the nominees for Volunteer of the Year (from Halton Women's Centre) and has now applied to be a volunteer within that organisation. That was the response we were after.
Keep the debate going....
I was very impressed with the Awards Evening - it was very well organised and planned (due to the hard work by the HVA staff) and I felt proud of the work that is done in the borough by the many voluntary organisations and the volunteers. Without these 'events', much of the hard work goes unnoticed and it is a good way of recognising everyone's efforts and achievements. Personally I would love to see another Awards Evening in 2010.
Eula Hersey
Age Concern Mid Mersey
Do any of us really know how much time, effort and exceptional work volunteers put into our community - I don't think so.
From your comments 'Anon' you dont think that this extremely valued and rewarding act of generosity should be recognised? Should they just 'serve' their purpose and remain unsung - I think not.
It is people like you that think moulding & shaping is done in board rooms and office buildings - what a lot of these organisations need is more support from the community it works in - a lot of the time the only way to do this is to stand up and SHOUT - Hey, we are here and we do this.
To be awarded 'best' of the year, as you put it, is not a snub at other hard working volunteers - it is a show of support and respect for the invaluable work these fantastic people do.
I know just how much hard work and effort from all the staff at HVA went into making this a night of celebration, and i'm sure all the volunteers present had a fantastic evening - regardless of awards or not.
I do hope you are proud of the work you do in the community 'Anon' and hope someday you get the rewrd you deserve!
Post a Comment