executive director’s message

Our Award of Merit goes by a new name

ince 1975, the CIQS has bestowed to two members the CIQS Award of Merit in recognition of their many years of devoted services to the CIQS.

The current guidelines for the CIQS Award of Merit are as follows: • The nominations are made by the affiliated associations. • There are no restrictions in respect of geography. • No more than two per year may receive the award. • The decision is by ballot by previous recipients. • The element of secrecy has been removed and the recipients will be notified so they can hopefully attend

the AGM and receive the medal in person. • The recipient must be a member in good standing with the CIQS. The first two Awards were presented in 1975 to the founding members, Gordon Pattison and Frank Heylar. Since that time, Frank and Gordon presented the Awards of Merit each year at our Annual General Meetings. When Frank passed away, Gordon kept everyone guessing who won the award by providing tidbits of information about the member without revealing the name until the very end. Clive Evans, Past President and 1987 Award of Merit winner, has continued the ritual by presenting the Awards when Gordon’s health failed and he was no longer able to attend our meetings.

In recognition and in memory of Gordon Pattison, CIQS Council at their September meeting passed a motion to rename the CIQS Award of Merit to the Gordon Pattison Award of Merit.

In addition to renaming the award, the guidelines will be changed effective 2012 so that no more than one award per year will be given (rather than the traditional two per year) in order to raise the profile of the award.

If you feel a member is worthy of this prestigious award please contact your affiliated association.

lois Metcalfe, ciqs executive director