newsclips june 2015
2014 Insurance Bureau of Canada Community Award in Memory of Mary Knowles Recipient Recognized Pamela Steel epitomizes volunteerism. She is a familiar face within Muskoka, working as regional news editor for three newspapers; the Gravenhurst Banner, Bracebridge Examiner and Huntsville Forester. She frequently attends fundraisers and events throughout the district, and is constantly giving her time and effort to better the lives of others. At the top of her volunteer contributions is the Community YWCA of Muskoka. Pamela serves as President of the organization and strongly believes in fostering positive change for women and girls. Her focus is on poverty, social isolation particularly for seniors and rural women, and violence against women. She encourages board participation, drives the strategic vision and spearheads numerous fundraising activities and events, including a Lake Muskoka Cruise. She recently participated on a panel during the YWCA of Canada Young Women’s National Leadership Summit and spoke to 120 young women. Some of the additional contributions Pamela has made include seven years as Chair of the Utterson Community Club Soccer League and four years as board member of Muskoka Family Focus, a charitable organization supporting the needs of all families with young children. In addition she has helped raise money for the Kelly Shires Breast Cancer Snow Run Gala and participated in the Wasan Island Smart and Caring Community Symposium last year. She also recently joined students as a We Day chaperone and attended a conference for community leaders hosted by the Muskoka Community Foundation. After learning about the financial struggles of the Gravenhurst Supper Club, an organization providing meals to those less fortunate, Pamela was quick to help. She rallied support of the community newspapers and managed to solicit enough contributions for the club to continue with its efforts. Pamela is an industry leader and community role model, which is why the Ontario Community Newspapers Foundation (OCNF) is proud to recognize her with the 2014 Insurance Bureau of Canada Community Award in Memory of Mary Knowles. Pamela (pictured far left) received her award from Doug DeRabbie, Director, Government Relations, Insurance Bureau of Canada and members of Mary’s family, Doris Traplin and Brenda and Ed Bogdanski during the BNC Award Gala held on Friday, May 22 at the Toronto Sheraton Centre Hotel. The Award is coordinated by the OCNF, with generous support of the Insurance Bureau of Canada. Together, we are committed to recognizing dedicated newspaper employees who are constantly making a difference within their communities. Mary Knowles was a dedicated newspaper employee and active community member who died from breast cancer in 1996. Congratulations to Pamela and all of the nominees for showing strong leadership and connections to your communities.
What’s Inside:
ocna is on the move! Please update your records with the association’s new address.
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spouses and family business Make it or break it?
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handling people issues Companies that don’t deal with people issues could lose employees.
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June 2015 monthly publication of the Ontario1 Community Newspapers Association www.ocna.org