Nomination Deadline Extended for Chamber Volunteer of Year Award

Effingham County Chamber of Commerce President Norma Lansing has announced the Chamber Office is accepting nominations for this year’s Volunteer of the Year Award.

The Volunteer of the Year Award, which is a new award introduced last year, will be awarded at the Annual Business Recognition Gala to be held Jan. 17. Nominees can be an individual, a couple, family or group.

“Our community has so many wonderful volunteers who put a lot of time and energy into local projects and events, and this award recognizes those efforts,” said Lansing. “We all know of someone who goes above and beyond to make a difference through volunteer work, and we ask that you nominate those folks for this award.”

Nominees will be considered on criteria including:

·         Volunteer Activities – Impact on the Effingham County community

·         Time Frame – Must have volunteered from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 of 2014

·         Type of Service – Committees, events, leadership roles, etc.

·         Length of Service – Years of service

·         Level of Commitment – Amount of time committed and involvement in service

·         Impact on Community – Lasting improvements, positive changes

·         Obstacles – Challenges the volunteer had to overcome

A complete list of nomination rules can be picked up at the Chamber Office or found on the Chamber’s website at www.effinghamchamber.org.

The due date for nominations has been extended to 5 p.m. Dec. 29 and can be submitted by: emailing nlansing@effinghamcountychamber.com;  faxing to (217) 342-­4228; or mailing to Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, 903  N.  Keller Dr., Effingham,  IL.

Last year’s Volunteer of the Year, Ron Mietzner, was the first to be recognized with the award. Mietzner volunteers in several community organizations and events including: chairing the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events; volunteering as a team leader for Serve Now, Serve Together service events; and serving on the boards of the Effingham Child Development Center and Effingham Park District.  

If you have any questions regarding the contest, contact the Chamber Office at  (217) 342-4147.