When I as thinking about how to start the introduction of this years Jan White award recipient the word graceful came to my mind and when I asked another VWIB member for input that was the word that she used as well. When she is asked to take care of something there is no question it will get done in a professional, no drama kind of way, I know VWIB presidents she has served with greatly appreciated having such a reliable person to count on. We have all seen her step in and take on tasks without looking for anything in return. I have admired the thoughtful consideration she gives an issue, looking at things from all sides, I would imagine this perspective has also been appreciated by the many other groups in our community to whome she has lent her knowledge and talents in her quiet understated way. It wasn't a surprise that when her husband was asked what traits he admired in his wife his comments were, hardworking, caring and dedicated to her family.
This busy mother of two has been the Director of Advertising for Vernon Winter Carnival, served on the Parent Advisory Counsel for Kal Secondary School, volunteered for home and away events with the Freestyle skiing association and she is the only female director on the board of the Vernon Golf and Country Club. When her husband took on the positions of chair of the Rotary Dream Auction and treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce he didn't do this alone, she was there assisting him all the way. You have to admire a person who, after 12 years as part of a corporate team, took the leap to start a new profession as a financial advisor, not a leap to be taken lightly in these economic times.
Membership and directory committees work hand in hand, as membership chair she updated the electronic sharing of data between the two. A valuable part of the benefits of being a member of VWIB is our directory, Jan White was a driving force behind creating the directory. How fitting that one of the most significant contributions from this years recipient is the incredible job she did as last years directory chair moving the creation of the directory into the technology age making it much easier to put out a quality directory. She has already put out the call for bids for next years directory to include a project manager which will ensure the directory will again be successful for 2010/2011. She just would not allow the directory to fail and along with this years committee continued to be a driving force even as she was serving as vice-president and on the WOY committee. VWIB was established by and has existed due to the amazing group of women who have made up the membership now and in previsous years, Colleen has certainly left her mark in the relatively short time she has been a member and I'm certain she is not done yet!
Please join me in congratulating Colleen Barker as recipient of the Jan White award for 2009/2010.
Written by Colleen McDonald
