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PRESIDENT'S
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD REMARKS
MAY 18, 2005
Quick
Links:
Volunteers
of the Year, 2005:
Amy Corton
Ron Simon
Diane Voit
It is indeed a privilege to be able to pass out awards of distinction – after all, it is an easy thing to say nice things about nice people. But what is really important to note here is exactly how distinguished one has to be excel in an arena crowded with distinction.
When you are a volunteer – in a volunteer organization – it is truly remarkable to distinguish yourself among such a field. That is particularly true at Congregation Beth Israel, which not only survives on, but thrives on, the very best in volunteerism.
I have the extreme honor today of presenting the Volunteer of the Year Award to three people who are each so exemplary that they truly set the standard for volunteerism anywhere. It is noteworthy that all three are on the Board of Directors because it makes a statement, in and of itself, as to their level of personal commitment and length of volunteer service. They have each made service to Beth Israel a part of their work, in a holy and sacred way.
As I mention each person and their accomplishments, I want you to know that my comments about them reflect a summary of what was said about them by the people they have worked with closely – temple staff and other volunteers.
Amy Corton
The first Volunteer of the Year award goes to Amy Corton. Amy first arrived on the CBI volunteer scene in 1991 when her son Cameron joined the Beth Israel Babies class. As all earnest leaders do, she jumped right into the fray and started making a difference everywhere she turned. As her children grew, so did Amy’s involvement. There was a point in the history of Beth Israel Day School that it seemed that Amy was running the school – and very well I might add! The author of many surveys and strategies, she served BIDS so very well that she was soon tapped for service on the congregation’s Board of Directors. It really speaks to her well rounded approach and attitude that this hard working volunteer, who is trained as an attorney, was then asked to be the treasurer of the synagogue. There is truly nothing she can’t excel at!
In the words of our Chief Financial Officer, Bridget Weiss, "Amy is committed on several levels, not just in the financial arena. She walks the walk and talks the talk and she is always smiling! Honest, smart, dedicated, willing and such a joy to be around!"
Amy was an integral part of our Endowment Committee, the Dor L’Dor Society. As an expression of our strategic focus on endowments, we asked Amy to make a change from Treasurer to the newly created position of Vice President of Endowment. She willingly agreed and jumped right in. Her work helped set the standard for all the other 11 Jewish organizations participating in the Endowment Leadership Institute through the Jewish Community Foundation.
The plan that Amy wrote for Beth Israel became the model for others. Under her direction we have already met our goals for the first year and are poised to rise to even greater heights on a strategic level. Amy Corton is the kind of leader who helps our institution lead…
Amy please come and accept this well deserved award and our thanks for all you have done!
Ron Simon
Next I have the privilege of discussing Ron Simon.
Ron joined our Finance Committee and oh, so very quickly, distinguished himself by writing an extraordinary policy for investment and spending. He was soon asked to join the Board and bring his strong financial expertise to bear. He distinguished himself again so quickly. As one staff member said, "he is willing to ask the tough questions and make a case for what could potentially be an unpopular position."
Earlier this year, I asked Ron if he would consider becoming Treasurer of the Congregation. He asked if he could take a while to think about it – a few days later he agreed to become treasurer for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2005. The very next day he was pressed into service by the illness of the current Treasurer. He literally jumped right in and became the acting treasurer from that moment on. Few people that I have ever known can rise to an occasion like Ron did.
Ron’s leadership and dedication is so inspirational that it prompted our Executive Director, Stuart Simmons, to rewrite a part of the Haggadah.
As you know, in the Passover Seder when we say "Dayenu" it means "it would have been enough" as in that would have already been quite an accomplishment.
You can help complete this presentation to Ron by adding the word "Dayenu" to each of the following new lines in the script. I will signal you to add the word.
If he had only joined the Board … Dayenu!
If he had only been an integral part of the the Investment Committee … Dayenu
If he had only written our concise, well-stated spending policy … Dayenu!
If he had only stepped in to work on the budget preparations when the existing treasurer became ill … Dayenu!
If he had only spent countless extra hours at meetings with temple staff on financial matters … Dayenu!
If he had only agreed to become the next treasurer … Dayenu!
For all these things and more … Dayenu!
Ron, please come and accept this well deserved award and our thanks for all you have done.
Diane Voit
Diane Voit is truly a fixture at Congregation Beth Israel. She has distinguished herself in so many areas that it is really quite amazing. Diane is the kind of person who leads by example – she shows others how to do the right thing just by being there – not to mention the extraordinary leadership she brings to the table herself.
If this were the Academy Awards, we would note the huge supporting roles she has played in Women of Beth Israel, and the Rabbinic Search Committee (the movie versions of course!). By far and away though, her dedication and commitment to our schools places her in a leading role among all extraordinary volunteers.
Most of you have probably experienced trying to enter our campus and have been approached by Diane at the bottom of the grand staircase selling something to raise funds for our schools. There were times that I thought I would need to find an alternate entrance as I simply could not buy any more Passover candy, gift wrap, cookies, dinner tickets, walkathon sponsorships, art auction tickets and so many other things. I lovingly refer to her as our very own "personal shopper".
What is the most award winning category though is that Diane saw a need and filled it – by deed and example.
Dr. Harvey Raben describes her this way "Diane Voit has been a rock of support for Beth Israel Day School. Her work with the parent association has been stellar. She gets things done and has great ideas. She has re-established our art show auction into a fuller event. She coaxes and prods parents to be more involved by example and not only with words."
Diane please come up and accept your most deserved award and our thanks for all that you do.
Barbara Haworth
President, Congregation Beth Israel go to top
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