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Qualicum Beach man to advise on Canada’s Volunteer Awards

Longtime volunteer Andy Telfer appointed to national advisory committee
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Qualicum Beach resident and longtime volunteer Andy Telfer will be helping to decide who the recipients of Canada’s Volunteer Awards will be this year. — Submitted by Andy Telfer

A Qualicum Beach resident will be helping to decide on the most worthy candidates for Canada’s Volunteer Awards.

Andy Telfer will be one of 13 national advisory committee members helping to pick the award winners.

With winners to be announced in November, 21 awards will be given out: four in Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, the Prairies, B.C. and the northern region, as well as awards for those ages 18 to 30, community leaders, business leaders and more, according to the awards website.

The one national award is the Thérèse Casgrain Lifelong Achievement Award, which is generally for those who have volunteered for at least 20 years.

“It is an honour to be chosen to represent British Columbia on this national committee,” said Telfer, a long-time volunteer himself.

Working in the not-for-profit sector since 1990, he’s a founding member of the West End Recycling Connection, the Vancouver Island Opera, Our Community Bikes and the Better Environmentally Sound Transportation Society.

He’s also a former volunteer co-ordinator for the Society of Organized Services (SOS).

“I look forward to learning from distinguished colleagues from across Canada who are also on the National Advisory Committee,” said Telfer. “I trust that my experience working with many volunteers in several non-profit societies will help me make good decisions when grading the nominees.”

Though the call for award nominees is closed, Telfer encourages people to nominate important volunteers that deserve some recognition when nominations open again for next year’s awards.

For more information, go to www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/volunteer-awards.html.

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