May McKenzie, Mayne Islander of the Year 2018
Those Mayne Islanders who filled the Mayne Island School Gymnasium for Lions Charter Night on November 17th, 2018, will recall not merely the collaborative culinary skills of a number of Mayne Island Lions and "Friends of Lions" including Salmon a la Don McDougall and the delicious roast beef, the excellent entertainment from the Rufus Rockhead musical group and the camaraderie shared by a full house with very gracious commentaries by the MC Alan Guy and others, including Allen Slade and Brian Crumblehume . Alan Guy was recognized by President Allan Slade for his lions activities and has been appointed as a permanent Vice-President to mentor and provide liaison to incoming lions and future executives. Brian provided a very powerful review of what we lions do on this rock we call home.
As is customary for every Charter Night it is our privilege as a Lions Club to seek nominations for individuals (singles and couples) who have provided outstanding services to our community to be chosen as "The Mayne Islander of the Year". 2018 was no exception with a number of excellent nominations brought forward. As usual, this is a difficult call but this year our chosen Mayne Islander of the year became very obviously the right choice as Dave Chase introduced May with the following remarks:
Mayne Islander of the Year - 2018
It will come as no surprise to know that once again, we have had several wonderful nominations for this year’s Mayne Islander of the Year award. Besides making this a difficult task each year, it also recognizes that the chosen one is standing shoulder to shoulder with many terrific contributors to the great community we value and enjoy.
Our 2018 recipient arrived on Mayne in the late 1970’s. With two young children, this person was a school volunteer and also a relief bus driver. This connection to education expanded to the whole district when she became a school trustee, only retiring after 25 years of service this year. She was first elected as a school trustee in 1993 and was chairperson for 20 years. During this time, she was the Continuing Education Coordinator for the island from 1989 to 1991, helping students complete their high school education. Her ability to bridge the mandates of the Ministry of Education with the needs of the Gulf Islands’ students was always in the forefront of her actions. Much of this was quietly achieved by her listening to all concerns with patience and understanding, and a willingness to make the best decision for the situation.
She founded the Mayne Island Little Theatre in 1981 and was directly involved in 45 of 54 productions in the first 25 years. She enjoyed participating in plays by acting, directing, producing, building up props and supplies, sewing curtains and costumes and attending workshops to improve her skills.
2018 was her 13th year as the Coordinator of Volunteers with the Mayne Island Assisted Living Society (MIALS). She built the program from the ground up. In 2005, she was asked to develop a program using volunteers to assist seniors to be able to remain in their homes as long as they wanted to. She produced a report of the needs and wants of policing, health care and community facilities use. This program has matured to involving many volunteers putting in well over 2800 hours this year helping the community.
Please join me in honouring her 40 years helping build this community.
May McKenzie!
Those Mayne Islanders who filled the Mayne Island School Gymnasium for Lions Charter Night on November 17th, 2018, will recall not merely the collaborative culinary skills of a number of Mayne Island Lions and "Friends of Lions" including Salmon a la Don McDougall and the delicious roast beef, the excellent entertainment from the Rufus Rockhead musical group and the camaraderie shared by a full house with very gracious commentaries by the MC Alan Guy and others, including Allen Slade and Brian Crumblehume . Alan Guy was recognized by President Allan Slade for his lions activities and has been appointed as a permanent Vice-President to mentor and provide liaison to incoming lions and future executives. Brian provided a very powerful review of what we lions do on this rock we call home.
As is customary for every Charter Night it is our privilege as a Lions Club to seek nominations for individuals (singles and couples) who have provided outstanding services to our community to be chosen as "The Mayne Islander of the Year". 2018 was no exception with a number of excellent nominations brought forward. As usual, this is a difficult call but this year our chosen Mayne Islander of the year became very obviously the right choice as Dave Chase introduced May with the following remarks:
Mayne Islander of the Year - 2018
It will come as no surprise to know that once again, we have had several wonderful nominations for this year’s Mayne Islander of the Year award. Besides making this a difficult task each year, it also recognizes that the chosen one is standing shoulder to shoulder with many terrific contributors to the great community we value and enjoy.
Our 2018 recipient arrived on Mayne in the late 1970’s. With two young children, this person was a school volunteer and also a relief bus driver. This connection to education expanded to the whole district when she became a school trustee, only retiring after 25 years of service this year. She was first elected as a school trustee in 1993 and was chairperson for 20 years. During this time, she was the Continuing Education Coordinator for the island from 1989 to 1991, helping students complete their high school education. Her ability to bridge the mandates of the Ministry of Education with the needs of the Gulf Islands’ students was always in the forefront of her actions. Much of this was quietly achieved by her listening to all concerns with patience and understanding, and a willingness to make the best decision for the situation.
She founded the Mayne Island Little Theatre in 1981 and was directly involved in 45 of 54 productions in the first 25 years. She enjoyed participating in plays by acting, directing, producing, building up props and supplies, sewing curtains and costumes and attending workshops to improve her skills.
2018 was her 13th year as the Coordinator of Volunteers with the Mayne Island Assisted Living Society (MIALS). She built the program from the ground up. In 2005, she was asked to develop a program using volunteers to assist seniors to be able to remain in their homes as long as they wanted to. She produced a report of the needs and wants of policing, health care and community facilities use. This program has matured to involving many volunteers putting in well over 2800 hours this year helping the community.
Please join me in honouring her 40 years helping build this community.
May McKenzie!
by Dave Chase
www.mayneislandlionsclub.org
www.mayneislandlionsclub.org
