We truly enjoyed celebrating our 100th year anniversary with over 1,100 Pioneers November 2 – 5, 2011 at the Westin Waterfront in Boston, MA.
Several attendees asked for some of the information and links that were shared during the meeting – we have tried to capture that here. For those that were not able to join us, the following highlights the event. Enjoy!
history exhibit
As part of the Pioneers Centennial Celebration and Annual Meeting this year, we showcased an exhibit that highlighted historical achievements of the 100-year span of the volunteer network. This exhibit celebrated the long and impactful history of the organization. Each moment on display demonstrated the three tenets of the Pioneers triangle -- Fellowship, Loyalty and Service -- that have guided the Pioneers throughout their 100 years as they relate to how the Pioneers’ efforts have ignited change through history.
annual meeting
Awards
Celebrating Excellence – 2009-2011 Pioneers Award Winners
We would like to highlight the Chapter of Excellence & Chairman’s Award. The Chairman’s Award is given to the highest scoring Chapter of Excellence application. This year, the winner of both awards was the BellAliant Pioneers – Newfoundland and Labrador Chapter. Congratulations to all of our winners!
Library of Congress Proclamation
John Brown, Head of Engineering, Library of Congress presented the Pioneers with a proclamation stating the following:
A proclamation in honor of the Pioneers, from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress
Whereas, the Pioneers have been “answering the call of those in need” for one hundred years; and
Whereas, talented and dedicated Pioneers volunteers have repaired more than 3.6 million audiobook machines for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) since 1960, keeping books talking for blind and physically handicapped people in their communities; and
Whereas, Pioneers volunteers have saved United States taxpayers an estimated $216,000,000; and
Whereas, Pioneers’ work with state and local libraries for the blind and physically handicapped keeps them in close contact with patrons, providing valuable feedback to NLS; and
Whereas, Pioneers generously share their knowledge about talking-book machine repair through the Fully Charged newsletter;
Now, therefore, the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped congratulates the Pioneers on their 100th birthday and express its gratitude and its pride in being your partner in the Talking-Book Repair Program.
Signed by Ruth Scovill, Acting Director and Robert Fistick, Deputy Director
Dated, November 3, 2011
centennial celebration
Community Service – Food Backpack Project
As we began to plan our 100th year celebration, the idea of a North American-wide centennial project was raised by Pioneers volunteer leadership and members. Pioneers came together and decided to address the issue of hunger in our local communities. This initiative built on Pioneers’ long and strong history in this area, while tackling a pressing need in inner city, suburban, and rural communities. In September, Pioneers hosted one of the largest volunteer efforts in its history as a way to celebrate our organization’s 100 years of service, volunteerism and philanthropy. The goal of Pioneers Dish It Up: Feeding Families Healthy Food, held September 11-25, 2011, was to collect healthier food for people across the U.S. and Canada who face the daily challenge of feeding themselves and their family. Pioneers participated in a wide variety of events including packing boxes at food banks, serving at soup kitchens, collecting food and raising money. As a result of Pioneers efforts, over 874,000 meals were collected or served to people who struggle to put food on the table.
For our Centennial Meeting community service project, we filled bags with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food for the Greater Boston Food Bank to deliver to 7,500 at-risk children so they have food on the weekends. Not only was it the Greater Boston Food Banks largest project, but the largest we’ve done at an Annual Meeting as well!
We encourage you to take what you learned during Dish It Up and the Centennial project and pay it forward with your local food bank.
Pay it Forward:
- Create awareness. Spread what you’ve learned to your friends. You can do this by sharing the videos through Facebook or email.
- Research hunger. Most of us are on the internet several times a day performing searches. Learning more about hunger by visiting local or national hunger sites will provide you with more facts you can share as you continue to engage others in this cause.
- Create a buzz by sharing your ideas. Let others know what you’ve found out and how you’ve impacted your community. Post pictures, stories, thoughts, etc. to our Facebook page.
Feeding Hope Video
Greater Boston Food Bank’s Backpack Video
Points of Light – Daily Point of Light Award
The Daily Point of Light Award honors individuals and groups creating meaningful change in communities across America. Each weekday, one volunteer or volunteer effort is recognized with the Daily Point of Light Award. In commemoration and recognition of the Pioneers’ 100 years of service, the Pioneers organization was awarded with the Daily Point of Light on November 2, 2011. This award was presented on November 5 during the Centennial Celebration by Patrice Kegan, Executive Director of Boston Cares, Points of Light.
Volunteering in the 21st Century
This speaker symposium explored the changing roles of volunteers. The panelists included:
Donna Cupelo, Region President – New England, Verizon
Patrice Kegan, Executive Director of Boston Cares, Points of Light
Maya Enista Smith, Chief Executive Officer, Mobilize.org
Maura Quinn, Manager, Corporate University Relations, Liberty Mutual Group
Michael Sears, VP, Canadian Pioneers
Resources
http://ncoc.net/HeartOfTheNation
http://www.cramerfundraising.com/NewsModule25/NewsUploads/MD11_Report1.pdf
http://www.spark.com/
http://pewresearch.org/millennials/
Sponsor Group Painting
During the symposium, our sponsor groups were recognized for their commitment to and support of Pioneering. Each sponsor group received a painting reflecting 100 years of Pioneering and our close relationship to the telecommunications industry.
Governor’s Citation
The Governor’s Citation was presented by Donna Cupelo, Region President – New England, Verizon. The Citation reads:
On behalf of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, we are pleased to confer upon your organization this Governor’s Citation in recognition of your 100th Anniversary and in appreciation of your commitment to volunteerism and your outstanding dedicated services to the many communities across the United States.
This Fifth Day of November in the Year of 2011
Signed by: Deval L. Patrick, Governor and Timothy P. Murray, Lieutenant Governor
Centennial Lifetime Achievement Award
To commemorate 100 years of fellowship, loyalty and service, a special award was developed to celebrate our Centennial year. The Centennial Lifetime Achievement Award was given to individuals who go beyond the demands of everyday life and dedicate themselves to uplifting and improving the quality of life for others. The award signified how Pioneering has grown over the years and continues to make a difference in communities across North America. One individual from each Pioneers group was recognized for their extraordinary deeds throughout their time as a Pioneer. Nominees must have been active in Pioneering for a minimum of 20 years to be eligible.
Fred Hamption, AT&T, Chapter 141
Jack Badcock, BellAliant, Chapter 105
Sheila O’Donoghue, Canada, Chapter 100
Rawley Jackson, CenturyLink, Chapter 117
Mary Lefebvre, FairPoint, Chapter 33
William Reifsteck, Frontier, Chapter 37
Jack Wilson, New Outlook, Chapter 132
Phyllis Pearson, SaskTel, Chapter 59
Fred Jones, Telcordia, Chapter 99
Sarah DePaolo, Verizon, Chapter 7
