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| Obie Harrington congratulating Janet Evans |
It gives the Darien Land Trust great pleasure to announce that Janet Evans was the winner of the Obie Harrington–Howes Community Spirit Award for 2007. The Award was announced at the annual Volunteer Recognition Day luncheon which was held at the DCA on May 8, 2007. This is the third year in a row that a nominee of the Darien Land Trust has won the award!
Our nominee for Volunteer of the Year was Charles Janson. Please read both nominations from our President Terrie Wood below.
Nominated by:
Terrie Wood
President
Darien Land Trust
Box 1074
Darien, Connecticut 06820
203.655.4452
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| Left to Right: Terrie Wood, President of the Darien Land Trust; Janet Evans, Trustee, Darien Land Trust: Charles Janson, Trustee, Darien Land Trust; Shirley Nichols Executive Director, Darien Land Trust |
On behalf of the Darien Land Trust, it
is a great honor and pleasure to nominate Janet Evans for the Obie Harrington-Howes
Community Spirit Award
for 2007.
The Darien Library and Person-to-Person second the Land Trust in nominating
Janet
for this honor.
Janet came to Darien 22 years ago and quickly became involved in the organizations
she had a passion for and her intelligent, gracious leadership has made a
difference to all these organizations. A clinical social worker by education,
training
and family tradition (Janet’s mother and grandfather were involved in
social work in Cleveland, Ohio) she is universally respected and admired for
her compassion
and professionalism.
Currently, her service to our community includes chairing the Stewardship
Committee of the Darien Land Trust; Secretary of the Affordable Housing Action
Collaborative
in Stamford; and member of the Program Committee of The Fairfield County
Community Foundation, Board of Directors of Person-to-Person, Board of Directors
and
Co-Chair of the Fund Distribution Committee United Way of Stamford. We’d
certainly be remiss if we failed to mention her help with a few things here
and there with
the Congregational Church.
Louise Berry, Director of the Darien Library says of Janet: "She served
on the board of trustees from 1990-1996, and as president from 1995-96, during
which time the library’s internet service was launched and she was a great
support to that nascent venture. Her leadership had a positive effect on the
staff, and all of us were inspired by Janet’s incredibly sensitive skills
as a social worker at a time when those skills were needed in supporting the
staff. Further, Janet’s courage of convictions raised the bar for the
many ongoing endeavors of the library during that time."
From Ceci Maher and Judy Kilmartin of Person-to-Person: "after 15 years
of admirable service to Person-to-Person, Janet resigned as Executive Director
in the beginning of 2003. The Board of Directors honored Janet by creating
the Janet Evans Endowment Fund; rather than watch from the sidelines Janet
jumped
in and became the greatest advocate for the newly formed endowment fund. She
was also nominated as a Board member and she has served commendably in that
role for the past 4 years. Also active in the Development Committee, Campership
Program
and numerous Task Force committees, Janet has chaired the Governance Committee
for the past two years."
"Janet is one of the mainstays of the Person-to-Person Board and of our
volunteer workforce; she has never hesitated to pitch in wherever needed,
at the Postal
Food Drive, the Toy Store, in the Clothing Center, in the Food Pantry, or
on a Board Committee to name just a few places. Janet, with her smile, nod, and
calm demeanor, along with her fierce commitment remains dedicated to the
mission
and work of Person-to-Person."
From the Darien Land Trust: "Janet was nominated to be a trustee in April
of 2004. Her interest in gardening and the preservation of open space led her
to say yes!! and we are fortunate to have her talents and passion on our board.
Janet has been a key player in our growth as an organization. From day one,
she stepped right up to help whatever the need was, whether it was serving
as Co-Chair
of the Stewardship Committee, Chairing the Nominating Committee, to helping
out on the Personnel and Development committees in a very active way. As the
Co-
Chair of the Stewardship Committee Janet can often be seen walking our properties
in muddy shoes and bramble-proof clothing to determine the best way to steward
our properties. The Land Trust is most grateful for her constant enthusiasm,
energy and experience. "
People like Janet Evans (and founder Obie Harrington-Howes) come along every
once in a long while…we are a much richer community for Janet’s good
spirit and inspired service to our world. In a paragraph of Janet’s President’s
letter in the Darien Library Annual Report in 1996, she wrote a thank you to
the library staff for their "friendly and enthusiastic spirit, their unfailing
devotion to public service, and their high standard for courtesy, kindness and
caring. What an honor it has been to serve on the on the board for the last six
years." Janet……may we all say the same about you…what
an honor it has been to serve together with you. Thank you, thank you.
In closing, many of you know Janet and Ron will be caravanning across the
country at the end of June to settle in Claremont, California. We wish them
both well
and wish them many, many good California dreams. And hope that Claremont
will realize how lucky they will be to have you in their midst.
Charlie has been a trustee of the Darien Land Trust since April 2004. From the beginning of his involvement, Charlie has been an enormous asset to the Land Trust. His legal background and extensive experience with the non-profit and land preservation world has been of particular benefit. He helps out, always, with so many of our needs, promptly and cheerfully no matter how busy he is with his daily responsibilities as a practicing attorney with Robinson and Cole. His advice and help comes with great perspective, intelligence and most of all, integrity. Whether it is helping with our legal issues, stewarding a property, attending a Land Trust National Rally or spurring a thoughtful trustee debate, Charlie brings a passion to the Land Trust that we are most grateful to have.Thank you Charlie!