2021 Distinguished Service Award winners
The ACC Distinguished Service Award is presented to members of The Alpine Club of Canada who have given outstanding service to the ACC either on a voluntary basis or as employees who have given service exceeding the value of their remuneration. These individuals will have contributed to furthering the aims of the club or a section of the club, working on committees and projects or providing leadership for large undertakings.
The ACC's Service Badge was instituted in 1906 and the name was changed to the Distinguished Service Award in 1970.
Paul Veneziano
Paul has been a member of the Montreal Section executive for over 20 years. As Section Treasurer he manages all the finances. Unique to the Montreal Section is the 105-acre property and cabin (Keene Farm) that they own in New York State. The Keene property adds a degree of complexity to the role of Treasurer requiring an understanding of out-of-country tax issues and filings as a nonprofit. The property, a focal point of the Montreal Section activities, requires significant volunteer time to maintain. Paul has also taken on the role of Hut Manager. He oversees the annual budgeting process, plus the collection of hut and camping fees. He also serves the members by organizing and participating in the annual new member weekend, BBQ and Corvées (two work weekends). Paul received the Don Forest Service Award in 2016.
Myrene Mollison
Myrene has been a member of the Saskatchewan Section for over twenty years. She initially joined the Section Executive in 2005 to gain experience as a member at large. She soon took on the role of Section Secretary and then added Section Treasurer. In 2019 Myrene ensured the responsible transition to a new Treasurer. During this time Myrene has been instrumental in hosting the Banff Mountain Film Festival in Saskatoon as a section fundraiser and for the past decade she has been the primary coordinator of the event, providing leadership to the festival committee. This successful fundraiser has allowed the section to provide funds for the development of section trip leaders and to purchase club gear. Myrene received the Don Forest Service Award in 2014.
Catrin Brown
Catrin joined the ACC in 1994 and first joined the Vancouver Island Section Executive in 1996 as their Trip Scheduler. During 2012 & 2013 she served as the Section Secretary. Catrin has been the Chair of the Vancouver Island Section since 2016. Over the years Catrin has been an active trip leader and organized the annual ski camps in the Rockies and Selkirks. The section’s new hut, Hišimy̓awiƛ (Hi-SHIMya-wit), opened on the slopes of 5040 Peak in October 2018. This was a challenging project for the section to undertake and has been a huge success. During the building process the section facilitated discussions with the local First Nations. Catrin has also encouraged diversity in the section’s membership. Her outstanding leadership as Section Chair has increased the section’s membership numbers. Catrin received the Don Forest Service Award in 2012.
Nominate a volunteer!
The ACC Volunteer Awards recognize the significant contributions members have made in furthering the goals of The Alpine Club of Canada. Show your appreciation by nominating a deserving member by this year’s deadline, December 31, 2022.