Community Service Awards
At the heart of every community lies its volunteers, and among those are numbered thousands of BC lawyers. Some of them are well known, pillars of the community, the first person to be called by the media, the first to be counted upon when the next big project is in the wings. More often, the lawyer volunteer is an unsung hero, known only to a small circle of people who rely on her or him to always roll up their sleeves and pitch in. The CBA Community Service Awards were developed to recognize those individuals.

This inaugural year, 15 lawyers were nominated by their peers and community leaders for providing exceptional community service, with little public recognition. The Selection Committee was comprised of: The Honourable H A D Oliver, Conflict of Interest Commissioner; Drew Hasselback, National Post law reporter; Catherine McEachern, Volunteer Vancouver Chair; Doug F Robinson, QC, BC Branch Past President; and Russell Lew, BC Branch Communications Committee member. The Branch’s sincere congratulations and appreciation are extended to this year’s Community Service Award Winners: Murray Sadler, QC of Prince George, Michael Coleman of Duncan, Tommy Tao of Vancouver, Ronald Lou-Poy of Victoria, Trevin Rogers of Chilliwack, and Paul Mitchell of Kelowna. The CBA Awards will be presented at local Bar events in the coming year.


National Awards the John Tait Award of Excellence
This award was established in 1998 to honour, recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of Public Sector Lawyers in Canada. Originally named the Inukshuk Award of Excellence, it was renamed in August 1999 to honour an outstanding lawyer, public servant and friend who passed away in the summer of 1999. The award is presented each year at the CBA Annual Conference to a public sector lawyer or law office who has achieved the highest standards of professional conduct and competence and made significant contributions to social justice or community affairs, and who exemplifies preeminent public service. Previous award recipients include: M. David Gates and Arne Peltz. The deadline for applications is May 15, 2000. For more information contact Heather Nowlan, Canadian Bar Association at 1-800-267-8860.


National Awards the Touchstone Award
The Touchstone Award celebrates the accomplishments of a woman who has excelled in promoting equality in the legal profession, the judiciary, or the legal community in Canada. The award recognizes significant national initiative to advance equality and/or contribution relating to race, disability, sexual orientation or other diversity issues in the community. The deadline for nominations is May 1, 2000. Previous award recipients include: Kathy Louis; Sheila Greckol; Madame Justice Cecilia Johnstone; and Justice Rosalie Abella. For more information contact Heather Nowlan, Canadian Bar Association at 1.800.267.8860.


Hats off to Botz
Ursula Botz, a CBA member from Vancouver, will shortly be cycling her way across the United States, in the “Big Ride”. The Big Ride is a Lung Association initiative in which 200 brave hearted (and strong bodied) riders will cycle 5,200 km in 46 days, averaging 130 km per day. Ursula is one of only four Canadians cycling, and as a participant must raise $10,500 in donations. If you’d like to support Ursula in her Big Ride, please call her before she goes at (604) 775-0986, or send a cheque made out to “British Columbia Lung Association – Big Ride” to Ursula Botz, c/o Crown Counsel Office, Criminal Appeals, 6th Floor, 865 Hornby Street, Vancouver BC, V6Z 2G3.

Thinking of donating in memory of a friend or loved one? Please let Ursula know if you would like that person’s name included in the “Chain of Hope” that riders will carry across the US.

These articles were published in the April 2000 issue of BarTalk. © 2000 The Canadian Bar Association. All rights reserved.