Kathy Blacow
Quota International of Collingwood

Kathy has been a valued member of Quota International of Collingwood since 1998. Her involvement in the leadership role began almost immediately. She very quietly and efficiently took on the Secretary's position and after that tenure, Kathy accepted the President-elect position and began to make her mark as a leader. During the absence of the President for two months, Kathy very easily slipped into that role. She is very organized, dependable, a hard worker and one who can be depended upon to always perform more than her share.

During Kathy's tenure as President, as part of her ongoing efforts to learn sign language, she took time to attend the Rumball Camp for the Deaf and she is now proficient in American Sign Language. She proudly teaches us phrases during our meetings and we are inspired by her initiative and accomplishment. She is now called upon to converse with deaf members and guests at our conferences, and indeed, in the community to promote Quota's mandates.

Kathy is not one to let any grass grow under her feet. The Treasurer resigned unexpectedly and Kathy stepped up to the plate. In addition to her imvolvement in Ways and Means, Service and Fundraising, Kathy has ensured that our clubs' financial accounting has been accurate and professionally maintained.

Kathy's heart is big. Once she commits, she gives 100% and more. Kathy is involved in every facet of the Quota club. Working with Quota members and businesses in the community, Kathy has successfully organized social and fundraising events. She obatins business sponsors; she supports District and Canada Area projects by donating ites, dollars, and by allowing members to use her home to work. She is a tireless supporter of International projects that suppost children in Third World countries. She is a real team player. In her quiet, efficient manner, she brings everyone on board.

Kathy is a Trustee of the District 18 Helene Mackenzie Trust Fund. She works hard to promote this worthwhile fundraiser and her sign language abilities are enhanced by being part of the bursary application process.

Kathy Blacow is a trusted volunteer who believes that Quota's motto must be promoted every day, not just at Quota events. She is always there to mentor and to advise members and leaders on Quota's policies and procedures. Her work ethics are unquestionable. She leads by example. Her tireless efforts to support the community through fundraising and service are admirable. She certainly embodies the true spirit of volunteerism by her selfless acts. Kathy Blacow knows that the most important things in life are not things - they are friends and communities that care.

The Quota Club of Collingweed is proud of Kathy Blacow. We respectively honour her as Volunteer of the Year. With her abilities, skills and personality, she is certainly a future leader at every level.

Kathy was born and raised in Toronto. After training as an x-ray technologist and marrying her high school sweetheart, they moved to the Collingwood area where their two daughters were born.

Kathy worked as an x-ray technologist and later went back to College to train as an ultrasound technologist. On her return to Collingwood she started the first ultrasound department at the General and Marine hospital. She later became the head technologist of the Diagnostic Imaging Department, a position she held until her retirement.

Kathy joined Quota in 1998. A position became available for a trustee for the Helene Mackenzie Trust Fund and Kathy was invited to join. She is able to use her sign language training to assist in the evaluation of the videos for the bursaries.

She has held all the club's executive positions including President from 2003-2005. She is currently treasurer. Kathy especially enjoys the fellowship of Quota and participating in the fundraising and social events.

Kathy enjoys gardening, crocheting and spending time with her two young grand-daughters who have also learned some sign language.

Betty Lou Howlett
Quota International of Grey Bruce

One of this year’s International winners is Betty Lou Howlett from Quota International of Grey Bruce. Betty Lou is also this year's District 18 Volunteer of the Year. Since joining Quota International of Owen Sound in 1974, Betty Lou has thought primarily of what she could do to contribute to the Club. She became Secretary in her first year and was asked very early to be President; which she accepted. Betty Lou has always given her time and energy to being a good Quotarian and as her life took her to the London, Ontario Club and then to the St. Thomas Club she was always willing to take the responsibility of membership by accepting duties as was needed including the position of President.

Betty Lou then became involved with responsibilities at the District level. She became Lieutenant-Governor, then Governor in 1990 and all the way to Canada Area Director. At that time, under her direction, a committee was formed to draw up plans and policies for Development and Growth for District 18 and because of her leadership this has continued to this present time. It was Betty Lou’s suggestion that new clubs not be charged registration in their charter year to encourage new clubs to attend conferences and conventions. This also has been accepted and has become a policy at the International level. Betty Lou was instrumental in setting up funding for the Canada Area Director and has implemented many of the improved circumstances at the District level. Betty Lou has chaired many conferences and has been Parliamentarian many times for the District. She has been Chair of the International Service Committee of and sat on the By-laws Committee. She will be serving again this year on the District Awards Selection Committee. Among her many attributes, crediting others with her successes comes naturally to Betty Lou. She stated her gratitude to Sharon Chevrier for inviting her to a Quota Meeting, Ilse Mitchell for being her mentor, her sister Anne Ashcroft for her encouragement, Judy Juniper and many others for helping with the various committees and was pleased and grateful that so many were willing to meet with her and assist in the formation of various ideas and projects.

In her personal life Betty Lou is very much a family person. She has had to contend with many difficulties. She has been widowed twice and has one son and two step-sons. Betty Lou tells the story of how her second husband proposed to her while she was on a quick break from a Quota Conference she was chairing and she had to make a speedy decision as he was being posted in Regina. When she accepted, she said it was Quota friends that helped with the preparations that were needed. Many Quotarians will remember Bruce who was very supportive of Quota events and her Mother accompanied her at many Quota conferences. Betty Lou said it has always been Quota friends that have helped her through the happy times and the sad times. Quoting from Betty Lou, “Quota has always been there for me. I have got more from Quota than I have ever given.”

Outside of Quota, Betty Lou has been involved in many other charitable activities through her job and her personal life, such as United Way, and has had many successes in raising funds for these organizations.

Betty Lou has now retired from the Catholic School Board in London and has returned to Owen Sound. We are very fortunate that she has joined us in the Silver Q Club, Quota International of Grey Bruce. True to her style she agreed to be Secretary when we needed one last year and will be our Vice-President for the 2007-08. In addition to being willing to accept positions as she is needed she always volunteers to be on a committee, volunteers for any project, volunteers to make one of her delicious recipes for potluck meetings, volunteers her lovely home for a meeting, and volunteers when any member needs a helping hand. Betty Lou loves to be included in events such as bus trips, friends in the club that like to go on excursions or any special celebrations. She has fully accepted the concept of Silver Q and invites visitors to our meetings with the hope that they will become a member. Her attitude is; everyone has their own expectations of what Quota will mean to them and everyone has their own special capabilities that they can offer to the Club.

Betty Lou’s own words express why she is such a great Quotarian and why Grey Bruce Quotarians were so pleased to nominate her. She says: “No words can express what Quota has done for me and I don’t feel I can do enough to pay back what I have received through this Club.”

Donna Rousseau
Quota International of Orillia

Donna is a long time Orillia resident who loves to give back to her community by volunteering. Recently after joining Quota she also became a regular volunteer at the Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital.

After only 1 year as a member, Donna took on the challenge as Chair of Community Service and joined the Board of Directors. She has brought a new perspective and a true willingness to serve. We are benefactors of her enthusiasm and dedication. Donna has successfully coordinated many club projects and has given of her time selflessly and freely. She shows a true warmth and kindness in all she does. At times, frustrated and lacking confidence, she dug in her heels, and went forth determined to get the job done. And she did it, showing that she is a reliable and dependable Quotarian.

Donna has only been a member of fQuota for 2 years and she is always willing to take on "just a little bit" more with enthusiasm and grace. We are lucky to have her as a member of the Orillia Club. We applaud her volunteer efforts, her friendly and kind nature and her dedication to Quota.

Donna and her husband have recently retired and they enjoy history and travel. She also likes to read, and bicycle.

We are proud to have Donna as a member of the Orillia club and salute her as out International Volunteer of the year for 2007.

Dr. Alison Krupa
Quota International of Ottawa

Dr. Alison Krupa has been a member of the Quota Club of Ottawa since October 1979. She is always available and willing to step in and help out the Club whenever assistance is needed.

Besides running her medical practice by herself with only a part-time secretary, Alison was Chief of General Practice of the Grace General Hospital in Ottawa for 5 years, followed by being the Secretary for another 5 years. Alison also was instrumental in creating and introducing a palliative care programme at the Grace Hospital and was involved in this committee and many other hospital committees for several years.

During her 28 years of membership with the Quota Club of Ottawa, Alison was President of the Club twice and also served in many other positions, sometimes more than once. She worked the Bingo Hall for over 13 years when Bingo was a big fundraiser for the Club. She was the Club’s representative on the board of Youth Services Bureau and participated in all their activities.

She is currently the secretary of the Club. She is also our very-own “Hollywood Producer” as she, and she alone, is Skit(Script) Writer, Director, Costume Designer of all our Off-Shore Presentations at District Conferences.

Alison is a dedicated Quotarian who values friendships and understands the importance of service to disadvantaged women and children at home and abroad. With her British sense of humour, she has regaled many of our long-standing and prospective members, at many membership drives, with funny anecdotes of her introduction into Quota. The Quota Club of Ottawa is privileged to have an invaluable member like Alison.

Maureen Taylor
Quota International of Penticton

Mauren has been a dedicated charter member of the Penticton Club since 1984. Over the years, she has served in all the Executive positions. From there she went on to being the District 11 Lt. Governor, Governor and then served as the Canada Area Director from 2004 to 2006.

This past year, as she finished up her Canada Area Directorship and attended the Convention in Australia, she kindly stepped in and took over the club Presidency as our existing President could not continue in the position any longer.

Maureen spent countless hours assisting the club Treasurers, polishing and finishing the financial statements and budgets to be in the required format for our gaming commission through which we receive our largest income.

At the same time, Maureen work with the local By-laws Committee updating our bylaws.

The largest project we have ever completed is our Early Infant Hearing Testing which we have been continually pursuing for the last 9 years. As this year's President, Maureen was very instrumental in meticulously and persistently corresponding with the Okanagan Interior Health Authority to finish the complicated contracts and agreements we insisted upon to configure this service to be delivered in Penticton and for all babies, as opposed to just the at-risk newborns. She was successful and was able to include this milestone in our 1st Annual Charity Night in April where whe presented the funds to complete this goal.

As per our District Bylaws, a past Governor is required to head the District Audit and Advisory Committee and Maureen stepped up and gladly completed that alons being c=Chairman of the Budget and Finacne Committee as well.

Maureen has been spending a lot of extra time working behind the scenes in conjunction this year with Liz Revell as a member of the Canada Area Website Committee.

We have watched Maureen have a complicated and challenging year in her own family life and yet, she has always given us 110 percent of her efforts without ever questioning it.

She took it upon herself to print off personalized Quota business cards for everyone in the club but the real advertisemtnt we feel that counts, is how she proudly presents herself in the community as a successful Quotarian in all circles of her life.

Join the Quota Club of Penticton in recognizing Maureen Taylor as their 2007 Volunteeer of the Year!

Margaret Ferguson
Quota International of Weyburn

Margaret Ferguson has been a dedicated member of Quota International of Weyburn for 36 years. She had served as President, Vice-President, and as Chariman of countless committees. Margaret, Chairman of the Member Care Comnniittee for more that 10 years, keeps track of our birthdays and anniversaries. She faithfully visits everyone who is confined to hospital or home. Margaret shares her kindness and her genuine neighborliness with all. Margaret has been a member of the Nominees Tea Committee since the inception of Quota's Women of the Year Awards. She is capable, has good ideas and an artist's eye for what looks good. She is nearly always at meetings and never misses an opportunity to help with projects.

Margaret is active in her Church and was a member of the official Board for 24 years. She has also been President of the United Church Women for tears. She is leader of the Lazy Daisy unit, working on the preparation of banquets and funeral lunches. Margaret also visits "shut-ins" for the Church.

She is a 62-year Life Member of the Alexandria Rebekah Lodge. In 2003, Margaret was honoured with the Rebekah Merit Jewel for her valuable years of service to the Lodge and her community. She was Noble Grand in 1954 and 1989 and served as District Deputy President. Margaret is extremely knowledgeable about the work of the Lodge and fills in for any officer missing from a meeting. She works at every fund-raiser held by the Lodge.

Margaret is active with the Weyburn Retired Nurses.

Margaret Ferguson exemplifies the true spirit of volunteerism and the Quota spirit of sharing, caring, compassion and friendship.

Marlene Yurkowski
Quota International of Weyburn

Marlene Yurkowski is known as a Quotarian you can count on. No matter what the task assigned, Marlene sees that it is done well and done on time.

Marlene has been a member of Quota International of Weyburn since 1996, has held the offices of vice president, secretary, and treasurer, and has worked on various committees. Most recently serving on the Nominations Committee for our Women of the Year Awards, her efforts garnered a record of 19 nominations for the four awards! She is also noted for her competency in submitting club nominations for various Quota International awards, usually with winning results.

A successful fund-raiser, her single-handed efforts with the club's Just Desserts fund-raiser nets our club over a thousand dollars annually. Marlene succeeds in convincing us to all sell our tickets—no small feat!

Now retired, Marlene was Head Librarian of the Weyburn Public Library, where she co-founded the Weyburn Friends of the Library. She was recognized by the Saskatchewan Reading Council for the International Reading Council's Celebrate Literacy Award. She was a member of Weyburn's Communithon Board of Directors for 11 years and prior to that was a member of the Weyburn and district United Way. She was a member of the Consumers' Association of Canada for over 35 years, serving in many executive positions. She was recognized with the Canadian Consumer Special Award of Merit and Saskatchewan's first Consumer Award of Merit for her research for the establishment of the Saskatchewan Warranties Act.

Marlene is very fond of reading, drama, music, and figure skating.

She is the member who helps the club function by quietly filling in where other members have overlooked or forgotten or been unable to do a job. She has generously committed her time and diplomacy skills—representing the club at district and international Quota gatherings. Although she tries to maintain a low profile, she is highly regarded and admired for her determination to carry on despite the fact that her physical health is not optimum. We are grateful that Marlene is a member of Quota International of Weyburn and pleased to present her with the 2006 Volunteer of the Year honor.

Beverly Wescott
Quota International of Collingwood, ON

Collingwood Quotarians appreciate member Beverly Westcott, chair of the club's Ways and Means Committee, as she works hard at everything she does, and she does an excellent job!

Bev was a happy and adventurous child with many friends. When she was quite young, she really liked her freedom. She frequently ran away from home and was often brought back home in the police cruiser. Determined to get out of the backyard, she was able to roll a very large rock away from the gate and to replace it. This fooled her mother into thinking that Bev was safely in the backyard, when really she had escaped again.

Bev's mother died when Bev was nine. Her father suffered from asthma and moved up north where he enjoyed better health. Bev lived with her brother and his new wife through high school. Bev was very courageous, deciding to fly to the Yukon to visit friends when she was young and had never been in an airplane. She made this trip by herself, but she was so nervous that she refused to get off the plane when it landed for refueling. No coaxing from the staff could get her to leave the plane. She was afraid that she would get lost in the airport forever.

Bev was a nurse early in her career and later worked at a large medical office until retirement. She very much enjoys people and being helpful to others. She volunteers for Blue Mountain for the Arts in addition to Quota. The members of the Collingwood Quota club are proud to honor Beverly as their 2006 Volunteer of the Year.

Audra Terry
Quota International of Orillia

Audra Terry embodies the true spirit of volunteerism, because she gives so selflessly to many volunteer activities. Although she is the mother of two young sons, and she owns and operates her own business with several employees, she still finds time to be involved in so many volunteer ventures.

As a member of QI of Orillia, Audra sits on committees, attends meetings, and has served as a chairperson, which means she then has to organize a committee of her own. She is a tireless worker and truly personifies the spirit of giving of oneself.

Audra has had many positive effects as the result of being a volunteer. She has enriched the lives of the children that she gives time to in the school system, as well as the seniors that she has encountered in her volunteer activities. Because of her personality, she easily puts a smile on anyone's face that she encounters and gives everyone a positive feeling about themselves and their day. Having been a Big Sister for 15 years means that she undoubtedly has helped shape and guide young girls, who otherwise might not have had such a caring and dedicated mentor.

Here is more about Audra, in her own words:

Hello, my name is Audra Terry. I am 37 years old and I love to help people. I am not only a wife and a business owner, but also the proud mother of two young boys. When I was 19 years old, I got the volunteer itch. I wanted to join Big Sisters; howeve,r at that time you had to be 21 years of age. So, when I turned 21, I joined! I have been with Big Sisters for about 15 years. My first little sister is now a proud mom of a little girl and my second little sister is now turning 15 years old. Through Big Sisters, I started to volunteer at a local nursing home. I visit a lady who doesn't have any family, and we have been friends now for three years.

When I was 27 years old, I joined QI of Orillia and have been a member for 10 years. I think I am the youngest in our club! As my children grew and started school, I realized how important the breakfast club is to young children. So I became involved in that. Through my business, I offer high school students the opportunity to co-op in my salon. Students learn not only hairstyling skills but also personal business skills on how to talk to people.

Julia Monaghan
Quota International of Ottawa, ON

Julia joined Quota International of Ottawa in September 1974, making her a member in good standing for 31 years. She is a retired businesswoman and devotes most of her time to helping others and pursuing her favorite pastime, golf.

As the spouse of a Canadian Foreign Service Officer in Guyana, South America, she got her first taste of volunteerism with the Mahica Leprosy Hospital. Suffice it to say that Julia got the bug to do more volunteering after that.

Upon her return to Canada, and along with other Quotarians, she helped out in the cafeteria of the Ottawa Civic Hospital. The work included making loads of sandwiches and handling the cash register. Her volunteer stint with the Blood Donor Clinic ended when it became part of the Red Cross. Julia then volunteered in the Gift Shop of the Heart Institute. When the Quota Bingos were in operation, Julia was there to help out. When the club needed a place to hold its monthly meetings, Julia freely used her membership at the Laurentian Club to get the club a prestigious meeting venue. She also served on the board of the Ottawa Deaf Center for three years.

Julia is an avid golfer (having made Ladies Champion in Guyana) and has supported the club's annual golf tournament for the past six years. As of June 26, 2005, Julia will have sponsored nine races in our Annual Night at the Races fund-raiser. She is always there for support in cash and kind.

Julia is a true volunteer in every sense of the word.

Judy Juniper has been serving her community since 1981 through Quota International of Owen Sound. She has held the position of president several times, as well as all offices as she was needed. This year Judy has taken on two additional roles: chairperson of Quota's District 18 Conference and club organizer of Quota International of Grey Bruce, which chartered at the conference at the end of May.

Her special interest has always been membership, and she has received the awards Quotarians for Quota,Certificate of Accomplishment, and Certificate of Appreciation all for outstanding service for development and growth. Judy has served on many district committees and teams and presently is district historian.

In addition to raising a family and her untiring dedication to Quota, Judy is very involved in community projects. She is the incoming president for the Corn Merettes, a local service club; she has been appointed as a voting member of the The Grey Heritage Alliance Board and she is serving on three other heritage organization boards.

Born in Newmarket, Ontario, Judy's artistic talents were evident early in her life, when at the age of 10, she designed and sewed her own clothes and draperies all by hand.

Judy married her high school sweetheart, and while raising her three children became involved not only with the children's school and sports activities, but also with community projects and helping to produce a community newspaper. Judy wrote articles, secured advertisers, printed, and sometimes even delivered the papers to several hundred families, keeping them apprised of community events and news. This early training prepared Judy well as is evidenced in her organized assistance to our Quota club.

Judy has been an invited speaker at seminars and teaches decorating classes through the Board of Education. She has written a decorating column for a local newspaper and many individuals and small towns have sought her advice to restore and save many of our heritage buildings.

In terms of true spirit, Judy's courage and character represent what Quota stands for and extends far beyond her volunteer work for Quota. Judy represents a true heartfelt interest in her fellow human beings, animals and nature, and is willing to do more than her part to contribute to the well-being of all. Judy's optimistic outlook and faith that all will be well is an inspiration to all of us. Judy's boundless energy and willingness to give her all to family, work, community, and Quota International of Owen Sound demonstrates her enthusiasm for life.

Helen Davidson
Quota International of Weyburn, SK

Helen Davidson joined Quota International of Weyburn when our club was chartered in 1954, and she has been a loyal member for more than 51 years. She has served as our club's president and vice president, and she has volunteered for many committees. Helen still attends Quota meetings, and she takes part in special events.

For many years, Helen was the official organist for the Weyburn club's annual Quota Carol Festival and the director of the club's Quota choir. Though she is unable to do that now, she still attends the festival and sings. And she provides us with her musical expertise and advice.

During her time in Quota, Helen discovered she had a penchant for clowning. She and fellow club member Isabelle Butters were renowned for their humor and the skits and plays that they wrote and performed at various functions. A friend, who thought she knew Helen and Isabelle well, said it was a surprise when they were so hilarious. She previously knew them only as serious women who were strictly business.

Outside of Quota, Helen has been a lifelong member of Calvary Baptist Church and their volunteer organist and choir director for more than 57 years. Helen also taught music in Weyburn, worked with the Music Festival Association, and has shared her gift of music with the whole community.

Helen has many wonderful Quota memories; she particularly enjoyed attending district conferences and international conventions, and she fondly remembers the Denver convention. Above all, she cherishes the memories of the friendships made through Quota.