Charlie Pace accepting the Ron Eisele Memorial Outstanding Service Award
from Glenn Beachy. Photo by Jennifer Thurmond.
2003 COP Volunteer Awards
Submitted by Glenn Beachy
Several outstanding COP members were recently recognized at the Annual Election Meeting in October:
Bill Duemmel - Bill is our All-Star Volunteer for 2003 and received a Galyan's gift card. He was nominated by a COP member for his outstanding services for the huge amount of time he has spent working on the office computers system. He has spent 6-8 hours at a stretch, day after day working on getting software systems up to date and devising a way to keep them current.
The volunteer committee recognized many of our members that have held positions in our organization. The following people were recognized with an engraved plaque thanking them for their years of hard work & dedication to COP.
Bob Allen - Bob is active in the bicycling program. He served as COP's treasurer, which is a very thankless job - especially when trying to explain depreciation to the Board. We thank Bob for keeping our books balanced and the bills paid.
Kathy Hoke - Kathy deserves a round of applause for the work she did as the Bicycling Activity Chair. The Bicycling program was falling short in obtaining signed liability releases and turning them in to the office. However, Kathy worked with all the leaders to help them understand the importance of compliance. She also held training classes for new leaders.
Keith Finn - Keith stepped in on short notice to serve as COP President at the request of the Board two years ago. Since then Keith has done a superb job in this leadership position. Keith is very active in the Boating program, helping with trips & schools. He is also active in many of our other activities.
Dick Seebode - Dick left the Board last year, but still remains active in bicycling activities. Dick has been a member of this organization for many years and has volunteered in more ways than we can count. He was unafraid to ask the tough questions over the years, and this has helped mold COP into the premier outdoor activity organization that it is today. We consider him part of COP's foundation. Thanks Dick.
John Lane - John has been the Boating Activity Chair for the past 6 years. John took the lead in purchasing much needed new equipment. Most notably, he launched the Sea Kayak program, which became a huge success. Though the Boating Program seems to run so seamlessly, it is due in large part to his hard work and leadership.
The next group of COP members was presented with gifts to thank them for the dedication they've given to and will continue to give to COP.
Barb Renick - Barb was presented with an engraved photo album for the services she provides to the Bicycling Program. She served as interim Bicycling Chair when we were without a permanent leader. Barb is instrumental in over-seeing the Bicycle Development Fund. She was also a major volunteer with Party in the Park when it was offered.
Cheri Thrash-Worsley - Cheri was presented with an engraved photo album for her outstanding service to the organization. She has been our Board Secretary for a number of years and was again elected for another term in this position. For the last two years, she has overseen the Chillicothe food stop for TORSV and helped with GOBA. Cheri lead numerous hikes and backpack trips in addition to cross-country ski and caving trips. She is also on the Facility and Media Committees.
Ann Gerckens - Ann was presented with an engraved clock/pen set that she can enjoy while she works at our new COP office. Ann was recognized for her volunteerism over the past decades. She led trips to the Appalachian Trail, and is currently hiking the west coast on parts of the Pacific Crest Trail. Ann taught many of the beginner backpacking classes and, in the past several years, taught an intermediate backpacking class. She has also leads several day hikes to local metro parks. When not hiking, Ann is busy with the boaters leading the Rafting Program. Ann has a great memory for the details that many of us forget and goes the step further by taking care of these details, often without prompting.
Glenn Beachy - Glenn was presented with an engraved multi tool & LED light for running a great Winter Program, especially tough since Ohio doesn't receive much snow. Glenn has lead a New Year's cross county ski trip for many years as well as week long trips to Yellowstone National Park and Alaska. He has also been involved with biking, hiking, and backpacking. Glenn has served as Vice President for COP for the past 1 1/2 years and was elected as the new COP President at the Annual Membership Meeting in October.
Charlie Pace accepting the Ron Eisele Memorial Outstanding Service Award
from Glenn Beachy. Photo by Jennifer Thurmond.
Charlie Pace, first recipient of the Ron Eisele Memorial Outstanding Service Award - What can one say about Charlie Pace? Most everyone in COP has worked with Charlie or knows of his 30+ years of service. Charlie brings humor, humanity and skill to the volunteer position with the most at stake, TOSRV Tour Director. This year we are proud to honor him with the Ron Eisele Memorial Outstanding Service Award, presented at the Annual Membership Meeting in October. This award is a traveling trophy presented each year to a member or volunteer who exemplifies the mission and values of COP. We are fortunate that Charlie's interests have been those of COP. We could not have found a more fitting first-time recipient of this award. Each year we will recognize someone who has faced a challenge, or taken on tasks that intimidated lesser souls, and succeeded so that is life easier for those that follow. Let Charlie know that you appreciate his past and continuing accomplishments.
(A bit about this award's namesake: Ron Eisele will always stand tall in the long line of dedicated volunteers for COP, and previously AYH. Those of us who knew him at the time of his passing appreciate the leadership and diplomacy with which he served the organization. He played a vital role in preserving COP during our disaffiliation. At a critical time in COP's history, he resumed a role as President, and his untimely death shocked and saddened us all. His example served us well when we had to face the challenge of fulfilling our responsibilities with reduced resources.)