The Nova Scotia Curling Association’s (NSCA) mandate is for “the administration, promotion, development and coordination of the sport of curling in Nova Scotia”. The NSCA is a provincial organization that, in addition to working with similar associations throughout all of Canada, also is involved with 33 curling rinks located throughout Nova Scotia.
The Chedabucto Curling Club Community Activity Society (CAS), located in Boylston, is proud to be a long-standing member of the NSCA and is equally dedicated to supporting objectives similar to the NSCA’s. On May 23 during its AGM held at 12 Wing Shearwater, Dartmouth, the NSCA bestowed a distinct honour upon CAS by selecting it from its membership of 33 curling rinks as the “2014-2015 Organization of the Year”.
Even though the Organization of the Year trophy is designated for what transpired over a one-year period, to my way of thinking, it took more than a single year to achieve all that the award signifies.
The Chedabucto Curling Club began in 1963 as an outdoor recreational site and has evolved over its 52 year history into an organization deserving such an outstanding recognition. Many members, past or present, plus too-numerous-to-mention businesses, organizations and levels of government all deserve portions of the credit regarding CAS’s May 23 recognition. It would be nice — and some would deem appropriate — for me to name names but such an inclusion would be too lengthy and I would certainly omit in error some of the many who assisted CAS to reach its May 23 milestone.
When we also considers that CAS proudly exists within the jurisdiction of the Municipality of the District of Guysborough, with its population at 4,681 (2011 census) in comparison to those rinks situated in more-populated regions such as the Municipality of Halifax with its population at 390,328 (2011 census), one must marvel at all that CAS has achieved and hopes to accomplish.
The other CAS reality is that it is owned, operated, maintained and financed by the efforts of its 100% volunteer membership. Organizations such as CAS do not “just become outstanding”; such an honourable recognition and achievement are the accumulation of many hours of efforts and support from its members with its growth to fruition arriving via contributions and labours being provided by many supportive individuals, businesses and groups.
It was a proud moment for me, as CAS’s President, and for Phil O’Regan, CAS’s Vice President, to be able to accept the “2014-2015 Organization of the Year” on behalf of the Chedabucto Curling Club Community Activity Society; such honours do not “just happen, they are earned”. On behalf of all CAS members and supporters I thank all of those who enabled such recognition to be bestowed on this curling rink that had a humble beginning on an open-air ice surface more than one half of a century ago.
“The presentation of the “2014-2015 Organization of the Year Award” from the Nova Scotia Curling Association (NSCA) to the Chedabucto Curling Club Community Activity Society (CAS) on May 23 at the NSCA’s AGM held at 12 Wing Shearwater, Dartmouth. (left – right) Harry Daemen, Vice President, NSCA; Chris Manuge, President, NSCA; Ray Bates, President, CAS; and Phil O’Regan, Vice President, CAS. photo: Kathy Siddall “
“2014-2015 Organization of the Year Award”