Item 3B. 2024 Distinguished Volunteer Service Awards
Superintendent's Recommendation:
NO ACTION REQUIRED.
Prepared By: Sierra Spicer-Zimmerman, Donor Relations and Volunteer Supervisor; and Katie Brom and Becca Conser, Volunteer Resources Coordinators
Background:
The Distinguished Volunteer Service Award Program is designed to recognize outstanding Three Rivers Park District volunteers. These recipients stand out because of their volunteer efforts during the past year and throughout the total period of their volunteer service. They represent the diverse areas in which volunteers support the Park District.
Each year, we recognize the award recipients during the April Board meeting, as April is National Volunteer Month and National Volunteer Recognition Week is April 21-27, 2024. This year’s six Distinguished Volunteer Service Award recipients have contributed a combined total of 6,042 hours of volunteer service to the Park District.
Each honoree will receive a framed certificate with a photo and the recipient's names are engraved on a permanent plaque displayed in the Administrative Center. Recipients also receive an invitation to have a coffee meeting with an Associate Superintendent or Director of their choosing.
The 2024 Distinguished Volunteer Service Award recipients to be recognized are:
Paul Arneson, Edina - Program Assistant at District Events, Outdoor Recreation School, Baker Outdoor Learning Center and Richardson Nature Center; Park Patrol at District Events, Hyland Lake Park Reserve, Nine Mile Creek and Lake Minnetonka Regional Trails.
Michael Davis, Eden Prairie - Ski Patrol and Program Instructor at Hyland Hills Ski Area
Charity Duran, Brooklyn Park - Program Assistant and Animal Care Assistant at Eastman Nature Center
Randy Hartnett, Champlin - Natural Resources Surveyor for Invasive Species; Program Assistant and Natural Resources Monitor at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park; Park Patrol at Elm Creek Park Reserve, Mississippi Gateway Regional Park, and Rush Creek, Medicine Lake and Shingle Creek Regional Trails
Barclay Kruse, Coon Rapids - Program Assistant, Natural Resources Monitor, Park Ambassador and Project Assistant at Mississippi Gateway Regional Park; District-Wide Research Project Specialist and Volunteer Photographer
Anthony Pini, Eden Prairie - Project Assistant- Seed Cleaning at the District Nursery; Natural Resources Monitor-Bluebirds and Program Assistant at Lowry Nature Center; District-Wide Project Assistant and Project Lead for Prairie Seed Collection; Natural Resources Monitor for Wildlife; Research Project Assistant
Award recipients are nominated by staff, volunteers and the public. A selection committee, comprised of Three Rivers employees and volunteers, select the award recipients based on their contributions to the Park Districts. This year’s selection committee members included:
- Gene Lau, Volunteer and 1991 Volunteer Service Award recipient
- Jane Thompson, Park Service Assistant, Baker, Crow-Hassan, and Lake Rebecca Park Reserves
- Mary Morris, Interpretive Naturalist, Baker Outdoor Learning Center
- Steven Hogg, Natural Resources Supervisor- Wildlife
- Tom Knisely, Media Relations Coordinator
- Becca Conser, Volunteer Resources Coordinator
The Special Notice that will be posted regarding the reception starting at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 18 for volunteer award recipients and their families is attached.
Relationship to the System Plan:
The Request for Action supports the following goal(s) of the System Plan:
Goal 1: You Belong Here
Goal 2: Parks Matter
Attachments:
