On Friday, November 11, VOC welcomed over 100 leadership volunteers to The Posner Center for its 2016 Appreciation & Awards Night. The event honored a number of dedicated volunteer leaders and organizational partners, and highlighted individuals who made significant contributions to VOC this season with a dinner and special presentation of awards.

In honor of Veterans Day, VOC kicked off the event by thanking and giving special attention to veterans in the room. VOC's Projects & Trainings Manager, Dan Williams, then began the official program by remarking on the season's highlights and accomplishments before officially welcoming its 16 newest crew leaders into the ranks! New 2016 crew leaders include: Jeanetta Bachand, Ryan Durham, Geoff Frazier, Christine Gallager, Erick Gallager, Martin Herz, Erin King, Arthur Knapp, William Mateo, Michael Mattice, Roger Mutz, Karen Phillips, Joseph Villarosa, Emma Walker, Nathan Wieland, and Gary Williams.

The program continued with the recognition of volunteer leaders who reached VOC project participation milestones in 2016. These milestones and individuals include:

• The McLeod Club (25 projects): Jeanetta Bachand, David Belenky, Cindy Bond, Garrett Bourcier Jay Corbett, Dylan Kintish, Robert Kochevar, Lisa Thilker, Ellen Urell 
• The Pulaski Club (50 projects): Bill Cort, Sigrid Freese, Miller Hudson, Alice Jennison, Kitty Martin, Carl Quist, John Stidman, Dave Weaver, Claudia Winkler  
• The Austin Club (75 projects): Wes Go, Stuart Miner, Jim ‘Patch’ Patchell, Dave Riter, Mick Syzek
• The Century Club (100 projects): Gordon Carruth, Donna Driscoll, Terry Gimbel, Paul Smith
• The Mt. Elbert Club (200 projects): Becky Hubbarth, Wayne Zahm

VOC staff rounded off the program by honoring its "Of the Year" award recipients and providing a 2017 Outdoor Stewardship Season Preview. The "Of the Year" recipients include:

• Partner Organization of the Year (awarded for outstanding collaboration and continued dedication to outdoor stewardship) – Synergy Ecological Restoration
• Land Manager of the Year (awarded to an agency for outstanding collaboration, support and continued dedication to outdoor stewardship) – City of Colorado Springs
• Young Volunteer of the Year (awarded for outstanding volunteer leadership and continued dedication to outdoor stewardship as demonstrated by a young volunteer) – Thomas Wall
• Cairn Mentor of the Year (awarded for exemplary leadership in teaching and conveying stewardship practices to Cairn participants) – Dylan Kintish
• Roni Sherb New Volunteer of the Year (in honor of the late Roni Sherb, awarded for outstanding volunteer efforts and dedication to outdoor stewardship during their first years for involvement with VOC) – Karen Phillips
• Steve Austin Mentor of the Year (awarded for exemplary leadership in teaching and conveying stewardship practices to new crew leaders and volunteers) – Jim "Patch" Patchell
• Curt Chitwood Volunteer of the Year (in honor of the late Curt Chitwood, awarded for outstanding volunteer leadership and continued dedication to outdoor stewardship) – Tim Zvada
• Unsung Hero of the Year (awarded to a VOC volunteer who provides outstanding support and service in a behind-the-scenes role for the organization) – Jeff Trujillo

On behalf of the VOC staff, we extend our sincere thanks to each and every one of our devoted volunteer leaders, individuals, and partners who make our work possible!