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The Linda Buchanan Award

Do you know someone who has made a difference?

Linda Buchanan

The Linda Buchanan Award is given to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of volunteer engagement. It is named after Linda Buchanan, a visionary of human capacity and a pursuer of community improvement. Linda served as a Village Councillor in Port Stanley and was the first recipient of the award in 1991. She inspired those around her to reach new heights and helped individuals realize their potential in their own unique way. Linda was a family person, a mentor and a friend to many people. She was a professional and above all, she was proud to be herself in a most natural way.

Just a short seven years after Linda was awarded for her contribution to volunteer administration, she was taken away from us in a tragic car accident. Earlier on in that fateful day she had been kite-flying with a number of volunteers. The activity of kite-flying is a fitting example of Linda’s zest for life, optimism and vision for new heights. To commemorate her lasting legacy, PAVRO renamed the Outstanding Administrator Award in her honour and memory.

Nominations are invited each year from our membership - a colleague who deserves this special recognition, an administrator who has inspired and mentored, someone who has strengthened the volunteer force in their organization or community.

The winner of each year's Award will serve on the Awards Selection Committee for the following year. Please Note: Nominees must hold current PAVRO memberships.


Join us in congratulating the recipient of the 2024 Linda Buchanan Award - Erin McLean!   

Erin McLean holds a Master's degree in Political Science with a focus in Conflict Resolution, from the University of Waterloo, as well as a certificate in Fundraising and Volunteer Management from George Brown College. 

 

Since starting her career as a volunteer engagement professional, she has experience in both provincial and national organizations, with a successful track record in targeted community recruitment, inter-organizational collaboration, resource development and program implementation. Located in Ontario, Canada, Erin’s current role is as Director of Alumni and Volunteer Engagement at Trails Youth Initiatives. 

 

Erin is the recipient of the 2016 PAVRO Young Leader Award, and the inaugural winner of the 2020 DRAVA Leader of Volunteers Award, as well as first place honours as 2020’s Emerging Leader Award Recipient from VMPC (Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada). Driven by the potential of volunteer impact, Erin is passionate about influencing that potential in the work she does and as an active member of the volunteer engagement community. Eager to connect and collaborate with peers, Erin currently volunteers as the Chair of Regional Engagement for VMPC and also sits on the Engage Editorial team as Co-Editor of the Ethics section. In 2022, Erin also spent time with Conestoga College as an Instructor for the Volunteer Management Certificate Program and has also been published in Engage (formerly e-Volunteerism). In addition to her volunteering, Erin is also an experienced workshop presenter and conference panellist.

When not working or volunteering, Erin loves to spend time with her husband, daughter, and puppy! She enjoys cooking, and travel and is a huge Toronto Maple Leafs fan! 

Past recipients of the Linda Buchanan Award

1991 Linda Buchanan 2004 Alison Caird 2017 Erin Spink
1992 Marg Warriner 2005 Joan Cox 2018 Lorraine McGrattan 
1993 Lorraine Pollock 2006 Syrelle Bernstein 2019  Kathy Magee
1994 Carissa Urquhart 2007 Not awarded 2020  Charmaine Cades
1995 Nan Einarson 2008 Emanuela Gennaccaro Ducharme 2021  Adriane Beaudry
1996 Magda Rigo 2009 Anna Grenier 2022  Lynn Felker
1997 Marilyn MacKenzie 2010 Karen Sacke 2024  Erin McLean
1998 Anthea Hoare 2011 Elizabeth Straiton    
1999 Colin Thacker 2012 Lori Gotlieb    
2000 Carol Anne Clarke 2013 Faiza Venzant    
2001 Doug Miron 2014  Michael Fliess    
2002 Beth Schroeder 2015 Loretta Turpin     
2003 Andrea Cohen 2016 Kathleen Douglass    
         

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