Magazines volunteers of the year announced

Magazines Canada has announced this year's winners of the volunteer of the year award from across the country. The regional winners, selected by the five regional magazine associations, will be honoured along with national volunteer of the year winner Patrick Walsh on June 4 at 5:30 at an awards reception during the MagNet conference in Toronto.

The regional winners, with the accompanying citations, are:

• Anicka Quin (nominated by the British Columbia Association of Magazine Publishers) is the managing editor of Western Living and editor of Western Living Condo. She also sits on the Langara College publishing program advisory committee and on the communications degree advisory committee at Capilano University, where she is involved in the building of the framework for their new communications degree program. She also participates on the board of the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors. A past board president and committee member at BCAMP, Anicka remains active in the organization’s professional development committee.

• Errine Sevigny (nominated by the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association) has been the president and managing editor of Other Voices for the last five years and has made a significant impact on a publication that was once at risk of folding after 17 years of publishing. With virtually no training or experience at age 19, she taught herself how to publish a magazine, maintain financial records, develop tracking systems for submissions, manage volunteers and develop promotional strategies. Erinne’s strong work ethic and determination has made Other Voices a better magazine and a valuable contribution to Edmonton’s vibrant literary arts community.

• Penni Mitchell (nominated by the Manitoba Magazine Publishers Association) is managing editor of Herizons Magazine, has been involved with the MMPA in its various forms for more than a decade and has played a significant role in the growth of the association. She served as president from 2003 to 2006 and in almost every other standing and ad hoc committee position including membership committee chair. Penni was also instrumental in the planning of the Association's first magazine weekend professional development event and has been active on the planning committee and as a presenter or conference volunteer ever since. This year, she participated as a volunteer on the assessment team for the MMPA award for the Red River College Creative communications department's student magazine project.

• Hervé Juste (nominated by Magazines du Québec) is senior editor at Sélection du Reader’s Digest and has been involved with Magazines du Québec for many years. His role as a member of the Grands Prix committee for the last five years has consisted mainly of supervising the competition’s search for judges. He is the key contact when it comes to rules, categories and understanding the contest selection criteria. He is spokesperson not only for the committee but also to the hundreds of people who participate in the project every year. Devotion, integrity and honesty define Hervé, who takes the success of the project to heart and effortlessly leads the Grands Prix contest.

• Patty Baxter and Sheila Blair-Reid (nominated by the Atlantic Magazines Association). Sheila, Metro Guide Publishing owner/publisher and Patty, associate publisher/production manager, were instrumental in the founding of the Atlantic Magazines Association. By donating countless hours, they brought together various players in the industry to build the AMA. Since the association’s inception, Patty and Sheila have continued their work behind the scenes, donating their time and company resources to promote the industry and stage professional development events around the region. These efforts have contributed dramatically to the professionalism of the publishing industry in Atlantic Canada. Both women foster an atmosphere of social responsibility at Metro Guide, encouraging the team to give back to their professional and civic communities.