Lisa Whittington-Hill named national volunteer of the year by Magazines Canada

Magazines Canada has announced that Lisa Whittington-Hill, the publisher of This Magazine, has been named Volunteer of the Year for 2017. It is awarded annually to an individual whose outstanding volunteer contributions have had a national impact on the Canadian magazine industry.

“I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition,” said Matthew Holmes, CEO of Magazines Canada. “In addition to her day- (and night-) job at This Magazine, Lisa for years has contributed her time as an advisor and mentor to others. She does a lot of work behind the scenes to mobilize our community and respond to industry needs and challenges. She is a constant champion of our small-but-mighty Canadian magazines.”

This and several other volunteer honours from across the country and the industry will be presented at the Magazines Canada reception on Wednesday, April 25: 

• Joanne Rajotte, MagsBC volunteer of the year
• Allan Lacey, Alberta Magazine Publishers Association volunterr of the year
• Craig Sweetman, Magazines Ontario volunteer of the year
• Michel Nivischiuk, Magazines du Quebec volunteer of the year

The presentation will be made at MagNet: Canada’s Magazine Conference at the Courtyard Toronto Downtown at 475 Yonge St. in Toronto.

Robert Goyette named Magazines Canada volunteer of the year

Robert Goyette, who has just retired from being editor-in-chief of Readers Digest Canada, has been named Magazines Canada's 2016 Volunteer of the Year. Goyette was chair of the national association's board and was a founding member of the Quebec magazine publishers' association (l'Association québécoise des éditeurs de magazines) more than 25 years ago and was its chair for many years; he has also been named this year's recipient of the Quebec volunteer of the year award. 

"Robert has been a mentor and a leader to many people in our sector, while helping to build the groups, programs and supports we now take for granted," said Matthew Holmes, CEO of Magazines Canada. "I remember the first time I met Robert: it was during my final interview for this position. He asked hard questions and he expected my responses in French. But he listened to what I said, and asked more questions that showed he was thinking about it. In my short time at Magazines Canada I've seen his considerable contributions to our industry: as he prepares to move into a new stage of his career, it's only right that we stop and recognize what he has achieved."

Goyette joined Reader's Digest in the fall of 1979 as an editor for Sélection after starting in newspapers. He left the company to become managing editor at L'actualité from 1987 to 1993 but returned to Sélection in 1994. He was responsible for the creation of the first RD Canada websites in French and English in 1998, and later appointed editor-in-chief of Sélection in 1999. He became vice-president of Reader's Digest Magazines Ltd the following year. In 2002, he was named chair of the Reader's Digest Foundation. Beginning in 2004, Robert also oversaw the creation of Books and Special Publications for Canada in English and French. In 2009, he was appointed editor-in-chief of Reader's Digest Canada, Our Canada and More of Our Canada magazines. In 2014, he relaunched Best Health magazine with new editor Beth Thompson.

Other volunteer awards for regional associations have also been announced by Magazines Canada:

• Natasha Sanders-Kay is Managing Editor at subTerrain Magazine has been named Magazine Association of BC volunteer of the year for 2016..Over the years Natasha has worked, organized and volunteered for feminist organizations, and is actively involved with a variety of other stakeholders on planning a small cross-Canada conference within the next year or so focusing on intensive discussions on diversity/inclusivity in publishing with academics and industry leaders. For MABC, Natasha spent a lot of time finding the right mix and organizing the popular Inclusive Magazine Publishing panel at WORD Vancouver 2016 in September.
• Joyce Byrne is the publisher of Avenue Calgary magazine and has been named Alberta Magazine Publishers Association 2016 volunteer of the year. She began her career as publisher of This Magazine in Toronto, and was Magazines Canada's Volunteer of the Year in 2011. Byrne currently sits on the boards of Alberta Magazine Publishers Association, International Regional Magazine Association and NABS West.
• Todd Latham is founder and president of Actual Media Inc. and publisher of ReNew Canada and Water Canada, has been named Magazines Ontario volunteer of the year. He is a trusted advisor and consultant to companies and institutions for his media brand experience, editorial direction, communications planning and marketing execution. In March 2011 he travelled to Antarctica with Sir Robert Swan and became an alumnus of 2041. Latham is also a senior associate of the Canadian Urban Institute and an award-winning member of the University of Toronto Environmental Finance Committee, among his many other accolades.

( The Manitoba Magazine Publishers' Association and the Atlantic Magazines Association did not announce a Volunteer of the Year for 2016.)

Magazines Canada announces regional volunteers of the year

Magazines Canada has announced the 2015 Volunteer of the Year awards, which are to be presented during the MagNet: Canada's Magazine Conference at the association's annual reception on Thursday, June 9 at the Courtyard Toronto Downtown, 475 Yonge Street.

As had been previously reported, Chris Purcell, the vice-president of marketing and circulation and general manager Toronto for TVA Publications has been named Magazines Canada over all volunteer of the year. The regional volunteers of the year are:

Magazine Association of BC Volunteer of the Year Jane Hope got her start in publishing 10 years ago at Vallum in Montreal. Since then, she's made stops at the MPub program at Simon Fraser University, UBC Press and Modern Dog magazine. Today, she's Senior Editor at ECHO Storytelling Agency, where they solve business problems with publishing solutions—which yes, means magazines.

Alberta Magazine Publishers Association Volunteer of the Year Brnesh Berhe is a passionate human rights advocate who saw an opportunity to raise greater awareness and initiate change with the power of storytelling, launching Markermagazine. Brnesh self-published the independent publication from her home in Edmonton, while juggling a full-time job and a side gig as a freelancer. She wore many hats at the magazine—editor, art director, publisher, sales associate to provide a niche outlet for writers to write and report on a range of issues, from music and the arts to racial and sexual inequality.

Magazines Ontario Volunteer of the Year Patricia Clarke began her career in journalism more than half a century ago as a Hollywood reporter for United Press International. In 1965 she joined the staff of The United Church Observer as "Women's Editor." She became interim editor in 1979, and officially retired in 1980, but in 1996 re-established an ongoing relationship with The Observer as volunteer editor of the Letters section. Now 92, she continues to deliver award-winning copy on time, month in and month out; the Letters section remains the most-read part of the magazine.

Magazines du Québec Volunteer of the Year Jean-François started his career in magazines in 1996 at Transcontinental Publications (now TC Media). In 2005 he joined Éditions Genex, and was promoted in 2006 to Assistant General Manager, where he managed everyday operations of the group's magazines. In 2008, he became Bayard Presse Canada's Information Systems Manager, overseeing subscription and book software for the Canadian market. He is now Analyst and Fulfillment Manager for the more than 80 magazines published and managed by Bayard Presse Canada and Senior Publications. Jean-François joined the board of Magazines du Québec in 2010, and is currently its president.

Chris Purcell of TVA Publications named Magazines Canada volunteer of the year

Magazines Canada has named Chris Purcell, vice-president of marketing and circulation and general manager, Toronto for TVA Publications, as its volunteer of the year for 2015. The award is given annually to one individual whose outstanding volunteer contributions have had a national impact on the Canadian magazine industry. It will be presented on Thursday, June 9 during the MagNet industry conference in Toronto. 

"His dedication to the industry, his team and this association is emblematic of the leaders I've had the pleasure of getting to know at Magazines Canada. The number of hours that Chris has voluntarily put in on the Blue Box Advisory is nothing short of heroic," said Matthew Holmes, CEO of Magazines Canada. "It's a file that is highly technical, time-consuming, and requires great diplomacy. The material impact that Chris has had in building bridges to other industries and getting buy-in on the need for change to Blue Box fees for magazines speaks for itself. And this is in addition to his many other contributions over the years, at MagNet and beyond."

Volunteers needed to help run MagNet conference in June

Magazines Canada is looking for student volunteers to assist at this year's MagNet industry conference. The payoff is that, depending on the amount of time you volunteer, the more access you gain to free sessions. And the more opportunities there are to network in a place where many of the industry's leaders gather. 

This year’s dates are June 7-9, with sessions happening on the 8^th and 9^th. It’ll be held at the Courtyard Toronto Downtown Hotel at 475 Yonge Street. Students can learn more about the conference at magnet.magazinescanada.caand if they’d like to sign up to volunteer, they can do so atmagazinescanada.ca/magnet-volunteer-form. Every year Mags Canada gets applications from more volunteers than we can use, so it’s best not to wait to sign up. Typically, the roster fills up by the end of April.

Regional magazine associations name volunteers of the year

Last week the Magazines Canada volunteer of the year was named as Immee Chee Wah, vice-president of business planning for Rogers Publishing. This week, the five regional magazine associations have announced their volunteer of the year award winners; they will be honoured Thursday June 5 at the Magazines Canada annual luncheon during the MagNet conference:

Atlantic Magazines Association Volunteer of the Year: Thom Knowles

Thom Knowles is a freelance graphic designer and a specialist at the Halifax Apple Store. Before beginning a career in communication arts, Thom trained as an English teacher at Mount Saint Vincent University. From there, he studied graphic design at Nova Scotia Community College, graduating with the Highest Achievement award. Thom worked for four years as a designer at the award-winning  Saltscapes magazine, during which time he became a member of the board at the Atlantic Magazines Association. Aside from his design pursuits, Thom is a singer-songwriter in Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he lives with his wife and two-year-old daughter.

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Magazines Ontario Volunteer of the Year: Melony Ward

Melony Ward is publisher of Canada's History magazine and Kayak: Canada's History for Kids. She is on the magazine advisory committee for the Ontario Media Development Corporation. She has served on the board of directors of Magazines Canada, and has a long track record of success with niche print and online media. Her current volunteer activities include marketing strategy in the political arena and fundraising for the health-care sector.

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Manitoba Magazine Publishers' Association Volunteer of the Year: Deborah Morrison

Deborah Morrison is CEO of Canada's National History Society. She was appointed to the History Society in 2002 and has introduced several program extensions in addition to Kayak: Canada's History for Kids since her arrival. They include Teaching Canada's History/Innover en Classe, an educator's magazine; a children's illustrated story-writing contest; historical travel tours, as well as several book projects, including 100 Days That Changed Canada, which was Amazon's top-selling history book for the 2011 Christmas season. She has been involved with the Manitoba Magazine Publishers Association since 2004 and currently serves as past president. (It was recently announced that Morrison is leaving the Society at the end of June after 12 years to become executive director of the Society for Educational Visits in Canada (SEVEC) which offers reciprocal exchanges between groups of Canadian youth.)

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Alberta Magazine Publishers Association Volunteer of the Year: Emily Ursuliak

Emily Ursuliak is the fiction editor for filling Station magazine and was previously the coordinator for filling Station's monthly community writing event "Hot Dates with Blank Pages." She is also an executive producer for the literary radio show Writer's Block where she interviews local and visiting writers. Emily recently graduated from the University of Calgary with her Master of Arts in English where she worked on both her first novel and collection of poetry.

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Magazine Association of BC Volunteer of the Year: Darren Bernaerdt

Darren Bernaerdt is Coordinator for the Publishing Program at Langara College and Publisher of Pacific Rim Magazine. He is a strong believer in ongoing education as a key element in achieving one’s career goals and actively supports his students in their educational journey. In the latter half of 2012 and through 2013 he was the Treasurer for the Magazine Association of BC.

Immee Chee Wah named Magazines Canada volunteer of the year

Immee Chee Wah, vice president of business planning for Rogers Publishing, has been named Magazines Canada's volunteer of the year for 2013. She will receive her award at the Magazines Canada Luncheon on Thursday, June 5, 2014 at MagNet: Canada's Magazine Conference at the Courtyard Toronto Downtown at 475 Yonge St. in Toronto.The award is given annually to one individual whose outstanding volunteer contributions have had a national impact on the Canadian magazine industry.

Her voluntary service include serving as magazine media representative on the board of directors of Access Copyright, and is a volunteer member of the Blue Box committee of Magazines Canada. In her current role, Chee Wah oversees production and logistics for all Rogers magazines and is also responsible for regulatory matters. She has held various roles in publishing, including group circulation director and vice president of business development. 

Darlene Storey named Magazines Canada volunteer of the year

Darlene Storey, vice-president of consumer marketing and production for St. Joseph Media, has been named Magazines Canada volunteer of the year for 2012. She will be presented with her award at the Magazines Canada luncheon on Thursday, June 6 during the MagNet magazines conference. 

“Darlene was an easy choice for her colleagues,” said Mark Jamison, CEO of Magazines Canada. “She is both a respected industry leader and a generous mentor.”

Storey, who has taught at the Magazines Canada school for circulation for many years, also sits on the association's Direct Mail, Canada Post and Stewardship committees. She teaches Magazine Marketing and Circulation as part of the Magazine and Web Publishing program at Ryerson's Chang School.

Storey directs the circulation of St. Joseph Media publications Toronto Life, Quill & Quire, Where Vancouver, Where Calgary, Where Toronto, Where Ottawa, Fashion, Men’s Fashion, Canadian Family, Weddingbells, Mariage, Glow, Pure and Ottawa magazine. Prior to joining St. Joseph Media, Storey worked as Group Circulation Director for Transcontinental Media (now TC Media), overseeing Canadian Living, Homemakers, Madame, Style at Home, Elle Canada, Canadian Home & Country, Canadian Gardening, Outdoor Canada, Canadian Home Workshop, Vancouver Magazine, Western Living, MORE magazine, The Hockey News and the IT Trade publications.

One week left to nominate Magazines Canada Volunteer of the Year

There is just one week until the April 9 deadline for nominations to the Magazines Canada Volunteer of the Year Award. Established in 2006, the award honours one person a year who has made an outstanding volunteer contribution to the Canadian magazine industry. The choice is made by a committee of longstanding industry professionals. The award is celebrated in a special ceremony at MagNet: Canada's Magazine Conference which will be held in June. 

Nomination form and further information. 

Regional magazine volunteers of the year named

Volunteers of the Year for 2011 have been named by the five regional magazine associations from across the country, thereby joining Joyce Byrne, who was recently named national volunteer of the year. The five who will be honoured, with Byrne, at the Magazines Canada luncheon on Thursday, June 7 during the MagNet national conference, are: 

• Magazine Association of BC -- Jenn Farrell, freelance writer and editor and former managing editor of subTerrain. Currently vice-president of MagsBC;
• Alberta Magazine Publishers Association --  (co-winners) Bobbi Beatty, managing editor of Other Voices; and Kayla Nash, editorial assistant at Lethbridge Living;
• Magazines Ontario -- Christopher Purcell, vice-president of consumer marketing at TC Transcontinental, overseeing the circulation strategy for 15 English and French titles, including Canadian Living, Coup de Pouce, Elle, Style at Home, The Hockey News and Les Affaires;
• Magazines du Québec-- Sylvain Bédard, editor in chief of TC Media's finance group ((Investment Executive and Finance et Investissement) since 2008, Bédard has also overseen Commerce, Commerce Prestige, Affaires PLUS, PME and Vision durable for three years. From March 2000 to December 2005, he served as editor-in-chief and associate editor of Finance et Investissement. He was co-chair of Magazines du Québec in 2010 and 11;
• Atlantic Magazines Association -- Christine Beevis Trickett, editor of digital and print publications for Nature Conservancy of Canada, responsible for the bilingual print magazine The Ark/L'Arche. She has been published in a number of magazines including Saltscapes and The Coast. She is a board member of the AMA and co-chair of the Editors' Association of Canada Nova Scotia branch.

Joyce Byrne of Venture Publishing named Magazines Canada volunteer of the year

Joyce Byrne, an indefatigable and generous contributor to the magazine industry in Canada generally and Alberta magazines in particular, has been named Magazines Canada's Volunteer of the Year for 2011. One award is made annually to someone whose outstanding volunteer contributions have had a national impact. 

"Joyce is a wonderful mentor for the magazine community," said Deborah Morrison, the chair of Magazines Canada's board and president and CEO of Canada's National History Society. "She's a talented publisher who is always enthusiastic about sharing her knowledge and networks with others. Most importantly, she always does so with warmth and humour."

Byrne, who is vice-president and associate publisher of Venture Publishing of Edmonton, has been on the Magazines Canada's board for 10 years and currently sits on the government relations committee and MagNet curriculum task force. She has chaired the professional development committee since 2007. In Alberta, she serves on the board of the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association and sits on the association's conference committee.

Prior to joining Venture, Byrne was publisher of Toronto-based This Magazine.

Magazines Week launched with naming of volunteers of the year

Magazines week in Toronto, which features the MagNet conference, the Kenneth R. Wilson trade magazine awards and the National Magazine Awards, has been launched with announcement of the names of the Volunteers of the Year from five regional magazine associations and the national volunteer of the year. They will be celebrated at a reception on Thursday, June 9 at MagNet in the Courtyard Marriott Hotel.

• Magazines Canada's Volunteer of the Year: Jessica Ross
  Jessica Ross is Executive Editor of Homemakers and Vice President and Treasurer of the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors. Ross sits on Magazines Canada’s Professional Development committee and the MagNet Curriculum Taskforce. She has also made invaluable contributions to the Professional Writers Association of Canada’s team working on best practices for writers and editors and has been on the board of the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors for many years.
• Nominated by the Magazine Association of BC: Clélie Rich
  Clélie Rich is senior member of the volunteer collective that runs ROOM magazine. Rich’s contributions to ROOM, Canada's oldest journal of writing and art by, for, and about women, have been critical to its ongoing success. She spent several years with the magazine in the 1990s and returned in 2004 when the collective needed her institutional memory and organizational skills. A past volunteer chair of the Federation of BC Writers, Rich also volunteers much of her time as a working board member of the Western Magazine Awards.
• Nominated by the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association: Claire Lacey
  Claire Lacey is a poet, blogger and activist. She is currently pursuing a M.A. in Creative Writing at the University of Calgary. Lacey is also the poetry editor for Dandelion magazine. She can be found at poetactics.blogspot.com.
• Nominated by the Manitoba Magazine Publishers' Association: Deborah Morrison
  Deborah Morrison is the CEO of Canada’s National History Society, and publisher of Canada’s History and Kayak. She was appointed to the History Society in 2002 and has introduced several program extensions in addition to Kayak: Canada’s History for Kids since her arrival, including last fall’s 100 Photos That Changed Canada, which was Canada’s top-selling history book for 2009. She has been involved with the Manitoba Magazine Publishers' Association since 2004 and currently serves as past-president. She is Chair of Magazines Canada’s Public Affairs Committee.
• Nominated by Magazines Ontario: Eithne McCredie
  Eithne McCredie is Vice President of Abacus Circulation, a company that offers hands-on execution of circulation strategies for business media and consumer magazines, including Canadian Art, Maisonneuve, Canadian Running and International Architecture & Design. She is also a long-standing member of Magazines Canada's Circulation Marketing Committee and has presented at the School for Circulation and MagNet, Canada's Magazine Conference.
• Nominated by Magazines du Québec: Catherine Resch
  Catherine Resch is Account Director with Transcontinental Media's 360° Solutions. Resch joined Transcontinental Media in 1996 and has been the sales manager for Commerce, A + and Vita magazines. She became involved with the Association québécoise des éditeurs de magazines (AQEM) in 1998, and for six years organized the Magazine Day conference, an annual event that rewards the craftsmen of Quebec magazines. In the past ten years she has made a concentrated effort to increase and find sponsorship for AQEM.
• Nominated by the Atlantic Magazines Association: Sharon Resky
  Sharon Resky, senior corporate account executive with Atlantic Business Magazine, served as the 2010-11 chair of the Atlantic Magazines Association. Her term has been dedicated to ensuring all print and electronic magazines in Atlantic Canada—regardless of circulation size—benefit from the professional development that comes with membership in the region’s magazine association. Under her leadership, this year’s annual Mags East conference was the most successful to date, boasting the highest number of participants.
  

Jess Ross, executive editor of Homemakers named MC Volunteer of the Year

Jess Ross, the executive editor of Homemakers magazine has been named Magazines Canada’s Volunteer of the Year for 2010, Magazines Canada announced today.

A generous and tireless volunteer in service of her industry, Ross is vice president and treasurer of the Canadian Society of Magazine Editors (CSME) and sits on Magazines Canada’s professional development committee and the MagNet curriculum taskforce. She has also made invaluable contributions to the Professional Writers Association of Canada’s team working on best practices for writers and editors.

“Jessica is a smart cookie, puts in hours of quiet volunteering and has exquisite professional standards,” said Tom Hopkins, former editorial director of Avid Media and former Magazines Canada board member. “I claim special knowledge on this—I was lucky enough to have her as a talented and tireless Avid staffer. Mark me down as a proud boss.”

On CSME, Ross has helped to elevate the professionalism of the organization by launching a revitalized website, organizing the group’s finances and steering a bid for incorporation. Ross also played a key role in the development of the Professional Writers Association of Canada’s initiative to create a set of best practices for writers and editors by providing valuable feedback on the real-life challenges of an editor.

Ross started her magazine career as associate editor and web editor of IE:Money magazine, and later took on the role of managing editor at Avid Media's Canadian Home Workshop before becoming executive editor of Homemakers. Prior to her career in magazines, Ross worked in advertising and consumer show management. She also writes a daily blog for Homemakers called Eco Logic  which promotes green living and develops editorial workflow systems in her off-time (!).

The Magazines Canada Volunteer of the Year Award goes each year to an outstanding volunteer who has had a national impact on the Canadian magazine industry. The award will be presented at the Magazines Canada Cross-Country Volunteer of the Year Reception on Thursday, June 9, 2011 at MagNet, Canada’s Magazine Conference at the Courtyard Marriott at 475 Yonge St. in Toronto, where regional volunteers of the year will also be recognized.

Clélie Rich named Mags BC volunteer of the year

The Magazines Association of BC has announced that Clélie Rich, senior member of the volunteer collective that runs ROOM magazine, is the MABC 2010 volunteer of the year. The award recognizes volunteer achievement by those who provide inspiration for bright up-and-comers and better the magazine industry through their involvement.

ROOM is Canada's oldest journal of writing and art by, for, and about women and Rich spent several years with the magazine in the 1990s and returned in 2004 when the collective needed her institutional memory and organizational skills, according to an item in the MABC newsletter.

Fellow ROOM collective member Melissa Edwards says the recognition is well deserved: “Clélie dedicates hundreds of hours each year to the education of young editors and the stabilization of ROOM, including making herself available to all collective members on Skype every Saturday morning to answer questions. The women she mentors go on to edit issues of ROOM themselves, and then to contribute their growing skills at paying jobs at other publishers in BC and across Canada.”

A past volunteer chair of the Federation of BC Writers, Rich also volunteers much of her time as a working board member of the Western Magazine Awards. Corey Van’t Haaff, WMA executive director, says, “There are few volunteers I am aware of who can match Clélie Rich’s dedication to task, perseverance and skill. Throughout it all, she remains professional, affable, engaged, thorough and delightfully available.”

Rich is also a published poet and freelance editor. She will be honoured at Magazines Canada’s Cross-Canada Volunteer Appreciation Reception in Toronto on June 9, during MagNet.

Tracy Stefanucci named BCAMP's volunteer of the year

Tracy Stefanucci, publisher and editor-in-chief of OCW Magazine, has been named 2009 volunteer of the year by the BC Magazine Publishers Association (BCAMP).

"Since co-founding OCW Magazine, a Vancouver-based arts and literary magazine, in 2006, Stefanucci has nurtured the talents of over 40 industry professionals, many of whom have gone on to work at other magazines, and arts and publishing organizations," said a BCAMP release. "Her work at the not-for-profit, volunteer-run magazine has also provided a strong platform for the careers of up-and-coming writers, artists and musicians."

Stefanucci will be honoured alongside other regional award recipients at Magazines Canada’s cross-Canada volunteer appreciation reception on June 3, held during MagNet: Canada’s Magazine Conference. She will also be recognized at the BCAMP Annual General Meeting on June 12.

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.

The volunteers who make this industry hum

The volunteers who make this industry run are being honoured at MagNet, Canada's Magazine Conference. Already announced is that Terry Sellwood has been named Volunteer of the Year and will receive his honour at a Magazines Canada luncheon on June 14 during the conference. In addition, there are regional volunteer award winners who will be feted at a champagne reception later that day. They are (we crib from the Magazines Canada press release):

Lisa Manfield is the British Columbia Association of Magazine Publishers (BCAMP) Volunteer of the Year. Lisa contributes enormously to the Canadian magazine industry through her volunteer work with Room and her many years of dedicated service on the Boards of both Vancouver’s Word on the Street and BCAMP. Lisa is a marketing consultant to publishers, a freelance writer and editor, and contributes to the industry by volunteering her time to speak to writing groups and schools about the importance of Canadian magazines.

Derek Beaulieu is the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association (AMPA) Volunteer of the Year. He is the Managing Editor of filling Station, and brings energy and dynamism to the Calgary literary community where he has worked over the last decade as editor for dANDelion and filling Station. Derek is a powerful champion for creative expression, literary excellence and artist promotion and has been a strong force in Alberta’s magazine publishing community.

Andris Taskans is the Manitoba Magazine Publishers Association (MMPA) Volunteer of the Year. Andris is the Editor and Publisher of Prairie Fire and a founding member and long-time Director of the MMPA. He is also a founding member of the Manitoba Writers’ Guild, founding President of the Winnipeg Writers’ Festival and initiated Words on Wheels, a tour featuring aboriginal writers. Andris has mentored dozens of new authors and brings vision and energy to the industry through his extensive volunteer work.

Suzanne Lamouche is the Magazines du Québec (AQEM) Volunteer of the Year. Suzanne is a long-time Board member of AQEM where she was an active volunteer since 1993, and a former VP, Finance and Administration, for Rogers Media in Montreal. Suzanne has represented AQEM on the National Postal Committee, the Media Committee of the Québec Association of Media Directors and the Marketing Committee of Magazines Canada. She was also the driving force behind many professional development events for AQEM, including its annual Gala event.

Patty Baxter, Sheila Blair-Reid, Dawn Chafe,Shawn Dalton Jim Gourlay, Krista Hewey Ivanov, Leith Orr, Bill Skerrett, Anne van Loon, Dianne Williams and Grant Young are the founding Board members of the Atlantic Magazine Association (AMA). Each has worked tirelessly to create and guide the development of an association for magazines in the Atlantic region of Canada. For their dedication to enhancing the magazine industry on the east coast, and for their individual volunteer achievements, they are the AMA Volunteers of the Year.

Terry Sellwood named Volunteer of the Year

Terry Sellwood, the General Manager of Quarto Communications (publishers of Cottage Life and Explore magazines) is to be honoured as 2006 Magazines Canada's Volunteer of the Year.The award is made annually to one individual whose outstanding volunteer contributions have had a national impact on the Canadian consumer magazine industry.

[UPDATE: interviewed by Mastheadonline. (sub req'd), Sellwood said: “It’s important for the industry as a whole that we have continuity of the knowledge. There are so many organizations that can contribute at various levels, and if we don’t encourage people to do that we just can’t be all that we can be,” says Sellwood. “I guess that’s the point of it.”]

In his 30-year-to-date career, Sellwood has been an active advocate for the publishing industry and currently sits on the Board of Magazines Canada. He has also served on the Board of the National Magazine Awards Foundation and on the Canadian Marketing Association's Publishing Committee. Other notable contributions include his previous posts as President of the Circulation Management Association of Canada and of the National Magazine Awards Foundation, as well as his membership on the Magazines Canada Professional Development Committee since its inception. He is also a faculty member for Magazines Canada's School for Circulation and an adjudicator at the School for Professional Publishing and last year's winner of the CMC's Marketer of the Year award.

"Terry has worked selflessly, using his considerable and varied experience for the betterment of all magazines in Canada. Magazines big and small have benefited from the thousands of hours that Terry has devoted to making this a great industry," says Al Zikovitz, President of Quarto Communications and former Chair of Magazines Canada.

Sellwood will receive his award at the Magazines Canada Annual Luncheon on June 14, 2007 at MagNet, Canada's Magazine Conference/La conférence canadienne des magazines.