Volunteer Spotlight
Nov 21, 2024
Officer of the Year Awards:
John Brewster,
RCAF Squadron, Quinte District
Nominated by: William Thompson
“John began his career in the Royal Canadian Navy as an Engineering Officer, went on to work in the plant maintenance and operations sectors, operated his own consulting company for over eleven years in a wide variety of industries, was project manager for the first alternative service delivery location within the Armed Forces, and completed his career as a part owner of a waste to energy company producing alternative energy from source separated organics (the green bin) through anaerobic digestion technology
John is the current Commander and Education Officer for the squadron being first elected to these positions in 2015 and District Education Officer in 2022. He teaches the Safe Boating courses for the squadron and assists other squadrons in the District and Bay of Quinte area with their courses as requested. He is very concerned about the plastic pollution and suggested the CPS-ECP National office ship the course material in paper wrap instead of bubble wrap. He led the team which developed the documentary “The Safe Handling and Deployment of Pyrotechnic Flares (FLAREX)” John lobbied Canadian acceptance of the electronic flares developed in the United States.
Instructor of the year Awards
Peter Bennett,
Vancouver Squadron, Pacific Mainland District
Nominated by: Elizabeth Zygmunt
Peter is the instructor, examiner and organizer of the ROCM for Vancouver Squadron and leads the country in conducting ROCM courses. Over the past year Peter taught 6 1 day courses with an average of 16 students in each and conducted more than 140 exams for the on-line course.
Peter also delivers the course to many marine based organizations such as Global Containers, Maritime Employees, Jerico Sailing Club to name a few.
He is the National Chair for the ROCM course and participated in developing the on-line course. He reaches out to the on-line students who have registered but not completed the course and invites them to attend one of the in-class classes at no charge.
Peter is developing a hybrid ROCM course for students who don’t want to take the on-line course can take the course remotely with the in-class students.
Peter is also the squadron webmaster and keeps it up to date with upcoming squadron events, courses, boating links and the monthly newsletter. The site is also linked to the National site.
Students have remarked how entertaining and useful his courses have been.
Carolyn Wood,
London Squadron, Western Ontario District
Nominated by: Karen Conner
Carolyn and her husband Joe sail out of the Harbour Lights Marina in Bayfield. She joined the squadron bridge 3 years ago where she supports the Education team by planning the courses and seminars and ensuring they are well advertised on both the squadron and national websites. She works with the district education officers to share students and resources where she organizes the student’s needs. During the courses she provides support to both instructors and students, building relationships with the students to advance membership and volunteer relationships.
Goderich’s seminars go off without a hitch due to Carolyn’s efforts where she introduces the speaker and informs the students of squadron happenings.
Carolyn is a major asset to the Goderich team as the Education Officer.
