Getting Involved in Your Community

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Whatever your interest, there are a number of ways for you to get involved in your community. Wilmot is the home to numerous volunteer run organizations that offer programs, special events and undertake community projects to make our community a better place to work, live and play.

Below is a list of organizations that are actively recruiting volunteers in the community. This is not intended to be a complete list of all community organizations within the Township of Wilmot but some of those seeking volunteers. To have your community organization's information posted here or to update your information please contact us.

Citizen of the Year Awards

Each year, the Township of Wilmot shines a spotlight on Wilmot residents who have made outstanding contributions to the community in the previous calendar year. These awards recognize community builders and volunteers, showing us the amazing things that can achieved with passion, compassion and determination.

The selection and voting process for the Wilmot 2024 Citizen of the Year Awards is now complete. The five categories include Athletics; Community Service; Culture; Seniors; and Youth.

We look forward to announcing the award recipients and presenting the awards at the New Hamburg Fall Fair opening ceremonies on Sept.13, 2024.

Voting is now closed

Nominees

Citizen of the Year: Athletics (no vote required)
Tyler Rorke

Tyler Rorke of Baden at 21 is an accomplished world-class athlete in the sport of cycling and sprinting.

In 2024, Tyler earned his first UCI Nations Cup podium as he took bronze in the team sprint with James Hedgock and Ryan Dodyk to secure Canada’s spot in the event for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

Here are some additional career highlights:

Gold in the men’s team sprint at the Santiago 2023 Pan American Games with teammates James Hedgcock and Nick Wammes.
Gold with James Hedgcock and Nick Wammes in the men’s team sprint at the 2023 Pan American Championships.
Silver medal in the team sprint with Nick Wammes and Ryan Dodyk at the 2022 Pan American Championships.
Fourth at the 2022 Commonwealth Games with Nick Wammes and Ryan Dodyk.
Top 10 in the team sprint at the 2022 and 2023 UCI Track World Championships.

The community is proud of Tyler and we look forward to presenting him with the 2024 Citizen of the Year Award in Athletics.

Citizen of the Year: Community Service
Kevin Thomason

Kevin

Kevin Thomason, Vice-Chair of the Grand River Environmental Network, works tirelessly to better the environment for Wilmot citizens.

Kevin is an outgoing, passionate leader who holds governments accountable to the communities they serve, advocating on behalf of residents with the end goal of protecting the environment.

An entrepreneur, community and team builder, Kevin has helped to found and build a number of organizations, drawing from his background in technology, business, entrepreneurship, the environment, sustainability, and marketing.

Citizen of the Year: Community Service
Leann Taylor

Leann Taylor is a long-time resident and volunteer in Wilmot who brings strong leadership, support and wisdom to her roles.

She is an executive on the Board of the Wilmot Agricultural Society, serving as treasurer as well as leading the Education day program.

She is also treasurer for the New Hamburg branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and was also involved with the Girl Guides. Leann works tirelessly and without complaint to make improvements to Wilmot.

Citizen of the Year: Community Service
Lou Divita

nominee

Lou Divita of New Hamburg is the main administrator of two community Facebook pages in Wilmot, "Show Us Your Wilmot" and "What's Up Wilmot,” that create a positive online vibe by bringing information and beautiful images of Wilmot to the community.

He served as a volunteer on the 2024 Wilmot Canada Day Task Force, contributing marketing and design expertise and postings on Facebook to build excitement for the Canada Day event in William Scott Park.

Lou also served the community as a Scout and Beaver Scout leader.

Citizen of the Year: Community Service
Marie Voisin

nominee Marie Voisin has honoured military veterans since 2022 as the leader and champion of the annual Memorial Banner Program with the New Hamburg branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Each October and November, the lamp posts in New Hamburg feature banners with photos and stories that honour the service of military personnel.

Marie researches the background of each veteran to ensure that their “Honour Banner” is located in a place relevant to their lives.

Citizen of the Year: Community Service
Scott Dunstall

Scott Dunstall demonstrates leadership and fosters optimism. He is the public relations officer for the New Hamburg branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, honouring and supporting the sacrifices of our veterans. He is also president of the New Hamburg Optimists and recently launched Wilmot’s first Junior Optimist Club.

Scott has impacted Wilmot’s online presence by co-creating two social media pages, “Show us your Wilmot” and “What's up Wilmot.” Both pages continue to thrive and engage the community.

Citizen of the Year: Community Service
Stephanie Goertz

Stephanie Goertz, a long-time resident of Wilmot, is the Founder and Lead Volunteer of the Waterloo Region Grassroots Response to the Ukrainian Crisis.

Thanks to the efforts of the Grassroots Response, nearly 1,000 Ukrainians fleeing the ongoing war in Ukraine have been helped with housing and other settlement needs locally. Many have made Wilmot and the Region of Waterloo their new home.

Thanks to Stephanie for helping to make Canada known as a welcoming country.

Citizen of the Year: Community Service
Wayne Simpson

Wayne Simpson has lived in Wilmot for 22 years and is making a difference every day. He led the local Scouts Canada organization for 24 years, helped seniors through Community Care Concepts, and has volunteered for Moparfest, the New Hamburg branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and the Wilmot Family Resource Centre.

Wayne participated in the Special Olympics, winning 64 gold medals. He is kind, hardworking and always keeps busy contributing to the community.

Citizen of the Year: Seniors
Marie Voisin

Marie Voisin plays a lead role in honoring local service members. Entering its third year, the Memorial Banner Program of the New Hamburg branch of the Royal Canadian Legion featured more than 200 banners in 2023 dedicated to Wilmot’s military veterans.

Marie vets each banner application, overseeing the design and printing of each banner, and storing them between Remembrance seasons.

It is touching and common to see families posed for a photo under the banners of service members.

Citizen of the Year: Seniors
Scott Dunstall

Scott Dunstall brings vibrancy and new ideas to seniors in Wilmot. His thought-provoking articles for the magazine Embracing Change inspire boomers, seniors, and caregivers in Wilmot and beyond.

His men's fashion column in the Wilmot-Tavistock Gazette, with its unique perspective and fashion advice, helps mature men build style and confidence. Scott shows the older man that self care for the mind and the body are important and possible.

Citizen of the Year: Culture (no vote required)
Marie Voisin

Marie Voisin is known as New Hamburg’s local historian. An author, she has chronicled its history, including New Hamburg’s houses, buildings, people, and even ghosts. Her extensive travel for historical and genealogical research have deepened her connection to New Hamburg’s past.

She preserves the architectural heritage of New Hamburg, including her own home, a heritage site, and has restored The Imperial building, including its bricks, flags, spirals and horse post.

The community is proud of Marie and we look forward to presenting her with the 2024 Citizen of the Year Award in Culture.

Citizen of the Year: Youth
Katie Musselman

nominee

Katie Musselman, 17, from St. Agatha has a strong passion to mentor teens and children to become leaders and volunteers in their communities. She created the junior ambassador program for the Wellesley Fall Fair, and she shows her community commitment through her interest in becoming a firefighter.

Katie has worked with special needs children, including at Wilmot-Oxford D.S.S. and at Hidden Acres Camp Grounds. She was an ambassador for the agricultural program at
W-O and toured the Provincial education Minister and other dignitaries through the program. Her volunteer efforts include Barnyard Bash, Relay of Life, and Children’s
Farm Safety Day.

Citizen of the Year: Youth
Paul Poirier

Paul Poirier created an after-school program called “It’s the Little Things,” bringing youth together to positively impact their neighbours.

“It’s the Little Things” has created bracelets and fire starters and raised $150 for the Interfaith Counselling Centre and $250 for Sunshine Beanies. The group has volunteered at the Wilmot Family Resource Centre Food Bank, planted trees with Let’s Tree Wilmot and baked cookies for three groups in the community when they were honoured earlier this year.

Categories and eligibility criteria

The Citizen of the Year Award is presented in the areas of Athletics, Community Service, Culture, Seniors, and Youth. Awards will be presented at the New Hamburg Fall Fair. Subscribe for updates using the "Receive Email Updates" link at the bottom of this page.

Athletics

Nominee must be a current resident of Wilmot Township
Officers of the corporation (a person appointed by council) and elected officials are not eligible
Nominee can be individuals, teams, or organizations
Consideration for nomination is based on the performance, achievements, demonstrated leadership qualities, and community participation of the nominees within one calendar year (since June 2023)
- Performance – competitor results at the various levels of competition
- Achievement - rankings, awards, quality and quantity of accomplishments that nominees have achieved
- Leadership Qualities – Nominee must have exhibited some/all of the following positive qualities within the sport and community:
  - Teamwork
  - Pride
  - Character
  - Attitude
  - Ethics
  - Dedication
  - Enthusiasm
  - Perseverance
  - Integrity
  - Sacrifice
  - Honesty

Community Involvement – consideration is also given to demonstrated involvement and leadership within the sport as well as volunteer activities within the nominees’ community

Community Service

Nominee must be a current resident of Wilmot Township
Officers of the corporation (a person appointed by council) and elected officials are not eligible
Nominee can be individuals or organizations
Nominee has provided an outstanding contribution to the Township of Wilmot community by organizing and/or participating in projects/events/activities which have has a positive purpose and benefit to the community
Nominee has showed outstanding achievement in a specific field, including but not limited to education, environmental, community engagement, public welfare, leadership, and civic responsibility
Nominee may have demonstrated participation through volunteering, in kind service or contribution which is not in a paid capacity

Culture

Nominee must be a current resident of Wilmot Township
Officers of the corporation (a person appointed by council) and elected officials are not eligible
Nominee can be individuals or organizations
Nominee may have demonstrated participation through volunteering, in kind service or contribution which is not in a paid capacity
Nominee has made outstanding contributions to the community through Cultural activities/events

Seniors

Nominee must be a current resident of Wilmot Township
Officers of the corporation (a person appointed by council) and elected officials are not eligible
Nominee can be individuals or organizations
Nominee may have demonstrated participation through volunteering, in kind service or contribution which is not in a paid capacity. They may serve on service, school, church, or community committees
Nominee is enthusiastic about the Township and its citizens and works continually towards the betterment of the community

Youth

Nominee must be a current resident of Wilmot Township
Officers of the corporation (a person appointed by council) and elected officials are not eligible
Nominee can be individuals or organizations
Nominee may have demonstrated participation through volunteering, in kind service or contribution which is not in a paid capacity
Nominee is an inspirational role model for youth in the community
Nominee has demonstrated dedication to community and school with a strong sense of caring and responsibility

Conditions of entry

The following conditions of entry apply to all nominations.

Nominations must be made on the official nomination form. If you would like assistance, please email us.
Nominations must be received by the published closing date. Late applications and material will not be accepted.
Nominators can make submissions for more than one individual, but a separate form must be used for each nomination.
Individuals cannot self-nominate.
All nominees will be provided with the opportunity to accept their nomination and submit further supporting information. Late material will not be accepted.
Past award recipients (award category winners), within the last 5 years will not be considered in the same category again.
No weight is given to the number of times a person, team or organization is nominated.
Information provided in the nomination submission, and by the nominee, may be included in the promotional materials. This could be a summary of the information provided and all information may not be included.
All nomination information and materials submitted remain the property of the Township of Wilmot unless a request is made for the material to be return.
If material is requested to be returned, pick-up arrangements must be made via email.

Entry details

All nomination submissions should address the category criteria by outlining the nominee’s achievements and/or reasons for the nomination.

All eligible nominees will be contacted and provided with the opportunity to accept their nomination and submit further supporting information to be considered as part of the nomination if they choose.

Information provided in the nomination submission, and by the nominee, may be included in the Citizen of the Year Awards promotional materials. This could be a summary of the information provided and all information may not be included.

Ensure that you have carefully read the Eligibility Criteria and Conditions of Entry before submitting a nomination
Nominations close - Date and time TBD

If you would like assistance completing an online nomination form, please email us.

Vote

All nominations that meet the eligibility criteria, conditions of entry, are submitted by the deadline date and time and accepted by the nominee by the deadline date, will be included in the voting process. It is the responsibility of the Nominator and Nominee to supply all nomination information for assessment by the due date specified.

Contacts

Getting Involved in Your Community

Community groups

Service clubs

Special event committees

Sports organizations