2015 Inspire by Example Award Winners Lynn Heitman, U.S. Bank; Erik Koepnick, nominated by Guest House of Milwaukee; Harold Darst, nominated by Interfaith OlderAdult Programs; Ananya Murali, nominated by Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast; Ronald Jodat, nominated by IndependenceFirst; John Heindel, Zoo Pride, nominated by Zoological Society of Milwaukee. |
Hannah Weinberg-Kinsey is currently a Masters candidate in Education at Alverno College and a Reading Corps volunteer, in its inaugural year in Milwaukee, at Gwen T. Jackson Early Education and Elementary School. | By Hannah Weinberg-Kinsey, Guest Blogger “Girls want to make a difference,” says Sue Molina of Girl Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast. For this reason and more, the organization makes leadership development for girls its prime focus throughout all its programing, from outdoors experiences to financial literacy. While some people call it “service learning,” the Girl Scouts call their philosophy of service, “Take Action.” Under this mantra, Girls Scouts of Wisconsin encourages girls to identify a root problem and create a sustainable solution. Last January, Molina recognized that one dedicated Girl Scout demonstrated its core values of leadership and “Take Action” Service. Molina nominated Ananya Murali for the Youth Award, one of six Inspire by Example Awards sponsored by the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee. Murali and Molina attended the 33rd Annual Volunteer Celebration on April 9, 2015 where Murali was recognized for her design and implementation of an anti-bullying workshop for middle school girls that included peace murals and team-building activities. “I was just amazed by the variety of awards and the inspiring stories of the recipients,” recalls Molina about the award ceremony. Every year, the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee individually honors an adult, a youth, and a team of volunteers, as well as a volunteer manager, a nonprofit leader and a business’ employee volunteer program. Out of these six award categories, U.S. Bank was proud to earn the Business Award for its employees’ substantial community involvement. After the ceremony, the award was displayed at events and featured in the company blog. “It really made employees proud of the good work they were doing,” said Linda Buczynski, who nominated U.S. Bank last year. “This award encourages a sense of pride in employees and encourages them to volunteer more.” The Inspire by Example Awards recognize the lifeline of good nonprofit work and service across southeast Wisconsin: the individuals and teams with the passion to make things happen. These are the great volunteers, great volunteer managers, great leaders, and great businesses mobilizing their employees for volunteering. The recipients of these awards and the volunteerism they represent are not just the best of the best in the nonprofit sector, they are the best of the best in our entire community. Let us recognize those positively impacting this world! Who do you know that inspires by example? What individuals, teams, and organizations that you know or work with deserve recognition for their great work and would inspire others to follow their footsteps? What volunteers in your organization embody your mission? Take this opportunity to send a nomination to the Nonprofit Center of Milwaukee and experience the ripple effects of seeing the positive service of those around you. Like the Girls Scouts of Wisconsin, your mission could be personified in the award recipient. Like U.S. Bank, the recognition for your organization could inspire pride and dedication in volunteerism. Molina recognizes that girls want to make a difference. Join her in recognizing the individuals and organizations around you who personify your organization’s unique mission and inspire all to serve. Inspire by example. Inspire by nominating! Click here for nomination form link and information. Nominations due January 29. |