Celebrating our volunteers
Across the country, Federal Retirees volunteers support our members, lead branches, advance advocacy campaigns and help build strong communities for retirees and their families.
Our Volunteer Recognition Program highlights the people and branches whose work makes a meaningful difference.
Why volunteers matter
Our association was built by volunteers, and it continues to grow because of them. From our board of directors to local leaders, advocates and storytellers, volunteers play a vital role in our shared work that:
- Advances advocacy for dignity in aging and the protection of earned benefits.
- Welcomes new members and builds community across Canada.
- Brings local activities and learning opportunities to life.
- Centres member voices, stories and lived experience.
How we recognize our volunteers
Our national Volunteer Recognition Program celebrates individuals and branches whose efforts make a meaningful difference.
Each year, we:
- Present national awards to outstanding volunteers and branches.
- Celebrate award recipients an annual ceremony.
- Share their stories in Sage magazine, on our website, in newsletters and on social media so members across Canada can get to know them.
- Encourage branch-level recognition, where branches highlight and thank local volunteers at their own events and in local communications.
- Recognize their time, dedication, leadership and impact.
Volunteer Recognition Awards
Our Volunteer Recognition Awards honour individuals and branches whose leadership, collaboration and commitment inspire others and strengthen the association.
2026 Individual Awards
The Claude Edwards Leadership Award
This award recognizes a volunteer whose leadership has had a significant, positive impact on their branch, region or the association as a whole.
Collaboration Award
Presented to a volunteer who brings people together, across branches, districts, partners or communities to achieve shared goals and better outcomes for members.
Volunteerism Award
Honours an association member who demonstrates an outstanding commitment to community service through their volunteer activities, within Federal Retirees and beyond.
2026 Branch Excellence Awards
These awards recognize branches that go above and beyond in serving members, supporting volunteers and advancing our mission.
Small Branch Excellence Award
Medium Branch Excellence Award
Large Branch Excellence Award
Branch with Employees Excellence Award
Each of these branches exemplifies innovation, strong governance, effective volunteer engagement and meaningful results for members.
2026 award recipients
Claude Edwards Leadership Award
Jacques Lambert, president, Montreal Branch
Jacques Lambert’s trajectory stands out for the steadfastness of his commitment, the breadth of his responsibilities and the lasting impact of his leadership at the local, provincial and national levels. He has continually adapted the service offering to the diverse needs of the approximately 12,000 members of the Montreal Branch, with a spirit of inclusion, providing services in both official languages and considering the diversity of ages, backgrounds and lived realities of members.
Volunteerism Award
Eileen Whyte, vice-president, South-East New Brunswick Branch
Eileen joined the association’s South-East New Brunswick Branch in January 2010. She was invited to become a branch board member in May 2021 and became acting second vice president of the branch in 2023. Eileen is a committed volunteer with our association and many more. She has been active for the past eight years as a volunteer on the organizing committee for assistance in various student activities, including field trips and parent-teacher interviews.
Small Branch Excellence Award
Battle River Branch
In 2024-25, the Battle River Branch launched an initiative called Advocacy and Recruitment Meetings (ARM). In the past two years the branch has encouraged new volunteers to attend as observers at the provincial, district and national member meetings to expand their knowledge and create a succession plan to keep the branch healthy. As a result of the ARM initiative, the branch communicated with four MLAs and one MP.
Large Branch Excellence Award
South-East New Brunswick Branch
In 2025, the South-East New Brunswick Branch held seven management meetings and five general membership meetings, including its AGM. On several occasions throughout the year, the branch is invited to present the National Association of Federal Retirees as part of a three-day training course on retirement preparation offered to federal employees in the region. Thanks to these activities, the branch recruited several new members.
Past award recipients
Over the years, volunteers and branches across the country have been recognized for their leadership, service and dedication. While each award recipient brings their own story, they all share a commitment to strengthening our association and supporting members in meaningful ways.
Award categories and formats have evolved over time to reflect the changing work of volunteers and branches.
2025 Individual Awards
- Claude Edwards Leadership Award: Shawna Murphy, Saskatoon & Area Branch
- Collaboration Award: Jim Lystar, London Branch
- Volunteerism Award: Terry Gunnlaugson, Western Manitoba Branch
Branch Excellence Awards
Small Branch Excellence: North Nova Branch
Branch with Employees: Ottawa Branch
2024 Individual Awards
Claude Edwards Leadership Award: Ian Spence, Fraser Valley West Branch
Collaboration Award: Helen and Larry Crabb, Central Okanagan Branch
Volunteerism Award: Line Lecours, Mauricie Branch
Branch Excellence Awards
Small Branch Excellence: Central Manitoba Branch
Medium Branch Excellence: Southern Alberta Branch
2023 Individual Awards
- Claude Edwards Leadership Award: Robert Giroux, president, Ottawa Branch
- Collaboration Award: Jacques Lecompte, secretary, Outaouais Branch
- Volunteerism Award: Gerard Carmichael, director, Kitchener Waterloo & District Branch
Branch Excellence Awards
- Advocacy Awards: Nanaimo & Area Branch
- Membership Recruitment and Engagement Award: Outaouais Branch
- Volunteer Support and Development Award: Winnipeg & Area Branch
2022 Individual Awards
- Fred Whitehouse Founder’s Award: Jean-Guy Soulière (former association president)
- Claude Edwards Leadership Award: Micheline Lefrançois, first vice-president, Quebec Branch
- Collaboration Award: Maggie Smith, director, social media, Calgary & District Branch
Branch Excellence Awards
- Membership Recruitment and Engagement Award: Ottawa Branch
- Large Branch Award: Central Okanagan Branch and the Charlottetown Branch
2021 Individual Awards
- Claude Edwards Leadership Award: Shirley Pierce, advocacy program officer, Charlottetown Branch
- Collaboration Award: Jacynthe Trudel, membership director, Mauricie Branch
- Volunteerism Award: Tim Hoban, vice-president, Miramichi Branch
Branch Excellence Awards
- The Advocacy Award: Quebec Branch
2020 Individual Awards
- Claude Edwards Leadership Award: Bernd Hirsekorn, branch president, Fraser Valley West Branch
- Collaboration Award: Gerry Thompson, director, Calgary Branch
- Volunteerism Award: Winston Jenkins, vice president, Central Newfoundland Branch
Branch Excellence Awards
- The Advocacy Award: Southern Alberta Branch
- The Membership Recruitment and Engagement Award: Edmonton Branch
- The Branch Excellence Award (large branch): Ottawa Branch
2019 Individual Awards
- Claude Edwards Leadership Award: Yves Bouchard, first vice president, Québec Branch and Stephen Troy, (posthumous), Former President, Ottawa Branch and Branch Services Coordinator
- Collaboration Award: Daniel Morin, president, Montreal Branch
- Volunteerism Award: Clifford Poirier, president, Summerside Branch
Branch Excellence Awards
- Advocacy Award: The Fredericton & District Branch
- Membership Recruitment and Engagement Award: Ottawa Branch
- Branch Excellence, Large Branch: Québec Branch and Hamilton & Area Branch
- The Branch Excellence Award, Small Branch: Colchester East-Hants Branch
2018 Individual Awards
- Claude Edwards Leadership Award: Vic Ashdown, Nanaimo and Area Branch
- Collaboration Award: Christine Desloges, Ottawa Branch
- Volunteerism Award: Pierre Cousineau, Québec Branch
Branch Excellence Awards
- Advocacy Award: The Winnipeg and District Branch
- Membership Recruitment and Engagement Award: Québec Branch
- Volunteer Recruitment and Engagement Award: Winnipeg & District Branch
Nominate a volunteer
See someone going above and beyond? Tell us.
If you know a volunteer or branch that is making a remarkable contribution, consider submitting a nomination. Your nomination helps us discover and celebrate stories that might otherwise go untold, and it lets volunteers know just how much their efforts are appreciated.
Explore volunteer opportunities
Curious about volunteering with Federal Retirees?
Whether you’re interested in a few hours a month or something more involved, there are many opportunities to contribute:
- Serve at your branch or through committee work.
- Share your stories, skills or experience on special projects.
- Help with events, outreach or member services.
- Take part in advocacy efforts in your community.
Volunteering is a meaningful way to stay connected, use your skills and support positive aging across Canada.
Volunteer recognition committee
Our volunteer recognition committee supports the awards nominations and selection process. The committee reviews the nominations and recommends recipients, helping ensure the program is fair, thoughtful and reflective of the many ways volunteers contribute to our members, branches and communities. Each year, the committee helps tell the stories of volunteers whose work is making a real difference across Canada.
A heartfelt thank you to the volunteer recognition committee members, our nominators and of course our phenomenal volunteers.
The committee consists of the following members:
Léonard LeBlanc, chair
Sharon Squire, national director, Ottawa & Nunavut
Brian Strongman, member
Leo O’Brien, president, Avalon-Burin Peninsula Branch
Richard Chevrier, member
Michelle Langille, advocacy program officer, Nova Scotia
Veronica Britton, branch services coordinator, Eastern Ontario
Ted Young, director, Ontario
Shawn McCord, senior consultant, belairdirect
Laurie Van Wyk, Director of Partner Development & HIS, Hearing Life
Gail Curran, volunteer engagement officer
Ysabel Anderson, administrative assistant
For additional information, please contact Gail Curran, volunteer engagement officer, at 613-745-2559, ext. 235 or volunteersupport@federalretirees.ca