CADS Calgary Volunteer Awards serve as a way of recognizing individuals within the program that have really gone above and beyond and shown a true dedication to the program throughout the season. We have five awards that are distributed based on nominations from the membership, and one award that is given out at the Board of Directors discretion. The numbers of nominees vary each year and the awards are usually announced at the AGM.
At the end of the 2021-2022 season, a group of very talented, dedicated volunteers and participants were nominated by program participants, and their supporters, for awards. Although each and every individual volunteer for CADS Calgary deserves recognition for their effort and dedication, the board selected the most deserving individual members from a number of nominations for each award. We are pleased to share those individuals who have been recognized as having been outstanding volunteers as recipients of the 2021-2022 awards listed below. Please be sure to congratulate them when you see them on the hill.
Instructor of the Year
This award is presented to an instructor who has committed themselves to the CADS Calgary program and demonstrated the ability to help their student improve their skiing or snowboarding skills throughout the season. The instructor will have been committed to the program for three or more years and shown an abundance of dedication, creativity and passion for helping their student advance.
Recipient of this year’s Instructor of the Year: Scott Nicoll
The Nomination for Scott’s Award
Opportunity is CADS Calgary, reflected profoundly by instructor Scott Nicol. After a year of recovering from a devastating and life-altering injury, my days are spent mostly addressing medical issues. One notable exception is Scott reaching out to me at the request of a mutual friend to get me ‘back on snow’. I knew little about Sit-Skiing, even less about Scott. Scott could not have been more genuinely committed to ‘our’ adventure! He made it happen, no easy task weaving through other CADS commitments. He sacrificed his Thursday evening instructor development time to herd this sad sack of bones downhill. He didn’t just get me “back on snow’ he got me back on with my life! For that, and with help of CADS, I am grateful.
New Instructor of the Year
This award is presented to a new instructor that has been with the program for less than three years. The instructor shows commitment to learning how to improve their teaching skills, improve their skiing or snowboarding techniques and be focused on helping to support any student they are paired with. The instructor will have displayed a dedication to the program and share the love of skiing and snowboarding with all!
Recipient of this year’s Instructor New Instructor of the Year: Danielle Houlden
The Nomination for Danielle’s Award
Danielle skied with my son, James, age 13. She was interested, kind, and touched base with me at the end of each lesson to tell me how it went. She also helped take the boots/ski’s back to the rental office downstairs COP. Mostly her patience and interest in my son having an enjoyable time & learning.
Grant Myren Memorial Award
This award is presented to a new instructor that has been with the program for less than three years and embodies Grant’s whole-hearted passion for CADS Calgary. Grant Myren was a competitive Bull Rider and a dedicated instructor in Calgary for many years. He showed CADS the same commitment he had every time he got on the back of a bull; giving 110% all the time without knowing what to expect. The recipient of this award will have jumped into instructing adaptive skiing or snowboarding without fully knowing what teaching and the CADS program is all about, but still giving their all and picking it up as they go!
Recipient of this year’s Instructor Grant Myren Memorial Award: Kendra Sitter
Volunteer of the Year
This award is presented to a volunteer that has helped in ways other than instructing participants on snow. This individual goes above and beyond to contribute to the CADS Calgary family through their help in fundraising efforts, check-in for lesson nights, event planning and many other ways. Although not necessarily as readily identified as their instructor counterparts, they are crucial to every night we get to spend on snow!
Recipient of this year’s Instructor Volunteer of the Year: Russell Asplund
The Nomination for Russell’s Award
Russell has worked tirelessly in his efforts to lead the highly successful fundraising activities at CADS Calgary for several years, including helping lead the annual fundraising event, the Movement Gala.
Ted Rhodes Award
This award is presented in honour of Ted Rhodes to a participant of our ski and ride programs that has given their all throughout the season. Ted Rhodes was the founder of CADS Calgary in 1972 and loved to see student’s skills and confidence grow over the course of the season. In recognition of Ted, the individual receiving this award will have committed themselves to improve their skiing or snowboarding skills, and also will be actively promoting the CADS Calgary program. They take great pride and joy from the opportunities to be on snow and are proud to be a part of our CADS family!
Recipient of this year’s Instructor Ted Rhodes Award: Zoe Slater
Doug Brack Memorial Award (Long Term Service Award)
This award is given to volunteers who give their time to CADS Calgary for many years! The award is presented in memory of Doug Brack who was a long-time volunteer and started in the winter of 1975. He was a certified CADS Instructor and spent many years building outriggers before he began driving snowmobiles for CADS participants. Doug also participated in many CADS Festivals and was happy to pitch in whenever needed. In addition to his involvement with us, he gave back to the larger ski community by volunteering at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics and was a fixture at every World Cup race at Lake Louise. Doug was tragically taken from us too soon in 2017 and leaves a large gap in the hearts of many members of the CADS family. This award is given out in his memory at the discretion of the Board of Directors to individuals that have been with CADS Calgary for 25 years minimum and have gone above and beyond in their contribution to CADS throughout that time. Recipients do not need to be nominated.
The recipient of this year’s Doug Brack Memorial Award is Eldon Bushfield
The Nomination for Eldon’s Award
Eldon has been a member since September 1999. Eldon has been in charge of our Equipment for many years, tirelessly maintains all the equipment, transports and stores our equipment for the season, and has recently created storage for our equipment on his property.
Long-Term Service Awards
In addition, we recognize individuals that have reached milestones in the number of seasons they have spent with CADS Calgary. It would not be possible to have the knowledge base and success we have as a program without individuals that come back year after year to help others learn to ski and snowboard.
Congratulations and thanks to each and every recipient of the Long-Term Service Award.
CADS Calgary Volunteer Appreciation and Awards evening BBQ
The CADS Calgary Volunteer Appreciation and Awards evening BBQ, held at the 88 Bar at WinSport-COP, was a great opportunity for volunteers to reconnect and socialize after the summer break. It was a fun event that was greatly enjoyed by all those who participated.
