Heather Theoret - Nepean Volunteer Award Winner

One of our volunteers who so seldom takes time for herself is our Vice Chair, Heather Theoret.  MP Chandra Arya notified the SSO that he was accepting nominations for riding of Nepean, where Heather lives. We nominated Heather, and it is no surprise to us that she was awarded for her volunteerism.  Below is the nomination letter.

The Scottish Society of Ottawa is pleased and honoured to nominate Heather Theoret for the Nepean Volunteer award.

Heather Theoret is the Vice-Chair of the Scottish Society in name, but she is truly the glue that hold us all together.  She was a founding member and has served the Scottish Society continuously for the past 10 years.  Her tireless effort, creativity, dedication, and loyalty, along with her Scottish fortitude, good humour, and quick wit has led the Scottish Society to success and recognition.  Truly, without Heather this organization would have folded at 5 years.

Heather has excellent organizational skills and has served in the board roles of Secretary (both recording and Corporate) and Vice Chair.  She has played key roles in communications as social media and web content manager, in the Hogman-eh!  celebrations and Burns Supper as artistic director, as well as on the finance and fund development committee where she is the initiator of all sponsorship.

During the pandemic, as we (along with all festivals and events) made a pivot from in-person to virtual events, Heather led our video-production in Hogman-eh! and Burns Supper, as well as developed a virtual speaker series. She has helped grow the Society even in times of turmoil.

Heather serves with a mission of outreach and has connected the Scottish Society of Ottawa to organizations across Canada and the world.  With her leadership, our reputation has grown, and we are seen by many, including the Scottish Government, as the “go-to” organization in Canada, looking to the past to guide a bright future.

It is our absolute pleasure to nominate Heather Theoret for the Nepean Volunteer Award.  Her volunteer work has impacted the lives of people from Nepean, Ottawa, Ontario, and Canada.

I know you will want to join me in congratulating Heather and thank her for her tireless support of the SSO!