Non Profit Organizations Only as Strong as Their Volunteers

Nugget Column #05 – Tuesday October 18th, 2016

Recently the North Bay Granite Club was honoured by news that they have been nominated for a business award that will be selected by the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce at Thursday night’s Bell Evening of Excellence. The annual dinner and academy awards-style ceremony celebrates business and entrepreneurs in North Bay and area.

North Bay’s only curling and tennis facility is amongst the top three nominees in the “Not-for-Profit of the year” category and will be featured throughout the event.

Such recognition can force reflection, and it would be an understatement to say that we are fortunate to have a facility such as ours to service the recreation and social needs of the community. That and at no cost to the taxpayer thanks to the talented and dedicated volunteers who donate their time to the organization’s mandate.

As we get ready to launch our curling season on Monday October 24th, volunteers have been scurrying around the club recruiting new members, creating league draws, cleaning, planning fundraising efforts, organizing bonspiels, installing ice, and so much more.

It’s thanks to these people that the North Bay Granite Club continues to be operational despite such a drastic change in business plans since the club was incepted. We do not recognize these volunteers often enough, so please know that we are extremely thankful and we hope that you will share in the pride of receiving this nomination.

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ORIENTATION: If you’ve never (or hardly) tried Curling before and are on the fence about joining one of our leagues or instructional programs, then mark your calendars for Wednesday October 26th at 6pm for a two-hour “Orientation to Curling”, only $20/adult or $10/kid.

This session will include an all-encompassing overview of the sport of Curling (rules, etiquettes, competition format, etc.), a tour of the facility, an introduction to on-ice skills and techniques, and the opportunity to play a couple of ends.

Participants need only bring clean indoor running shoes and warm, flexible layers of clothing. RSVP at northbaycurling.com/orientation.

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The club’s first ever “Swing and Sweep” occurred on Saturday October 15th and was supported by fourteen teams. Due to some unforeseen issues with the delivery and installation of a new piece of equipment required for the club’s ice plant, the arena was not available on Saturday, thus requiring a change to the original plan.

Organizers, Gus Laforge and committee, were thankful to all of the understanding participants who turned out regardless and enjoyed eighteen holes of golf at Osprey Links. After a long day of swinging and… swinging, folks returned to the Granite Club for a dinner and prize-giving. A few of the winners were:

1. Longest putt – ladies: Pat Graham

2. Longest putt – men: Brad Stenning

3. Closest to the rope – ladies: Marie-Rose Roy

4. Closest to the rope – men: Mike Cragg

5. Closest to the hole – ladies: Linda Lutecki

6. Closest to the hole – men: Terry Tweedle

7. Overall team winners: Chris Chartrand, Megan Johnson, John Davis, and Val Davis

Bobby Ray General Manager North Bay Granite Club