Valuing Your Volunteers Award In late June 2008, Evelyn Oldfield Unit thankfully invited our charity – The Iraqi Charities Forum – to participate in the nomination of our volunteers and the celebration of the volunteers’ awards. The Iraqi Charities Forum nominated Mr Michael Ragen to take part in this event. Mr Ragen was the only open-hearted volunteer in our Forum who volunteered for more than fourteen months as a proof reader and editor of our English writings without any inconvenience to us. He was unique in his good character, commitment and hard work. Mr Ragen recently obtained a job of teaching IT. The attached picture is of him during one of his teaching sessions. His involvement in teaching did not hinder him in his voluntary activities with us. The award ceremony was held from 5 o’clock on the evening of Friday 27th June 2008. It started at 5.30 with welcome notes by Balaj Bank-Anthony, trustee of Evelyn Oldfield Unit, followed by the playing of flute and drum by Mr Asafo Gyata. Mr Komlan Gnamatsi gave a speech about the Volunteering Development Project at Evelyn Olfield Unit. Two of the nominated volunteers – one of whom was Mr Ragen – gave a short speech about their volunteering experience followed by a manager’s experience provided by Caroline Blake from British Albanian and Kossovar Council. Then the door was open to managers and trustees, who nominated the volunteers, to give their speech and comments on this occasion. Mr Kamil al-Sharifi, Vice-Chair of the Iraqi Charities Forum who attended the ceremony, talked about his experience of volunteering and his nominee. Mr Sharifi expressed his thanks and gratitude to Mr Ragen’s self-denial, commitment and hard work. He stated that Mr Ragen did not think about getting any benefit or privilege from his voluntary activities – he even used to bring his lunch with him to the office and hence did not cost us a penny for both his lunch and transport. When the proof reading work became less he used to edit our newsletter propagated on our website. To save us using the computer in our office he suggested working for us freely from home. His quick response to our emails requesting him to edit or proof read documents was astonishing. The total volunteering hours he made was around 300 in five months till the time when he proposed to work for us from home. The award ceremony, which was the focus of this event, took place at 6.30. Every nominated volunteer was awarded with a certificate of recognition and appreciation. Numerous pictures were taken during the awarding process. Finally the attendees were hosted by a delicious outstanding dinner.
