Recognizing the leader in all of us

By Bruce Drake

From The Pacific News ( The Pacific Region's Online Newsletter ) - April 2006

All of us in Industry Canada-Pacific have experienced unusual phone calls so our "Yukon Presence", Jeff Stanhope initially thought it was a telemarketing scam when he received a phone call from Beth Clarke, Executive Director of the Yukon Federal Council. I imagine the conversation may have gone something like this… (actual conversation may vary.)

“Mr. Jeff Stanhope, I’m calling to congratulate you on being selected as this year’s Yukon region recipient of the National Managers' Community (NMCC) Leadership Award.”

“Ha ha, very funny. No, I will not send you any money or cheque to claim my prize.”

“No, no, Jeff you really did win the award - no cheque is required!.”

“Are you being serious? Is this a joke?”

Jeff Stanhope has long contributed to the Yukon community, both on a personal and professional level. He was an advocate and hardworking volunteer for the establishment of the Marine Distress System that now protects users on many Yukon waterways. He championed the Ebiz for Small Business program for communities. Outside of work, Jeff finds time to support various community programs, such as distributing stuffed toys that need a new home to Yukon communities where children cherish them.

For this reason the Yukon Federal Council jumped at the opportunity to recognize Jeff’s years of service, and his recent role in a critical and dramatic rescue. Jeff sent on crucial navigation information that helped save three people lost overnight on a glacier in a snowstorm. With Penny Stratas’ encouragement and John Nosotti’s organizational efforts, the award nomination came together quickly. We are all delighted that Jeff’s nomination won the day. He will be presented with his award at the National Managers’ National Forum, held this year in St John’s, Newfoundland from April 30 to May 3, 2006.

Pressed for a response to the nomination, Jeff revealed the qualities he felt made a community leader: humbleness, continuous learning, and being led by others. He felt honoured by the award, but said that his actions are based on what should be done, not potential rewards. He counts himself lucky to be in a position at IC that gives him so many opportunities to serve others. That helps gives him purpose in life.

As we congratulate Jeff, we can’t forget that within the Pacific Region’s federal family there are many others who work hard and give time to their communities. Each of them deserves a nod for his or her contribution. In the end each and every one of you who devote time and energy to make our workplace and your community a better place to live will have reason to be proud of your contributions. Just as we want to ensure Industry Canada Pacific is a great working environment we can also carry that commitment into our communities making them better places to live, learn, grow and contribute.

Bruce Drake

Related Links

2002 - A Typical Day for . . . Jeff Stanhope

A chat with Jeff about Costa Rica

 Jeff Stanhope relates A Costa Rican experience ,

2004 - The things we do:  Fighting fires in the Yukon and northern BC

Fort Smith Monitoring Station