2005 OUTSTANDING PUBLIC BROADCASTING VOLUNTEER AWARD
Presented to Joan Johnson
Rocky Mountain PBS, Colorado
Nomination Narrative:
40,000 reasons could be given in support of Joan Johnson’s nomination to be considered for the NFPB Outstanding Public Broadcasting Volunteer Award. Joan has volunteered at Rocky Mountain PBS for 39 years, including 8,485 hours since 1997 when volunteer hours were first documented. At that rate, and 1,060 hours annually, over 39 years would equal 40,000-plus hours of dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to support the efforts and activities of public television at KRMA and Rocky Mountain PBS, hence the 40,000 reasons!
Joan first got involved with KRMA’s second year of auction in 1966 and served on every committee and volunteer leadership role auction had to offer. From her initial ‘go getter’ status, Joan moved up the ladder and became a ‘do better’ volunteer who chaired Auction’s Clerical, Big Board, Certificates, Special Boards and Warehouse committees. She then served as Auction Co-Chair for two years followed by another two years as the Auction Chair. Needless to say, Joan knows the ins and outs of Auction and continues to this day to assist where needed, answers phones and welcomes and helps train new volunteers for the Auction, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year.
Auction involvement was just the beginning of Joan’s volunteer career at the station. She then went on to serve on many committees and assisted with various special events over the years. Joan continues to be involved with many of these activities today. Committees include: Super School News (news by and for kids), Mister Rogers Sweater Drive (community sweater drive for the needy), Share-A-Story, Membership Pledge Drives and Station’s Archived Memories (SAM, first of its kind for PBS stations). Joan has volunteered for several special events over the years, from the early days of wine tastings, garage sales, garden tours, arts festivals and golf tournaments, to the station’s Kids Club Fun Fest which hosts 1000-plus each summer. In addition, Joan was the 1999 recipient of the Diane Papedo Distinguished Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership, the station’s highest volunteer award.
On a national volunteer level, Joan has been a longtime member of the National Friends of Public Broadcasting. She was also involved in the 1980s and 1990s with a grassroots lobbying group then known as the American Public Television Advocates, meeting and greeting with congressional representatives to lobby for public television. Joan participated in many Capitol Hill Days in Washington, D.C., over the years to represent KRMA. In addition, Joan has attended several PBS Development Conferences to learn more about the current and future happenings in public television. She also helped to organize volunteer efforts for DevCon when it was hosted in Denver two years ago.
Most recently, Joan served as the president of the Volunteer Board for a two-year term, which expired in June 2005. During her tenure, Joan helped further shape and expand the station’s volunteer corps, increased outreach to the community with volunteer events and expo activities, and provided leadership and balance during times of change at the station. Joan has worked tirelessly shepherding the efforts of the volunteers. Her dedication, knowledge and commitment have been a valuable asset to the Volunteer Board and to Rocky Mountain PBS’ staff and volunteers. Joan gets the job done, keeping a balance of meeting station needs with volunteer solutions.
On any given day, Joan can be seen at the station supporting the work of other volunteers, working with staff on planning, answering phones for pledge, working the Auction Warehouse, setting up for Super School News, stuffing event goody bags or pitching in wherever needed. Joan graciously has hosted volunteer receptions, meetings and retreats at her home, and always brings a great dish to a potluck and a fun story to the table!
Joan’s generosity goes beyond volunteering, as she and her husband Don (former station president and general manager) have been longtime financial supporters of the station and members of the Cornerstone Society, the station’s major donor club, for several years. Joan’s participation as volunteer initially stemmed from Don’s work at the station, however, Joan willingly became more and more involved each year, and successfully carved out her own niche at the station in the volunteer corps. Don’s retirement over 12 years ago might have been an out for Joan to move on. However, her enthusiasm and passion for the station, its volunteers and commitment to the community, kept Joan involved more than ever!
Rocky Mountain PBS is fortunate to have a long standing history of dedicated volunteers, who together over the years have become not only partners, but family and friends working together to support the efforts and mission of public television.
Presented to Joan Johnson
Rocky Mountain PBS, Colorado
Nomination Narrative:
40,000 reasons could be given in support of Joan Johnson’s nomination to be considered for the NFPB Outstanding Public Broadcasting Volunteer Award. Joan has volunteered at Rocky Mountain PBS for 39 years, including 8,485 hours since 1997 when volunteer hours were first documented. At that rate, and 1,060 hours annually, over 39 years would equal 40,000-plus hours of dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to support the efforts and activities of public television at KRMA and Rocky Mountain PBS, hence the 40,000 reasons!
Joan first got involved with KRMA’s second year of auction in 1966 and served on every committee and volunteer leadership role auction had to offer. From her initial ‘go getter’ status, Joan moved up the ladder and became a ‘do better’ volunteer who chaired Auction’s Clerical, Big Board, Certificates, Special Boards and Warehouse committees. She then served as Auction Co-Chair for two years followed by another two years as the Auction Chair. Needless to say, Joan knows the ins and outs of Auction and continues to this day to assist where needed, answers phones and welcomes and helps train new volunteers for the Auction, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year.
Auction involvement was just the beginning of Joan’s volunteer career at the station. She then went on to serve on many committees and assisted with various special events over the years. Joan continues to be involved with many of these activities today. Committees include: Super School News (news by and for kids), Mister Rogers Sweater Drive (community sweater drive for the needy), Share-A-Story, Membership Pledge Drives and Station’s Archived Memories (SAM, first of its kind for PBS stations). Joan has volunteered for several special events over the years, from the early days of wine tastings, garage sales, garden tours, arts festivals and golf tournaments, to the station’s Kids Club Fun Fest which hosts 1000-plus each summer. In addition, Joan was the 1999 recipient of the Diane Papedo Distinguished Achievement Award for Outstanding Leadership, the station’s highest volunteer award.
On a national volunteer level, Joan has been a longtime member of the National Friends of Public Broadcasting. She was also involved in the 1980s and 1990s with a grassroots lobbying group then known as the American Public Television Advocates, meeting and greeting with congressional representatives to lobby for public television. Joan participated in many Capitol Hill Days in Washington, D.C., over the years to represent KRMA. In addition, Joan has attended several PBS Development Conferences to learn more about the current and future happenings in public television. She also helped to organize volunteer efforts for DevCon when it was hosted in Denver two years ago.
Most recently, Joan served as the president of the Volunteer Board for a two-year term, which expired in June 2005. During her tenure, Joan helped further shape and expand the station’s volunteer corps, increased outreach to the community with volunteer events and expo activities, and provided leadership and balance during times of change at the station. Joan has worked tirelessly shepherding the efforts of the volunteers. Her dedication, knowledge and commitment have been a valuable asset to the Volunteer Board and to Rocky Mountain PBS’ staff and volunteers. Joan gets the job done, keeping a balance of meeting station needs with volunteer solutions.
On any given day, Joan can be seen at the station supporting the work of other volunteers, working with staff on planning, answering phones for pledge, working the Auction Warehouse, setting up for Super School News, stuffing event goody bags or pitching in wherever needed. Joan graciously has hosted volunteer receptions, meetings and retreats at her home, and always brings a great dish to a potluck and a fun story to the table!
Joan’s generosity goes beyond volunteering, as she and her husband Don (former station president and general manager) have been longtime financial supporters of the station and members of the Cornerstone Society, the station’s major donor club, for several years. Joan’s participation as volunteer initially stemmed from Don’s work at the station, however, Joan willingly became more and more involved each year, and successfully carved out her own niche at the station in the volunteer corps. Don’s retirement over 12 years ago might have been an out for Joan to move on. However, her enthusiasm and passion for the station, its volunteers and commitment to the community, kept Joan involved more than ever!
Rocky Mountain PBS is fortunate to have a long standing history of dedicated volunteers, who together over the years have become not only partners, but family and friends working together to support the efforts and mission of public television.
