PORTLAND, Ore. – Charlie M. Clint, a 30+ year volunteer for the Portland Rose Festival, has been named Volunteer of the Year by the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA), the trade association for events worldwide. Clint will be honored during the IFEA Hall of Fame Luncheon on Friday, September 21, 2012 in Denver, Colorado.
Charlie M. Clint, a 30+ year volunteer for the Portland Rose Festival, has been named Volunteer of the Year by the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA), the trade association for events worldwide.
“The Rose Festival is always a big winner at the IFEA Conference, but this is the first time we’ve had a Volunteer of the Year,” said Jeff Curtis, Rose Festival CEO. “We’re thrilled to have Charlie recognized, because we honestly don’t know where Rose Festival would be right now without her enthusiasm and energy. She’s a key member of our team.”
In 2007, Clint agreed to become the Rose Festival’s unpaid Webmaster and IT Manager after a staff reduction, along with continuing to fulfill key roles for events like the Danner Memorial Day March and the Spirit Mountain Casino Grand Floral Parade. She is also the designer and editor of the festival’s eNewsletter, which has won three IFEA Pinnacle Awards since she assumed the project.
Below is a Rose Festival interview with Charlie about the honor.
To be eligible for consideration for the IFEA/Zambelli Fireworks Volunteer of the Year Award, a nominee must have provided significant enthusiasm and specific expertise to a member festival, be a volunteer of the nominating festival or event for at least three years, must have shown initiative and leadership in his or her efforts, have a positive attitude and have exemplified his or her dependability. Conservatively determined, Clint commits 30-50 hours a week to the Rose Festival, and is estimated to have saved the Rose Festival tens of thousands of dollars. In 2008, Rose Festival gave Clint a ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ for her unprecedented level of volunteerism.
“Volunteers are our most important resource,” said Sue Bunday, Rose Festival President. “Charlie Clint exemplifies the heart of this festival.”
Clint, a lifelong resident of north Portland, attended Roosevelt High School and Portland State University, focusing her education on English and Art. She is a self-taught website designer and maintainer, and hand-codes the Rose Festival’s extensive website. She is also the Webmaster for the Portland-Sapporo Sister City Association and the Roosevelt High School Alumni Association. She’s an avid reader and writer, enjoys singing, riding bicycle and both playing and watching tennis.
IFEA and Zambelli Fireworks are hosting Charlie’s trip to Denver, where she’ll speak in front of festival representatives from around the world.
The International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA) was founded in 1956 and today is The Premiere Association Supporting and Enabling Festival & Event Professionals Worldwide. In partnership with global affiliates under the umbrellas of IFEA Africa, IFEA Asia, IFEA Australia & New Zealand, IFEA Europe, IFEA Latin America, IFEA Middle East, and IFEA North America the organization’s common vision is for ‘A Globally United Industry that Touches Lives in a Positive Way through Celebration.'”
