bout de papier, Vol. 13, No. 4 (1996) — Winter 1996 // Hiver 1996, p. 32
It was the first time I had attended the Annual Awards Dinner — I hadn’t realized what I had been missing all these years. I didn’t know what to expect: such a crowd in such a convivial setting — a warm evening in June on the terrace of the Arts Centre; catching up with colleagues whom I hadn’t seen in years. Those in attendance came from all streams, from the newest recruits to those who have been around as long as I have (and some who’ve been around longer). The hubbub of conversation was silenced only when the awards were being presented to the four outstanding recipients. I was pleased at the diversity being recognized — from consistent excellence throughout a career to those who give their whole souls for a specific event at their respective missions. Those recognized for their achievements represent the dedication of the foreign service as a whole, in Canada and around the world.
The Awards evening also afforded me the chance to catch up with friends I hadn’t seen for years — friends from my first posting in Athens and from my days as a personnel officer in Foreign Affairs — all at my table. Whether this was accidental or deliberately arranged by the Awards committee members, I don’t know to this day. Suffice to say that my impressions of the dinner were made even more memorable by this happy occurrence, and our table more than contributed to the laughter heard around the room throughout the evening.
Such a success doesn’t happen without hours of careful planning, I know — and if there were any last-minute crises I certainly wasn’t aware of them, nor were any of my dinner companions. The PAFSO Awards Committee devotes many hours to this one night a year — not only in the actual arrangements but also in selecting those nominees who will receive the Awards. Determining the recipients is both an enviable and unenviable task — how can they possibly make what must be such difficult decisions? Even more difficult is keeping a committee member in the dark about her own nomination for an award, but the Committee wasn’t fazed by this challenge either.
I congratulate all the winners of awards, past and present. You are truly deserving of recognition by your peers and serve as inspiration to others in PAFSO and in the civil service as a whole. I was honoured that I could participate in this year’s celebration and look forward to future Awards Dinners.
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Originally published in bout de papier, Vol. 13, No. 4 (1996) — Winter 1996 // Hiver 1996, p. 32. Read the rest of this issue →
