Crawford Volunteer of the Year Award Winner: Paul Mallette

We are happy to announce that multi-year festival volunteer Paul Mallette has won the 2017 Crawford Group Volunteer of the Year Award.

Paul Mallette is the Volunteer Area Leader for our Festival Administration office. He has been a volunteer with the organization since 2011, and 2016 was his 4th year as a member of our Leadership Team. It is difficult to estimate how many hours he contributes to the festival, however this year it was likely around 200 hours. Paul leads our front line customer service team during the festival. It takes remarkable strength, humour and professionalism to lead a team that handles such a robust collection of feedback from our patrons, and Paul does it with charm and grace.

He is committed to his team and to the festival to provide the best service he can.

The Festival Administration team provide support to our festival staff, our volunteer leadership team, and our patrons who need a little extra information, or who need help finding a lost item, or who need assistance in resolving a problem. Paul has recruited exceptional assistants, Kate and Bob; because a true leader understands that they cannot work alone. Paul has worked over the last four years to devise systems in the Admin Office that make the day to day operations of the festival clear and efficient. When he identifies something that can be improved, he always has a solution to present, and the willingness to implement a solution. Paul is an active volunteer in our community. For over 20 years he has been a coach and trainer for local softball, hockey and ringette teams. He has been a Scout Leader with Scouts Canada for 10 years, and contributed to the IIHF World Juniors in 2009 as the IT Manager, and actively involved in the NHL All Star event in 2011.

Paul has also been serving as a hockey referee-mentor-supervisor, including serving in several board positions for the minor league Bytown Nepean association and the Ottawa District Women’s Hockey Association. In addition, Paul participates in several charity games annually for company sponsored tournaments. He is an active blood donor with Canadian Blood Services (over 70 donations!). Plus this year, Paul has been actively involved as a committee member for the 50th anniversary of Saint John the Apostle Parish. He has done this all while being an awesome grandfather!

Congratulations Paul!

“Paul has been an instrumental force behind the customer service department of the festival. He brings leadership, thoughtfulness and many new creative ideas to make the experience of volunteering at RBC Bluesfest a fun and rewarding experience for the people who work with him and for the patrons who attend the event. He is a pleasure to work with as his enthusiasm radiates the room and creates a very enjoyable workplace.”

Mike Rouleau, Director of Operations, RBC Bluesfest