| OSMB News |
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| Tuesday, October 2, 2007 |
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For Immediate Release
Marine Board Honors Boating Education Volunteers
The Oregon State Marine Board recently held its fourth-annual volunteer recognition banquet on September 29, in Salem. The event honored volunteer instructors, who provide low cost and high quality boating safety courses that meet the mandatory boater education requirement.
The banquet began with a moment of silence in memory of former Board Member Don Christenson and George Evans, two volunteer instructors who passed away in 2007. They were devoted and passionate instructors who consistently received excellent evaluations from their students. They will be remembered and missed.
The Marine Board honored each volunteer with certificates for contributing to the education of boaters. Additionally, the Marine Board issued four awards to exemplary volunteers from the 2007 boating season. The first two recipients were Gary Geerhart and Doug White, who each received the Volunteer of the Year Award. Geerhart and White taught Boat Oregon classes, volunteered at special boating and safety events geared toward children, and assisted both the Marine Board and Marion County Marine Patrol.
For the fourth consecutive year, LeRoy Bentley received the Marine Board’s Instructor of the Year Award. Bentley continues to set a high standard of excellence for volunteer instructors. In 2007, he taught 30 classes and educated over 466 students. Additionally, Bentley volunteered at the 2007 Boat Show and other activities for the Marine Board. He is truly a gifted instructor who simplifies complex material, engages students in learning and responds thoroughly to questions.
Before Bentley could exit the stage, his name was called again. He was honored with a special award for his cumulative achievement of having taught over 1,800 students since 2001. For reaching this landmark, the Marine Board recognized Bentley’s relentless passion for educating boaters and his consistent devotion to boating safety.
Finally, Bill Foote was recognized with the Randall S. Cummings Award for his dedication to safety, education and community involvement. Foote taught boating safety classes, volunteered at the Portland Boat Show and Passport to Fishing events, volunteered with other activities for the Marine Board, and offered 150 hours of his time to assist the Marion County Marine Patrol. Foote is an inspiration to other volunteers and truly emulates the spirit of the Randall S. Cummings Award.
The Marine Board is grateful to such high-caliber individuals, who dedicate their talents, time and passion to teaching boaters how to be safe and responsible out on our waterways.
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