passion for change

by Michelle November 19, 2015

written by Michelle November 19, 2015

You could have knocked me over with a feather this past summer when I received an email stating that I’d been nominated for a business award. Here’s the email exchange between me and Carole Cunningham from The Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce:

CAROLE “On behalf of the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce, I am very pleased to advise that your firm has been nominated for our 2015 Outstanding Business Awards competition.

As you may be aware, since 1985 this annual awards program has provided much deserved recognition to many of the entrepreneurs and businesses (small and large) who are a very important part of this dynamic community. To accept this nomination, all you need do is complete the enclosed questionnaire for nominees. An independent panel of judges will select finalists and winners from among nominees based on information provided in the questionnaires. Finalists and winners, as selected by the judges, will be honoured at a gala banquet to be held in late October.

I do hope you will accept this nomination and will participate in this prestigious awards competition. Please note that it is extremely important that completed questionnaires must be returned to our office no later than 12 noon, Friday, July 24, 2015.

If you have any questions about the awards program or the questionnaire, please don’t hesitate to contact me. I would be pleased to assist you in any way that I can.”

ME: Hi Carole, I might have been sent this by mistake?? Please let me know. Thanks so much!

CAROLE: Not a mistake!

ME: Clearly, I’m surprised. Is this for my blog Bite by Michelle?

Once I was finally convinced that I had, indeed, been nominated for the Passion for Change Award for ‘bite’, I submitted all necessary information and the rest is a celebration! Surrounded by people I love, I was presented with an award for doing what I love to do. This interview was shot as a preamble shown before the award presentation by Arrowfoot Productions.

To be recognized by your community in such a joyful way was like having the biggest group hug imaginable. To stand in front of four hundred and fifty friends, acquaintances and the business community elite, to try to express my gratitude was profoundly humbling. As I left the stage with my award tightly tucked under my arm, for a reasons I stumble to articulate, I felt quiet and keenly aware of what a wonderful time this is in my life. XO

passion for change l bitebymichelle.com

The Chamber’s CEO, David Duplisea and me taken moments before the ceremony.

Thanks for reading.

passion for change

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