(View speaking highlights form Executive Director Stuart Hickox)
One Change has come a long way. Four years ago, we were a small group of friends with an idea. Today, One Change is an award-winning not-for-profit organization that has empowered millions of people across North America to believe that simple actions matter and that their choices can—and do—have an impact on the environment.
We’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished. But more than that, we’re grateful to the people who helped make it possible.
The Catalyst Awards just started this year, to recognize people who helped One Change get started, or who are “catalysts” to change in their own communities. The event was a major coming out for One Change, the moment we stepped out from the shadow of Project Porchlight and asserted our Simple Actions Matter mantra. Someone (or in this case, many) had to push the first domino! These are our catalysts!
By making simple first actions accessible to all, we are creating catalysts everywhere we go and are leading to more and greater changes in the communities where we operate.
The first ever Catalyst Awards was a smashing success. Over 170 people attended, including the notables you will see below. The room was buzzing with energy and enthusiasm over the great organization of One Change.
This year’s Catalyst Award recipients were:
- MP David McGuinty, a staunch Project Porchlight supporter from the beginning who helped distribute 30,000 compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs throughout Ottawa.
- EnCana Corporation and Vice-President Florence Murphy, Project Porchlight’s biggest sponsor in Alberta and a leading reason we were able to distribute more than 800,000 free energy-efficient light bulbs across the province.
- Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) and Managing Consultant Chris Granda, who made it possible for more than 2,500 volunteers to distribute nearly 1 million CFL bulbs to New Jersey residents in 2009.
- His Worship the late Calvin Kruk, former Mayor of Dawson Creek, who brought Project Porchlight to BC and helped enable volunteers to deliver more than 20,000 free CFL bulbs throughout the province.
One Change also issued official Catalyst Award Certificates to the following outstanding individuals and organizations who helped make Project Porchlight possible:
- Bruce Bathurst, Delta Printing
- Bruce Bibby, Energy Conservation Manager, Hydro Ottawa
- Linda Bruce, Ontario Power Authority
- Bob Chiarelli, former mayor of the City of Ottawa
- Rebecca Fiissel, SaskPower
- Rod Garossino, Advisor, Community Investment, EnCana Corporation
- gordongroup
- Chris Granda, Managing Consultant, VEIC
- Rosemarie Leclair, CEO, Hydro Ottawa
- Dave McKendry, Director, Customer Care and Conservation, Hydro Ottawa
- Florence Murphy, Vice-President, EnCana Corporation
- Gerard Protti, Executive Vice President, EnCana Corporation
- Wendy Reed, Independent Consultant (Social Marketing, Energy Efficiency)
- Dave Thorpe, Vice President, Giant Tiger
- Edward Weinstein, President and CEO, Globe Electric
- Lois Wozney, EnCana Corporation
- Lisa Zentner, Energy Efficiency Programs Advisor, Director, Globe Electric
- Peter Love, Chief Energy Conservation Officer, Ontario Power Authority
In the News
- The Hill Times: It was one zany evening at One Change Catalyst Awards at the sparkling National Gallery
- Media Release – What do MP David McGuinty, EnCana, and the United Nations Environment Programme have in common?
- Media Release – From a few Ottawa friends to a United Nations Partnership
- Media Release – Calvin Kruk recognized posthumously as a Catalyst by UNEP at One Change gala event in Ottawa
- Media Advisory – Ottawa-based NGO strikes partnership with the United Nations, celebrates Catalysts who helped make it happen
- Dawson Creek Daily News – Late mayor wins environmental Catalyst Award
- CJDC – Kruk Honoured Internationally
Video
Two short feature films were shown at the Catalyst Awards highlighting our Project Porchlight campaign activities in New Jersey and Alberta.