Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner & Auction

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CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AND KEY AWARD RECIPIENT
 
The Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of has announced that it will honor Nicholas Stahl of Westerly as its 2014 Citizen of the Year, the highest profile honor in our community.
 
The award was established in 1957 to recognize outstanding leadership and exceptional contributions to the Westerly community.  Criteria considered in the selection process include leadership role in the community, specific contributions in business and civic/non-profit organizations, promoting the community image, improving the quality of life in our area, personal and professional characteristics including integrity, creativity, communication skills and broad social perspectives. 
 
Since 1997, Nick has been the Executive Director of the Westerly Hospital Foundation.  Nick first started working for Westerly Hospital in 1982 and has worked in various positions including Director of Volunteer Services.  In 1996 he was nominated for the Hospital’s prestigious Employee of the Year award. 
 
Nick has served this community nobly and faithfully for many years.  “He is a true gentleman known for his outstanding community spirit, generosity and concern for the well being of others.  He is a consummate professional and loyal volunteer to many civic organizations”,   said Chamber President Richard Panciera. 
 
Nick has served on numerous boards of community organizations as listed below:
President of the VNS Homecare, 1988-1994 and a board member from 1986-2002
Served as a Board member of the Westerly Adult Day Services from 1998-2003
Serves on the Board of Westerly Land Trust, 1999 to present.  Nick is currently serving as Secretary and on the Development Committee and as chair of the Membership Committee.  He works as part the Land Trusts Farm Dinner committee and their other events.
 
Has been a member of the Westerly Lions Club from 2003-present.  He was on the Board from 2006-present.  Served as President 2006-2007.  Served the last 4 years as their “Lion Tamer”, keeping order in the meetings.  He volunteers at the Mardi Gras event helping with decorations and ticket sales, and supports their auction by donating a gourmet dinner for 12 that he cooks at his home.   He has participated in helping organize the participants into the various divisions of the Columbus Day Parade, and collects donations in front of area stores with the Lions “White Cane Day,” on the day before Thanksgiving.  He volunteered for parking duty at the Butterfly Garden and volunteers at the annual Picnic for the Blind.
 
Served as a Board member of Chorus of Westerly, 1992-1995 and then again 2006-2012.
Served as a Board member of Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce from 1998-2002.
Was a volunteer dancer with Bradford Schools Dancing with the Stars event.
Serves on Board of Directors for the New England Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, 2013-present,  Currently serving as Vice President and Treasurer.
Serves on Finance Committee at Road Church in Stonington
 
In addition to his Board and committee volunteer service, Nick is a “regular” on the fundraising circuit and always eager to support the many fundraising events that take place throughout the community.
Nick was a recipient of the Southern RI’s 40 Brightest Stars Award in February, 2014, bestowed by the United Chambers of Southern Rhode Island.
 
The Key Award- This award was established to honor those whose selfless actions have helped the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce achieve its mission.  Rudi Hauser, Jr. will be honored for his incredible history serving in leadership roles as well as rolling up his sleeves and supporting events.  Rudi dedicates an entire holiday weekend to supporting Virtu Art festival, assisting artists with set up and break down.  He instills a sense of volunteerism in his children who also volunteer all weekend.  He has helped set up the flower pots downtown each spring, and has been the Chairman of the Pawcatuck River Duck for several years, a role that involves a great deal of coordination for months in advance and is physical demanding.
 
Stahl and Hauser will receive their awards at the Annual Dinner.
 
Annual Dinner Information-The Annual Meeting will take place on June 10, 2014 at Venice in Westerly, 6pm.  There will also be the annual Chamber great Escape Auction with over 150 auction items for sale at the event.  Tickets are $50 and are available on a first-come, first serve basis.  Corporate tables of 10 that include an ad in the event program are available for $800.   The event is open to the public. Historically, the event sells out, so interested parties are encouraged to register quickly as seating is limited. 
For more information, contact The Chamber at 401-596-7761.