Awards

Al McCracken was known for his tireless promotion and advocacy for Community Futures across Canada. He was a founding member of Community Futures Development Corporation of Nadina, starting before the Houston office was incorporated in 1992. Al never missed a board meeting until he became ill, and even then, he remained an active board member until his passing in August 2006.

Before Al’s passing, Community Futures Nadina honoured exceptional volunteer leadership across British Columbia through the Volunteer of the Year Award. This recognition was reserved for current or recent Board members whose commitment to Community Futures’ values, support for the provincial network, and efforts to advance its mission made a meaningful impact.

In 2007, following Al’s passing, the award was renamed in his memory as a province-wide tribute to his legacy. Individual Community Futures offices continue to celebrate outstanding local volunteers through their own recognitions.

Today the Al McCracken Award continues to show our appreciation to those who offer up their business skills, development expertise and continually make incredible contributions to forwarding the Community Futures Network of BC.

Don McMillan was the driving force behind the Nanaimo Community Employment Advisory Society (NCEAS) in April 1975. NCEAS was a solid indication of Don’s forward thinking and true care for the community he loved. It was founded in an effort to fight the region’s high unemployment and stabilize the economic base through economic diversification.  

In June of 1987, the NCEAS was selected to act as the federally-funded Business Development Centre (BDC) of the then newly-established Central Island Community Futures Committee –and the stage was set for Community Futures Central Island to become one of the first Community Futures Offices in Canada.

Much of Don’s life was committed to community activism.  Although originally trained and employed as a welder, Don spent many years helping and counseling individuals as the Manager of a Crisis and Drug Treatment Center.  Don became convinced however, that long term social change could only be achieved if those traditionally excluded from economic decision making could become economically empowered. Thus, Don and a small group of local individuals came together to form NCEAS.

Today the Al McCracken Award continues to show our appreciation to those who offer up their business skills, development expertise and continually make incredible contributions to forwarding the Community Futures Network of B.C.