Annual General Meeting - September 11, 2023This is to advise you of the upcoming Annual General Meeting of the members ofGovernor General’s Curling Club, on Monday, September 11, 2023, at 6:45 pm, at The Courtyard Edmonton West, Edmonton, Alberta.The agenda and attachments have been sent by email or by Canada Post to all members and are available on the Welcome page in the Members Only section.The Treasurer's Report for 2023 is also available in the Members Only section.
Respectfully submitted.
Elaine BrimicombeSecretary, Governor General’s Curling Club
The Ray Kingsmith Award is named after the man who played a leading role in bringing curling to the Winter Olympic family. He was a tireless volunteer in administration and management roles in the sport of curling. The award honours individuals who best demonstrate a similar commitment and dedication to our sport that made Kingsmith the consummate sport executive.
If it happens on the ice or off the ice when it comes to curling in the Ottawa Valley, chances are very good that Elaine Brimicombe is involved.
Major events such as the upcoming BKT Tires & OK Tire World Men’s Curling Championship, the 2017 Tim Hortons Roar of the Rings Canadian Curling Trials, the 2016 Tim Hortons Brier and the 2007 and 2015 Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championships all had Brimicombe’s touch on them, as she either chaired or vice-chaired host committees for them.
But championship events have hardly been Brimicombe’s only focus. She has volunteered countless hours at the club level in helping to organize Learn to Curl sessions for new players, particularly in the discipline of wheelchair curling. In addition to coordinating the long-running Cathy Kerr International Wheelchair Bonspiel, Brimicombe has created a plan to offer two Try It days for wheelchair curlers and one-10 week dedicated Learn to Curl for wheelchair curlers. Her current work-in-progress is a proposal to create opportunities for youth wheelchair curlers.
Brimicombe, who gives credit to family, friends and fellow volunteers in her efforts to build our sport, also has been active as a board member, including three years as Chair of the CurlON board, as well as serving on the Ontario Curling Council, the Ottawa Valley Curling Association, and her home club at the RA Centre in Ottawa.
Brimicombe also is a member of the Governor General’s Curling Club.
From the Sirc.ca
Members in the News
JOHN SHEA (EXECUTIVE HONOUR ROLL)
This longtime Ottawan has devoted countless volunteer hours to curling, beginning in 1990 when he was part of the ice crew for the 1990 Scotties Tournament of Hearts in his hometown.
Shea joined the Curling Canada Board of Governors in 2016, and served as finance chair for three years, and was elected Board Chair for the 2019-20 season, during which he also served as a member of the World Curling Federation’s Finance Commission.
His company, John Shea Insurance, was a significant curling sponsor for many years in Ottawa,and he created the first comprehensive insurance program designed specifically for curling clubs. Shea also played a significant role in the creation of the Dominion Canadian Curling Club Championships in 2009; the event is now known as the Everest Canadian Curling Club Championships.
His experience with the 1990 Scotties started him down a road that would see him volunteer for just about every major provincial, national or international curling event staged in the Ottawa Valley, including most recently being the Team Captain for Canada for the highly successful 2023 Strathcona Cup Scottish Tour of Canada. Shea also will be Canada’s captain when Canadian teams tour Scotland for the 2028 Strathcona Cup.
A member of the Governor General’s Curling Club, Shea also is a former Chair and Vice-Chair of the Ontario Curling Association and a member of the Ontario Curling Hall of Fame.
Even after his time with the Curling Canada Board of Governors ended, Shea continues to be active in promoting the sport. He currently is the president of the Ottawa Valley Curling Association, and is a member of the Ottawa Hunt and Golf Club.
Members in the News:
Elaine Brimicombe - named a local hero by the Ottawa Sports Council
“Not only has Elaine has been contributing to the sport of curling for many years by giving her time and expertise to clubs and curling organizations, but she has also encouraged me and many others into leadership roles that continue to grow the sport of Curling in our community.” – Stephanie Britwistle, nominator
As we know, the success of community sport depends on the dedication and time of volunteer sport leaders. Elaine Brimicombe has been a leader within the local and provincial curling community, dedicating her time and expertise to creating an inclusive environment to welcome more participants to the sport of curling.
Elaine has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Ottawa Valley Curling Association as well as the Ontario Curling Association (CurlON) since 2015. In addition to her roles with OVCA and CurlON, Elaine has been instrumental in events like the 2016 Tim Hortons Brier in Ottawa as well as developing community programs like wheelchair curling at the RA Centre. The entire Ottawa Sports Council article can be found here.
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