The Four Finalists for OLCV's 2012 Katy Daily Volunteer of the Year Award

We are about one month out from OLCV's Annual Celebration for the Environment and things are coming together nicely. As always, we're very excited for the announcement of OLCV's 2012 Katy Daily Volunteer of the Year Award. OLCV's Katy Daily Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes outstanding volunteers who went above and beyond in their service to the organization in the previous year and is presented at our Annual Celebration for the Environment.

This year we are delighted to have four extrordinary finalists to choose from: Kelly Bantle, Courtney Johnson, Alan Locklear, and Darek Staab.

Kelly Bantle

We first met Kelly in 2010 as a whirlwind of energy, ready to help with any task at hand. An avid community leader and activist, you can find Kelly organizing an event or attending a fundraiser near you.

Besides serving on OLCV's Clackamas County Steering Committee, Kelly frequently volunteers for other projects within the organization, including serving on the Host Committee and the Program Committee for OLCV's 15th Annual Celebration for the Environment.

Kelly’s expertise in implementing advocacy-oriented communications campaigns at the local, state and national level has proven invaluable. Adding to her repertoire of skills is the ability to tap into the many facets of print, electronic and interactive media in order to engage target audiences. Promoting green transportation is currently one of Kelly's core professional focus areas.

Courtney Johnson

"Being a member of the Clackamas County steering committee gives me the opportunity to help support and sustain local and state-wide candidates to protect the environment. I get to help protect the environment every day through my work for the Crag Law Center, and volunteering for OLCV gives me a political voice for sustainability."

Courtney brings her passion for the environment to OLCV as chair of the OLCV Clackamas County steering committee. She has been involved with OLCV in some capacity for several years now.

Courtney's work reflects her personal values and commitment to protecting Oregon's beautiful environment. At Crag, she's focused on protecting the health of coastal rivers, from gravel mining in the rivers of the south coast, including the Chetco, the Rogue, and the Elk, to addressing proposals for Liquefied Natural Gas along the mighty Columbia at Astoria.  Courtney enjoys working with coastal residents to help develop their communities for lasting and sustainable economic and environmental health. 

Alan Locklear

Alan Locklear volunteers weekly in our Portland office, assisting with data entry. His overall attention to detail keeps OLCV functioning smoothly and is a huge support to staff. (He also supplies us with lots of homegrown produce, ranging from tomatoes to Meyer lemons and kiwis to bay leaves.)

Alan's environmental activism dates back to 1970, when he helped organize the first Earth Day at the University of Texas. He also helped launch the first recycling centers in Austin, TX, and was closely involved with the initial flowering of renewable energy programs in Colorado. Alan has long been committed to bringing an end to nuclear power and nuclear weapons.

Since moving to Portland in 1982, he has generously donated his time to many worthy organizations in addition to OLCV, including the Oregon Chapter of the Sierra Club, the Audubon Society of Portland, and KBOO community radio, as well as the campaigns of several pro-conservation candidates. He and his wife, Marie Valleroy, tend a large organic garden and proudly drive an all-electric Nissan Leaf. 

Darek Staab

"I feel very fortunate to work with OLCV, tracking issues and working with decision makers who care about protecting our natural resources."

In 2010, OLCV's Volunteer of the Year Award was named after Katy Daily, past OLCV staff member, board member, and volunteer. She was born an Oregonian and will always be one - even though Katy and her family now live in Australia. Learn more about the Katy Daily Volunteer of the Year Award and view our past winners.