Until Life Membership is instituted, the highest accolades bestowed upon Forum members are the Badge of Honour and the Spirit of Forum Award. You have to be really, really special to get these.
The former is a life tribute, and the three people who have earned this had been Forum members for over 50 years, so each of us has a way to go before we can aspire to that. The Spirit of Forum is awarded annually to someone who, for a long time, though perhaps not 50 years, has gone above and beyond the call of duty in many aspects of Forum life.
Last night, as Elaine read out the qualifications for this, Leanne and Jannene and I looked at each other and remarked in unison, 'They should give that to Lorraine.' Then, as Elaine described the actions of the person who was going to receive it, we added, 'She's going to give that to Lorraine.'
And she did.
Congratulations Lorraine. Your spirit touches all of us and we are all so proud of you. As Elaine said, numerous people may deserve to be hailed as the Spirit of Forum; but none more than you. How lucky are we to have you for our very own?
Thanks Toni... I do appreciate your warm comments. As you may know... whatever I do ... I do because I can - and to give back to the Forum organisation some of what it has given me in the past 24 years. Confidence and leadership skills are high up there on the list... but nothing can be above the friendships I have gained which I value, and the education and stimulation provided through such a wide scope of world matters and life skills and in such an unexplainable way. My appreciation to all, present and past, who have contributed to this journey of `educating Lorraine'.
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