This award was announced at the 2021 Annual General Meeting of the Ontario Music Festivals Association. This is the citation presented at the time of the award.

Today I have the pleasure of submitting Jim Scott's name as the candidate for the 2021 Ontario Music Festivals Association Volunteer of the Year Award. He first became aware of Kiwanis when he joined a boys' pipe band in East Hamilton back in 1957. The local Kiwanis Club sponsored the band for young boys. It started Jim on the path of his long association with music and Kiwanis.

The adjudicators in the Hamilton Kiwanis Music Festival were very instrumental in giving him support and encouragement which he credits as the reason he has continued piping, a hobby that has lasted a lifetime. You will find Jim piping in the haggis at Robbie Burns' celebrations every January 25th, piping at Remembrance Day ceremonies every November 11th, piping at Santa Claus parades and judging Scottish piping and dancing at July 1st celebrations. He also adjudicates at piping competitions. In 1965, Jim joined the Key Club at Lucas Secondary School in London, Ontario. Members were given the opportunity to attend luncheon meetings at the Kiwanis Club of London. He loved attending those meetings which were filled with fun and excellent presentations.

On October 15, 1989, Jim joined the former Kiwanis Club of London as a member and became involved in the local Kiwanis Music Festival. He has served as a Board member for 32 years, including the last 21 years, since November 2000, as the Chairman of the Festival, growing it to the third largest in Ontario. Jim believed in and worked for a stable financial reserve to provide significant cash prizes and awards for festival winners. His philosophy was always to hire the best adjudicators possible and to foster the youth with musical talent in London and area, so that the Kiwanis Music Festival was a stepping stone for local youth to achieve international acclaim. Some renowned musicians who have done so are Scott and Lara St. John, Angela Park, Sharon Wei, Cameron Crozman, Nathaniel Bartley, Rachel Mahon, Colin Ainsworth, Rudin Lengo and others. Jim is a Past President of the Kiwanis Club of London and the Kiwanis Club of Forest City-London and has served on many of the Club's committees.

He is a Past Distinguished Lieutenant Governor of Division 4. In 2014, Jim joined the Kiwanis Foundation of Canada, whose mission is to help Clubs grow and flourish, and is now the Immediate Past President after serving for two years as President of the Foundation. During the past couple of years as Vice Governor and Governor Elect for Kiwanis Clubs in Eastern Ontario and the Caribbean, he has had the opportunity to learn how Kiwanis International works at the Board level. On October 1, 2021, Jim began the challenging role of Governor of Eastern Canada and the Caribbean District for the year 2021 – 2022.

He is a Mel Osborne Fellow and Charter Walter Zeller Fellow. Kiwanis has been a big part of his life. His father and father-in-law were long serving Kiwanians as well. Jim and his wife, Bev, own and operate Scott's Highland Services Ltd., a source for fine Celtic merchandise. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in August. They have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. He retired from 3M Canada Company in 2006 after working there for almost 33 years in Sales and in Human Resources.

Jim has for many years been helpful and supportive to all members of the Festival Board of Directors. He has helped with every music festival portfolio, been a Hall Manager for every festival, delivered materials to venues in need of extra supplies during the festival, been the Master of Ceremonies at the Rose Bowl Competitions and Stars Concerts and organized the yearly AGM meetings for the festival. He has listened to ideas from many teachers, parents and participants in the music festival. For many reasons, I am pleased and proud to put forward the nomination of Jim Scott as the winner of the 2021 OMFA Volunteer of the Year Award.

The award was unanimously approved by all music festival representatives present.

Charlotte Cleland
Kiwanis Music Festival of London