A director with the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce, Bobby Ray, is the winner of the Richard Dolphin Community Service Award.
Ray accepted the award at yesterday's Ontario Chamber of Commerce Chair’s Dinner and Awards Presentation, during the 107th Annual General Meeting and Conference in Muskoka.
Bobby Ray is the manager of the North Bay Granite Club and highly involved community supporter through numerous different organizations.
Ray has acted as the Host Committee Administrator for the 2015 Canadian Mixed Curling Championships, worked with the committee to host the 10-day World Women's Curling Championships in March 2018, and is preparing for the arrival of the 2019 Masters Grand Slam of Curling event coming to Memorial Gardens in October.
Ray additionally works with Ontario provincial Curling associations as a coach developer and digital communications coordinator.
He is a past director on Sport North Bay and last year joined the Board of Governors for Nipissing University. Ray is the current Young Professional Representative on the North Bay and District Chamber of Commerce board of directors.
“I am pleased to accept this award and encourage all young professionals to be engaged in their community through the Chamber and other organizations that promote growth and prosperity for our communities and Ontario,” said Ray.
The nomination was presented for Ray’s increased engagement in the chamber network through his successful program called #FiftyTwoCoffees.
#FiftyTwoCoffees was an initiative created by Ray, and received an incredible response from participants that exceeded all expectations according to a news release from the Chamber. In 2019, eighty-four individuals under the age of forty committed to meet, one-on-one and face-to-face, while sharing each others’ stories through social media for the community to see.
“The #FiftyTwoCoffees program serves to harness the power of modern technology and social media while at the same time re-engaging young professionals in the effective practice of building relationships with peers through human conversation,” stated Ray.
Chair Charles Elliott, North Bay & District Chamber of Commerce stated “Bobby Ray has been an exceptional addition to our board this year. He is a true leader and has brought even more young professionals to the table."
