Purpose
The VashonBePrepared Joseph Ulatoski Volunteer Award was established in 2012 to honor that exceptional VashonBePrepared volunteer who has made outstanding contributions to Vashon-Maury Island residents’ safety in the area of disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
This presidential award recognizes our key leaders whose accomplishments reflect the leadership and indefatigable efforts exemplified by Joseph R.Ulatoski, father of the modern Vashon disaster preparedness efforts.
Policy
1. Awards Process – The Joseph Ulatoski Volunteer Award is bestowed solely at the pleasure of the VashonBePrepared President.
2. Award Criteria
a. Service –Awardees should have exhibited exceptional dedication and leadership while acting as a VashonBePrepared volunteer resulting in a major impact on island safety. They shall have contributed to furthering VashonBePrepared’s mission and acted without significant remuneration.
b. Leadership– Awardees should have led a team of volunteers with a transformative impact: recruiting, encouraging and motivating other volunteers; and significantly altering the organization’s procedures and structure.The awardee should have a solid record of quality contributions as recognized by their peers.
c. Community– Awardees’ positive influence should have reached not only the Vashon community but ideally to our regional partners. Their actions should have impacted the public’s safety and community’s resiliency in at least one of the four phases of disaster management: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
d. No Conflict of Interest – Awardee should not be on the VashonBePrepared Board of Directors - although it is fine if they are retiring from that position. The volunteer may still be active in other ways however.
3. The award is not conferred annually – This award does not happen on any schedule and is intended as a rare honor.
4. Nomination process – There is no formal nomination process. Nominations may optionally be made by submitting a letter of recommendation to the current VashonBePrepared President.
Background Information
Brigadier General (Ret) Joseph R. Ulatoski is considered the father and instigator behind the original Vashon Disaster Preparedness Coalition. Joe recruited, motivated and inspired an initial team that eventually grew into VashonBePrepared where many of them continued their involvement educating and helping Vashon-Maury Island residents prepare. More information about Joe and Vashon’s emergency preparedness history can be found on the VashonBePrepared website and especially on our early history page.
Past Recipients
November 7, 2018
John Galus
Robert Smueles
(Press release here)
Michael Cochrane
Catherine Cochrane
2012
Joseph R.Ulatoski
Marian May Gerstle
Further Information
It is anticipated that the VashonBePrepared Board of Directors may implement additional forms of individual and organizational recognition in the future.
For further information on this award, please contact the VashonBePrepared President or Secretary.