Virtual Shout-outs are back: See who received a “Shout-out” this Fall

November 16, 2021 - Defence Stories

Do you know of a co-worker who deserves a special shout-out?

Want to give a colleague a high-five or are looking for a way to recognize them in this current online environment?

If you answered YES to these questions, then a Virtual Shout-out is the way to go!

Due to its popularity last year, the Virtual Shout-out program is back for 2021. It’s a quick and easy way for you to publicly recognize a colleague, or team of colleagues, for a job well done.

What is a Virtual Shout-out?

The Virtual Shout-outs are coordinated by the Defence Team’s Corporate Awards and Recognition Secretariat (CARS). It is open to all members of the Defence Team, Military and public servants alike.

Just send them a few sentences recognizing a colleague for a job well done, and voila, your shout-out will be posted to the Defence Team “Virtual Shout-out” Bulletin Board on The Maple Leaf, HR Go RH app and the Defence Team intranet.

Messages should be brief and include:

• The name of the individual
• Why they are being acknowledged
• How they achieved their goal or made their mark
• How they impacted the team or organization

Here’s how to submit a Virtual Shout-out:

• Email your shout-outs to the CARS at Awards-Recompenses@forces.gc.ca.
• Provide the email(s) of the person(s) being recognized.
• Please note: Shout-out recipients will be given the option to “opt out” of having their message displayed on the Bulletin Board, and submissions can remain anonymous.

Don’t delay! Virtually shout-out your hard-working colleagues today!

Virtual Shout-Out Bulletin Board

A Big Shout-Out to DFTS, a great team to work with!

Jean Choliva, Gordie Poirier and Luc Hudon shared expertise and tools readily to get the cataloguing work done. Being a newbie to the group meant lots of questions and need of support. COVID respect added that much more impediment to use of tools and highlighted the value of knowledge management. Ever grateful for the patience, inclusiveness and proactive support so freely given by all. Reaching the target of project support that they required, I return to my original project. Thank you!! – Fab Bince

I want to give a shout-out to Steven Porretta and Sean Pecknold for taking care of my things in Halifax while I was stranded in Ottawa due to the pandemic. They went above and beyond anything I could have asked for and I am very grateful. – Dr. Loughlin Tuck

This shout out goes to an amazing colleague of mine for their dedication and morale! Cpl Reeder was put into a position with little to no knowledge of Clothing Stores and into an IC position that is above his current rank level. This member has always found ways to boost the spirits of his staff and others around him during this difficult time. Even though he has been busy learning a new section and what is involved with leading a section, he is always willing to offer a helping hand to those in need and is willing to put the sections needs above his own. Cpl Reeder truly has made working through the pandemic enjoyable when our line of work hasn’t allowed us the same flexibility to work from home. Thank you for being the amazing person you are and for being such a positive leader for the new members posted into the Unit! Bravo Zulu! – Cpl Ducolon

Shout-out to Captain Michelle Backhouse for your leadership and contributions as a Positive Space Ambassador and Instructor. Thank you for your passionate work, you are an incredible asset to the Defence Team! Happy Pride! – Penny M. Foster

A big shout-out to Lt(N) Garrett McKenzie for all that they do for the Positive Space program/initiative in Cold Lake and across the country. You have been integral in connecting people with the resources and information that they need, and you have always stepped up to help whenever you have been asked. Your contributions as a Positive Space Ambassador and Instructor are much appreciated! Happy Pride! – Penny M. Foster

Welcome back Kirk/Kaiya Hamilton and thank you for stepping in to fill an important role as the national co-chair for the Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization! Your contributions in creating positive spaces within the Defence Team and leading the DTPAO are much appreciated. Wishing you continued success in all your roles! – Penny M. Foster

Thank you Maj André Jean for their work and leadership with the Defence Team Pride Advisory Organization (DTPAO). Your advocacy has an important impact throughout the Defence Team. Thank you!  Happy Pride! – Penny M. Foster

The NSHT management team (Penny, Tabitha and Roxana) would like to send a special shout out for Liselle and her most recent client feedback where she was praised for being “prompt, courteous, informed, generous with her time, and took ownership on any issues that came up. Liselle is a model of what interactions with your department should be, and I hope that there is some mechanism by which you can reward her ability and excellent work.” – The NSHT management team

An immense THANK YOU to Stéphanie Blais for her continuous support within our Team and towards all our clients. Your support is unwavering and truly appreciated. Your hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. – Merci! – E. Dion

I would like to send a BIG Shout-out to Sheila Platzer, Acting Client Service Provider, at 4Wing Cold Lake. Sheila led a virtual Pet Photo activity, with the assistance of co-worker Krystal Fitzpatrick. Each week she sent out an email to our unit with creative captions, giving us a chance to match the pet with their owner and keeping track with the “Winner Bragging Board”. With so many cancellations of unit social functions during the pandemic, this was a great moral booster for RP Ops. Thank you for organizing such a fun activity and for all you do to support the admin cell. – Delee Johnson

I would like to send a BIG virtual shout-out to Krystal Fitzpatrick, 4Wing Cold Lake. Krystal is on assignment with the admin team, and she is an absolute asset to our team. Her positive attitude and willingness to help everyone, is exactly what our unit needs here at RP Ops. Not only does she do an amazing job at work, but after hours she has been seen bringing a much needed care package to her co-worker, complete with theatre popcorn, Twizzlers, pop and a library book! So much heart in this wonderful person. We are so lucky to have you on our team. – Delee Johnson

I would like to send a HUGE virtual Shout-out to Renee Freel, Admin Officer, 4WG Cold Lake. Renee has embraced her new position at RP Ops bringing great ideas and organization to our team. She is a great leader, willing to go the extra mile and doing this all with such positivity. We are so lucky to have her in our unit. Keep up the great work! – Delee Johnson

Especially amid this online environment, DHRD would like to thank Wesley Nicol and Maya Basudde for their contributions to the organization as FSWEP students this summer. With their help, human rights and employment equity policies and programming have progressed substantially. Using their expertise and passion, they have helped make the Canadian Armed Forces a more inclusive and welcoming workplace. Job well-done, and thank you, Maya and Wesley! – The Team at DHRD

I would like to send a HUGE Shout-Out to Liselle Tsai to recognize her amazing work and her support as an HR assistant on the Student Recruitment Team. – Rafaël Lefebvre Lafrenière

I wanted to take the time to recognize and give a HUGE shout-out to the DIMTS staffing team for the amazing support they have provided my team and I over the past year. I would like to particularly thank Sarah Tahan and Brianna Magnan who have provided excellent client support! They are key players working behind the scenes to support our staffing needs and their hard work is greatly appreciated! I would like to extend my gratitude to Sarah and Brianna. – Nour Acheson

This virtual Shout-Out goes to Jennifer Pelletier’s National Student Hiring Team (NSHT) at ADM (HR-Civ). In charge of the 2 CDSG student project, for which we have hired more than 40 students since April 2021, I would like to thank the members of the team: Jennifer herself, Byanka Leroux and especially Erin Dwyer. The service is always very high quality and professional, despite the numerous challenges we have faced. They made themselves available and answered our many questions quickly, allowing the files to be processed quicker. They were, without question, an important component of the project’s success during summer 2021. It was a pleasure for my team and I to work with them, and we would like to extend to them our sincere thanks. – Brigitte Laviolette and 2 CDSG

We would like to give a Big Virtual Shout-Out to Lieutenant Martin Gladu, Logistics Officer at 2 Canadian Ranger Patrol Group, for his role as Unit Casualty and Return to Duty Coordinator (UCRTDC). Committed to the prompt recovery of injured members, he effectively supported these members during their rehabilitation and return to duty phases. Methodical follow-up not only removed a lot of pressure from the members during this difficult period, but also enabled the chain of command to adapt its approach to promote their well-being. His involvement perfectly aligns with the intention of taking care of our own. Thank you to you and the other UCRTDCs for your continued efforts! – From Maj Branco, 2 CRPG Svc Coy Comd and MWO Cyr, 2 CRPG, Svc Coy CSM

Shout-out to MCpl Christopher Rossie of 14 Operational Support Squadron, Greenwood NS. While working as a Precision Approach Radar (PAR) Controller in September 2021, MCpl Rossie demonstrated outstanding flexibility and dedication in support of Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, accommodating extended/split shifts to ensure position coverage was available whenever necessary. The Air Traffic Control (ATC) community and SAR community are very appreciative of his professionalism. BZ MCpl Rossie! – Capt Connor Stewart & WO Porter