(October 24, 2006)

France Bisson, current President of the Association régionale de patinage artistique de l’Estrie was awarded the 2006 Prix Dollard-Morin for all her volunteer efforts in her region.

France has been involved in figure skating for more than 30 years when she started as a local trainer in the clubs of Windsor and St-Sébastien, and eventually became the skating group’s regional president in 2001. Bisson’s goal has been to encourage athletes from the Estrie region and offer them the best training conditions so they participate in as many regional competitions as possible.

“It’s important to believe in what we do and the heritage we leave our children. Being involved as a volunteer helps me grow every day and I receive a lot back. Winning the Prix Dollard-Morin is one of the nice moments of my volunteer experience, along with the magic moments that come with volunteering for figure skating. It’s a privilege to work with skaters and other volunteers in the sport,” says Bisson.

At Skate Canada's Quebec Section, Bisson is in charge of the volunteers-coaches relationship sub-committee. She also sits on the board of directors, on the presidents of regions’ committee, and on the awards’ committee.

Twenty-four Prix Dollard-Morin, one for each administrative region in the province of Quebec, are given annually since 1992 by the Quebec Ministry of education, leisure and sport. This award recognizes volunteer efforts across the province. This year’s awards ceremony was held October 20 in Quebec City.