Linda Hoad: Heritage Ottawa Volunteer Extraordinaire

Photo: Heritage Ottawa / Patrimoine Ottawa

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

HERITAGE OTTAWA

Volunteers are the heart and soul of Heritage Ottawa.

Linda Hoad, a long-time resident of Ottawa, has contributed years of her life to the knowledge, appreciation and conservation of Ottawa's heritage and the betterment of her community through her volunteer work in many organizations and on community boards and committees. 

Linda Hoad is a rare and irreplaceable person -- a generous, active, and engaged citizen who is willing to devote long hours of personal time in support of community enhancement, liveability and preservation. In support of Heritage Ottawa alone, she volunteers more than 700 hours a year, or approximately 2 days per week.

When asked why people should consider volunteering for Heritage Ottawa, Linda said: 

“Built heritage is important to our sense of place, and reminds us of the people and events that shaped our neighbourhoods. Change is inevitable, but Heritage Ottawa strives to conserve important features of our past while adapting to new challenges.”

Her service as a member of the Board of Heritage Ottawa and subsequently of the Executive Committee stretches back more than 15 years. For the past several years Linda has also taken on the challenging role of volunteer Vice-President Operations, ensuring the smooth functioning of our active organization. In that role, Linda takes care of many necessary but unsung administrative tasks, from developing a detailed Operations Manual, ensuring a functioning office, supervising staff, and more.

As a member of Heritage Ottawa's Board, Linda has also worked with local community associations in organizing successful one-day heritage forums aimed at engaging communities in the conservation of their built heritage and in maximizing its value as a local economic rejuvenator in Hintonburg, Kanata and Kars. She has assisted Heritage Ottawa on its lecture series program, walking tour program, both as a committee member and tour guide, and publications program. She has been editor and frequent contributor to our quarterly Newsletter for many years. 

When asked about what she gets back from volunteering, Linda concluded with: 

“Volunteering has expanded my knowledge in so many areas and introduced me to many new, and sometimes useful, skills. I have made long-lasting connections with others engaged in the same work.”

 

CLICK HERE to learn about volunteer opportunities at Heritage Ottawa.