eponymousawards

		Eponymous awards One way of honouring people is to name something after them. CALM has named some awards after communicators who have made significant contributions to the labour movement.
		The Ed Finn Award for the best feature story Ed Finn has ink in his blood. For more than 32 years Ed has written articles and produced publications that championed labour’s views. Although Ed had initially worked in the mainstream media, he joined the Canadian Labour Congress in 1959. Four years later, Ed dedicated himself to editing the CBRT newspaper, Canadian Transport, for the next 18 years. At the same time, he wrote the only regular national column devoted to unionism for The Toronto Star. In 1981, Ed joined CUPE as the editor of The Facts until his retirement in 1991. Throughout his life Ed worked tirelessly with the NDP. He was the first provincial leader of the Newfoundland NDP, and ran both provincially and federally as an NDP candidate. Ed currently edits the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives publication, The CCPA Monitor.
		The Katie FitzRandolph Prize for the best overall publication, locals up to 500 Following a career in daily newspapers across Canada, Katie FitzRandolph became a communications officer with Ontario Public Service and Employees’ Union. During her 25 years with OPSEU and 24 years on the CALM executive, Katie devoted much of her time to teaching new editors how to put out good newsletters. Today she lives in Fredericton, where she is learning how to make web pages and working to turn an 1884 elementary school into a vibrant arts and learning centre. Although semi-retired Katie continues to teach at CALM conferences.
		The Morden Lazarus Prize for the best editorial, column or opinion piece that thoughtfully argues labour’s position on an issue Morden Lazarus was a union news innovator. In the 1930s Morden helped to found the first Co-operative Commonwealth Federation newspaper, the New Commonwealth. Shortly thereafter, in January 1944, Morden established the first Canada-wide news service for CCF and labour newspapers, called the Co-operative Press Association. By 1956, when the CLC was founded, 40 union newspapers subscribed to CPA. In 1972 the service was renamed the Co-operative Press Associates. CPA was the first and only labour news service in North America for many years. Both a writer and historian, Morden wrote three books about the labour movement. He continued to be active in the NDP until his death and was unfaltering in his dedication to the labour movement and to the NDP. Morden retired as the OFL’s Public Relations and Education Director in 1971.
		The Cliff Scotton Prize for the best piece reflecting the history, traditions and culture of the labour movement Cliff Scotton was the consummate political advisor and wordsmith. In 1951 when Cliff emigrated to Canada, he followed his Labour Party past and immediately joined the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation. Until his death in 1995, Cliff worked with several NDP premiers, provincial and federal leaders across the country, including Tommy Douglas and Ed Broadbent. A wordsmith by nature, Cliff penned scores of articles and edited a number of labour publications such as Co-operative Press Associates. An IAM member, he worked for the IAM, the CLC and the Paperworkers. Cliff worked relentlessly for the NDP. He campaigned in more than 150 elections, and believed wholeheartedly in the labour and social democratic movements. Cliff served for more than 30 years on the NDP Federal Council, and was the NDP Federal Secretary for 10 years.
		The Dennis McGann Stroke-of-Genius Award for the most innovative, uncategorizable communications project Dennis McGann was a gifted communicator. A writer, designer, editor and a crafter of messages, Dennis dedicated his life to the labour movement and to the NDP. He was editor of the BC NDP’s newsletter. In 1979 Dennis joined the CUPE National Office in Ottawa as a communications officer. A few years later, he moved to B.C. to continue his CUPE work. Dennis’ creative energy was tireless. He worked on several NDP federal and provincial election campaigns, often designing and crafting the messages and ads to be used. Dennis edited numerous publications and generously gave his time to developing the talents of budding writers and editors. An active member of CALM since its inception, Dennis was a CALM vice-president for 13 years. He left CUPE in 1992 to help found NOW Communications, and was its creative director until his death in 2001.