Every year, Izaak Walton League chapters across the country present the IWLA Judge John W. Tobin Award to one of their members. To receive a Tobin Award is a singular and distinct honor because it represents a chapter’s acknowledgment of a dedicated member whose outstanding volunteer contributions to the chapter have made a difference throughout the previous year. There is only one Tobin Award given by each chapter. This year, the award from our chapter was given to chapter member Jonathan Echols.
 Jonathan Echols |
 Tobin Award Certificate presented in September 2020 |
Virtual Award Meeting
Normally chapter awards are presented annually in September at a chapter dinner meeting, however, due to chapter meeting restrictions imposed by COVID-19, the award was presented to Jonathan virtually via a remote video session by chapter president Ray Powell on September, 21st, 2020.
Below is some background on Jonathan and some of the many things that he does for our chapter. You can see that he is very deserving of this award. Congratulations, Jonathan!
Jonathan Echols joined our chapter in 2012. Jonathan has shown himself to be a dedicated member over the years who consistently participates in our chapter’s conservation projects and outdoor projects such as our bi-annual park maintenance day, our annual Teddy Bear hunt and our adopt a highway program.
Although Jonathan enjoys the outdoor events he also demonstrates his commitment to our chapter through his participation in our annual Pancake Supper fundraiser and ticket sales for our Scholarship Fundraising raffle. Jonathan also volunteered to be a chapter representative at the 2019 Firebird festival held by the local Nansemond Indian tribe.
Jonathan has routinely helped out with the cooking committee functions. He not only assisted but personally organized and executed a very successful chapter fish fry. He is one of those members that doesn’t have to be asked to help out. He rolls up his sleeves and just pitches in to get things done.
Even though Jonathan has a full time job and is a merit badge counselor and Assistant Troop Leader of a local Boy Scout Troop he is a “one of a kind” member who consistently gives his all in support of our chapter. As a result we can think of no one more deserving of this award.
