"I know I should write an editorial now maybe I'll get around to it eventually, after I do all this other work "

If newspaper editors (including this one) actually thought or acted this way, the result would be blank pages in certain spots, as what usually happens when people "get around to it" is they never actually do. This of course would not be acceptable to the publishers or the readers of any publication - deadlines must be met, and readers expect to have editorials and stories to read in their paper each week.

It is no less important for community groups and organizations to have a ready response from the community when important occasions arise.

Two cases in point: the Quota Club's annual Women of the Year awards have opened their nomination process for the various awards they would like to present, and the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce just announced nominations opening for the prestigious Golden Spike Award.

In the latter case, procrastination could cause a problem: the deadline is coming up quickly, on Thursday, March 15, and the annual award is to presented shortly after at the President's Dinner on Tuesday, March 20.

As organizers of most any event can tell you, Weyburnites are famous for waiting until the last minute to buy advance tickets, or to enter a competition, or to make nominations for an awards ceremony. This doesn't make life very easy for organizers, who often need to know beforehand the numbers of people attending a given banquet or entertainment event.

It would be a disservice if this occurred in regard to the Golden Spike; this is an award that recognizes those individuals who have made significant contributions to the life of our community, and there have been many very, very worthy people so honoured over the years. The disservice would be not only to that individual who should be honoured this year, but to the chamber and to the community in general, who deserve to know of the hard work and tireless dedication of those who help make Weyburn a great place to live, work and raise a family.

In a similar vein, the Quota's Women of the Year awards also recognize those women who make significant contributions in the areas of business, and of community service, whether as a volunteer or an entrepreneur or an employee. There are women in every walk of life who bring their ideas and enthusiasm and spirit to whatever they do in their lives, and should be duly recognized, even as a nominee.

Wouldn't it be sad if some of these programs of recognition eventually fell by the wayside and were cancelled because of apathy and procrastination? It would not only be sad as a loss to the community, but the people who volunteer and who put their heart and soul into making our community a great place to live would go on unrecognized.

Some events have had to be cancelled due to a lack of volunteers, but this shouldn't happen with a long-standing tradition like the Golden Spike. If you know of a worthy individual for this award, don't procrastinate; nominate! - Greg Nikkel