Winnipeg Centre member Stan Runge received the Winnipeg Centre Service Award earlier this month. The award recognizes Stan for his many years of service to the Centre and to the Society.

Stan joined the Winnipeg Centre shortly after the earth's crust cooled, and has served in every elected position on the Centre's Council - President, 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Councillor, and National Council representative - in some cases simultaneously. He also served as the Society's National Sercretary from 2004-2006. He has been instrumental in keeping the Centre running smoothly through good times and bad.

Stan has been active in astronomy outreach and in mentoring new observers. His work with new observers has trained many of the Centre's current members, encouraging them to observe carefully, sketch what they see, and to improve their observing skills.

The Winnipeg Centre Service Award, the first of its kind ever presented by the Winnipeg Centre, is designed to recognize long service and volunteerism in the Centre. The award is to be given not more than once a year to a deserving member of the Winnipeg Centre who is nominated by his or her peers in the Centre. The award consists of a plaque bearing the names of all award recipients, as well as a framed certificate.