October is recognized as Community Inclusion Month, bringing awareness to inclusion in communities and employment.

REALM in association with Rotary at Work, Community Living British Columbia (CLBC), Kootenay Employment Services, and East Kootenay News Online (e-KNOW) will be hosting the second ICE Awards, recognizing inclusive employers in the East Kootenay. These employers have the vision, drive, and determination to make a difference in the community and workforce.

This month there will be an opportunity to acknowledge these employers and thanking them publicly for moving our communities forward.

On November 6, we will be celebrating the nominated leaders, showcasing how and why they are inclusive. Again, this year we will be handing out ICE awards for five different categories: Community Mentor; Accessibility; Innovative Career Builder; Authentic Leader; and the Emboldened Visionary.

Who are they? These leaders are “breaking the ice” removing barriers and appreciate how it is important to fight for equality in the community.

How are we recognizing them? We assembled a list of 20 plus outstanding employers exhibiting leadership in inclusivity. The nominees’ leadership excels in the category in which they are assigned. Please vote for the nominee of your choice in each category by Nov. 5.

The business and employers that have been nominated exhibit the following:

Community Mentor

Taking the extra step towards inclusion that can be emulated by others, a role model:

Staples;

The Paw Shop;

Hot Shots;

Blade Runner;

Safeway;

Play Pen Pet Boarding & Grooming;

Columbia Theatre Landmark Cinema’s Cranbrook.

Sponsored by e-KNOW

Accessibility

Making employment attainable for all and recognizing the uniqueness of all people:

The Sandman Inn Cranbrook;

Best Western Cranbrook Hotel;

Home Depot;

McDonald’s;

Tim Hortons;

Farm Kitchen;

Affordable Floors;

Sponsored by CLBC

Innovated Career Builders

Diversifying in an innovated way to create pathways to employment opportunities:

The Townsmen;

The Paw Shop;

Bro’s Cove;

Kootenay Roasting Company (KRC);

ATCO;

Cobs Bread Bakery;

Sponsored by Kootenay Employment Services

Authentic Leader

Being a genuine employer who, while striving through their core values, believes that who they employ are what makes their business a true success:

Max’s Place;

High Point Plumbing and Heating;

JJ’s Laundry;

Spring Honda;

Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Cranbrook

Emboldened Visionary

The Bold visionaries’ challenges obstacles of society equalizing and enriching the community. They create opportunities that translate into real-valued citizenship:

McDonald’s;

Kootenay Roasting Company (KRC);

High Point Plumbing and Heating;

Sponsored by REALM

Why do we recognize these leaders in inclusivity?

Employees stated their employers are understanding, flexible, compassionate, kind, caring, and respectful. It is a great feeling when we have reliable employers who take the time to communicate and answer questions. Having supportive employers and co-workers makes us feel that we are a part of a team family, accepted and included.

The employing leaders stand out in treating people with equality. They recognize that each person hired has unique qualities that are of value to their team. These leaders are open-minded. They are providing customized positions that embrace each person’s ability and talent. They mentor in developing skills/attributes and continued learning for all their employees. They provide real work for real play.  Most importantly, employees value their employers because they recognized their abilities and capabilities.

We recognize that these leaders hold each employee at the same level of accountability and responsibility when it comes to employee standards because that is genuine inclusion. Whether people work one hour a week or 20, 40 hours, they are all equal, valued employees.

We want to recognize and thank these community employers for embracing our values and practicing the initiative of authentic inclusion.

Community members can consider the categories and vote for these exceptional employers at www.eknow.ca/ICE-awards. Voting will be open until October 29.

Mark your calendars for November 5, and check our Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/realmbc.ca/ and website https://realmbc.ca/ to see which leaders are acknowledged this year.

Submitted by REALM

REALM (Realize Empowerment Access Life to the Maximum) supporting individuals in attaining inclusive opportunities for personal growth, empowerment, and developing independence with the community at large, utilizing a facilitation approach that maintains dignity, self-determination, and the right to make choices.

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