July 8, 2008, Reception for Terry Bilsland, president Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association, Paul Engle Center, Cedar Rapids.
Friends and colleagues joined in a celebration for community leader Terry Bilsland to honor his many years of service to Wellington Heights Neighborhood.
(Randy Day's speech)
Bilsland is the president of Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association and serves as a member of the Central Cedar Rapids Weed & Seed executive committee, among other community activities.
He was among nearly three dozen Linn County residents honored this summer with a Governor's Volunteer Award. He was honored for commitment, service and time  given to the Cedar Rapids community.
Community Corrections Improvement Association staff nominated Bilsland for the award.
Bilsland, never comfortable in the spotlight, addressed the crowd of community leaders, law enforcement officials, neighbors and friends.
After thanking the group for their applause, as is typical of him, he deflected the spotlight form himself. He launched into a request for housing for out-of-town AmeriCorps VISTAs on their way to do flood recovery in Cedar Rapids.
"We have a lot of them that work in our neighborhood," he said, referring to the VISTAs.
He thanked the group again -- and then he sat down.
"I''m not afraid to go anywhere in the city for help with any project but I don't like being in the spotlight," he siad.
Later, he said, "I appreciate the award but we have six other board members who work just as hard as I do. They deserve the recognition as much as I do."

Randy Day, a high risk parole officer in the Wellington Heights Neighborhood, gave a speech detailing Terry Bilsland's accomplishments.

"The Governor's Volunteer Award is given to people or groups who volunteer their time with a state or city government agency or an Iowa nonprofit organization.
People or groups receiving this award have:
1.    Demonstrated exceptional commitment to volunteerism by helping with a special project or ongoing activity;
2.    Demonstrated leadership, creativity, cooperation and hard work in their service to others; and have
3.    Made an outstanding contribution to the State or community through volunteer service.
Receiving the Governor's Volunteer Award this year is Terry Bilsland, president of the Wellington Heights Neighborhood Association and lifelong resident of Cedar Rapids. Terry is involved with Central Cedar Rapids Weed & Seed steering committee; WARN meeting (Warning And Resource Notification) given to offenders returning to the community and BRIGHTEN projects.
These are just a snapshot of what Terry does. You will find him working the gardens, planting flowers in the park, removing snow, picking up trash.
He helps city employees inspect houses. He meets with neighborhood police officers and probation/parole officers, discussing what is working and what isn't and how to find solutions. He was sandbagging at Mercy (Medical Center). He has helped flood victims clean up their properties and is helping with housing for VISTA workers.
His volunteer service impacts individuals, neighborhoods, city government, state agencies and officials from foreign counties that come to see Wellington House.
I have had the honor of working closely with Terry for several years. I know why he works so hard: because he cares. He cares about individuals. He cares about his community.
Please join me in thanking him for all he does."