Jaycees host 2010 Distinguished Service Award banquet
By Catharin Shepard
Published in News on July 13, 2010 1:46 PM
News-Argus/MICHAEL BETTS
John Chance looks on during the Goldsboro Jaycees' 70th annual Distinguished Service Award Banquet held at the Flying Shamrock. Chance, of the Wayne Opportunity Center, received the Boss of the Year award.
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News-Argus/MICHAEL BETTS
Sherry Archibald listens during the Goldsboro Jaycees' 70th annual Distinguished Service Award Banquet Monday. Mrs. Archibald, of the Paramount Theater, received the Distinguished Service Award.
Paramount Theatre Director Sherry Archibald didn't know, at first, what was going on Monday night at the Flying Shamrock on John Street - which was strange, given her years of involvement with downtown Goldsboro events.
"'What do you know about downtown that I don't know?'" she recalled asking her husband, David, when he suggested they attend a function at the restaurant.
But she found out soon enough, when Goldsboro Jaycees awards chairman Alicia Goldsby announced the winner of the group's 2010 Distinguished Service Award.
"This year's recipient truly exemplifies an important line of the Jaycee Creed -- 'Service to humanity is the best work of life,'" Ms. Goldsby said as she invited Mrs. Archibald to join her at the podium.
"Believe it or not, I am speechless," Mrs. Archibald said, after the applause from a standing ovation died down.
Mrs. Archibald was one of two outstanding Goldsboro residents honored at the organization's 70th annual Distinguished Service Awards banquet. John Chance was named Boss of the Year.
Mrs. Archibald, the former Downtown Development Corp. office promotions coordinator "is one of those people that everyone wants to have on their side rooting for them and supporting the cause they support," Ms. Goldsby said. "Her most valuable contribution is her sincere interest to make a difference, and her ability to create sustaining relationships that help our community's efforts."
Mrs. Archibald moved to Goldsboro in 1999 and spent nearly seven years devoted to promoting downtown and assisting the development board with its missions and goals. She joined Habitat for Humanity as development and communications coordinator in 2007 before leaving to oversee the newly rebuilt Paramount Theatre. She continues to serve on the Habitat for Humanity board of directors.
"There are a lot of things that I'm not good at, but I know that God has given me many gifts, and so I try to use those to the best of my ability. That's easy to do when you live in a community that supports you and encourages you and is a blessing to you. I thank you all for honoring me tonight," she said.
The Archibalds have been married for 19 years and have two children, Kenny, 12, and Mary, 7. Mrs. Archibald also received the Downtown Goldsboro Development Corp. Advocate of the Year award in 2007.
When the Boss of the Year was announced, Ms. Goldsby said she took special pride in the revealing the winner. Chance is her supervisor at the Wayne Opportunity Center.
Her eyes lit up when she talked about Chance, who is the center's executive director.
The ebullient Chance is "the most positive man I have ever met," she said.
"I've had a lot of bosses. You're not really supposed to love your boss, but John really is the nicest, most lovable person I've ever met. He's a visionary," Ms. Goldsby said.
Nominators described Chance as "a person that loves and cares for his community and the people that are part of the community."
Chance, who received the Jaycees' Distinguished Service Award in 1993, has worked as volunteer coordinator for the O'Berry Center, served part of a term in the Wayne County Register of Deeds Office. A former president of the Jaycees, the Goldsboro High and University of North Carolina graduate almost missed Monday's ceremony.
He said that he had no idea he was to be honored and that when he got home from work his wife, Sue, told him, "You need to be at the Flying Shamrock, right now!'"
He added, "But I sure do thank you. I think an awful lot of the Jaycees. I'll tell you, I see an awful lot of people in this room that have worked with me, and people in the community. ... I certainly appreciate all that you have done."
Chance and his wife have two children, Will, 18, and Susan Kate, 15. Chance is also a trustee for Woodmen of the World and lieutenant governor of the Sunrise Kiwanis. He also serves as scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 2.
The Jaycees select the award recipients each year from among nominations sent in by employees, relatives, friends and co-workers. The Jaycees did not receive nomination forms for some categories this year, eliminating several of the awards usually presented at the banquet. Jaycee leaders said they hope to see more nominations next year.
Ray Burrell, vice president of continuing education and work force preparedness at Wayne Community College, was the keynote speaker at the event.
Burrell said recipients of the Distinguished Service Award exhibit leadership qualities, and the kind of vision that it takes for leaders to move their organizations into the future, Burrell said.
"That vision is going to help people to follow, because they believe you have something to offer," he said.