The Kinsmen have been a big part of Dave Elliott’s since before he moved to Estevan.
He’s taken an active role in Estevan’s club, and now he’s been recognized for all of his contributions.
Elliott was presented with a life membership Saturday at the Wylie-Mitchell building. He received a plaque, a pin and a badge in honour of his service.
“I wasn’t expecting anything,” said Elliott. “It was like Byron (fellow Estevan Kinsmen life member Byron Stepp) said afterwards to me, ‘People who just want to do good things in the community aren’t looking for awards, so they’re always surprised when it’s them.’”
Elliott joined the Kinsmen in 1982 when he was living in Kindersley. He was managing a retail outlet at the time, and was invited to attend a meeting. At that time, Elliott didn’t know much about the Kinsmen, but he was told they did good things in the community and they had fun.
He joined the local club for the first time in the 1990s, but then moved to Edmonton for a while. When he returned to Estevan in the early 2000s, he rejoined the club.
There have been other organizations that have occupied his time, but the Kinsmen have been his focus in Estevan.
“In one sense, they keep me young, and I just really enjoy working with the group of guys,” said Elliott. “Our motto is ‘Serving the Community’s Greatest Needs,’ and whatever that is at any given time. It’s never one thing constantly.”
Right now the club’s focus is building the change room facility at the Kin play park in Hillside, and once it’s finished, they will turn their attention elsewhere.
“It’s just a good organization, and you develop such strong friendships over the years,” he said.
The outdoor arena and sports complex at the Kin play park is a source of pride for Elliott, not only because of what it has meant to the community since it opened in 2017, but how it revitalized the club, which was down to seven members.
“We accomplished it in three short years,” said Elliott. “That’s probably the biggest accomplishment.”
Now they have more than 20 members.
Local club president James Jones said Elliott doesn’t usually want public recognition for his efforts, and is often quick to encourage new and younger members to be the voice or face of the club.
“This member lives, breathes, sweats and has even broken bones in recent years in the name of Kin,” Jones said while announcing Elliott’s honour. “This particular individual has been active within our association for many years.”
Elliott has held various positions on the executive, and dedicated a lot of time to get the club back on track and improve its financial stability. He has sold Kinsmen and Kinettes Dream Lottery tickets, helped out at golf and hockey tournaments, bartended cabarets and other special events, and dealt cards at casino nights.
“He has attended many Telemiracles, and is normally wearing his kilt,” said Jones.
Elliott has also helped out with the Kinsmen Canada Day celebrations, and is a big proponent of the Christmas tree sales.
“He has likely sold more trees than many of our members combined, and has always said the project is worth the headaches when we see those young faces light up and smile, or the families come into the tree lot and pick up the perfect tree,” said Jones.
And he was instrumental in the construction of the outdoor arena.
“Many in this room have turned to this man for advice over the years. I really do admire his level-headed approach and his common sense that often comes through.”
The life membership presentation occurred during the Zone H conference, which brought Kinsmen and Kinettes from across southeast Saskatchewan to Estevan. Jones said it was an opportunity to hear how Kin members are serving the community’s greatest needs, and how their actions and deeds are improving communities.
