In this section we are going to post our reference letters and ask coworkers, employers and past students to leave a comment on our performance. We ask that you comment on the frame in which you knew us (ie coworker in Emergency Room in Dublin Ireland, or student in Curtis' Green Building Course in Regina, Canada) and our ability in that position that would be appropriate for Class Afloat.
Thanks
Curtis and Emily
After reviewing the West Island College Class Afloat website, I can understand Curtis and Emily’s excitement about the possibilities of being involved with this program. Their combined extraordinary passion for life, for people, for the planet and for adventure would make them ideal instructors and role models for today’s youth.
ReplyDeleteI first got to know Curtis through our common love of outdoor sports. I have worked for the past seven years with him in various roles including the Board of Directors of the Saskatchewan Chapter of the Canada Green Building Council and the Build Saskatchewan Green Conference. In whatever role Curtis takes on in these organizations, he displays good judgment, empathy for others and no fear at doing what it takes to see that goals are accomplished.
I was also a student of Curtis’s while he taught the Green Building course at SIAST last year. Curtis ensured the class was both productive and fun which helped me and many others to achieve our LEED AP credentials. (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional). His teaching abilities, as well as his professionalism, leadership and positive attitude in all aspects of life impressed me.
Curtis is a competent and enthusiastic individual who brings positive energy to whatever endeavor he puts his mind towards. He has a sincere interest in tackling the environmental issues facing the world today and I believe would be an excellent candidate for this program.
Ian Stewart
Marketing & Sales
Integrated Designs Inc.
December 16, 2010
ReplyDeleteLetter of Recommendation
Curtis was an expedition leader on my trip to Rach Gia, Vietnam, where we mountain-biked for 8 days and then spent 4 days building a playground for an impoverished community.
The mountain-biking portion of the trip was hot and grueling at times. We biked 400 kilometers and up 1,500 meters in elevation including several mountain passes in extreme heat. Curtis was responsible for keeping track of everybody, making sure nobody fell behind and repairing the occasional mechanical problem with the bikes. He led us in yoga stretches before each ride.
However, Curtis went far beyond his official duties. He was always the most positive person on the trip. However grueling the biking was for us, nobody on the trip was ever in a bad mood because Curtis was there. Every day was “the best day ever.” Every sandwich from a roadside vendor was “the best sandwich ever.” His enthusiasm was infectious.
At every stop, he was the first to interact with the locals with a phrase book and try to communicate and learn Vietnamese. When our construction of the playground was stalled by a monsoon, Curtis played in the rain with the kids of Rach Gia.
At the completion of the playground when we were all watching the kids play and were astonished by their literally “childlike” enthusiasm, Curtis was the one who immediately captured the essence of what we had created. He said we had created “years of memories, happiness, friendships and playground crushes” for the kids of the community. Curtis has effortless insight into the human spirit that we may all be born with, but that is very rare to find in adults.
At the end of the trip, I told Curtis that he was made for this sort of work. It’s not an exaggeration: he is searching, caring, kind, and positive. He brings happiness to those around him. Not only would I recommend Curtis for Class Afloat, I would say that the trip would be lesser for not having him there.
Martin JW Marren
Marren Architects
200 Water Street
Suite 1215
New York, NY 10038
(212) 706-0953
I have known Curtis Dorosh for several years now; though have only recently had the opportunity to know him well. Our paths crossed many times over the years at environmental education and advocacy events. I saw Curtis operating in a leadership capacity at these events and also as an active learning, always interested and engaged.
ReplyDeleteVery recently--this past August--Curtis attended a leadership training program that I co-organized. It was called Generating Momentum: Activist Leadership Training Camp. It was an intensive 4 day residential training program, that saw participants learn about social justice and environmental issues. From there, participants worked with a variety of facilitators to learn new and creative activist skills. Curtis fully participated in the camp, asking questions, sharing his experience and knowledge, and strategizing with other engaged citizens. Since that camp Curtis has contacted me to discuss several ideas he has had regarding an environmental conference his is organizing, and an idea about social entrepreneurship.
Curtis truly wants to change the world, and sees that all people have a role. He is continuously trying to improve himself, learn more and be an engaged citizen. Curtis's positive energy, adventurous spirit and willingness to get involved make him an excellent candidate for the Class Afloat program.
Feel free to contact me with other questions,
Vicki Nelson
communications@earthbeat.sk.ca
306-757-4669
21st December 2010
ReplyDeleteTo whom it may concern,
I met Curtis Dorosh in his capacity as the co-leader on our Roadmonkey Vietnam expedition earlier this year. My first impression of Curtis was disbelief that someone could maintain his level of initial enthusiasm and positivity over the course of an entire trip.
I was wrong. Curtis is one of the most positive people I have ever met and his good humour, sense of fun and all round love of life infected our group within hours. It’s hard to be negative around Curtis because his positivity is both genuine and natural. He’s a team player and was in many ways the glue that bonded our group together.
But it was Curtis’ commitment to the environment that impressed me most. His passion for making a change to the way we plan our cities, build our homes and live our lives is inspiring. He is someone who thinks deeply about the issues facing our world and who has made a personal commitment to make change possible.
Curtis is a kite boarder, a singer, a storyteller, a yoga instructor and a genuine friend. He’s an asset in any situation and I only wish I could cycle across the Vietnamese Central Highlands and build a playground with him all over again.
Yours sincerely,
Liz Doran
lizdoran@tpgcom.au
61418433422
Dear Sir or Madam,
ReplyDeleteIt is with great pleasure I write this letter of recommendation for Curtis Dorosh for a position with Class Afloat. I have had the privilege of working with Curtis in his role as a volunteer for our non-governmental organization, Catalyst Foundation. We are an international NGO whose aim is to improve the lives of impoverished Vietnamese children and families through sustainable community development programs.
During Curtis’ time in Vietnam, I was continually impressed with his ability to work with families and children in a foreign land. He immediately applied his education and his leadership skills to the benefit of our organization. He is a great communicator. He does not hesitate to ask questions and invest his time to insure that all are working to achieve the same goal. This combined with an abundance of energy and can-do attitude has created powerful relationships with his team as well as the children, whose lives he has touched.
He has a strong commitment to those that are in need and principles that are part of his value system. I am confident that he will achieve great things going forward.
Thank you for your consideration; if you need further information please do not hesitate to contact me at (+1) 507-213-8448. You would indeed be fortunate to have Curtis Dorosh as a part of your organization.
Caroline Nguyen Ticarro-Parker
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Catalyst Foundation
Positive Change for the Children of Vietnam
www.catalystfoundation.org