Aaron Vinck and James Morris

This year’s Paul Mortensen Award recipient represents the heart and soul of their chapter. Countless hours of donated service, countless dollars of contributions to the causes of Affirmation, countless hours of planning events and activities for their local chapter and for national conferences.

This year’s recipient has gone out of their way to make visitors, members old and new feel welcome at all Affirmation meetings and functions. This person’s home is a safe haven to many Affirmation members over the years.

This year’s recipient has patiently listened to countless coming out stories, and has reached out a hand to shake, or arms to hug, or a shoulder to cry on.

This year’s recipient has served in many positions, including Chapter Director, Chapter Board of Director, Chapter Treasurer, Conference Committee Member, Executive Board Member, and Membership Secretary.

This is only the second time in the history of the Mortensen Award that this has happened. This year’s recipient is actually two halves that form a perfect whole. They are indeed a dynamic duo. They have attended every annual conference since the Portland Conference of 1998.

One has been the longest continuing active member of their chapter. He is a gifted fine artist, as well as being a creative caterer. He makes those around him completely at ease with his warm smile and sense of humor.

The other is a master of detail. He is very kind, generous, patient and caring to those in his chapter, and to those making inquiries regarding Affirmation. He keeps his chapter members connected to each other, as well as keeping the membership records of every member of Affirmation in the United States and worldwide. He is a champion of respecting the privacy and confidentiality of everyone he comes in contact with—providing Affirmation members a safe space to just be themselves.

Both are well known within Affirmation, and I have been blessed to be able to call them my friends for many years. This year’s Mortensen Award recipients are James Morris and Aaron Vinck of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter.