Organizational Development Services receives Community Service Award

Cornell Organizational Development Services (ODS) director Chet Warzynski, back right, and assistant director Linda Gasser, front holding the plaque, pose July 18 with John Majeroni, center, director of Cornell Real Estate; Judith Saul, second from left, of the Community Dispute Resolution Center; and Dammi Herath, of the Women's Opportunity Center. Donations of $1,000 were made to both centers on behalf of ODS, winner of the Cornell Business and Technology Park's Community Service Award. Kevin Stearns/University Photography

Good deeds do get noticed. For exemplary enthusiasm in volunteering throughout the community, the staff of Cornell's Organizational Development Services (ODS) received the 2003 Community Service Award from the Cornell Business and Technology Park.

The ODS group was given the award July 18 at the park's Pond Pavilion on Thornwood Drive. In addition, $1,000 is being donated in the department's honor to both the Community Dispute Resolution Center and to the Women's Opportunity Center. ODS is part of Cornell's Office of Human Resources.

To be eligible for the award, a company or organization must be located in the business park and demonstrate a strong commitment to community service. ODS is the first Cornell unit to win the award, said award presenter John Majeroni, director of Cornell Real Estate.

The volunteer activities of the ODS group help many members of the local community: Chet Warzynski and Linda Gasser, ODS director and assistant director, respectively, volunteer for the American Red Cross. Executive Assistant Laurel Parker and receptionist Brandi Farnham recruit volunteers to "adopt" needy children and single-parent families each holiday season, providing money, gifts, food, clothing and toys. JoAnn Shepherd, the ODS Career Development Services manager, organizes the Transition Conference for the American Association of University Women, and she conducts job-search workshops for the Women's Opportunity Center. Nancy Leonard, human resources assistant, is a team captain in the American Cancer Society's Tioga County Relay for Life, and she volunteers for the American Legion Auxiliary.