The Preservation North Dakota 2006 Bentley Award for 'Volunteer of the Year' was presented to Janinne Paulson, a dedicated preservationist. Her wisdom, effort and passion are evident in the time and energy she has displayed in preserving the history and shaping the future of the community of Stanley and the State of North Dakota.
Paulson, a licensed social worker for Mountrail County, is the mother of three and grandmother of two. Paulson's lifefime interest in architecture and old buildings began when she amused herself drawing floor plans, growing up in Page (ND).
Photo: Janinne (right) with board and advisory members during PND retreat, September 2005, at Yellowstone Trail Marker, Deep Creek, ND
Recent community efforts in Stanley to save the former First Presbyterian Church from demolition introduced her to Preservation North Dakota where she has finally found an outlet for this interest. The church is now the Sibyl Center, a venue for the arts. Paulson is a board member of the Sibyl Center in Stanley.
Paulson has jumped head first into becoming an active board member with Preservation North Dakota. She has attended out of state board training, in state strategic planning sessions, and presented at the annual historic preservation conference where she earned high praise from attendees. She is chair of the 2007 Preservation Conference Committee, and is currently in full swing planning the upcoming May 4-5-6 conference in Minot.
PND board members say, "Her enthusiasm and energy in preservation is readily apparent, and we are lucky to have her passion and interest in historic preseration in our state."
The Bentley Award for "Volunteer of the Year" is presented to an individual for extraordinary dedication to volunteer service in the field of historic preservation in North Dakota.
Reprinted, in part, from Mountrail County Promoter, November 8, 2006.
