Stacy Smith Volunteer Award

In his “Thousand Points of Light” speech, President George H. W. Bush moved a nation to recognition of those thousands and thousands of volunteers that dedicate themselves to the aid of humanity to help to make this world a better place. Some of those “Points” shine brighter than others.
 
The Quiet Water Society decided in 2018 that it was time to place our light on some our own shining examples. Each year, hundreds of selfless individuals, as supporters of the Quiet Water Society and the many organizations that participate in this symposium, donate countless hours, talents, and money to the causes that make our world a better place. All of them are deserving of recognition for their contributions. The first one there is often the last to leave, and that is the one person to whom everyone knows you can go for that little bit extra that we just can’t pull it off. Oddly it often seems that person steps to the back when the laurels are handed out. Those volunteers are the ones that every organization, movement, or cause leader hopes for and treasures the most.

The Stacy Smith Outstanding Volunteer Award was presented for the first time at the Quiet Water Symposium in 2018 to her family in memory of her many years of volunteer service to her many causes and her selfless dedication to the paddling community. The award was designed to be given annually to a volunteer deserving of recognition for the qualities that Stacy exemplified.

2025 Stacy Smith Awardee:  Emma Ruth Bailey

Emma has been a part of Quiet Water / Quiet Adventures from the beginning. She visited the first Quiet Water Symposium, held at the Kellogg Center in 1996, at a very young age. It wasn’t too many years later that she started coming to the planning meetings held at Raupp’s Campfitters with her dad. From there it was a short step to being a part of the planning team. She has both exhibited and presented at symposiums over the years and has performed just about every role needed to keep this event running. This includes taking over the role of volunteer coordinator while still a high school student. She has helped portaging canoes & kayaks at the dams on the Hugh Heward and is also a member of Hugh Heward Challenge 50 mile club. Emma has also been very involved with The Lansing Oar & Paddle Club, LOAPC, from an early age and has coordinated the LOAPC waterfront during the Kid’s Day event at Burchfield Park for several years.

Emma has taken on additional roles with management of The Quiet Adventures Society as a board member, and most recently stepping into the role as the Treasurer. If you see her modified school bus at the trailhead, chopped to carry passengers & gear, you’ll know you have a friend that’s always willing to help.

It is with great honor that the Quiet Adventures Society selects Emma Bailey as our 2025 Stacy Smith Outstanding Volunteer Award recipient.
 

                                                                                                                                                                                        Always a smile, this during a 2001 river trip

Portaging during a canoe trip
 


 






Volunteering at QAS with her dad, Rich Bailey, a previous Awardee.
               

                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                



Past Award Winners

2024 - Kate Lederle
2023 - Joe Lessard
2020 - Pat Harrington and Robin Barfoot
2019 - Rich Bailey
2018 - Stacy Smith

*2021 and 2022 were omitted as no award was presented those years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.