This year’s winner of the Volunteer of the Year is Barry Newman who has served as a District Captain, Regional Captain, Follow Up Team Leader, and currently volunteers as Grassroots Coordinator for Illinois. In the eleven years since COS Action has been around, there have been only six recipients of Volunteer of the Year Award.
The award was presented by COSA president and co-founder Mark Meckler in Springfield, Illinois, during a regional leadership meeting. Among those in attendance were State Director David Winters, State Information Analyst Marty Benner, and many COS volunteers across the country who watched the awards ceremony via a teleconference that was emceed by Regional Director Deanna Becket.
Upon presenting the award, Meckler said, “It is hard to imagine anyone more deserving.”
Newman said he was “humbled, so honored beyond belief and overwhelmed” by being named for the award.
Mentors and Role Models
In a fashion that is a hallmark of Newman’s personality, he was quick to name others who mentored him and whose servant leadership were role models for him.
“I want to thank my mentor and dear friend, David Winters.”
Barry said he has learned from Winters that the people come before volunteering.
“David taught me there are things that come before volunteering like the person themselves, their health, their families, family health, faith, work, education. If any of these are out of kilter, that takes priority over COS,” Newman said.
Barry said he was also attracted to the style of leadership he learned from Lance Faust.
“He was my role model as a DC and RC. He treats everybody with loving kindness and respect,” Newman said.
Both Faust and Winters think highly of Newman as well.
“Barry is the quintessential example of thoroughness. He really cares about people. He knows when to press and when to tell volunteers to spend time with their families.”
Union Region Director Michael Arnold said during the ceremony that he was proud to work side by side with Barry.
“You are truly an inspirational servant leader. I can’t think of a more deserving person to win this award this year,” Arnold said.
Newman said he was shocked to receive the award and did not expect that someone from Illinois would win it this year because David Winters received the award in 2023 for his work and servant leadership as a State Director.
Newman came to COS in 2022 and quickly rose into leadership because of his passion for the values of the COS movement and his uncanny ability to connect with individuals, develop relationships and see the leadership potential in his fellow volunteers.
A 50-year career in Human Resources
Barry spent his professional career working in human resources management, teaching and training employees. He said that his plan was to retire on December 31st, 2020. When the pandemic hit and shelter-in-place lockdowns were in full swing, it changed the way the company celebrated its employees’ milestones. There was no retirement party or company recognition for his many years of service.
He said receiving the Volunteer of the Year award from COS was one of the greatest moments in his life, next to his wedding and the birth of his children and grandchildren.
“This award was the first recognition I ever really received. In a large part, it was validation. I didn’t think it would ever happen. I know there are many other COS volunteers that are just as deserving or more so. I was shocked and overwhelmed and so appreciative,” Newman said.
“I consider myself a worker bee, just doing what I think needs to be done.”
Among Barry’s accomplishments is having helped to build up the number of DCs in Illinois to 63. He said it is his goal to have a COS captain in all 118 districts in Illinois by the end of 2026.
He said he utilizes a lot of the same skillset he developed during his career in his volunteer work.
“I learned to listen more than talk. I try to identify people’s motivation and find a role that matches it.”
“You get more information from asking questions. A lot of it is recruiting. We’re trying to build a grassroots army, and I am the army recruiter. Most people who come to COS are applying to be volunteer activists. As in everything, the leaders will come forward and many become DCs later, Barry said.
Barry lives with his wife of 55 years, Linda, in Woodridge, Illinois. They are proud parents of two married children and four grandchildren.
