Neil Black has been named the 2015 Volunteer of the Year by the Nova Scotia Association of Realtors (NSAR). As the third recipient of this honour, Black has been acknowledged for “unparalleled dedication to both the real estate industry and his province of Nova Scotia,” says the association.
“Neil has always been a committed, hard worker for his community and for so many organizations,” says Realtor Jacob Risk, who nominated Black for the award. “Neil is always kind, considerate and friendly and leads by example.”
Black says he was raised in a family of “do-gooders” and was taught that to have a good place to live, one must put back into the community. He began his volunteering early as he grew up on the Saint John River, carrying food supplies to the very poor for the St. Vincent De Paul Society. Since then, he’s helped the Kidney Foundation, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia and fundraising for numerous community projects such as the Dartmouth Sportsplex. Black has also participated in many varied volunteer boards, ranging from the local residents association to the Economic Renewal Agency for the Province of Nova Scotia.
Since becoming involved in real estate in 1978, Black has been a director of Halifax/Dartmouth Real Estate Board, past president of the Home Builders’ Association, past president of the Mortgage Loans Association of Nova Scotia, a director of the Atlantic Provinces Real Estate Council and past chairman of the Nova Scotia Real Estate Commission. Black now serves as a director of NSAR. He is with Century 21 A.B.C. Realty.
“Neil represents a true community volunteer and feels that we must share our time and experience to continue to raise the standard of our industry,” says Realtor Gord Burns, NSAR past president, who presented the award at a special celebration recently. The association also acknowledged other members who volunteer their time and expertise to improve the profession and demonstrate the value Realtors contribute to real estate transactions and communities throughout Nova Scotia.
