Leaders Honoured At Annual Awards Ceremony

The annual Victoria’s Leadership Awards (VLA) highlight the achievements of local volunteerism—an Academy Awards for local community dedication and commitment. The inspirational abilities of Victoria’s local community heroes were honoured today at the sixth annual VLA fundraising reception and ceremony. The awards program is a partnership between Leadership Victoria, the Victoria Foundation, the University of Victoria and the Rotary Clubs of Greater Victoria to recognize outstanding contributions to the vibrancy of our community.

A total of 20 nominees were applauded at the 2010 Victoria’s Leadership Awards. This year’s recipients are:

• The Rotary Community Leadership Award which recognizes community leaders who meet the Rotary test for the highest level of ethical behavior and community leadership—Charlayne Thornton-Joe
• The University of Victoria Community Leadership Award which acknowledges exemplary leadership in linking the University of Victoria and the community for greater public benefit—David Burns
• The Vancity Youth Award which acknowledges an emerging leader within our community—Katie Shaw
• The Victoria Foundation Community Leadership Award which recognizes a charitable organization demonstrating exceptional community service and positive change—Victoria Women’s Sexual Assault Centre
• The Leadership Victoria Alumni Award, new this year, which applauds a graduate of the Leadership Victoria program who has enhanced the visibility, reputation and overall strength of the organization as well as demonstrated exemplary leadership—Laura Walsh
• The Leadership Victoria Lifetime Achievement Award which honours outstanding long-term service in community leadership roles such as philanthropy, innovation, mentoring and career achievement—(previously announced) Rev. Tom Oshiro

Since launching in 2000, Leadership Victoria has graduated nearly 200 alumni whose work in the organization’s community leadership development program continues to create a living legacy and helps address many of the increasingly complex and challenging issues faced by communities. Information about all nominees for this year’s awards, including biographies and photographs, is available at www.leadershipvictoria.ca.

Donations of non-perishable food items were also accepted at the event in honour of Oshiro, the lifetime achievement award recipient and director of the Victoria Mustard Seed Street Church and Food Bank. The food drive donations will be given directly to the Mustard Seed.

Backgrounder attached
 

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