Bob Harman To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

Long-time supporter and ambassador for Boys and Girls Club is named as recipient of 2013 Leadership Victoria Award

For over fifty years, Bob Harman has served as a passionate champion and ambassador for Boys & Girls Club Services of Greater Victoria and recently was honoured with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his tireless enthusiasm, generosity, and dedicated community service.

Bob Harman will accept the Leadership Victoria Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by Il Terrazzo Ristorante) at the ninth annual Victoria Leadership Awards (VLAs) gala on February 25, 2013 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Fairmont Empress Hotel.

The ceremony provides the occasion to honour all 21 distinguished nominees of the 2013 Victoria Leadership Awards in eight prestigious categories -- from youth to lifetime achievement. Led by Leadership Victoria, the annual awards are a partnership between Leadership Victoria, the University of Victoria, the Rotary Clubs of Greater Victoria, the Victoria Foundation and the United Way of Greater Victoria.

“Bob Harman is a very special individual,” says Jack Shore, Leadership Victoria Executive Director. “He has demonstrated unwavering leadership and dedication throughout the history of the Boys & Girls Clubs. His mentorship has been invaluable for so many with his sincere, always willing to listen non-judgmental approach. Our community has benefited from his heartfelt service for over fifty years."

Bob was born and raised in Victoria, attending Monterey school, Shawnigan Lake School, Victoria College, and the University of British Columbia where he completed a law degree. After articling in Vancouver he returned to Victoria in 1960 and joined the law firm, Harman, McKenzie and Murphy (which later became Crease Harman). He practiced law for thirty years, retiring in 1991 to focus more on the interests close to his heart. These include the Boys & Girls Clubs and the Vancouver Island Retriever Club. He supports several community projects by donation including the United Way (he was a workplace fundraiser), The Mustard Seed, Operation Eyesight, Victoria Hospitals Foundation and many others.

Bob has a very long history of serving Boys & Girls Clubs Services in Greater Victoria, first joining their board in 1962 and serving until 1975. In 1979 he rejoined their board and serves to this day. Bob was also was instrumental in establishing the Boys & Girls Club Services of Greater Victoria Foundation in 1991. On more than one occasion he has served as board president.

His personal determination and commitment saw the Boys & Girls Clubs through a very difficult period in its early history. Not only did he bring the organization out of a near demise, he has continued to provide support and wisdom to generations of staff and volunteers. Bob counseled the board and executive directors through many turbulent times and has never lost his passion for the cause. He has tremendous commitment to assisting disadvantaged youth.

At a recent function where he was presented with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, Bob reflected on what his father had told him many, many years ago. That advice? You will have much greater impact if you focus your efforts and supports in one or two areas rather than scattering your energies on many different pursuits.

Bob was one of the founding members of the Vancouver Island Retriever Club in 1964 and has been involved in all aspects of the club and associated clubs from 1961 to the present time with no plans to "retire" anytime soon. He has acted as mentor, advisor, judge, and treasurer and has used his legal training and logical mind to re-organize the rules and regulations regarding retriever trials. For many years he served as the B.C. Lower Mainland and Island field representative.

At the upcoming February 25th ceremony, the local organization receiving the Victoria Foundation Community Leadership award and the recipients of the individual Victoria Leadership Awards in six additional categories (the Rotary Community Leadership Awards, the Vancity Youth Award, the University of Victoria Community Leadership Awards, The United Way of Greater Victoria Award for Collaboration and Partnership, the Royal Roads University Leadership Excellence through Coaching and Mentoring Award and the Leadership Victoria Alumni Award) will be announced.

Leadership Victoria is a community-based, voluntary organization committed to developing, supporting, recognizing and honouring outstanding community leaders. Since its formation in 2000, it has become the go to organization for community leadership in Greater Victoria, graduating over 250 leaders who work collaboratively to resolve the complex challenges facing our city.

A full list of this year’s 21 award nominees is available at www.leadershipvictoria.ca and videos from last year's ceremony can be viewed on our YouTube channel.

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