OKANAGAN COLLEGE FOUNDATION
the ripple effect Annual Report on Giving 2015-16
by the numbers
Samantha Blandon, Diana Hegion, and Jane Neale, presenting the Joe Neale Memorial Bursary to Kristen Dowden (second from right).
(Fiscal Year April 1, 2015 – March 31, 2016) $2,876,040
Revenues
$810,953 Student support $185,271 Academic and educational programming $1,363,540 Capital projects $516,276 Other revenues
1,941
NUMBER OF GIFTS
1,329 Individuals 246 Organizations 366 Alumni $1,277,007 $688,827
GIFTS-IN-KIND DONATED SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES DISBURSED
624 student awards funded by donors
FULL-TIME STUDENT LOANS
1,460 $7,123
$1,100
Number of students who applied for loans *Average unmet need per student after loans and other income *The amount varies by individual student and program. This represents the average unmet need of a student in a 9 month trades program. We would be happy to provide further details.
AVERAGE STUDENT AWARD FROM DONORS
But THE RIPPLE EFFECT goes beyond words or numbers. Read on to see the impact your support has on Okanagan College and its students. 2
the ripple effect It was one of our students who called the impact of a donation the ripple effect. Like so many of our students she was a single mother with young kids at home, pursuing an education that would truly transform her family. The donor’s gift was the central point of the ripple and from that centre the ripples spread not only to the bursary recipient, but to her children and ultimately to her community, as she accessed the knowledge and skills that would help her give back in a meaningful way. This is the real power of education. Again and again we see the ripple effect in what we do and we hope it inspires you to continue supporting our foundation. The ripple effect includes 30 new awards this past year, including a very generous donation of $250,000 from The Joyce Foundation to support trades bursaries and improve tutoring and literacy for trades students. There were 464 individuals who received 624 donor funded awards, valued at a total of $688,827, at an average of just over $1,100 each. The impact of this can hardly be put into words. Each of the recipients has their own story of how an award has impacted his or her life. We wanted to share a few of those stories with you. Consider the impact that receiving an award has on the life of a trades student like Rachel Broe, a young single mother overcoming obstacles to pursue her dream of becoming a Red Seal Chef. Or imagine how vastly different the student experience would be for someone like Vernon’s Leighton Coombs, graduating this year from the Bachelor of Business Administration Degree program. Leighton was able to stay active as a volunteer, mentoring local youth, because of a bursary he received from the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW). We are also thrilled with the progress towards our $7 million goal for Bright Horizons: Building for Skills Campaign with just over $6.2 million raised by the end of March. While the new building will officially open this fall, we are not done yet. We hope to successfully reach our goal with a few more key gifts. We owe a great deal to the Campaign Cabinet so ably chaired by Dennis Gabelhouse and supported by Honorary Chair Ben Stewart and Community Ambassador Mike Roberts, with the support of a dedicated team of volunteers, directors and staff who collectively have made this effort so successful. As donor Les Bellamy puts it, the support being raised through the Bright Horizons campaign will inspire and nurture the students who will literally build our communities in the coming decades—a sentiment shared by many of our campaign donors, like Bellamy’s fellow home builder Jim Lamb. We are very fortunate to be surrounded by so many people who recognize the power of education and giving. We are grateful for the volunteer support of our board members and campaign volunteers for providing solid governance and leadership to build strong connections between the foundation and communities we serve.
“I was completely overwhelmed when I found out about this support for my education, it was a life-changing moment. Cooking has always been my passion. But my son is my top priority. So receiving a bursary has taken the stress out of going back to school. It has allowed me to focus on my future and get the most out of this amazing life opportunity.” – Rachel Broe
“Receiving support from donors in the community meant I didn’t have to take on more hours at work and forgo being active in the community. That made for a much richer experience while I was in school, and the connections I made in the community will serve me well in my future in business.” – Leighton Coombs
It is an especially exciting time to be involved with our foundation, as we explore what the future holds in terms of new projects. Our new strategic plan will be completed in 2016 to help inform our key directions for the next decade. We believe that our future will be no less successful than the past decade has been. We also believe that we are up to the challenge.
“The thousands of men and women who will train at Okanagan College are the ones who are going to be building our homes and communities. I am proud to be a part of this project and a part of the future of the Okanagan.”
We are truly thankful and feel very privileged to be part of this fine organization that recognizes every day the ripple effect. Thank you for your continued support.
– Les Bellamy
“I was able to learn my trade and build a business because people supported me and helped me learn along the way. And now I’m a firm believer that we need to invest in the next generation and ensure they know how to build it right the first time.” – Jim Lamb
Alf Kempf President, Okanagan College Foundation
Kathy Butler Executive Director, Okanagan College Foundation
www.okanagancollegefoundation.ca
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bright horizons ca Community and industry support helps OC build for the next 50 years Trades and Apprenticeship has been at the core of Okanagan College since its inception as the BC Vocational School in 1963. Over the past five decades, the College has trained thousands of apprentices and tradespeople and worked with countless employers and organizations throughout the region. The contribution made by these alumni to the fabric of our region is beyond measure. From carpenters to welders, tradespeople build our homes, our schools, our hospitals. They literally build our communities. With more than 160,000 new tradespeople and related occupations needed in BC by 2022, skilled tradespeople are perhaps more needed than ever. And so in 2014 when Okanagan College embarked on one of the most ambitious capital projects in the institution’s history—a $33-million renovation and expansion of trades training facilities at the Kelowna campus—a goal was set to build one of the most advanced trades facilities anywhere in the world, one that would honour and celebrate this noble profession and its people. A $28 million investment by the province provided a strong foundation for the project. The Bright Horizons: Building for Skills campaign launched in October 2014 with the goal of raising an additional $7 million, including $5 million for capital construction and $2 million for program and student support. Since that bright and chilly October morning, the enthusiastic support from individuals, families, and organizations both in our region and across the country and into the United States has been nothing short of remarkable. When the building opened to students in April 2016, donations and pledges totalled more than $6.2 million toward the $7-million goal. But beyond the dollars and cents, perhaps the most inspiring element of this campaign has been the way in which our donors have stepped up with contributions as unique and diverse as the supporters themselves.
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Among the contributions: a tractor specially suited to work in Okanagan orchards from PrairieCoast equipment; five-years worth of paint from Cloverdale Paint Inc.; a collection of tools that took one of our donors, Bill Schooff, a lifetime to assemble. As Campaign Chair Dennis Gabelhouse notes, donors have shown overwhelming support for the College’s mission to open doors and enhance the learning environment for students. “The community has really embraced the fact that this campaign is about much more than building classrooms, shops, and hallways,” says Gabelhouse. “It’s about the impact that we all can make by supporting the learning that occurs in those spaces. It’s about opening doors for people through education and helping young people get a trade they can use to build a life for themselves and their families.” A $500,000 donation from KF Aerospace owner Barry Lapointe in late 2015 helped the campaign soar, while nearly $1 million in gifts from the valley’s automotive sector has demonstrated once again that local business owners stand behind the training offered at Okanagan College. Equally impressive has been support from the valley’s homebuilders, donors like Les Bellamy, owner of Bellamy Homes, who understand the value of investing in the next generation. “I think it’s very important as industry leaders that we support and encourage young people getting into trades careers however we can,” says Bellamy. “To maintain the quality and craftsmanship that goes into building our homes and communities, the valley needs skilled tradespeople and the College is a key supplier of that workforce.” “It has been very heartening for us to see donors from a variety of areas and interests that have come forward to support the College as we build for the future,” said Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton.
Capital Campaign Team Members Ben Stewart Honorary Chair Dennis Gabelhouse Campaign Chair Mike Roberts Campaign Ambassador Jim Hamilton President Okanagan College
ampaign Students join OC and OC Foundation officials in acknowledging The Joyce Foundation for its generous support of the campaign.
“From large organizations to families, to our own staff and students, the depth of support for this project demonstrates the value our community places on education.” In late December 2015, Okanagan College students received a transformative gift from The Joyce Foundation in the form of a $250,000 donation that established bursaries and emergency support across the board for trades students. In the words of Spencer LaPointe, a student in the Automotive Service Technician Foundation program, it was truly “an amazing contribution for students.” “An integral part of Okanagan College’s mission to transform lives and communities is making education accessible,” explains Hamilton. “Beyond helping the College provide a world-class learning environment, donor support continues to open up opportunities for new programming and student support that will have a tremendous impact on our students.” Like the contributions made by our ever-growing contingent of trades alumni, the ripple effect initiated by our Bright Horizons donors will be equally remarkable and will have the same effect. By supporting education, our donors too are helping to build our communities for generations to come.
Want to help? There is still time to support the Bright Horizons campaign. Please visit www.okanagan.bc.ca/campaign or call the Foundation office at 250-862-5630 (toll-free 1-888-650-6968), and we’ll be happy to assist you.
Alf Kempf President Okanagan College Foundation Raghwa Gopal Vice President Okanagan College Foundation Sharron Simpson Community Chair Okanagan College Foundation Debbie Robert Director, Okanagan College Foundation, Chair, Northern Projects Heather Schneider Regional Dean Central Okanagan Okanagan College
Steve Moores Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship Okanagan College Kathy Butler Campaign Director & Executive Director Okanagan College Foundation Anne Kirkpatrick Development Officer Okanagan College Foundation John Haller Development Officer Okanagan College Foundation Allison Ramchuk Development Officer Okanagan College Foundation Tyler Finley Campaign Communications & Marketing Specialist Okanagan College Foundation Samantha Blandon Campaign Assistant Okanagan College Foundation Tanisha Suzuki Campaign Assistant Okanagan College Foundation
Industry Sector Volunteer Chairs Volunteer Sector Co-Chairs Methal Abougoush (Boyd Autobody & Glass) Hugo Cookson (Cookson Motors Ltd.) Raf DeGuevara (Westbank First Nation) Jason Friesen (Voyager RV Centre) Graeme Jenkins (Enterprise Steel Fabricators Ltd.) Karen Kilbrei (Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services (Kelowna) Inc.) Oscar Krueger (Krueger Electrical Ltd.) Adam Rich and Cordelle Rich (Sentes Automotive) Patrick Waunch (Rambow Mechanical Ltd.) Gord Wilson (TEAM Construction Management Ltd.)
Okanagan College Department Representatives: Corey Bransfield (Automotive Service) Alan Cohoe (Retired from Recreational Vehicle Service) John Euloth (Collision Repair) Alf Leimert (Carpentry) Doug Noble (Heavy Duty/Commercial Transport Mechanics) Dean Nutter (Welding) Brad Oliver (Plumbing/Mechanical) Tom Stapleton (Electrical)
www.okanagancollegefoundation.ca
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Loran Swanberg hands the keys of the donated Jetstream 31 to Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton.
“We are delighted that this aircraft, donated in honour of my parents, has found a wonderful home at Okanagan College, where it will inspire and enrich the learning experience for students for years to come.” – Loran Swanberg 6
helping dreams take flight Aircraft and flight simulator donations give OC a lift On October 6, 2015 the most valuable gift of equipment the College has received to date in its 50-plus-year history was unveiled at the Vernon campus.
In the wake of this generous gift, students in the AME program had not long to wait before their training fleet expanded yet again.
A British Aerospace Model Jetstream 31, valued at nearly $700,000 was donated by the Swanberg family of Grande Prairie and Fort St. John, in memory of Sylvan and Dorothy Swanberg. Their son Loran was joined by family members to announce the donation in support of the College’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) M-License program, which trains students in the maintenance, repair and overhaul of fixedwing aircraft and helicopters.
Less than two weeks later, Carson Air touched down in Vernon with a Metroliner II aircraft, valued at more than $830,700. The donation marked the company’s second major contribution that fall; in September, Carson Air announced a donation of $125,000 to support the purchase of a Redbird Flight Simulator for the Commercial Aviation program in Kelowna. ROV Consulting also donated $25,000 to help bring the simulator online.
“We are delighted that this aircraft, donated in honour of my parents, has found a wonderful home at Okanagan College, where it will inspire and enrich the learning experience for students for years to come,” said Swanberg. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Swanberg handed the keys to the Jetstream to Okanagan College President Jim Hamilton, who noted that the value of the aircraft as a teaching tool far exceeded any dollar value that could be ascribed to the plane. “This gift will enrich the training experience for our students for years to come,” said Hamilton. “On behalf of Okanagan College, I want to express our sincere gratitude to the Swanberg family for this support.” With baby-boomer retirements looming and a serious shortage of aircraft mechanics on the horizon, Hamilton says the College is working with industry partners to be proactive in addressing skills shortages.
“Carson Air is proud to be a long-time supporter of Okanagan College in the training of commercial pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers,” said Kevin Carson, President and Operations Manager of Carson Air. “We hope these gifts challenge and inspire many students, as they hone their skills and work towards careers as professional aviators and engineers.” Boeing has projected there will be openings for 584,000 maintenance technicians globally over the next 20 years, just ahead of the estimated need for 533,000 commercial pilots in the same time period. From support for student awards to world-class equipment, donations of every size and shape are helping Okanagan College gear up to provide education and training in step with the needs of industry and our economy.
“We know the industry is facing a shortage of aircraft mechanics. Support like this gift plays an integral role in Okanagan College’s efforts to train the skilled workers our province and country needs.”
www.okanagancollegefoundation.ca
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opening the door to education Local chef-in-training writes her way toward culinary dreams Between juggling a busy work schedule and caring for her three-year old son, Penticton sous Chef Rachel Broe thought her dream of becoming a certified Red Seal Chef would have to stay on the backburner. Then she found the recipe for a new future in 500 words or less. The moment her life changed could not have been more fitting. It felt like fate: Broe was in the kitchen when she learned the news. An essay she had penned a few weeks earlier had earned her a $10,000 tuition credit to any Trades or Apprenticeship program at Okanagan College. Her work was selected from dozens of entries from all over the Province to a competition organized by the Okanagan College Foundation, Bell Media’s Sun FM radio station and the College’s Trades and Apprenticeship Department. “I was completely overwhelmed when I found out I had won the competition, it was a life-changing moment,” says Broe. Broe enrolled in the Professional Cook Apprenticeship program at the Kelowna campus in September 2015 and has been quick to parlay her training into new opportunities. Shortly after moving to Kelowna, she landed a new job in the fast-paced kitchen of renowned Summerhill Pyramid Winery. Broe also hopes to compete against some of the best up-and-coming chefs in the province and across the country at Skills Canada culinary competitions in future. “Cooking has always been my passion,” says Broe. “But my son is my top priority. Receiving a bursary has helped to take the stress out of going back to school. It has allowed me to focus on my future and get the most out of this amazing opportunity.” Broe is quick to acknowledge the people who have supported and nurtured her artistry in the kitchen over the years. Prior to attending Okanagan College, she spent five years working up the line to Sous Chef in the kitchen of Theos Restaurant in Penticton. Broe says owners Theo and Mary Theodakis instilled in her a deep love and respect for the craft of cooking.
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“Having love in your food is very important,” she notes. “The family at Theos has broadened my passion and helped me immensely throughout my journey.” Ultimately, Broe hopes to complete Level 3 apprenticeship training, which involves 36 weeks of classroom training and three years of work-based training as a chef. She has already earned another impressive award that speaks to her drive and dedication: she was recently named 2016 Culinary Arts Student of the Year. “I’m incredibly excited about what this training can mean for my future. I’ve already learned an incredible amount in a short time at the College, and anything is possible when you’re doing what you love,” says Broe.
Bursary recipient Rachel Broe was named Culinary Arts student of the year. She is continuing her apprenticeship and now works for Summerhill Pyramid Winery.
“Receiving a bursary has helped to take the stress out of going back to school. It has allowed me to focus on my future and get the most out of this amazing opportunity.” – Rachel Broe
www.okanagancollegefoundation.ca
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the ripple effect “When you drop any new idea in the pond of the world, you get a ripple effect. You have to be aware that you will be creating a cascade of change.”
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– Joel A. Barker
www.okanagancollegefoundation.ca 11
giving across decades and generations CFUW Bursaries continue to inspire Bursaries from the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) are helping a number of Okanagan College students pay more than tuition. The awards, now in their fourth decade, are propelling the students in Vernon, Kelowna, and Penticton to pay it forward in the community. Bachelor of Business Administration student Leighton Coombs was facing a difficult decision when a $1,500 bursary from the CFUW eased the burden. “Thanks to support from the Canadian Federation of University Women I was able to devote my time and energy where it mattered the most: toward my studies and my community involvement. “Receiving an award meant I was able to continue with internships and volunteer work in the community that was beneficial not just for me and my career but for the young people I volunteer mentor with. This gift has allowed me to keep giving back. I’m thankful from the bottom of my heart for that.” Leighton Coombs is a perfect example of the ripple effect in action. At the Vernon convocation in June 2016, he addressed his fellow graduands and spoke at length about the next steps facing them. One of his key messages? Get involved in the community and give back. CFUW is a non-profit organization with more than 100 clubs (chapters) across Canada. Founded in 1919, the group is focused on supporting access to education, advancing research and promoting lifelong learning by women in Canada. Since being established in the early 1980s, award funds by the Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon chapters of the CFUW have disbursed nearly $250,000 to more than 50 students in the region.
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“On behalf of the Okanagan College Foundation, I want to express our sincere gratitude to the Canadian Federation of University Women – and its members throughout the Okanagan – for this wonderful long-standing support,” said Foundation President Alf Kempf. “The ripple effect of helping more than 50 students pursue higher education over the years is remarkable and far-reaching.” Yvonne Topf, President of the Kelowna Chapter, spoke at Okanagan College’s annual Student Awards reception in November. Topf highlighted the fact that investing in education sends a powerful message to students. “As donors, we are all aware that you only get out of an organization what you put in. Not a bad message for the students of today as they contemplate the future,” said Topf. “We hear such positive feedback from students and teachers about their experience at Okanagan College. Many of our members have been on faculty and are proud of their association. So it’s no wonder that we are delighted to hand out these awards to deserving students and we wish them all the very best.” Topf also touched on the importance of drawing more youth to groups like the CFUW and other community organizations and service clubs, in order for these organizations to continue to fulfill their missions of advancing access to education. “Not only do we feel we are serving a need which meets our mandate but it also is one of the reasons why our club exists and the benefits afforded by belonging to such an organization go far beyond writing cheques: it is a place of friendship and shared values and caring for our community,” said Topf. “Okanagan College is an inspiration to the people of the Okanagan and we must keep helping them achieve their goals: we will all benefit in the long run.”
Members of the Canadian Federation of University Women and award recipients at the annual Kelowna campus Student Award Ceremony in November, 2015.
“As donors, we are all aware that you only get out of an organization what you put in. Not a bad message for the students of today as they contemplate the future.” – Yvonne Topf “This gift has allowed me to keep giving back. I’m thankful from the bottom of my heart for that.” – Leighton Coombs Bursary recipient Leighton Coombs
www.okanagancollegefoundation.ca 13
building the path to a greener future New award to nurture the environmental stewards of tomorrow Students enrolled in the Environmental Studies Diploma program at Okanagan College will soon benefit from a new award thanks to two longtime Okanagan College donors and past-employees who hope to inspire the next generation of environmental champions. The Williams Family Award fund, created through a generous donation of more than $20,000 by Linda and Maury Williams, will provide one or more annual awards of $700 to assist students who have completed the first year and are entering the second year of the two-year program. The award will also serve as an added incentive for completing the program, as the same recipient will be provided with a second $700-installment of the award upon successful completion of the diploma and enrollment in a degree program. “Students completing this program are gaining very timely knowledge and skills around the many complex factors that influence our understanding of the environment,” says Dr. Robert Huxtable, Okanagan College’s Dean of Arts and Foundational Programs. “We are grateful to Linda and Maury Williams for creating this award to inspire students to think critically about the environment and reach for careers in environmental studies.” Maury Williams’ connection to Okanagan College began in 1978 when he accepted the position of Assistant Dean of Academic and Applied Studies. He would go on to become Dean of Math and Science and taught History at the Kelowna campus of Okanagan University College from 1989 to 2005 when he accepted a position as a Professor of History at UBC Okanagan. Williams retired from teaching in 2013 but continues to be active in educational and environmental projects. In 2008 he published Myra’s Men: Building the Kettle Valley Railway, Myra Canyon to Penticton, a work focused on the history and people behind the construction of the KVR. Linda Williams is an Okanagan College alumnus who received training in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and English as a Second Language (ESL). She went on to teach pre-school for more than 12 years and also taught ESL for six years at the College.
Past employees Maury and Linda Williams established a new award in 2015.
“We are both very passionate about the environment,” explains Linda. “So if this award can assist students in completing the Environmental Studies program and perhaps inspire them to go on to a career in this field, it will benefit us all.”
“Education is a very important part of our lives. We have a great deal of respect and warmth toward the College, and so we felt this would be a nice way of supporting students at this institution.”
– Maury Williams
“We are at a juncture where if we do not pay greater attention to the environment, if we do not take proactive steps, the consequences are quite alarming,” says Maury. “That attention can begin right here, it can begin with students, locally, learning and building an interest about the environment in the Okanagan, in B.C., and beyond.” The Williams’ have been Okanagan College donors for several years. Their most recent gift brings their giving total to more than $23,000 in cash and in-kind support to assist students at the institution. “Education is a very important part of our lives,” says Maury. “We have a great deal of respect and warmth toward the College, and so we felt this would be a nice way of supporting students at this institution.” With the creation of this award, the Williams join a growing number of Okanagan College employees, past and current, who have generously created awards or provided other support for students. The first recipient of the Williams Family Award will be named in fall of 2016. More information about the Williams Family Award, and other scholarships and bursaries offered at Okanagan College, is available at www.okanagan.bc.ca/awards.
New Funds for 2015-16 This year donors helped to create 30 new funds boosting financial support to arts, science, trades, technologies, business students and programs at Okanagan College. ASTTBC / BC Hydro Technology Award ASTTBC / TD Insurance Meloche Monnex Technology Award BC Council of Garden Clubs Scholarship Canadian Studies Award Chartered Professional Accountants of BC - Okanagan Chapter Scholarship CHBA Okanagan Jumpstart Award Culinary and Pastry Arts Learner Award
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Dee Capozzi Gateway Award Dr. John Eby Memorial Award (Foundation Board Endowment Fund) Enterprise RV Achievement Award Environmental Stewardship Award Garagaiste North Wine Scholarship Geddes Family Award Hall Constructors Civil Engineering Award
citizenship at its finest Alumnus helping next wave of students Shayne Gaythorpe knows a thing or two about overcoming obstacles and the power of education to transform lives. In 2015, he joined the growing number of Okanagan College alumni who are giving back—and he did so in the most inspiring of ways. In 2008, after a serious car accident left him unable to return to his physical job at a sawmill, Gaythorpe saw a career councillor who recommended he consider a career in an engineering technology field. After upgrading his math and chemistry at the College, the Vernon resident set his sights on the College’s Water Engineering Technology (WET) program. He graduated in 2015 and landed a position with Metro Vancouver right after graduation. But Gaythorpe’s Okanagan College story doesn’t end there. Diploma and a new career in hand, he immediately set about launching a bursary to assist students in the WET program.
Gaythorpe’s award is already having the desired effect, as can be attested by Rhonda Hogan, a WET student who received the award in April. “It’s very humbling and motivating to be recognized for citizenship,” says Hogan. “I think it’s a really nice idea that will inspire others – including me – to really put our best foot forward in the industry. I’m incredibly appreciative of this award.” Another round of recipients will be buoyed by the bursary next spring, and the award’s founder says he hopes in the long term it will inspire other program alumni to give back when they are able. “In our industry, you have to always keep learning to keep up with new technology,” says Gaythorpe. “So if we’re all lifelong students, why not support each other?”
“This program changed my life and I thought, ‘What better way to give back than to give someone else that same opportunity?”’ Working with the Okanagan College Foundation, Gaythorpe created the WET Citizenship Award for students in financial need who demonstrate leadership and support their fellow students in class. “Near the end of my program I saw students around me getting scholarships and bursaries,” explains Gaythorpe. “But one of my classmates didn’t qualify and he was struggling to make ends-meet. I saw a need. I gave him some money, and it helped him out. The feeling of helping someone was all the inspiration I needed for starting a bursary.”
“This program changed my life, and I thought ‘What better way to give back than to give someone else that same opportunity?”
John Thomson Memorial Fund The Joyce Foundation Bursaries Kelowna & District Jaycees Leadership Award Kieran Galbraith Memorial Award in Engineering Kotler Family Award Ogopogo Rotary Club Adventures in Tourism Award OK Clinical Award Okanagan Kids Care Fund Society Aboriginal Award Outland Design Landscape Architecture Annual Award
– Shane Gaythorpe
Program Chair Allison MacMillan (left) presenting the WET Citizenship Award to Rhonda Hogan in April 2016.
Prime Habitat Builders Award in Sustainable Construction Technology Randall Enns Welding Award Rotary Club of Kelowna Foundation Bursary for Welding in Memory of Ross Gorman Stepping Forward Adult Upgrading Education Award Urban Development Institute Okanagan Trades and Engineering Awards WET Citizenship Award Williams Family Award
www.okanagancollegefoundation.ca 15
giving for the future Leaving a legacy, opening doors for students Neil and Jill Woolliams were born and raised in the Okanagan—Neil in Summerland and Jill in Vernon—and so the Vernon couple feel a special connection to the region, its past and future.
Neil and Jill Woolliams are leaving a legacy through their fund, established in 2014, which supports Aboriginal students.
“The exposure to their language, to their culture, to their tremendous sense of humour was an important life experience,” notes Woolliams. “I think exposure to different perspectives and ways of life is incredibly valuable.”
The Woolliams recently found a way to celebrate and deepen that connection by investing in the valley’s youth through a bursary at Okanagan College. Launched in 2014, the Woolliams Family Award supports students of Aboriginal ancestry and is intended above all to open doors to students who otherwise may have difficulty entering or continuing their studies without some additional support.
Woolliams had two stints in the cattle business in Australia, before going on to a career in transport, which included a term as Chairman of the BC Trucking Association, and later as the inaugural chairman of the Canadian Trucking Alliance.
“Education is the great equalizer,” says Neil Woolliams. “If we could give everyone an opportunity to get an education, develop skills, and expand their horizons so many of our problems in society would disappear. “While we understand that we can’t help everyone, we’re very proud to be able to help a few on their way, each year.”
“If we could give everyone an opportunity to get an education, develop skills, and expand their horizons so many of our problems in society would disappear.” – Neil Woolliams
After graduating from UBC with a degree in Commerce and Agriculture in 1963, Woolliams signed on as a cowboy in Douglas Lake. It was an experience that launched a rewarding career in the ranching industry. Neil stayed in Douglas Lake for the next 20 years. He became manager in 1967. Woolliams points to his early days on the cowboy crew as his introduction to the Aboriginal community and way of life—an experience that fueled a strong interest and sense of respect. “The foreman and his brother were fluent in Okanagan, Thompson, and Chinook,” explains Woolliams. “I was the only non-First Nations person on the crew, so I learned a lot, not just about the cattle business but about their way of life.
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The Woolliams felt the pull to return to the sunny Okanagan, where they retired in 2003. The desire to give back locally, and in a way that would have the greatest impact, led them to become Okanagan College donors. “Okanagan College is a special place,” says Woolliams. “It fills a gap for people looking to improve their lives. To know that we are helping young people get an education and change their lives feels very worthwhile.”
financial report April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016 With your generous support, the Foundation made good on its pledged contributions to the College for the Kelowna Trades Building and other capital projects, with just over $4.2 million transferred, lowering net total assets to $10,498,027 down from $12,938,443 at the end of the 2014-2015 fiscal year. And once again, the College supported the fundraising efforts by forgiving $412,136 of the loan to fund the campaign. We are grateful to the College for this support as well as all the other operating and administrative support the Foundation receives throughout the year, which significantly reduces costs to the Foundation. This means more donor funds going directly to support students and the College’s projects. Number of endowments Number of annual award funds Number of donations received Value of gifts-in-kind received
195 268 1,295 $1,277,007 26,911 34,722
9,396
2015-16 Revenues - $2.87 Million Capital Campaign Annual Awards Endowment Awards Endowment Capital Grant Revenue – SIDIT Program Support Investment Income
Forgiveness of Loan Payable Unrealized Loss on Investments Gaming Event Revenues Other Revenues Cash value from Life Insurance Policies
-519,702 1, 363,540
412,136
552,813 479,521 185,271 75,000 142,832
6,956 15,413 39,070 $145,842
688,827
113,600
2015-16 Expenditures - $5.3 Million
351,441
4,068,907
Scholarships and Bursaries Capital Projects Fund Raising Expenses Program Support Investment and Management Fees Gaming Event Expenses Other Expenses
www.okanagancollegefoundation.ca 17
thank you Our donors support student awards, programs and facilities; this support enhances the learning experience and expands opportunities for students. Donations for student support provide vital funding for books, tuition and living expenses. 100 per cent of your dollar amount contributed goes to students. We have more annual donors to thank than this space will allow, so we have listed donors who gave $500 or more between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2016. We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed.
Individuals Anonymous (3) Charles and Irene Armstrong Geraldine Asseltine Dr. Heather Banham Dr. Sahadeo Basdeo Tom Beardsley and Donna Lomas Barbara Bowmar and Verne Smythe Gail Braem * Dr. Jayne Brooks James Burns Ken Burt Beverley Busson Kathy Butler Dee Capozzi Alan Carter Barry Carter Deborah Carter Eugene Casavant Barbara Christian Sarah and Danielle Chritchley * Paulyn Chua Ted and Anne Chudyk Alan Cohoe Hugo Cookson Allan Coyle Susan Crichton Helen Currie Robert Dantzer Paul Day Bernice De Mara Andrea Deakin Dr. Gayla and John DeHart Shawn Desaulniers Mark Dixon * Randall and Evelyn Enns Don Folk Lorrie Forde Clayton Gall Jan Gattrell * Shayne Gaythorpe Gord Geddes Charity Gerbrandt Steven Gladu Elsa Gladwin and Brian Adams Debra Gorman Christine Graydon Keith Grayston Kathryn Hall * John Haller Jim and Liz Hamilton Nancy Hamilton Richard and Sandra Hand John Harland * Katerina Hay Jim and Sandra Henderson * Erika Henfling Peter Jarman Dr. Thomas and Kathleen Jasper Dr. Gerry and Sandra Karr * Alf Kempf
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Anne Kirkpatrick Al Kirschner Dina Kotler * Dale and Lisa Lamb Sterling Land and Megan Mills * Donna Lester-Smith Tony and Franca Lunelli * Jamie Maloway Jeffrey Marliave Richard Mayo * Richard McAdam * Devon McCubbin Dr. Barry McGillivray Dr. Sharon McMurtry Carol Mitchell Lindy Monahan Yvonne Moritz George Olive David Paisley David Perron and Patricia Kully Debra Peterson Roy Phillips Art Pike Don McKillican Allison Ramchuk Priscilla Russell * Jaime Ryga Mary-Jaye Salmon Dieter Sander * Alan Sanderson * * Brian and Tessa Sansom Jennifer Schell Edward Schmidt Muriel and Cecil Schmidt William and Mary Schooff Louise Seaton Cliff and Lois Serwa Lee Seymour David and Janet Shaw Roger Shiner The Sharon Simpson Family * Heather Stewart Robert Tait and Edward Papenfus Dolores Thomson Forever Young / Terry and Steven Tuck Pat Underhill Kristine Unrau Dr. Rosalind Warner Deborah Warren Cher Watkins * * Dr. Maurice and Linda Williams Lynda Wilson Neil and Jill Woolliams Joan Woolsey
Organizations Anonymous (2) AAA Internet Publishing Inc. Aero Design Ltd. Andrew Sheret Limited Armstrong Crane & Rigging Inc.
ASTTBC Foundation Bannister Automotive Group BC Association of Continuing Education Administrators BC Fruit Growers’ Association BC Institute of Technology BC Lung Association BD Hall Constructors Corp. BDO Canada LLP Bellamy Homes Inc. Bibby-Ste-Croix BMO Financial Group Boyd Autobody & Glass British Columbia Wine Information Society Canadian Federation of University Women - Kelowna Canadian Federation of University Women - Penticton Canadian Federation of University Women - Vernon Canadian Health Care Engineering Society Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Okanagan Canadian Home Builders’ Association South Okanagan Carson Air Ltd. (Kelowna) Carson Air Ltd. (Richmond) Castanet Media Ltd. Central Okanagan Foundation CIBC Children’s Foundation CLAC Cloverdale Paint Inc. Coldstream Women’s Institute Community Foundation of the North Okanagan Community Foundation of the South Okanagan / Similkameen Cookson Motors Ltd. CPA Education Foundation of BC Credit Union Foundation of B.C. CYMA Management Ltd. D.K.L. Financial Services Inc. Diamond Jubilee Chapter IODE Early Frost Investments Ltd. Emil Anderson Construction (EAC) Inc. Enterprise RV Environmental Operators Certification Program Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott FH&P Lawyers LLP Flair Airlines Ltd. Foothills Medical Centre FortisBC Fraser Valley Vending Ltd Fraserway RV LP Geddes Construction Ltd. GFS Canada Gloria Di Dio Foundation Gorman Bros. Lumber Ltd. Grant Thornton LLP Chartered Professional Accountants Holy Spirit Catholic Women’s League (CWL) Horizon Electric Inc. Inland Kenworth (A Partnership)
InSite Materials Testing Group Ltd. Interior Savings Credit Union The Jim Pattison Foundation The Joyce Foundation Kalamalka Fly Fishers Club Kalamalka Rotary Club of Vernon Kal-West Mechanical Systems Inc. Kamloops Exploration Group Keldon Electric & Data Ltd. Kelowna & District Dental Society Kelowna Bar Association Kelowna Executive Roundtable Kelowna Garden Club Kelowna Geology Committee Kelowna Hotel Motel Association Kelowna Hyundai Kelowna Jaycees Kelowna Kia Kelowna Toyota Ltd. Kilo-Womp Electric Kinsmen Club of Westbank Kiwanis Club of Kelowna Kiwanis Club of Penticton KPMG LLP Krueger Electrical Ltd. Ladies Auxiliary to Branch #40 Royal Canadian Legion Lexlaur Properties Inc. Locke Property Management Ltd. MacKay & Partners Charitable Foundation Mackenzie Financial Corporation Maricopa County Community College District Mazda Canada Incorporated Moen Inc. Nixon Wenger Lawyers LLP North America Construction Ltd. Northside Industries Inc. Okanagan British Car Club Okanagan Chefs’ Association Okanagan Chrysler Jeep Dodge Okanagan Classic Thunderbird Club Okanagan College Okanagan College Association of Administrators Okanagan College Board of Governors Okanagan College Faculty Association
Okanagan College Students’ Union Okanagan Fest-of-Ale Society Okanagan Kids Care Fund Society Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board (OMREB) Okanagan Mustang Association Okanagan Wine Festivals Society Outland Design Landscape Architecture P.E.O. Chapter BA PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce Penticton Fabricating Penticton Lions Club Penticton Women in Business PepsiCo Beverages Canada PrairieCoast Equipment Praxair Canada Inc. Prime Habitat Builders Pushor Mitchell LLP R.E. Postill & Sons Ltd. Ramada Penticton, Kettle Valley Station Pub, Coast Penticton Hotel / Robin & Janice Agur Rambow Mechanical Ltd. Raymond James Canada Foundation RBC Foundation Recreation Vehicle Dealers Association of B.C. Reidco Metal Industries Ltd. Rotary Club of Kelowna - Capri Rotary Club of Kelowna - Downtown Rotary Club of Kelowna Foundation Rotary Club of Penticton Okanagan Rotary Club of Vernon Rotary Club of Vernon Silver Star ROV Consulting Inc. Royal Canadian Legion Branch #25 (Vernon) Rykon Construction Management Ltd. Scotiabank (Centre for Non-Profit Excellence) Scotiabank (Kelowna) Seaplanes West Sentes Automotive Group Shuswap Community Foundation Shuswap Division of Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board Smythe Tool Sales South Okanagan Events Centre
Southern Interior Construction Association Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust Structurlam Products Ltd. Sun Life Financial Sun-Rype Products Ltd. TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. TEAM Construction Management Ltd. TELUS TELUS Communications Inc. TELUS Community Ambassadors TELUS Foundation Thompson Okanagan Dental Society (TODS) Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association University of British Columbia Vancity Community Foundation Vancouver Foundation Vernon & District Community Land Trust Society Vernon & District Home Support Society Vernon Dental Association Vernon Temple #21 Pythian Sisters Vernon Valley Lodge #18 Independent Order of Odd Fellows Volcanic Hills Vineyards and Cellars Ltd. Voyager RV Centre Ltd. Water Supply Association of BC West Manufacturing Ltd. Westwood Electric White & Peters Ltd Whitworth Holdings Ltd. Wilden Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services (Kelowna) Inc. Windsor Plywood (Penticton) Wyatt Auto Parts Yakima Valley Enological Society Okanagan College Foundation strives for accuracy in recognizing donors. Please contact us at 1-888650-6968 regarding any discrepancies. * Alumni Donor
24thAnnual Okanagan College Foundation / Western Financial Group Charity Golf Tournament – 2015 Sponsors Twenty-four years and going strong! Our 24th Charity Golf Tournament was another wonderful day on the links with more than 150 people teeing it up at Okanagan Golf Club in support of students. More than $48,000 was raised; these funds provide vital financial assistance to students throughout the year. Thank you to all our golfers, sponsors and volunteers. Apple Valley Promotions Capital News City Furniture CLAC Economical Insurance Company Firehall Brewery Focus Corporation FortisBC GFS Canada Gore Mutual Insurance Company Grant Thornton LLP IBEW 258 ICBC Interior Clean Supplies (ICS) Intact Insurance Kelowna Toyota Ltd.
Middleton Petroleum Services Ltd. Milestones MNP MQN Architects Northern Computer Okanagan College Continuing Studies & Corporate Development Okanagan College Culinary Arts Okanagan School of Business PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc. Peace Hills Insurance Company Pepsi Petroleum Services Association of Canada ProSign Pushor Mitchell LLP RBC
RBC Wealth Management (PH&N Investment Counsel) Ricoh Canada Scotiabank Siemens Staples Canada Stutters Disaster Kleenup TD Commercial Banking Total Restoration Services Turner Volkswagen Audi Valley First Credit Union Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company Westbank First Nation Williams Engineering Wilson M. Beck Insurance (Kelowna) Inc. WSP Canada Inc.
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Leadership Thank you to all of our volunteers for actively supporting the Foundation’s mission. We also wish to thank all those at Okanagan College, including President Jim Hamilton, the College’s Board of Governors and its Chair, Connie Denesiuk, our Treasurer, Roy Daykin, the College departments and the Advancement staff who do so much with such dedication and energy. We recognize that it takes a full team pulling in the same direction with eyes on the goal and remembering we do this for our students.
Volunteer Leadership
Directors Joining in 2016
Honourable D. Ross Fitzpatrick, Honorary Patron Dr. Steve Tuck, President Emeritus
Cheryl Berry (South Okanagan) Kimberly Gilhooly (North Okanagan) Mary Ellen Heidt (South Okanagan) Rob Phare (North Okanagan)
Directors Alf Kempf, President, Okanagan College Foundation Jim Hamilton, President, Okanagan College Connie Denesiuk, Chair, Okanagan College Board of Governors Roy Daykin, Vice President Finance & Administration, Okanagan College Beverly Busson, Vice-President, Governance (Shuswap-Revelstoke) Raghwa Gopal, Vice-President at Large (Central Okanagan) Alan Sanderson, Vice-President, Finance (Central Okanagan) Anne Clarke (North Okanagan) Raf DeGuevara (Central Okanagan) Gladys Fraser (North Okanagan) Keith Grayston (Central Okanagan) Debbie Robert (Central Okanagan) Sharron Simpson (Central Okanagan) Lynda Wilson (Shuswap-Revelstoke Region)
Directors Retiring in 2015-16
Advancement Team Kathy Butler, Director, Advancement & Alumni and Executive Director/Secretary, Okanagan College Foundation Dawn Douglas, Executive Assistant, Advancement & Alumni and Board Secretary, Okanagan College Foundation Samantha Blandon, Executive Assistant, Advancement & Alumni and Board Secretary, Okanagan College Foundation (2015-16) Anne Kirkpatrick, Development Officer John Haller, Development Officer Allison Ramchuk, Development Officer Katerina Hay, Alumni Relations & Annual Appeal Coordinator Richard McAdam, Donation Processing & Database Clerk Tyler Finley, Campaign Communications & Marketing Specialist Bobbie-Jo Koutsantonis, Advancement Assistant Tanisha Suzuki, Campaign Assistant
Ret Tinning (South Okanagan)
Credits Photographers: Basil Cooper, Tyler Finley, Stephanie Landry, Daniela Sitar Coordination: A special thanks to Aaron Gregory for volunteer coordination.
Our Mission Okanagan College Foundation advances the power of education by engaging individuals and communities in contributing to Okanagan College. We contribute to Okanagan College by:
• helping students with scholarships, bursaries, awards and other financial support • building relationships with donors • supporting capital projects and programs • managing financial resources responsibly and ethically
Please contact us at: Okanagan College Foundation 1000 KLO Road, Kelowna, BC V1Y 4X8 Phone: 250-862-5630 Toll-Free: 1-888-650-6968 Fax: 250-862-5627 www.okanagancollegefoundation.ca Email: foundation@okanagan.bc.ca Support the Bright Horizons, Building for Skills Campaign Visit www.okanagan.bc.ca/campaign Charitable registration tax number - 862488194 RR0001
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