The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister Responsible for the Volunteer and Non-Profit Sector, today commended Memorial University students for their community volunteerism during the annual Memorial University Volunteer Incentive Program Awards Ceremony. Minister Hedderson was joined by His Honour, the Honourable John C. Crosbie, Lieutenant Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and Dr. Eddy Campbell, Acting President of Memorial University. The ceremony took place at Confederation Building today.

"Our government is committed to improve our relationship with the voluntary and non-profit sector, identify opportunities for co-operation and collaboration and celebrate the tremendous work of community volunteers. A gathering like this is an opportunity to continue our efforts in fulfilling these commitments," said Minister Hedderson. "The training in career development, self-awareness, and leadership abilities that the Memorial volunteer program provides are skills recognized by the sector and government as essential in the growth and advancement of the voluntary and non-profit sector."

At the ceremony today, Minister Hedderson presented bronze, silver and gold level awards to over 130 volunteers, an amazing increase from last year�s 47 recipients. The criterion for receiving these awards is the participants must complete 20 hours of volunteerism for bronze, 40 hours for silver, and 80 hours for gold. This is the fifth anniversary of the Volunteer Incentive Program (VIP) and is a joint initiative of the Student Volunteer Bureau and the Centre for Career Development and Experiential Learning. The VIP aims to broaden interests and deepen personal experience while realizing the participant�s leadership skills through the completion of volunteer work with various groups and organizations.

"This program started five years ago as a way to reward and recognize the volunteer work that students at Memorial were already doing. Never could they have imagined then that the program would have exploded the way it has," said Rhonda Pittman, Co-ordinator for the Student Volunteer Bureau, Memorial University of Newfoundland. "Even since last year, the number of award recipients has tripled. By participating in this program, students from all walks of life, from this province, the rest of Canada and the rest of the world, are proving to everyone on campus and to the greater community that they are engaged and active citizens. Their time means the world to us here at Memorial, and to the people whose lives they touch every day."

With 187,000 volunteers, over 4,000 organizations and 21,000 employed by the sector, there is a substantial presence of volunteers and organizations contributing to this province. The award recipients will contribute to the growth of the sector in Newfoundland and Labrador and play a positive role in encouraging other young people to get involved in the voluntary and non-profit sector.

"The awards ceremony is an important event to honour the young volunteers who will become leaders in every sector of our society," said Minister Hedderson. "These students stand as an example of commitment and dedication to all of us. In congratulating these young people, our government also renews our commitment to support and enhance the voluntary and non-profit sector in Newfoundland and Labrador."

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Media contact:
Lesley Clarke
Communications Specialist
Intergovernmental Affairs
709-729-6026, 699-2910
lesleyclarke@gov.nl.ca