History of the Bursary Fund

1994 was to be the 25th anniversary year for District 28, RTO. At the Spring Dinner in 1993 a survey was conducted to determine which planned activities the membership wished to pursue to mark this milestone.

95% of respondents supported a 25th anniversary project in the form of a bursary programme for students attending Durham College. The executive worked with College officials to establish a one-year fund for this purpose.

87% of respondents supported the planting of a ceremonial tree at the Second Marsh. This project was to be completed in time for the 1993 October Dinner meeting.

97% agreed with the establishment of a $3.00 membership fee. At the June Executive Meeting it was unanimously decided to implement this membership fee to help offset the costs of mailings, newsletters, Christmas Poinsettias for shut-ins, etc.

There was little interest in an anniversary dance.

The membership (711 members according to the Fall 1994 newsletter) donated $2780 toward the Bursary Fund. At the January 18, 1994 Executive meeting a resolution was passed to top the fund to $3,000. The average donation was $25.00. That year, six bursaries were awarded. The six recipients were to be invited to the Fall 1994 dinner meeting and it was hoped to have the students recognized at the annual commencement exercises of their respective high schools. Income tax receipts were issued through the College for donations over $10.

The District Executive found the program to be so successful that it was continued each year to award from 4 to 7 bursaries. Funds were raised through the District fee which helped pay for the bursary as well as other District activities. The provincial Executive decreed that starting in the fall of 1998, DISTRICTS COULD NO LONGE COLLECT LOCAL FEES. District 28 had enough money in the budget to award 4 bursaries for the academic year 1998-99.

As a result, in the Fall of 1999 an appeal was made to the membership for donations.

Durham College was willing to continue to provide income tax receipts for donations of $10 or more. Anywhere from 4 to 7 bursaries were awarded each year to deserving students.

Barbara Gay