Diversity Champion Award

A Diversity Champion works with others to ensure that all those in our diverse community have equitable access to its services and opportunities.

Diversity Champion Award Categories:
1. Small businesses
2. Corporations
3. Not-for-Profits or Public Institutions
4. Individuals or Groups

Criteria:
Takes a leadership role in promoting a welcoming and inclusive community in the central island region.
Embraces the values of equity and diversity.
Promotes diversity in a way that is innovative and unique.

On Thursday, September 23, 2010, the Central Vancouver Island Multicultural Society hosted the 2nd Annual Diversity Champions Gala Awards Dinner. Held in the Mt Benson Ballroom of the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, the delightful evening was attended by 113 people who came to pay tribute to the winners of the 2010 Diversity Champion Award!

The evening began with cocktails, dinner and an opportunity to mingle with the 2010 nominees. As dessert was served, the guests were treated to a lively, rhythmic drumming performance from Voodoo Dave McGrath and April Laurie. The fun-filled evening also included a performance from PUENTE THEATRE "From Near and Far". Of course the main event of the evening was the presentation of the 2010 Diversity Champion Awards.

Diversity Champions are community members who have promoted inclusion and respect for all people and are committed to the values of equity and diversity. They work with others to ensure that all those in our diverse community have equitable access to its services and opportunities.

With so many outstanding nominations, the Award Committee was challenged to select only one winner in each of four categories. And so with great pleasure, we announce the winners of the 2010 Diversity Champion Awards!

Ladysmith Secondary School STAAR (Students Taking Action Against Racism) acts both locally and globally. It takes a leadership role in the school promoting inclusion for all diverse groups including: ethnic, religious, Aboriginal, disabled, sexual orientation and gender identity. It undertakes the event planning of school-wide activities that recognize, embrace, acknowledge, support and share in the celebration of diverse cultural traditions.

Nanaimo Child Development Centre has been an integral part of the Nanaimo community for 43 years. With a mandate to provide optimum child development, the Centre has supported almost 7000 children with disabilities since 1967. Policies ensure that individual needs from language and culture to physical and mental disabilities are considered and accommodated.

RBC promotes diversity as a key value which is encompassed in their corporate policy document, "RBC Diversity Blueprint". Locally they were among the first to support the Safe Harbour initiative, and hiring practices have resulted in a staff which represents many of the linguistic and cultural backgrounds of our community's residents.

Zonta Club of Nanaimo pursues an internationally diverse experience and works diligently to connect with one another in a globally aware manner.  Zonta promotes diversity through many of its activities, guest speakers and public events. They host with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, the Citizenship Court ceremony and reception for new Canadians. They co-funded and cosponsored a Race Relations Award for High School students, encouraging individual commitment to the principles of equity and diversity. Zonta partnered in placing a plaque on Wesley Street, honouring Miss Emily Stark, the first female black teacher in Nanaimo.  Both globally and locally, Zonta Club of Nanaimo promotes peace, inclusion and responsible citizenship for all.

School District 68 Multicultural and Race Relations Committee was created through Board Policy adopted on November 8, 1995. They develop recommendations to the Board on all issues of Diversity. The Committee has initiated, supported in principle or funded: “Mosaic 2000 – Exploring Our Roots”, the holocaust conferences, poster contests, community projects on diversity and support for the development of the curriculum on cultural competency. School District 68 Multicultural and Race Relations Committee continues to work to raise awareness, be an ear for emerging needs of and to act as the systemic voice for embracing cultural diversity.

Inuktun Services Ltd shows leadership in diversity by hiring individuals from a diverse cultural background. Inuktun leads by example and activevely recognizes the benfits of a workforce that is diverse. The company hires staff who come from all over the world  and provides them the opportunity to be a part of our community. Inuktun has taken the extra step to customize their employee training to consider differences in language and workplace cultural.  Inuktun emphasizes helping immigrants integrate into their workplace environment and lets new potential employees know that they are in a place where their skills and experience  are valued and where they will be accepted and welcomed.