Calgary South Rotary -
Blackmont Capital
Stay-in-School Program
 

Prepared By: Bryan Targett, Chairman SISSP, August 2009

  

 

BACKGROUND

During the year 2000, the Calgary South Rotary Club and Blackmont Capital (originally Yorkton Securities, then First Associates) originated a Rotary Stay-In-School program.   The two Calgary schools that were chosen are Sherwood Community School and Falconridge Elementary School.  Each school recommends suitable students for the program.   Approximately 75 Calgary South Rotarians and their partners are involved in with the program.

 

PURPOSE

Many young people who have the ability to attend post secondary institutions, will not get that opportunity because of limited family financial resources.  The Calgary South Rotary Club/Blackmont Capital Stay-In-School scholarship fund is designed to provide the financial support for some of these students.

In addition to the winners, we believe that all grade six students attending Sherwood and Falconridge schools have been motivated by the program to consider a Post Secondary education.  Improved morale of teachers and a greater awareness by parent of educational opportunities available to their children is also an outcome of the program.

 

THE FUND

The Calgary South Rotary Club and Blackmont Capital provided the initial funding for the program.   The Calgary South Rotary Club and Blackmont Capital continue to support the program financially.   However the program has received substancial support from non-rotarians.  In 2005 Mr. Donald Gray, President of Peyto Energy and Mr. Grant Smith of the Petrie Foundation donated funds to the program.  In addition to the generous support from individuals the Calgary South Rotary Club hold a charity golf tournament each year to add to our investment account.  The proceeds annually are in excess of $100,000.00.

The funds are in low risk investments that are managed by Blackmont Capital and overseen by a committee of Rotarians.  At present the fund is over $1,400,000.00 with a goal of $3,500,000.00 by the year 2016.  The interest obtained from the investments will provide the $30,000.00 required for each scholarship winner.

 

STUDENT SELECTION

Two students, one a boy and one a girl, are chosen from each of the schools.

Student selection is based on two main factors:

The candidates for the scholarship complete an application form along with a written statement.  All applicants have their application screened by a committee of Rotarians who short list the top four candidates in each class.  The four finalists, along with their parents, are then interviewed by this committee and the winners are declared.  Each June the winners, for that year, are introduced to the Calgary South Rotary Club at a special luncheon. 

 

MENTORING

The students selected for the program are placed with a Rotarian who mentors them throughout the balance of their time in the program.  This ensures that the students continue to obtain high marks and keep focused on remaining in school.  The scholarship provides up to $7,500.00 per year for tuition and textbook costs.  The money is not given to the student but is sent directly to the post secondary institution.  The first two student entered post secondary programs in 2007 and will graduate in 2011.

 

CONCLUSION

Since the inception of the program in 2001 to the present we have 25 students in the program with the goal of providing a scholarship to 40 students.  The success of the program can be attributed to those who have donated generously to the fund and to the large number of volunteers, especially the mentors, who give their time living up to Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self”

 

 

Bryan Targett, Chairman, Stay-In-School Program

Calgary South Rotary Club

August 2009