SHERBROOKE: Townshippers’ Association recently announced that it is now time to present your nominations for the 2013Young Townships Leader Award (YTLA). This award was created to recognize and celebrate young leaders from the English sector of the Eastern Townships who have made meaningful contributions to the region.

Studies have shown that the Eastern Townships English-speaking community has lower levels of education, employment and income in the 15 to 44 years-of-age group, compared to their French-speaking counterparts or English-speaking seniors. This decline, both in terms of population and of socio-economic vitality, has been attributed, in part, to a prolonged wave of migration of young English-speakers to other parts of Canada and the United States, especially those with higher levels of education. Many English-speaking youth feel discouraged and marginalized within the Eastern Townships of today.

Created in 1979, Townshippers’ Association serves English-speaking residents of the Eastern Townships. This non-profit community group works to encourage our youth to reach their full potential and to become culturally, socially and economically engaged in their community. The Young Townships Leader Award (YTLA) was established in 2005 to celebrate young people who have excelled in this way, acting as role models not only for other youth but also for adults.

The 2012 recipients included Michael Durrant, a Champlain College biology professor who led an initiative to save a historic 160-year-old hydro-electric dam; Jessica Wilson for her involvement with youth and serving as an active community leader; James Lamarre and Madhiha Taseen, both Champlain College students, who shared an award for their volunteerism and leadership efforts within the school community.

Candidates must be between the ages of 15 and 35 and have been actively involved in initiatives which demonstrate a solid commitment and potential capacity for leadership within the Eastern Townships English-speaking community over the past two years (Jan. 1, 2011 – Mar. 1, 2013).

The 2013 Young Townships’ Leader Award, consisting of $1,000 and a beautifully framed certificate, will be presented to the young Townshippers who has shown exemplary leadership in his/her school, town or community.

The 2013 recipient will be honoured alongside recipients of the 2013 Outstanding Townshippers’ Awards as part of the Opening Ceremonies of the 34th annual Townshippers’ Day celebration to be held on September 14, 2013, at Bishop’s College School in Lennoxville.

To be considered for the YTLA, you must nominate the deserving person by completing the nomination form and return it with a minimum of two supporting documents to Young Townships’ Leaders, Townshippers’ Association, 100-257 Queen, Sherbrooke QC, J1M 1K7. DEADLINE is 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, 2013. Included in the list of acceptable supporting documents are list of achievements, letters of support, scrapbook, short video, etc.

Nominators can NOT be members of the nominee’s immediate family. The selection committee will evaluate eligible submissions in terms of effort; impact on local community; objectives achieved. Forms and additional information can now be found online at www.townshippers.qc.ca/awards-contests or by contacting Townshippers’ Association at 819-566-5717 (1-866-566-5717) or 450-242-4421 (1-877-242-4421).