Annual Symposium Bursary Nominations Page

InformOntario is proud and honoured to offer bursaries for the annual Symposium in the names of 2 of our members....the late Trudy Beaulne and the late John Allec.

Both individuals contributed to the growth of I&R in many ways, supported and trained many of their colleagues and left a legacy to our sector.

Below is the criteria for each bursary award, and a link to the nomination form, and the story of Trudy and John.

John Allec Memorial Bursary

Click here to learn about John's life and his contributions to the Information and Referral Sector.

This bursary will ensure that an eligible and deserving person within the I&R sector will have the opportunity to attend the annual 2-day Symposium (The bursary covers the registration fees only)

2023 Bursary Eligibility Criteria:

• An InformOntario or InformCanada member in good standing (staff/volunteer) or individual IO member
• is able to attend the full 2 day Symposium
• has been involved/worked in the I&R sector for 5 years or more

Very few in the Information and Referral held as much knowledge as John Allec, and similarly, very few shared it so humbly and graciously as John.  John was a gentle giant among us, in honouring his legacy, the board knows that there are others who give of their time and knowledge as selflessly as John and seeks to identify and acknowledge their commitment - even if it would make John blush.  

Our online application process should include examples of at least 2 of the qualities below which made John such a committed champion of Information and Referral.

• Membership in at least one InformOntario, InformCanada, AIRS working group, committee or board, or similar information and referral committee, working group or board 
• Editorial role or involvement in the maintenance and/or indexing of records 
• Demonstrated advocacy for information and referral clients by way of researching,  organizing and making available quality data on programs and services
• Demonstrates regular and collaborative contributions to best practices in the Information and Referral sector including the Standards, Style Guide and Taxonomy etc
• Willingness to share one’s knowledge through demonstrated professional development and training sessions offered

Eligible candidates can either nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else (co-worker, stakeholder, etc). One reference who can speak about the candidate and their qualifications is required. Deadline is April 14, 2023.

Trudy Beaulne Memorial Bursary

Click here to learn about Trudy's life and her contributions to the Information and Referral Sector.

This bursary will ensure that an eligible and deserving person within the I&R sector will have the opportunity to attend the annual 2-day Symposium (The bursary covers the registration fees only).

Eligibility Criteria:

•  an InformOntario or InformCanada member in good standing (staff/volunteer) or individual IO member 
• is able to attend the full 2 day Symposium
• has been involved/worked in the I&R sector for 5 years or more

Trudy championed many things within our sector and throughout her own community. Trudy was, after all, an exemplary individual and one of a kind. In designing this Memorial Bursary, the Board knows that there are others in this sector working on many of the same goals, with similar dedication and passion. It wants to identify and acknowledge their commitment – these champions of Information and Referral.

 Our online application process should include examples of at least 2 of the qualities below which made Trudy such a fierce defender of a person-centred perspective towards social justice and equality, and the empowerment of others through information.

• Demonstrates leadership in I&R sector/their community
• An initiator/advocate in their community for developing partnerships and collaborative solutions
• Politically active
• Affiliations that demonstrate willingness to work for those less fortunate or in need of advocacy
• Work with goal of eliminating poverty and empowering those less fortunate
• Supported/Created community-based solutions
• Willing to ask the hard questions, the “why” questions and push back on initiatives that create winners at a cost to individuals, services and communities

Eligible candidates can either nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else (co-worker, stakeholder, etc). One reference who can speak about the candidate and their qualifications is required. Bursary deadline is April 14, 2023.