This annual report summarizes the activities of an organization that provides youth achievement programs. In 2015, over 1,400 youth participated in the program, contributing over 50,000 hours of community service. The program aims to develop skills like confidence, relationships, and problem solving. Financial support from donors was $307,177, with most funds spent on programming (61%) and capacity building (27%) to expand access to the program, especially for marginalized youth. The organization celebrated 40 years of operations and is working to increase awareness of the impact of its youth achievement programs.

1. ANNUAL REPORT
2015

2. OUR VALUES
We believe in empowering individuals to take control of their
lives and become positive contributors in their communities...
volunteerstobecomecoordinatorsandleaders...andorganizations
and agencies to become operational and delivery partners.
We believe in being diverse, ensuring The Award is available to all
young people... is managed fairly and impartially in all respects...
and that each participant has a complete free and wide choice in
the selection of options.
Webelieveinbeingprogressive,requiringindividualimprovement
through persistence and achievement to gain an Award... greater
commitment and levels of achievement to gain Bronze then Silver
and ultimately Gold... inspiration from our leaders to push the
boundaries of possibility in terms of activities and operation.
Webelieveinbeingconnectedwithyoungpeople;theirindividual
interests, passions, aspirations and ideas... adults (volunteers,
partners, parents, employers, donors); their needs, expectations
and desired outcomes... the worldwide Award family, sharing,
developing; reciprocating and being relevant.
Mr. Al-Karim Khimji
President
Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
Al-Karim Khimji has achieved all three levels of The Award and has been a dedicated
volunteer for over 10 years. He sat on the The International Council of The Duke of
Edinburgh’s Award Foundation which globally governs the Programme in 140+ countries,
represented The International Award at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Youth
ForumandpublishedapaperonTheAwardasatoolforrecognizingnon-formallearning.In
addition, he sits on the Canadian National Board and is leading several strategic projects.
A former Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company, Al-Karim is a Director with Shirin
Group. He holds a MBA from Queen’s University and a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill
University. He was awarded the Alberta Centennial Medal for his community service.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Thanks to your generous support, and the extraordinary work of The Award
team, more young people than ever have been able to participate in our
program during 2015. These activities complement their academic studies,
giving them the skills, behaviours and attitudes they need to equip themselves
for life and work.
We are delighted and grateful that so many donors see our work as an effective
way of investing in the next generation. The Award is gaining momentum to
becoming one of the world’s leading youth achievement platform is clear.
As we continue to scale the programme, we need to increase our access to
resources to support this growth. We need to be ready to meet the demand
that is growing throughout the world to develop and recognize exceptional
non-formal education. That means improving access to The Award (especially
for young people who are marginalized or at risk), improving our capacity
to deliver (so that the Award can operate across the region), and improving
The Award’s impact (by ensuring that young people are well-supported in
completing their Award).
This report provides a glimpse of the immense
impact your contribution has made – not
just in financial terms but also in the
encouragement it provides to young
people and the adults who support
them.
Thank you for your support!
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3. PROGRAMS
The Award is a non-competitive, non-academic, self-directed
program based on experiential learning and recognizing youth for
activities they do outside the classroom. We don’t compete with
community organizations; we complement them and build strong
community members in the process. A youth’s own interests are
used as the key drivers to program activities, making success more
predictable and attainable.
Any youth age 14 to 25, regardless of physical or mental abilities,
social, economic, religious, or ethnic backgrounds, can participate
in our program. At every level of The Award - Bronze, Silver,
and Gold - and for every requirement - Community Service, Skill
Development, Physical Activity, and Exploring the Environment -
there is the opportunity to strengthen the participant’s community
through their personal involvement and development.
Togetherincollaborationwithotheryouth-servingorganizationsand
programs such as: Scouts, Cadets, 4-H, Girl Guides, youth groups,
Boys and Girls Clubs, Schools, and other community partners, The
Award is available to all young people across Alberta.
The Award program is designed to encourage
experiential learning and participation in physical
fitness, volunteer service, cognitive skills, and an
outdoor adventure. The time commitment develops
habits necessary for a healthy lifestyle. In 2015, our
participants were physically active for over 50,000 hours
and contributed over $750,000 in community service.
Traditionally, The Award program has thrived in communities where
adult leaders, resources, and opportunities are prevalent. Missing
from the program were at-risk inner city youth, those with mental
and physical disabilities, rural and remote youth, as well as First
Nations.
In order to address this need, we have adapted our approach to
better provide The Award to these marginalized youth.
Urban Youth Challenge
Working in partnership with Police Services, Youth-in-Care, Inner City Schools, Health
Services, and other organizations we offer a program within the cities of Calgary and
Edmonton. With the generous support of donors we offer The Award, free of charge,
to youth who express a financial barrier.
First Nations Youth Challenge
This program will be launched in 2016 to help deliver The Award to Aboriginal
communities in Alberta.
Northern Youth Challenge
This program will be launched in 2016 to help deliver The Award to youth residing in
the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
Community Youth Challenge
This program, developed in 2010, in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted
Police (RCMP) continues to expand across rural Alberta. In 2015 this program grew
over 50%. The CYC now involves over 400 youth and 100 community members.
54

4. KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
2014/15
1,405 young people
started The Award for the first time
(compared to 1,031 in the previous
year, over 50% growth)
320 young people
gained a Bronze, Silver or Gold Award
(compared to 307 in the previous year)
358 volunteers
were trained to mentor Award youth
(compared to 209 in the previous year)
OUR OUTCOME MEASURES
Confidence
Managing feelings
Resilience and determination
Relationships and leadership
Creativity and adaptability
Planning and problem solving
Intercultural competence
Civic competence
Personal and social well-being
Communication
OUR IMPACT MEASURES
Improved educational attainment
Improved employability
Improved health and well-being
Increased participation in civic life
Social inclusion
The Environment
Gender equality
Reduced re-offending rates
Reduction and prevention of violence,
conflict resolution and peace-building
SHORTTERMLONGTERM
“The Award
Programme is a
do-it-yourself growing up
kit. Its purpose is to help
young people broaden their
horizons while becoming
responsible adults.”
76

5. To further extend our position as the world’s leading youth
achievement award, we needed to refresh our identity.
TheDukeofEdinburgh’sInternationalAwardFoundationrecognized
the growing need to consolidate our efforts into a more consistent
and single brand strategy.
A system was developed that brings The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Cipher, donated to us by our founder HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
and the Global bird motif, together into a
unified identity – a blend of old and
new that serves to represent a proud
history and an ambitious future.
INTERNATIONAL BRAND
You’ll see our new look on everything from:
business cards•
letterhead•
posters•
certificates & pins•
banners•
press releases•
website•
record books•
social media•
and more!•
40th ANNIVERSARY
In 2016, we are celebrating 40 years since The Duke of Edinburgh’s
International Award was launched in Alberta, and 60 years since
The Award was founded in the UK.
Theseanniversariesprovideauniqueopportunitytoraiseawareness
of the impact of The Award, and encourage more young people and
volunteers to take part.
In the summer of 2016, we will be holding a youth event with
Their Royal Highnesses The Earl and Countess of Wessex which
will provide an exciting opportunity to help us build a closer bond
with our supporters and ultimately help us reach many more young
people to equip them for life and work through The Award.
We will be announcing new opportunities to support The Award
throughout these anniversaries. If you would like to discuss
supporting any of our milestones, we would be delighted to hear
from you.
40th
ANNIVERSARYin the Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut Division
98

6. Fundraising Costs $12,500
Communications $21,525
Capacity Building $75,964
Program $170,29327%
61%
8%
4%
FINANCIALS
1110
Registrations $35,465
Government $35,772
Corporations $43,500
Donations $45,267
Foundations $45,301
Casino $49,396
National $52,476
15%
15%
16%
17%
11%
12%
14%
INCOME
2015
TOTAL $307,177
We raised a total of $307,177 from
gifts and donations during 2015.
The majority of our funding is the result of ongoing support from
individual donors, corporations, and foundations who have chosen
to contribute to The Award. In addition to these receiptable
donations, we generate funds through a $30 program registration
fee, an Alberta Gaming Casino event, and a disbursement from The
Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Canada.
How we spend our money
Program
The aims of funding our delivery platform is to increase the number
of young people who are able to participate and complete The
Award program, with a focus on the marginalized sector.
Capacity Building
The aims of our infrastructure spending is to develop and deliver
appropriate support for volunteers and participants.
Fundraising Costs
The aims of our resourcing activities are to secure the financial
resources needed to fund our programming and to ensure that we
have a skilled and capable team.
Communications
The aims of our communication activities are to gain awareness of
The Award and to promote the benefits of the program.
Fundraising Costs $12,500
Communications $21,525
Capacity Building $75,964
Program $170,29327%
61%
8%
4%
TOTAL $280,282
EXPENSES
2015

7. DIVISION COUNCILCOMMUNICATIONS
1312
Chair
The Honourable Lois E. Mitchell, CM, AOE, LLD
The Lieutenant Governor of Alberta
Vice-Chair
The Honourable George L. Tuccaro
Commissioner of The Northwest Territories
Vice-Chair
The Honourable Nellie Kusugak
Commissioner of Nunavut
President
Mr. Al-Karim Khimji
Council Members
Ms. Nola Adam
Mr. Trevor Church
Ms. Rosemarie Enslin
Mr. Terry Godwaldt
Mr. James Fischer, CD
Mr. Derek Fraser
Mr. Gordon Paul
Ms. Karen Poirier
Mr. Michael J. Ricketts, MMM, CD
Mr. Jack Schneider
Ms. Nancy L. Jarjour Szabo
Ms. Tracy Thorbjornsen
Mr. Lee Villiger
Mr. James Walls
Mr. Lawrence Ward
LGen Paul F. Wynnyk, CMM, MSM, CD
The Award program is an independent challenge - but that doesn’t mean
you do it alone! In 2015 we focused on supporting our volunteers and
participants through increased communications.
Online leader training
Traditionally leader training was delivered in person. This often resulted
in delays, especially for volunteers in rural and remote areas. Now our
training is available online. Interested mentors watch videos that guide
them through the process and complete a test. This has allowed us to
launch new groups at a never before seen pace!
Monthly participant newsletters
A monthly email is sent to every participant with tips and suggestions.
We have already seen an increase in Award completions and anticipate
this trend will continue.
Leaders updates
Quarterly leaders email is sent to all groups with unique opportunities
for youth. We have been able to support several groups with funding
applications for Adventurous Journies, which has historically been a
significant factor in success rates.
Ceremony Media attention
Through media advisories , press releases, and contacting the media
directly,wehavebeensuccessfulatgeneratingmorecoveragesurrounding
events. This assists us in promoting The Award and in profiling the success
of our achievers.
Social Media
We’re talking to youth where they listen - on Facebook, Twitter, and
Instagram. Our online engagement continues to increase.
@dukeofedAB
@dukeofedAlberta
#DukeAwardAB

8. The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award in Alberta, Northwest
Territories, and Nunavut cannot achieve its vital and life-changing work
without the phenomenal support of dedicated and generous individuals,
foundations, and companies. We would like to thank everyone who has
given us funding, time and services over the years, and especially those
who continue to partner with us.
THANKING OUR DONORS
2014/15
$1,000+
Kelly & Heather Colberg
Al-Karim Khimji
Robert Peters
Karen Poirier
Tony & Caley Taylor Family Fund
Lawrence Ward
Paul Wynnyk
Greygates Foundation
Happy Creek Estates Ltd.
Hinton Crime Prevention Association
Lions Club of Hinton
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 10
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 52
“Leadership
is multifaceted,
and it was due to my
journey through The
Award that I was able
to fully grasp this.”
“The power of The Award, in my opinion, is not the certificate, the ceremony
or the pin, but rather the ways in which it challenges you to push your
boundaries and explore the unknown.
“The flexibility of The Award allows you to pursue your interests in your own
time and in your own way. The Award taught me that in order to become
a more thoughtful leader it is imperative that I learn how to interact with a
variety of different environments from sailing around islands, to performing
at concert halls, to helping young kids learn how to read.
“Leadership is multifaceted, and it was due to my journey through The
Award that I was able to fully grasp this.”
Sarah M.
Gold Award Achiever
PARTICIPANT’S
MESSAGE
1514
$500+
Denise Parent
Bruce Thorpe
John Thorpe
James Walls
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 27
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 238
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 271
$100+
Frank & Anita Carey
Trevor Church
Marilyn Denison
Derek Fraser
Colin Glassco
Paul & Beth Lievaart
Graydon Morrison
Gordon Paul
Nancy Peters
Rick Plouffe
Barry & Selena Redel
Margaret Southern
Joan Wynnyk
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 21
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 38
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 44
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 100
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 160
$10,000+
Government of Alberta
National Charter for Business
Nickle Family Foundation
Stollery Charitable Foundation
TD Waterhouse
Telus Calgary Community Fund

9. The Award has inspired millions of young people to transform their lives. By
creating opportunities for youth to develop skills, get physically active, give
service and experience adventure, the Award can play a critical role in their
development outside the classroom. It also allows their achievement to be
consistently recognized worldwide, giving young people unique international
accreditation of their experiences.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award
Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
111, 4515 Bow Trail SW
Calgary, AB T3C 2G3
1-800-668-3853
admin@theaward.ca
www.dukeofed.org/ab
@dukeofedAB
@dukeofedAlberta
#DukeAwardAB