The Vancouver Island Real Estate Board (VIREB) held its 60th Anniversay Celebration and Realtor Awards at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in Nanaimo on Feb. 24 with presentation of the Realtors Care Awards, Realtor of the Year Award and announcement of a legacy endowment fund to Vancouver Island University (VIU) and North Island Colledge (NIC). The event concluded at the AGM on Feb. 25 with the installation of its 2011 Board of Directors. Initial communications began with VIU, NIC and the Real Estate Foundation of B.C. (REFBC) each having the key component of a matching fund program. VIU and NIC serve the entire catchment area of VIREB and offer extensive trades training programs, in addition to traditional academic fields of study. The REFBC is a non-profit organization formed in 1985 and it is dedicated to the respectful and wise use of land throughout B.C. This organization is also committed to providing education opportunities in the form of grants to students throughout B.C.By providing funding for Island students to study at either VIU or NIC these students could stay connected to their families, friends and communities. The collaboration between VIREB and REFBC established a $60,000 Endowment Fund at both VIU and NIC. Each zone within VIREB has a commitment to assisting high school students seeking post-secondary education. Now with the support of the REFBC and the Foundations of VIU and NIC, VIREB has created a permanent endowment fund that VIREB, members or future alumni may augment and grow.“When we began planning for the celebration of VIREB’s 60th anniversary a number of alternatives for a legacy project presented themselves. The challenge for our committee and the directors was to find unanimity. Not until an education endowment was suggested did our focus gel.” said Marty Douglas, Chair 60th Anniversary Committee.The committee then set to work creating a project that would give back to the communities that had served them so well over the years. Educating young and eager students would provide benefits for entire families and communities. It was empowering on both an individual level and the collective level. The Directors forged ahead to make the connections needed to create a lasting legacy. Other highlights of the two day event include:n 2011 VIREB Board of Directors elected:President – Jim Stewart, Coast Realty Group, Nanaimo; President Elect – Guy Bezeau, RE/MAX Ocean Pointe, Ladysmith; Past President – Cliff Moberg, Sutton Group West Coast Realty, DuncanDirectors: Karol Power – RE/MAX Check Realty, Campbell River; Corey Zaal – Royal LePage-Comox Valley, Courtenay; Blair Herbert – Royal LePage Duncan Realty, Duncan; Jason Finlayson – Osborne Realty Services Ltd., Duncan; Jennifer Merilees – Coast Realty Group, Nanaimo; Margo Hoffman – Coast Realty Group, Parksville; Gary Gray – Coast Realty Group, Port Albernin Realtor Care Award Recipients:Joanne Millar – Royal LePage Advance Realty, Campbell River; Harmony Dyck – Royal LePage Comox Valley, Courtenay; Rob Grey – RE/MAX of Nanaimo ; Kevin Clayton – Coast Realty Group, Parksvillen Realtor of the Year:Subhadra Ghose – RE/MAX of Nanaimo.