About SYRCA
Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice - The Willow Awards, Inc.
The Organization
Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice - The Willow Awards, Inc. (SYRCA) is a volunteer-run non-profit, registered charity begun in 2001. (charity number: 87530 3919 RR0001)
The mission of The Willow Awards is to promote reading by granting a "Willow Award" to the Canadian and/or Saskatchewan book(s) voted by Saskatchewan students to be the best of those nominated in designated categories for a specific year.
In an effort to encourage participation by all children, regardless of the level at which they are reading, three awards have been established:
- The Shining Willow Award for books written for young readers.
- The Diamond Willow Award for titles written for upper elementary readers (grades 4-6) .
- The Snow Willow Award for books for young people in grades 7 - 9.
Students may vote for their favourite book in any category in which they have read the minimum number of books required. Individuals may submit ballots - teachers or librarians, please submit tallies of votes.
In the first year of voting (2002), more than 5,000 students participated. The number of participants has increased to more than 13,000 in 2011-2012. Ballots and how to vote for the current Willow Awards may be found on the Nominated Books page.
Participation in the Willow Awards is free to Saskatchewan students. Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice - The Willow Awards Inc. depends on membership donations and sponsorships to operate. Please consider a membership/donation. Our charity business number is: 87530 3919 RR0001. (Membership/donation form -pdf - 157KB)
Policies and Membership Form
- SYRCA's Policy and Procedure manual. Policy and Procedures -pdf - 1,023 KB)
- Membership is open to any person, organization, institution or business, society or organization that is interested in the mission and objectives of the Corporation. Membership fees are due and payable on application, then annually at the beginning of each fiscal year (April 1). Memberships support the work of the Willow Awards, Inc. and are a tax-deductible donation. Download a copy of the SYRCA membership form (pdf - 157KB).
SYRCA 2012-13 Board of Directors
| President: | Ruth Garnett, Saskatoon |
| Vice President: | Ann Atchison, Saskatoon |
| Vice President: | Tammie Latimer, Yorkton |
| Treasurer: | Donna Koch, Regina |
| Secretary: | Amanda Hassen, Moose Jaw |
| Fundraising Officer: | Naomi Kral, Regina |
| Past President: | Florence Barton, Saskatoon |
| Directors at Large: | Elsbeth Dormuth, Saskatoon |
| Val Gerrard, Regina | |
| Margaret Lipp, Regina | |
| Margot Mack, Regina | |
| Jocelyn Provost, La Ronge | |
| Melody Wood, Yorkton | |
| SLA Representative: | Cassandra Mireau, Saskatoon |
| SRC Representative: | Pam Foy, Moosomin |
Back row: Margot Mack, Jocelyn Provost, Amanda Hassen, Val Gerrard, Donna Koch, Elsbeth Dormuth, Margaret Lipp. Front row: Ann Atchinson, Naomi Kral, Melody Wood, Ruth Garnett, Florence Barton. Missing: Tammie Latimer.
Annual Report and Planning Document
2012 Annual Report
2012 Financial Statement
In 2008-2009, the SYRCA Board created a planning document to guide the organization in the next few years.
SYRCA - Planning Document (pdf)
Privacy Statement
Personal information will be used only for SYRCA activities such as:
- Renewal and membership drives
- Notification about information on the website
- Forwarding information related to the Willow Awards, such as:
- the results of voting
- invitations to Willow Awards’ events,
- nominee lists and materials
- author tours
- promotions regarding support materials available for sale.
Further information regarding SYRCA's Privacy Policy can be obtained by emailing the address at the bottom of the page.