From the Branches
Submitted by Doreen Pawlowski | President, SWARTA
ARTA Volunteer Award
Chris Burton started teaching with the County of
Lethbridge and then moved to Lethbridge School
District No. 51. Her two passions — teaching and
Girl Guides — have been interconnected her entire
life. As a teenager and Ranger, she assisted with a
Brownie group, such a positive experience that it led
to a career in teaching. Chris has been a member of
Girl Guides for sixty years, fifty of those years as a
leader. She has been a unit leader; a commissioner
at local, provincial and national levels; an advisor
for camping, international connections, and
public relations; and a trainer. Guiding offered
her many opportunities to develop leadership and
interpersonal skills and provided her with providing
challenging and adventurous activities.
After retiring from teaching, Chris assumed
the role of chief commissioner for Girl Guides of
Canada. She was ‘Chief’ during the one hundreth
anniversary of Guiding in Canada, and travelled
across the country promoting Guiding, which
empowers girls to take the lead and explore what
matters to them in a safe, supportive, inclusive
space. As a mentor and cheerleader, Chris provides
girls and young women with both fun and challenge,
while developing skills and confidence that will last
a lifetime.
Her belief in lifelong learning has led Chris, as a
Girl Guide trainer, to design and present webinars
for Guide leaders. Chris is also on the World Board,
the Olave Baden-Powell Society, whose primary
focus is providing funding to educate girls and
young women to gain leadership skills.
Her involvement in teaching and Guiding led
her to become a committee member for Leaders
of Tomorrow, a program
recognizing youth volunteerism.
Chris is in her second term on the Board of Directors
of Volunteer Lethbridge.
Her other volunteer roles include community
outreach for her church, secretary for the
Lethbridge Bridge Club, coordinator for the Duke
of Edinburgh’s Award (a Commonwealth youth
achievement challenge), and a canvasser for the
Heart and Stroke and Diabetes associations. Chris
has been awarded the Governor General’s Sovereign
Award for Volunteerism (2017), and the Stars of
Alberta Award (2010).
To be able to support others to make a positive
difference in their community and the world sums
up Chris’ philosophy of volunteering. ●
Left, Chris Burton (2018 award winner).
Right, Doreen Pawlowski (President, SWARTA).
Her two passions — teaching and Girl Guides — have been interconnected her entire life.
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