Saskatchewan UCC board member honored by province (05/26/02)

Saskatchewan UCC board member honored by province

SASKATOON - The Province of Saskatchewan honored Paul Ortynsky, pharmacist and longtime Ukrainian Canadian community activist on April 25 when, during a ceremony at the Provincial Legislative Building in Regina, he was invested with the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal. Mr. Ortynsky has served several terms as a board member of the Ukrainian Canadian Committee's Saskatchewan Provincial Council.

The government of Saskatchewan in 1995 established an honor to recognize the volunteer sector on the occasion of the province's 90th anniversary: the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal. Saskatchewan has one of the highest rates of voluntarism in Canada. Each volunteer reaches outside his or her personal activities to help others and make daily life in the province better for everyone. Formal recognition of volunteers is a way both of expressing the gratitude of the community and of presenting role models to the people of the province.

Mr. Ortynsky is a longtime active participant in community, business and civic affairs of Canora. His contributions include service as: a former mayor of the town of Canora; past vice-president of Parkland Regional College Canora Ukrainian Centennial celebrations and millennium reunion; past national president, Ukrainian Professional and Business Association; Canora branch president, Ukrainian Canadian Congress; president, Canora Ukrainian Heritage Museum; member of the Senate, University of Regina; member, Provincial Government's Advisory Committee on Saskatchewan-Ukraine Relations.

Mr. Ortynsky was a recipient of the 1999 UCC-SPC Nation Builders award presented by the UCC Saskatchewan Provincial Council.

The Saskatchewan Honors Advisory Council recommends deserving individuals from nominations across the province. Recipients receive a medal, a certificate and a lapel pin, and may use the initials SVM after their names.

Fifty-seven Saskatchewan residents have been awarded the medal since its inception in 1995. Mr. Ortynsky was one of seven activists honored at this year's ceremony in recognition of outstanding volunteer service and exceptional community involvement beyond normal professions or duties.

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