The benefits of starting early

“I didn’t know a soul,” says alumnus Tyler Ward ‘04. “But I was warmly welcomed. Hal Hannaford [RSGC’s Headmaster at the time] welcomed me with open arms.” Tyler arrived in 2002, and he remembers quickly settling in and making friends. There were “small classes, and one-on-one interactions with the teachers—just a great level of engagement and excitement.”

He attended RSGC for two years—Grades 11 and 12—a time he remembers as “an incredible experience and unlike any school experience I’ve ever had.” He took drama classes and enjoyed acting, and he recalls how this helped him find a sense of belonging. “One day in drama class, someone asked me to get on stage for a skit. I agreed to go on stage and do improv, and we had a blast. After that, I felt comfortable and started to develop some friendships.”

Often, our memories from when we were young are more vivid, more clear, in part because everything was new. Clearly, that’s true for Tyler. “I remember the field trips were incredible, such as our trip to Stratford. Just that level of engagement and excitement about learning that I couldn’t get at my previous school.” He found kindred spirits, and champions within the faculty and staff. “My debating coach, Mrs. Miller, we kept in touch for many years. I had coffee with [Teacher-Librarian] Tim Hutton. These are real connections that are ongoing.”

After RSGC, Tyler studied Political Science at York University, followed by his Master’s of Health Policy and Equity, also at York. He then studied law at the University of Ottawa. “Health policy is my passion. I went to law school to gain a legal understanding of public policy decisions, and the legal side of how public health policies are made.”

Today, his work combines all of those things, from policy to paying gratitude for the experiences he’s had. He works as a Climate Change Coordinator for the County of Grey, providing strategic leadership in advancing “Going Green in Grey,” the area’s climate action plan. He also has a successful career as the founder and CEO of Bloomsborough Consulting, which supports organizations and business owners with a wide range of services. “We’ve evolved into a business consulting company,” he says. “We advise and invest in businesses and start-ups.”

Tyler is also passionate about legacy giving. “I am very involved in multiple charities, and I often take an active role in promoting legacy giving for them,” he says. He has also served as a volunteer at RSGC, including involvement within the RSGC Legacy Society.

A legacy gift—whether property or cash—is one that a person leaves as part of their estate plan. These gifts create a lasting impact while honouring organizations that were particularly meaningful during a person’s lifetime.

He lives the example, and has included RSGC in his estate plans. He also works to dispel the myth that legacy giving is limited to large bequests, and educates others that they can make a meaningful impact even with more modest means.

“If you look up ‘philanthropist,’ there is nothing about the dollar figure,” he says. “As a millennial, I believe it’s never too early to start thinking about the legacy you want to leave. Even a small gesture can create meaningful change for future generations.”

“[Millennials] are socially aware, and they want to do something to make the world a better place. But they don’t necessarily have the financial means to do so. Legacy giving is the answer. It gives a sense of control and is a form of social justice advocacy.”

“You need a will,” he says. “That’s where to start.” Indeed, many millennials have yet to take that step. Likewise, having a conversation with a financial planner can demystify things, such as life insurance. These are lessons that came, in part, out of his time as a member of the alumni executive helping with fundraising and stewardship.

“My time at RSGC left a lasting impression on me,” he says. “It’s an interconnected family feeling and, overall, it was a phenomenal experience. Ultimately, with legacy giving, I have a plan to give back to the school that gave me so much. It’s an option I hope more alumni think about.”