News Detail
Honouring the Past, Building the Future: The Evolution of the Shawnigan Oak Society
If you have visited our School recently, you may have noticed a beautiful, tangible piece of progress inside the front entrance to the Main Building – our new Oak Society donor wall is officially in place. Designed to honour the generosity of those who support the School through legacy giving, the donor wall serves as a daily, visual reminder to our current students, staff and parents of the immense community standing behind them.
The installation of the wall marks a milestone since the meaningful launch of the formal Shawnigan Oak Society last Founder’s Day. The genuine momentum and commitment from our community to safeguard the School's future speaks to the deep connection we all share with this campus.
For those unfamiliar with the story of the Founder’s Oak, its history is deeply tied to the very roots of our School. In the early 1930s, C.W. Lonsdale brought an acorn back from England's Sherwood Forest, of Robin Hood fame, and planted it here on campus beside Lake’s House, overlooking the Chapel. It still stands strong today. When we were considering a name for our legacy society, the tree seemed perfect, carrying the rich symbolism of planting something meant to grow and benefit the future.
What makes us enthusiastic about the Oak Society today is that legacy giving offers a universally accessible way of giving back. It allows every member of our Shawnigan family, regardless of their financial stage in life, to make a lasting impact on the future of the School.
To support our community, we are very pleased to share a new resource available through our partnership with Epilogue, Canada’s best-rated online will platform founded by experienced estate planning lawyers. Recent data shows that roughly half of all Canadians do not currently have a will in place, a gap that almost always comes down to a busy schedule, cost, or simply not knowing where to begin. Because we want to ensure our alumni, parents, staff and their families are well supported, anyone in our community can now create a legally binding will online in as little as 20 minutes, right from the comfort of home. Shawnigan alumni receive a 20 percent preferred rate on any Epilogue package, offering a straightforward, accessible option for those looking to secure complete peace of mind for their loved ones. There is absolutely no obligation to include a gift to the School, but for those who might wish to do so, the platform makes it simple to add Shawnigan as a charitable beneficiary. You can access this perk by visiting Shawnigan’s dedicated Epilogue landing page.
Legacy giving isn’t just about looking forward; it is a profound reflection of the gratitude we hold for the past. Whether you are curious about the Shawnigan Oak Society, interested in learning more about our partnership with Epilogue, or simply want to know how your own story can be woven into Shawnigan’s future, we would be delighted to connect with you.
Did You Know?
For many in our community, legacy planning is simply a practical way to look ahead. A few key pieces to keep in mind:
- Peace of Mind Today: A future legacy commitment costs nothing during your lifetime. You retain full control of your assets to use exactly as needed.
- Strategic Philanthropy & Tax Benefits: Legacy giving offers highly attractive tax benefits. Depending on the financial vehicle you choose to use, these advantages can either be realized immediately or structured to support your estate, maximizing what you ultimately pass on to your loved ones.
- Flexibility: Future commitments are completely revocable and can be easily adjusted at any time if your personal circumstances change.
- Recognition, Anonymity & Stewardship: Joining the Oak Society allows us to express our gratitude to you during your lifetime. Whether you prefer your gift to be celebrated publicly on our new donor wall and in publications or kept completely anonymous, we strictly honor your wishes. Through dedicated stewardship, we ensure your generosity is thoughtfully handled and your exact intentions for the School are fulfilled.
To learn more about the Shawnigan Oak Society, please visit our legacy giving page or reach out directly to Owain Samuel ‘09 from the Advancement & Community Engagement team.
We acknowledge with respect the Coast Salish Peoples on whose traditional lands and waterways we live, learn and play. We are grateful for the opportunity to share in this beautiful region, and we aspire to healthy and respectful relationships with those who have lived on and cared for these lands for millennia.
Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 12 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
