Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces new awards program to recognize Canada?s volunteers

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PM announces new awards program to recognize Canada?s volunteers

7 January 2011
Welland, Ontario



Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced a new volunteer awards program to recognize the outstanding contributions of Canadians who volunteer their time, energy and talents to helping others, as well as local business leaders and individuals from not-for-profit organizations that make a difference in their communities.

?Our Government is proud of the millions of volunteers and other everyday Canadians who generously give their time, experience and expertise to make their communities stronger,? said Prime Minister Harper. ?These awards will celebrate their enormous contributions and we hope it encourages others to participate and make a difference in their own communities.?

A total of 17 Prime Minister?s Volunteer Awards will be presented annually. Fifteen regional awards will be presented to volunteers, business leaders and individuals from not-for-profit organizations. There will also be two national awards, one to recognize lifelong achievement and one for a young adult.

Regional award recipients will receive a $5,000 grant for the not-for-profit organization of their choice, while national award recipients will receive $10,000 for their organization of choice.

The first call for nominations will open in April 2011 during National Volunteer Week and the recipients will be announced later in the year.

The creation of the new awards program addresses a commitment made by the Harper Government in the 2010 Speech from the Throne.

http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=1&id=3874&featureId=6&pageId=26

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Re: Prime Minister Stephen Harper announces new awards program to recognize Canada?s volunteers

Prime Minister's Volunteer Awards - Eligibility

A call for nominations will be launched on April 10, 2011, during National Volunteer Week. Complete nomination guidelines and forms will be available from this website. Please check this website for regular updates.
Basic Criteria


Nominees in all award categories must meet the following basic criteria:

• Individual nominees must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
• Eligible organizations must be Canadian (e.g. registered not-for-profits or businesses registered in Canada).
• All recipients must demonstrate how they have made a difference in their community (providing those facing social challenges with the support, knowledge, and/or information they need to maintain their well-being and actively participate in society).

In addition to the basic criteria, nominees must meet the following criteria for specific award categories:

• Young Adult Leadership Award - nominees must take a lead role in developing solutions to local problems.
• Community Leader award ? nominees must take a lead role in developing solutions to local problems.
• Business Leader award ? nominees must demonstrate corporate social responsibility by using financial and/or human resources, and/or developing partnerships with not-for-profit organizations or social enterprises to support the well-being of their communities.
• Social Innovator award ? not-for-profits must demonstrate innovation by developing new approaches or new ideas to address social challenges that support the well-being of their communities.

Read more:

http://pm.gc.ca/eng/feature.asp?pageId=154