Policy statement

1   The City seeks to recognize noteworthy contributions and achievements of groups, organizations and individuals that provide a benefit to the community by bestowing a "Civic Recognition" award, when deemed appropriate.

Purposes of this policy

2   The purposes of this policy are to

(a) establish criteria for community groups, organizations and individuals to receive formal recognition from council for outstanding service, accomplishments or milestones,

(b) formally recognize community groups (“group”), organizations and individuals for outstanding service, accomplishments or milestones, and

(c) encourage, support and recognize community groups, organizations and individuals who have contributed to the betterment of the City through particular skills and attributes, actions and community service, and those who have attained an outstanding achievement in their field of endeavour.

Application

3   This policy applies to the following:

(a) community groups;

(b) organizations;

(c) individuals.

4   The Interpretation Bylaw, 2019 applies to this policy.

Definitions

5   In this policy:

"City website" means the information resource found at an internet address as provided by the City;

"coat of arms" means the City's official coat of arms, as set out in the City's Coat of Arms and Logo Usage Policy;

"tartan" means the City's official tartan, as set out in the City's Coat of Arms and Logo Usage Policy.

Roles and responsibilities

6   (1) The City Clerk’s Office will coordinate and manage all duties related to the preparation of nomination packages and the presentation of the Order of Abbotsford Award and Community Champions Achievement Award.

(2) Funding for the costs related to the Order of Abbotsford Award, Community Champions Achievement Award, and Community Recognition Award will be provided from the council approved budget.

(3) The City Clerk’s Office will receive Order of Abbotsford Award nomination packages; and will forward the packages to the Awards and Recognition Advisory Committee.

(4) The City Clerk’s Office will maintain an official record of all award recipients through a special awards book in which the name of each award recipient, a caption which describes the achievement and date of the award, are inscribed; and kept in the Mayor’s office and available on the City's website.

(5) The City Clerk’s Office will receive Community Champion Achievement Award nomination packages; and will forward the packages to council.

(6) The Office of the City manager/Mayor will receive all requests for Community Recognition.

(7) The Awards and Recognition Advisory Committee will review all Order of Abbotsford Award nominations and provide recommendations for council's consideration annually

(8) he Awards and Recognition Advisory Committee will explore opportunities for sponsorships and partnerships to support recognition events and awards.

Levels of civic recognition

7   The following are the 3 levels of "Civic Recognition" which may be bestowed:

(a) Order of Abbotsford Award;

(b) Community Champion Achievement Award;

(c) Community Recognition Award.

Intent

8   The Order of Abbotsford Award represents an award bestowed to an individual who has demonstrated a particularly high level of contribution or length of service to the City.

9   The purpose of the Order of Abbotsford Award is to bestow an award to an individual who has

(a) given a particularly high level of long-term service and contribution to the City, and

(b) brought distinction to themselves and the City by outstanding achievements in a variety of areas, including, but not limited to,

(i) culture,

(ii) public or community service,

(iii) the environment,

(iv) heritage conservation, and

(v) sports.

Criteria

10   (1) Any City resident (or former long-term resident) who has demonstrated outstanding achievement, excellence or distinction in any field, including but not limited to,

(a) public or community service,

(b) community leadership,

(c) philanthropy,

(d) research,

(e) labour,

(f) industry,

(g) business,

(h) community project,

(i) volunteer service,

(j) environment,

(k) heritage conservation,

(l) academia,

(m) sports, or

(n) arts and culture

is eligible for the Order of Abbotsford Award.

(2) Council will consider the following:

(a) significant length of service to the community;

(b) the positive impact on the lives of people in the City;

(c) whether they are considered a role model; and/or made a significant contribution, for example by creating opportunities through new facilities or programs.

Exceptions

11   (1) A person who is an elected federal, provincial or municipal representative is not eligible to receive the Order of Abbotsford Award while that person remains in office.

(2) A person may not be awarded the Order of Abbotsford Award posthumously, unless the Civic Recognition Advisory Committee recommends the awarding to council before the person's death.

(3) Under exceptional circumstances, council may present the Order of Abbotsford Award to multiple individuals.

Nominations

12   (1) Nominations san be made by any individual, group or organization by December 31st each year; and are considered annually at a Special (closed) meeting, and requires the unanimous vote of council.

(2) Nominations for acts of bravery are not eligible for the Order of Abbotsford Award.

Procedure:

13   (1) The Order of Abbotsford Award recognition may take the form of

(a) a shadow box containing the tartan, coat of arms and a plaque which describes the achievements of the recipient who earned the award,

(b) a tartan neck tie or scarf,

(c) a commemorative basket containing local merchandise,

(d) the placement of name and caption as a permanent tribute in a special awards book, and/or

(e) any other form of gift as deemed appropriate by Council.

(2) Annually recipients of an Order of Abbotsford Award will be recognized during the City's Canada Day celebrations and during the presentations section of the Regular Meeting of Council, or at another event which has been organized for this purpose.

Intent

14   The Community Champion Achievement Award represents an award to an individual, group or organization, who achieve National or International honours in various areas of endeavour, or who perform a noteworthy deed.

Purpose

15   The Community Champion Achievement Award will be presented to an individual, group, or organization who have achieved National or International recognition in a variety of areas, including, but not limited to,

(a) academia,

(b) sports,

(c) arts and culture,

or perform a noteworthy deed which is considered of benefit to the community {i.e. an act of bravery).

Criteria

16   (1) Any individual, group or organization who has achieved National or International honours in various areas of endeavour, or who perform a noteworthy deed is eligible for the Community Champion Achievement Award.

(2) A Community Champion Achievement Award may be presented to a family member or representative for someone being honoured posthumously.

Nominations

17   Community Champion Achievement Award can be made by any individual, group or organization throughout the year, and are considered at a Special (closed) meeting, and a unanimous vote by council is not required.

Procedure

18   (1) Th Community Champion Achievement Award recognition may take the form of

(a) a certificate of recognition acknowledging the group, organization or individual,

(b) a ceremonial Discovery Trail “Paver” (to be presented and then taken back for engraving and placement at the Community Champion Plaza annually),

(c) the placement of name and caption as a permanent tribute in a special awards booklet, and/or

(d) any other form of gift as deemed appropriate by council.

(2) Recipients of a Community Champion Achievement Award will be recognized throughout the year during the presentations section of the Regular Meeting of Council, or at another event which has been organized for this purpose.

(3) Further recognition may be included on the City website and/or through special editorials in the local media.

Intent

19   The Community Recognition Award represents the expression of appreciation to an individual, team or group who have provided a service and/or contribution which has benefited the community.

Purpose

20   (1) The Community Recognition Award acknowledges an individual, team or group achievement or contribution to the City.

(2) Types of certificates that may be issued include

(a) Commendation,

(b) Recognition,

(c) Appreciation, or

(d) Accomplishment.

Criteria

21   (1) In cases where an individual, team or group has given outstanding service to the City, or has attained an outstanding achievement in a field of endeavour, including, but not limited to,

(a) business,

(b) community project,

(c) volunteer service,

(d) environment,

(e) heritage conservation,

(f) academia,

(g) sports, or

(h) arts and culture

(2) A Community Recognition Award certificate may be presented to a family member or representative for someone being honoured posthumously.

Nominations

22   Community Recognition Award nominations can be made by any individual, group or organization throughout the year, and is subject to the approval of the Mayor, unanimous vote by council is not required.

Procedure

23   (1) The recipient of a Community Recognition Award will receive a certificate from the Mayor and may be recognized during the presentations section of the Regular Meeting of Council, or at another event which has been organized for this purpose.

(2) The Mayor may also choose to provide a small memento or pin of nominal value to be presented to the individual, team or group for the purpose of promoting the City.

(3) Further recognition may be included on the City website and/or through special editorials in the local media.

Exclusions

24   The volunteer appreciation events are separate to this policy.

Prohibitions

25   (1) Current council members will not be considered for recognition.

(2) Groups, organizations or individuals will only be considered for 1 Award annually.

(3) The nomination will be rejected if the content or reason for the nomination is profane, vulgar, is offensive or does not meet the criteria set out in this policy.