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The City of Owen Sound celebrates our volunteers for their desire to make a difference in our community and in their own life by giving their time and expertise. Volunteers can be people from all walks of life, all ages and stages. Volunteers play a vital contribution to the vibrancy, diversity and strength of our community.
In 2018, we introduced a Youth Volunteer of the Year Award for people ages 14-21 to help celebrate and recognize the contribution of Youth Volunteering in our community.
During a City Council meeting in April, the Volunteer of the Year and Youth Volunteer of the Year are recognized for their contributions.
The designated Senior(s) of the Year is recognized for their contributions during a City Council meeting in June which coincides with Seniors' Month in Ontario.
For more information, contact Andy O'Leary, Facilities Booking Coordinator, at 519-376-4440 ext.1255.
Nomination Form
The City of Owen Sound is now accepting nominations for the 2023 Youth Volunteer of the Year (14-21), Volunteer of the Year (21+) and Senior of the Year (65+).
Nominees should consist of Owen Sound residents or residents in neighbouring municipalities who have volunteered extensively for an organization(s) within Owen Sound. The nominee will have enriched the lives of Owen Sound residents and contributed greatly in making a positive impact in the City of Owen Sound. "Senior of the Year Award" is for Owen Sound residents only.
Length of service and impact of service will be considered equally important during the selection process.
Time commitment (hrs/week) will be highly important during the selection process.
Must have performed such service on a wholly volunteer basis and not for pay.
Nominees who have been submitted previously, but have not been selected for award must be re-submitted for consideration each year.
Municipal, provincial and federal politicians presently holding office are not eligible to nominate or to be nominated.
In the event that a nominee becomes deceased during the nomination period, the nomination will be deemed valid for consideration for the "Volunteer of the Year Award". Posthumous nominations will not be considered.
Previous winners of the "Volunteer of the Year Award" will be eligible for nomination again after 15 years.
Members of a nominee's immediate family are eligible to nominate and/or act as a reference.
There is no obligation to award a "Volunteer of the Year" should the Selection Committee deem there to be no nominees that fit the criteria listed above.
Youth Volunteer of the Year Award (14-21)
Nominees should consist of Owen Sound residents or residents in neighbouring municipalities who have volunteered extensively for an organization(s) within Owen Sound. The nominee will have enriched the lives of Owen Sound residents and contributed greatly in making a positive impact in the City of Owen Sound
Impact of service will be greatly considered during the selection process.
Must have performed such service on a wholly volunteer basis and not for pay.
Nominees who have been submitted previously, but have not been selected for award must be re-submitted for consideration each year.
Previous winners of the "Youth Volunteer of the Year Award" will not be eligible for nomination again.
Members of a nominee's immediate family are eligible to nominate and/or act as reference.
There is no obligation to award a "Youth Volunteer of the Year" should the Selection Committee deem there to be no nominees that fit the criteria listed above.
Selection
The Selection Committee is the members of the Community Services Committee.
It is recommended that members of the Selection Committee consider whether or not they are in a conflict of interest situation when a member of their immediate family is nominated. Immediate family includes: partner, parent, child, grandparent, grandchild and siblings.
The Selection Committee will evaluate the applications, taking into consideration the guidelines laid out in the Criteria above.
All nominations received are not necessarily approved.
The Selection Committee's recommendations will be forwarded to City Council for final approval of the selected volunteers prior to the successful candidates being notified.
Only the individuals who are selected will be notified.
The Selection Committee will review criteria on an annual basis.
