Community Service Takes Centre Stage with Jan Chamberlain Volunteer of the Year Award – Nominations Now Open!  

The City of Owen Sound is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Volunteer of the Year Awards, inviting residents to recognize individuals whose generosity, leadership, and commitment strengthen our community.  Awards are available in three categories: Youth Volunteer of the Year (ages 14-21), Senior of the Year (ages 65+), and Jan Chamberlain Volunteer of the Year (any age). 

Nominations are open now through March 1, 2026, and can be submitted through the online form at OwenSound.ca/Awards. 

This year, the long-standing ‘Volunteer of the Year’ category has been formally renamed the ‘Jan Chamberlain Volunteer of the Year Award’.  These awards were titled after Jan Chamberlain, following her passing last summer, to honour her remarkable legacy as a community champion and former City Councillor.  Jan’s decades of service embodied the spirit of volunteerism in Owen Sound and inspired others to be positive changemakers. The Youth Volunteer of the Year and Senior of the Year categories remain unchanged. 

The Volunteer Awards celebrate individuals from all walks of life who give their time, talents, and energy to improve the lives of others and strengthen the community's vibrancy. Award recipients are selected by the City’s Community Services Committee based solely on the information provided in submitted nominations.  Eligibility and award criteria are outlined on the City’s website at OwenSound.ca/Awards. 

Arts & Culture Award nominations will open separately in early February, as part of the City’s annual awards program, with details to be announced soon. 

Residents are encouraged to take a few moments to nominate someone who has made a difference. Complete nomination details and eligibility requirements are available at OwenSound.ca/Awards. 

For more information, please contact Andy O’Leary, Facilities Booking Coordinator at 519-376-4440 ext. 1255 or email aoleary@owensound.ca 

Quotes: 

“Volunteers are the heart of our community. Renaming the Volunteer of the Year award in honour of Jan Chamberlain is a meaningful way to recognize her lifelong dedication to Owen Sound, and to inspire future generations to continue that legacy of service.” 

– Mayor Ian Boddy