AWARD PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Community Award program celebrates British Columbians who go above and beyond in their dedication and service to others. It honours individuals who devote their time and energy to making their communities more caring, dynamic, beautiful, resilient and inclusive.
WHY NOMINATE
The award program provides an opportunity to publicly acknowledge the transformative efforts of individuals who raise the quality and character of their community and, in doing so, inspire others to do the same.
DATES TO REMEMBER
- December 1 – Nominations OPEN
- January 31 – Nominations CLOSE
- Spring (date TBD) – Awardees ANNOUNCED
Nominators may start the online form, save it, then return to complete and submit it by the closing date. The completed form and all nomination materials must be by submitted by January 31 @ 11:59 p.m. for the nomination to be considered.
*Nominees should not be informed of the nomination.
NOMINEE ELIGIBILITY
An eligible nominee must:
- have made a significant contribution to their community within British Columbia
- made a contribution either though volunteer or professional work in the areas including, but not limited to: arts & culture, business innovation, civic duty & public service, communications & media, education, environment & sustainability, healthcare, information & technology, multiculturalism, philanthropy, sports & recreation, seniors/elders and youth leadership
- have been a resident of BC for at least the past three years
The following are ineligible to receive the Award:
- self-nominations are not eligible
- posthumous nominations are not eligible
- past recipients of the Award are not eligible
- current members of the jury panel, or members of the jury panel’s immediate family are not eligible
- BC Achievement board members are not eligible
- groups of three or more people are not eligible
- sitting elected federal, provincial or municipal representatives, or members of the judiciary are not eligible
Note: Nominations of any individual under the age of 19 must be accompanied by the permission of a parent or guardian
NOMINATOR ELIGIBILITY
Any person, group or organization may submit nominations for the Award with exceptions noted below:
- current members of the jury panel, or members of the jury panel’s immediate family may not submit a nomination
- BC Achievement board members may not submit a nomination
- family members (i.e., parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins) may not submit a nomination
SELECTION OF AWARD RECIPIENTS
An independent jury of community leaders from throughout British Columbia reviews the nominations and selects the awardees. The decision of the independent jury is final. Nominees are notified only if selected for an award.
RECOGNITION OF AWARD RECIPIENTS
Awardees are recognized at a formal ceremony held in Victoria at Government House. The Lieutenant Governor and a representative of the BC Achievement Foundation are invited to present the awardees with the BC Achievement medallion and lapel pin designed by renowned artist Robert Davidson, OC, OBC, along with a commemorative plaque certificate and letter from the Premier of BC recognizing their achievements.
HOW TO NOMINATE / APPLY
The nominator must complete the online Nomination form and include the following:
Nominator name & contact information and statement about the length and duration of the relationship with the nominee (1000 max characters incl. spaces or approx. 175 words)
Nominee name & contact information (i.e., street & mailing address, phone number and email. Nominators are encouraged to provide the nominee’s website and social media handles)
Nominator Letter detailing the contributions of the nominee and reasons for the nomination (2500 max characters incl. spaces or approx. 450 words)
Two support letters from two separate individuals other than the nominator (2500 max characters incl. spaces or approx. 450 words per letter) and the writer's contact information
Support letters should:
- Be written by individuals who are able to speak about the impact of the nominee’s achievements from first-hand experience
- Come from outside the nominee’s immediate family (e.g., colleagues, civic or other community members)
- Be current and written specifically for the award program
- Include the writer’s name, organization, address, phone and email
All letters should be addressed to the "Selection Committee”
Additional Materials – Optional, but strongly recommended
- Nominators have the option to submit materials such as biographical overview, curriculum vitae, newspaper articles, video or recorded testimonials, additional support letters, links to YouTube videos, photos, website links etc.
- A maximum of five items (10 pages total and five minutes of video) will be accepted
- All materials must be submitted electronically
- Note: each link submitted is considered one additional material
Selection committee members are asked to review up to a maximum of 10 pages total and five minutes of video – anything beyond that may not be reviewed.
UPDATING A NOMINATION
Nominations are valid for three years including the first year of nomination and two subsequent years.
Nominators are strongly encouraged to update their nomination package for consideration by the following year's selection committee if their nominee was not recognized in the previous year’s awardee cohort.
To update a nomination:
- Scroll down to the nomination form on the award program page on the website
- Review the eligibility criteria, then select “I agree that the nominee meets the eligibility criteria”
- Select ‘yes’ for the question “Is this an update to a previous nomination?”
- Select the year the nomination was first submitted
- In the box provided, list what information is being updated or replaced (i.e., nominee contact info, new support letters, additional materials, updated nominator letter)
All updates should be submitted by January 31 @ 11:59 PM
We are happy to send the documents previously submitted for your nominee. Please email [email protected] to make your request.
1. What should be said in the letter from the nominator?
The nominator's letter should be expansive about the contributions of the nominee and explain how the nominee has been an advocate or champion in their work- or volunteer-related endeavours; enriched the lives of others in their community; shown leadership, courage and dedication; become a role model or mentor in their field; demonstrated excellence, innovation and/or creativity.
2. To whom should the nominator's letter and support letters be addressed?
All letters should be addressed to the Selection Committee.
3. What should a support letter contain?
A support letter should indicate: the relationship between the writer and the nominee and the length of the relationship; details about the nominator’s knowledge of the nominee’s contribution and their impact on the community. Review the Nomination Guide & Tips for other suggestions.
4. Can more than two support letters be submitted?
Other support letters may be submitted as 'additional materials'. A maximum of five items i.e. additional materials (10 pages total and five minutes of video) will be accepted. These five items may also include biography, curriculum vitae, newspaper articles, video or recorded testimonials, links to YouTube videos, photos etc.
5. Are congratulatory letters from other programs accepted in the nomination package?
Other congratulatory letters may be included as additional material.
6. Is a nomination package considered for more than one year?
Submitted nomination packages begin a three-year program any may be reviewed by up to three juries. Nominators are given the opportunity to update their nomination each year prior to review by the selection committee.
7. Are contributions that occur outside of British Columbia recognized?
The Community Award is designed for contributions made in British Columbia. The nominator should focus on the nominee's work in the province rather than outside the province.
8. Should the nominator tell the nominee about the nomination?
Generally, the nominee is not told of the nomination though in some cases it happens when the nominator requires biographical information, for example, from the nominee.
9. When are awardees notified and where are the names of the awardees published?
Awardees are notified in March. Their names are published on BC Achievement’s website and social media channels in May.
10. Is it possible to nominate a group or organization?
These awards are designed to recognize individuals or two-person partnerships. Nominations of groups (3+ people) are not eligible.
Past Programs
MITCHELL AWARD OF DISTINCTION
Named in honour of Keith Mitchell, QC, past Chair of the Foundation, and its guiding light for over 13 years, the award recognizes leadership that empowers others to engage. Recipients of the Mitchell Award are:
- 2023 Kat Hartwig
- 2022 Dr. Faisal Khosa
- 2021 Amber Anderson, C.C.C.
- 2020 Dom Bautista
- 2019 Ellen Woodsworth
- 2018 Kim van der Woerd
- 2017 George Laverock
