Volunteering ACT

Volunteering ACT and NRMA

The Awards

These Awards are presented to individual volunteers for their outstanding contribution to the community in the ACT and wider Canberra region.

Nominations are invited of outstanding volunteers who are resident in our region.

Awards are given to recognise excellence in voluntary service and are intended to enhance public awareness and appreciation of the quality and depth of voluntary service in the community.

The awards are not seeking to identify a "best volunteer" - award recipients are ambassadors for all volunteers and the worth of volunteer effort. Awards are given so that the unique and wonderful stories can be told to highlight the extent and importance of volunteering to our community.

These Awards consist of three components:

1. Recognition of an outstandingly effective volunteer as the ACT Volunteer of the Year; who will receive:

• $500 to be donated to an agency of their choice
• a framed certificate commemorating their achievement

2. Recognition of eight category winners, who will each receive:

• $100 to be donated to the agency of their choice
• a framed certificate

3. Recognition of all nominees, who will each receive a certificate of appreciation.

If the Independent Selection Panel considers there is no one overall outstanding volunteer in any year, that award may be distributed among the eight category winners. The Panels decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding its selection.

Eligibility

Only volunteers are eligible. Volunteers are considered to be individuals who are not paid for their activities and efforts on behalf of the community (apart from reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred). Those activities must be undertaken by the volunteer's own free choice and without coercion, for a not-for-profit organisation.

An individual volunteer may be nominated and seconded by an organisation or by other individuals, on the official Nomination Form attached.

A nominee who is not successful in one year, can be nominated again in any subsequent year.

All nominees are invited to attend the Award Presentation held during National Volunteer Week (w/c 11th May 2003). Award winners may be asked to attend other special events during the course of the year to represent volunteering.

Categories

• Sport and Recreation
• Arts and Heritage
• Community
• Health
• Science and Technology
• Environment
• Education
• Emergency Services

Selection

Selection of the Award winner will be undertaken by a panel of five independent individuals, appointed by NRMA and Volunteering ACT

Selection criteria include:

• Impact of the work on the community
• Scope of the work
• Amount of time dedicated
• Effort required
• Continuity and period of work
• Conditions under which the work is performed, tangible results and benefits of the work

It is important to give as much supporting information as possible when completing the attached form. Applications with insufficient supporting information directly relating to the volunteer’s work cannot be considered.

Presentation

The Award will be presented at the official function held during National Volunteer Week. This year the presentation function will be held on Wednesday 14 May 2003. All nominees and their nominators are expected to attend the public function.

Nominations

The details provided to support nominations will be kept in the strictest confidence and will be returned to the nominee after completion of the selection process.

Before submitting a nomination, you should read carefully the preceding information outlining selection criteria and provide as much supporting information as you can. Nominations with insufficient detail will not be considered. Note: the supporting documentation will support the Volunteer’s credentials not an organisation’s credentials.

NOMINATIONS CLOSED ON TUESDAY 15 APRIL 2003

For further information, please contact Volunteering ACT
Phone (business hours) 02 6251 4060
Fax: 02 6251 4161
Email: volact@volunteeract.com.au
www.volunteeract.com.au