FEATURE ARTICLE - Recognizing the Important Contribution of Volunteers

Nominations for the 23rd Annual Volunteer Awards are now being accepted. Nomination deadline is February 28. There is still time to submit your nominations to recognize individuals, community groups, businesses, labour organizations, and media that deserve recognition.

1. The Lieutenant Governor's Make a Difference Community Awards - this award will be presented to one individual from each region of the province (Westman, Parkland, Norman, Eastman, Interlake, Central, & Winnipeg). An independent panel of judges will select individuals who have made a lasting and meaningful contribution through their volunteer activities to one or more of the following: Their communities; Charitable or non-profit organizations or groups; Community boards, associations or groups; Public institutions; Church groups.

2. The Lieutenant Governor's Vice-Regal Volunteer Award - From the seven regional recipients of the Make a Difference Community Awards, one will be chosen to recieve the overall Vice-Regal Volunteer Award.

3. The Premier's Volunteer Service Awards - There are three award categories: Individual volunteers, youth, and community groups. Up to five individual awards will be presented to exceptional volunteers whose efforts have contributed to the quality of life in their communities. The Youth category recognizes young Manitobans who have made significant contributions to their schools, organizations and communities through volunteer work. Up to three community groups will be recognized that have improved the quality of life in our province through extraordinary collective volunteer efforts of the members.

4. The Mayor's Volunteer Service Award - These awards have been created to honour those agencies or organizations which have made outstanding contributions to the City of Winnipeg through volunteer service. Any agency or organization in Winnipeg actively engaged for at least one year in volunteer activities that have benefited the community may be nominated. It also includes recognition of special one-time volunteer efforts.

5. The RBC Financial Group Local Hero Award - This award is in commemoration of the caring community spirit displayed by the 1997 flood volunteers. Any Manitoban individual or group that shows a similar kind of leadership in helping a fellow citizen in crisis is eligible. The service must have been performed between February 28, 2005 and February 28, 2006 and on a wholly volunteer basis.

6. The MTS Pioneers Business Award - This award recognizes Manitoba businesses that encourage employee volunteerism, and that actively participate in a project to better the community, by providing funds, other resources or people. Nominations are accepted for two categories: Small Business (200 emplyees or fewer) and Large Business (more than 200 employees). The small business category includes two sub-categories: those businesses with less than 25 employees and those with between 25 and 199 employees. The large business category has two sub-categories: Public Sector and Private Sector.

7. The Golden Hand Award for Media - Nominations can be submitted by a media outlet or a non-profit or charitable organization who have benefitted from the efforts of Manitoba's media. Staff or free-lancers of both print and electronic media are eligible. There are two award categories: City of Winnipeg based media and Manitoba media (excluding Winnipeg).

To receive your nomination package visit Volunteer Manitoba's website or contact Coralee Dolyniuk, Volunteer Awards Coordinator, (204) 975-8203 or volunteer@strauss.ca