Volunteering

Community Recognition Night is an annual event that recognizes individuals whose efforts have made significant impact towards the development and advancement of recreational sports, arts and culture, environmental leadership or community and social services.

The awards cover two broad categories.

• Volunteer Service Awards recognize Caledon residents whose efforts have made significant impact towards the development and advancement of recreational sports, arts and culture, environmental leadership or community and social services.
• Citizen Achievement Awards are designed to recognize Caledon residents who have competed or been recognized at the Provincial, National or International levels in the areas of sport and arts and culture.

In addition a single recipient is singled out for the special Community Champion Award. The highest honour of the night, the Community Champion is chosen from among all the nominees by the Selection Committee based on the significance of their community involvement and years of service. 

CAPTION: A gallery of photos from the 2019 Community Recognition Night 

(April 18, 2019) The Town of Caledon handed out 47 honours to outstanding citizens as part of its annual Community Recognition Night on April 18, 2019. 

“This is our opportunity to celebrate and thank the outstanding people that truly make us #CaledonProud,” said Mayor Allan Thompson.  “From volunteers to athletes to artists and beyond they in their own ways help build and enrich our community.” 

This year’s Community Champion Award goes to Doris Porter. 

Doris served as Treasurer of the Albion Bolton Historical Society for over 30 years, helping to develop policy, uphold the society’s objectives and shared local heritage with its members and the community. Doris contributed articles about Bolton’s history to the Women’s Institute Tweedsmuir book.

Some story tellers have the gift of gab, some have had amazing things happen, to which stories tell themselves. With Doris, we are fortunate to have both; a gifted story teller who has seen remarkable things in her life. After World War 2, where Doris was with the Women’s Division of the RCAF, she was stationed in England with the Canadian Women’s Army Corps. These memories form a great basis for which she is asked to be a Guest Speaker at schools, historical societies, and other community groups.

As a lifelong Caledon resident, Doris is a key member of the community, and has served as Church Warden with Christ Church Bolton, is a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Bolton, has volunteered with Caledon Meals on Wheels, knitted garments for preemies, worked with countless Seniors and Community Groups, helping anyone in need, and is a true inspiration to volunteers throughout.

In the true form of a dedicated and selfless individual, I heard that when Mayor Thompson called Doris to tell her she was being honoured as the Community Champion, she answered “well why do you want to go and give that to me? I haven’t done anything in years!”

Doris exemplifies the quality of an outstanding volunteer, one who possesses personal integrity, professionalism and thoughtfulness.  She is truly an asset to the wonderful community of Caledon.

About National Volunteer Week

Volunteer Canada was established to provide national leadership and expertise on volunteer engagement to increase the participation, quality, and diversity of volunteer experiences. Since 1977 we have collaborated closely with volunteer centres, businesses, non-profit organizations, government and educational institutions to promote and broaden volunteering. Our programs, research, training, tools, resources and national initiatives provide leadership on issues and trends in Canada’s volunteer landscape.

For more information visit volunteer.ca. 

• Youth (13 to 18 years of age)
• Adult (18 years and above)
• Senior (55 years and above)

Criteria and Eligibility

An individual receiving an award in the Volunteer Service Awards category must meet the following requirements:

• Volunteers must reside in Caledon
• Candidates for Volunteer Service Awards will have made significant contributions to community and social services, sports and recreation organizations, environmental leadership or arts and culture. 
• Candidates may accumulate their volunteer service that spans across more than one area each year. 
• Volunteers must have made significant impact (minimum of 3 years of service for youth and 5 years for adults) in each area to be eligible. The number of volunteer years/hours will be based on the minimum requirements and determining the value and impact of the individual's volunteer contribution will be at the discretion of the Selection Committee
• Volunteers must not have received financial remuneration for their efforts other than reimbursement for travel, lodging, equipment or supplies.
• Volunteers must have contributed to organizations that serve Caledon and its residents
• Candidates are eligible for Volunteer Service Awards a minimum of every five years

Categories

• Community and Social Services:  Volunteer with organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Service Clubs, Seniors Clubs, Registered Social Service Agencies, Home & School Associations, Health Care, and Environmental Groups.
• Sports and Recreation Organizations:  Volunteered as a coach or leader, referee, board member etc. with organizations such as Guides and Scouts, Minor Sports Groups, and Youth Groups, or other recreational groups.
• Arts and Culture:  Volunteer in a capacity such as chairing, organizing, instructing in or promoting not-for-profit arts and culture organizations.
• Environmental Leadership:  Volunteer with an environmental group; educator (eg. Ecoteam leader), led an environmental initiative or project (eg. tree planting, community garden) or other relevant activities.

• Youth (13 to 18 years of age)
• Adult (18 years and above)
• Senior (55 years and above)

Criteria and Eligibility

An individual receiving an award in the Citizen Achievement Award category must meet the following requirements:

• Must be a resident of the Town of Caledon during his/her accomplishment.  Individuals may be temporarily relocated outside of Caledon for the purpose of the achievement or competition.
• Groups must have a home base of operation in Caledon and a minimum of 80% of members must be Caledon residents or attend Caledon educational facilities (based on the category).
• Eligible candidates must be part of a not-for-profit organization and the individual must not have received financial remuneration for their efforts other than reimbursement for travel, lodging, equipment or supplies.
• Coaches and trainers are considered part of the team if in an unpaid volunteer position and will also receive recognition.
• Individuals and groups must have achieved success at the provincial, national or international level. Olympic competition qualifies.
• Individuals and teams can only be recognized in the Achievement Award category once unless a higher level of success is achieved e.g. Provincial to National or National to International championship competition.
• Accomplishments must have been made within the year of the annual nomination deadline.

Categories

Sports Achievement Recognition will be given to individuals whose involvement in sport has garnered recognition at the Provincial, National or International levels.  For the purpose of this award sports are defined as those activities that require physical skill and conditioning so that competitive excellence may be achieved.

Arts and Culture Achievement  Recognition will be given to individuals or groups whose involvement in arts and culture has received acclaim in competition, judged shows and exhibitions or had commissioned works.  Preference will be given to acclaim at the Provincial, National, or International levels.  Arts and Culture will be considered as Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Media Arts, and Creative Arts.

Distinguished Citizen Award Recognition will be given to a limited number of individuals who have contributed in a meaningful and significant way to the Caledon Community.  These individuals may or may not fit the volunteer criteria but whose selfless efforts are deserving of recognition. The individual must have contributed in a significant way to the Caledon community over a period of time (minimum 3 years) and whose efforts have made an impact on the community in a way in which enhances the quality of life for others.  The individual's achievements may be in a volunteer capacity or other.   The selection committee will make the final decision based on the information provided on the nomination form.  This recognition is based on nominations received annually however may not be awarded on an annual basis.    

Community Champion Award This award is nominated by a selection committee and approved by Town of Caledon Council. This individual award is the highest honour of the Community Recognition Night and recognizes one individual. Nominees from all categories will be considered by the Selection Committee for this award, based on the significance of their community involvement and years of service in all categories.