What's New for the 2009 Celebration of People Awards?
New Forms
This year, you can submit your nomination using an online form.
The nomination forms themselves are also different than in previous years. Instead of asking you, as a nominator, to submit a 2-page Statement of Nomination, the forms invite you to answer specific questions related to the criteria for the award. This change is designed to make it easier for you to address the criteria and to make clear how the Celebration of People Selection Committee will evaluate and select award finalists and recipients.
Another change this year: It is no longer mandatory to include a nominator and TWO references for each nomination. ONE additional reference is required but the second reference is now optional.
Updated Criteria
The Celebration of People Steering Committee has made some revisions to the criteria for the awards. The core focus of the awards has not been altered from previous years but some of the language has been changed. The reason for the changes is to make the criteria as clear as possible and to help you to present information that relates to the criteria.
In 2009, for the first time, nominees do not have to be a resident of Ottawa. They may live OR work in Ottawa OR may be involved in activities which directly benefit the citizens of Ottawa. (This benefit must be clearly demonstrated in the nomination form if the nominee does not work or live in Ottawa)
Broadening the List of Finalists
In 2008, two finalists were selected for each award, with the recipient announced at the Celebration of People Awards Dinner. In 2009, up to three finalists may be named for each award. All finalists will be invited to attend the Awards Dinner and the recipient will be named that evening.
New award
In 2008, the first Celebration of People Advocacy Award was presented to the late Agnes Wee, and accepted by her son Robert. This award — now called the Advocacy Award in Memory of Agnes Wee — is this year open to nominations from the community. Click here to learn more about this new award.
Click here to get access to all the awards and nomination forms
