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Awards & Recognition

September 17, 2020
7PM - 9PM

The premier volunteer recognition event in Peel returns on September 17, 2020! We believe volunteer recognition is a pillar of good volunteer engagement, which adds value to a volunteer experience and inspires others. While volunteer recognition takes many forms, the V-Oscars presents a unique opportunity for Volunteer MBC member organizations to show how much they appreciate their outstanding volunteers and give them an experience unlike any other.

Get your free ticket here on the event page.

Learn more about nominations and eligibility in the Frequently Asked Questions.

Review the Award Categories or Submit a Nomination.

FAQ and Nomination Guidelines

About the event

About the nominations

What happens at the V-Oscars?

The V-Oscars is a fun event for all. There’s entertainment, dinner, special guests, an auction and of course, the presentation of our award nominees and winners!

When and where will the 2020 V-Oscars be held?

The V-Oscars will be on September 17, 2020 from 7PM-9PM online! Registrants will be sent a link to view it.

How much do tickets cost?

This year is the first ever Virtual V-Oscars and therefore the event will be held free of charge.

When will the award recipients be known?

Award recipients will remain secret except to the Judging Committee until the V-Oscars. The decisions of the Judging Committee are final.

When does the nomination period begin and end?

Volunteer MBC Member Organizations submit nominations to be considered by the Judging Committee. The nomination period will close on August 18, 2020. Accepted nominations will receive a validation from the Awards Clerk. The deadline for all nominations is Sunday, August 23, 2020 at 11:59pm ET. All nominations received after this date will not be considered for recognition this year. Get your free Virtual V-Oscars tickets and join us to honour the nominees!

Who can submit a nomination?

Nominations can ONLY be made by Volunteer MBC Member Organizations in good standing who provide service in Peel, or by any of the staff or Board of Directors of Volunteer MBC.

Who will inform the Nominee?

Nominator must obtain the consent of the Nominee prior to submission. Nominations cannot be amended after submission. After the nomination is validated by the Awards Clerk, the Nominator and Nominee will be notified by email. Nominations that are incomplete or do not comply with these guidelines may be disqualified. Volunteer MBC takes no responsibility for incomplete, inaccurate, lost or late nominations.

How does my organization submit a nomination?

See the award categories and the nomination form at www.volunteermbc.org/voscars.

How many nominations can my organization submit?

Each organization may submit 1 nomination for each of the following Award Categories:

Nominate groups:

  • Family VolunTree Award (Family Volunteers)
  • Youth LEaD by Example Award (Youth Volunteers)
  • Employee Volunteer Engagement - Mississauga (Employee Volunteers)
  • Employee Volunteer Engagement - Brampton (Employee Volunteers)
  • Employee Volunteer Engagement - Caledon (Employee Volunteers)

Nominate individuals:

  • Leader in Volunteer Engagement (Leader of Volunteers)
  • Helping Hands - Mississauga (Volunteer)
  • Helping Hands - Brampton (Volunteer)
  • Helping Hands - Caledon (Volunteer)
  • Leader of Tomorrow Award (Volunteer - Youth <24)
  • Newcomer Gem Award (Volunteer)
  • John Huether Award for Volunteering Excellence (Volunteer)
  • Bonnie Yagar Award for Community Engagement Leadership (Volunteer – Board Member)
  • Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award (Volunteer - Older Adult 55+)

How will the nomination be used?

By submitting the nomination form, each Nominator and Nominee consents to participating in the awards program and in the nomination process and consents to the use of the Nominee's name, photograph and nomination material in any awards-related promotion or publicity carried out by Volunteer MBC. Nominations and all supporting materials become the property of Volunteer MBC. We invite media and celebrate the volunteers through our web and social media promotion throughout the year to inspire others. In accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, personal information about Nominators and Nominees is collected for the sole purpose of administering the Volunteer MBC Volunteer Recognition Awards Program. It will be used to select and publicize the achievements of the recipients.

For the Helping Hands awards, how is the Nominee's municipality subcategory determined?

The primary criteria for the award subcategory for Helping Hands is the location where the volunteer activities took place. The secondary criteria for the award subcategory for Helping Hands is the Nominee's municipality of residence. Therefore, the Nominee's award subcategory for the Helping Hands Award is based on the location of the organization where the volunteer activities took place. For instance, if the Nominee lives in Brampton but volunteered in Mississauga, choose Mississauga as the award subcategory. If the volunteerism did NOT take place in Mississauga, Brampton or Caledon, but the Nominee is a Peel resident, only then you must choose the award subcategory based on where the Nominee lives. If the Nominee was a virtual volunteer, then you must choose the award subcategory based on the organization's primary address in Peel. 

Award Categories

Family VolunTree Award (Group - Family Volunteers)

Presented to a family to show how volunteerism can bring families together. Whether it’s a parent and child, partners, siblings or any other family structure, caring for others is an amazing way to show you care for each other. .

Award Criteria:

  • Devoted a considerable number of volunteer hours
  • Demonstrates how volunteerism can make families closer
  • Demonstrates how the bonds between family can lead to increased caring and empathy
  • Has had a significant positive impact on the community

Youth LEaD by Example Award (Group - Youth Volunteers)

New in 2018, the Youth LEaD Award recognizes youth groups (under 19) in Peel that have contributed to the cause of a non-profit organization by developing and delivering a project that addresses a community need. Volunteer MBC provides Youth LEaD (Leadership Education and Development) training to youth looking to build their skills in project management, volunteer coordination, leadership and community development.

Award Criteria:

  • Devoted a considerable number of volunteer hours
  • Demonstrates a thoughtful, purposeful approach to community service
  • Demonstrates successful teamwork
  • Shows how youth can take initiative and have their voices heard
  • Has had a significant positive impact on the community

Employee Volunteer Engagement Award [Mississauga/Brampton/Caledon] (Group - Employee Volunteers)

This award honours a group of employees from a business/organizations in Peel that support their staff involvement in volunteer activities or events. This award recognizes the voluntary efforts of groups or teams.

Award Criteria:

  • Has demonstrated exemplary voluntary involvement and commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
  • Was able to involve their staff in activities or events, that has directly impacted one or more community service organizations.
  • Is able to demonstrate overall positive/successful results for group/team involvement through ongoing support of a community service organization either through a "charity of choice" or long-term partnership.

Leader in Volunteer Engagement Employee Volunteer Engagement (Individual - Leader of Volunteers)

Presented to a volunteer manager or coordinator who has developed and supported relevant volunteer opportunities that directly reflect and impact the mission of their organization. In this award category, both unpaid and paid staff of an organization are eligible to be nominated. Leading volunteers is a challenging, but invaluable role and Volunteer MBC advocates for the importance of supporting this profession.

Award Criteria:

  • Recognizes the important and vital role that volunteers have within the organization.
  • Demonstrates an interest in learning and development to grow in the role.
  • Implements impressive tools or techniques to provide an effective and meaningful experience for volunteers.
  • Developed and supported relevant skills-based volunteer opportunities that reflect and advance the organization's mission.

John Huether Award for Volunteering Excellence (Individual - Volunteer)

The John Huether Award for Volunteering Excellence was created in 2010 to honour the late, Mr. John Huether. Mr. Huether's 2007 report, Review of Volunteerism, laid the groundwork for the creation of Volunteer MBC. The inaugural presentation of this award took place at Volunteer MBC's 2011 Annual General Meeting and Inaugural Volunteer Recognition Awards Event held in April 2011.

Award Criteria:

  • Has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to the voluntary sector through sharing their expertise, skill set and knowledge in a leadership capacity;
  • Supports and mentors others with challenges or issues that they may be experiencing
  • Devotes an abundance of their time and resources, and is passionate about helping others
  • Continually demonstrates exceptional leadership through example and is a significant contributor to the team and the community

Bonnie Yagar Award for Community Engagement Leadership (Individual - Volunteer - Board Member)

The Bonnie Yagar Award for Community Engagement Leadership was launched in 2014 to honour Ms. Bonnie Yagar, founding and past President of Volunteer MBC’s Board of Directors. Over the years Ms. Yagar has been instrumental in providing leadership and guidance to Volunteer MBC, having joined the Centre’s original Steering Committee. Her dedication and expertise has been a tremendous asset to Volunteer MBC’s growth, and her commitment and dedication to her community through her many volunteer contributions, in particular via her Board of Director leadership roles, has been a shining example of how just one person can make such a profound difference in the capacity building of community service organizations. This award is to recognize her exemplary efforts.

The inaugural presentation of this award took place at Volunteer MBC’s 2014 Annual General Meeting and 4th Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards Event which was held in April 2014.

Award criteria:

  • Has demonstrated an exemplary long-term commitment to the voluntary sector through sharing their expertise, skill set and knowledge
  • Supports and mentors others with challenges or issues that they may be experiencing
  • Devotes an abundance of their time and resources, and is passionate about helping others
  • Is able to drive and mobilize community service organizations via his/her exceptional board leadership approach
  • Has been voted in as Chair or President with a community service organization in Peel (past and/or present) and has made a significant contribution to its success

Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award (Individual - Volunteer)

The Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award was created in 2009 to honour the lifetime voluntary contributions of an individual, with Anne Walton being the first recipient. The inaugural presentation of this award took place at Volunteer MBC's 2012 Annual General Meeting and 2nd Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards Event held in April 2012.

Award criteria:

  • Has accumulated over 25 years of volunteer experience with one, two or three community service organizations
  • Is a true role model for other volunteers in their organization or in the community
  • Has left a legacy through volunteer efforts of which the positive effects on the community continue to be visible
  • Sets the example for how just one individual can make such an enormous impact in their community by helping others so unselfishly.

Newcomer Gem Award (Individual - Volunteer)

Newcomers account for close to half of Peel's population, so this award is open to individuals who have lived in the community for less than 3 years, and who have realized the many benefits of volunteering. The inaugural presentation of this award took place at Volunteer MBC's 2012 Annual General Meeting and 2nd Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards Event held in April 2012.

Award criteria:

  • Moved to Canada less than 3 years ago
  • Has demonstrated how they have provided an admirable contribution to their new community as a volunteer
  • Has shown an exemplary commitment to share their expertise, skill set and knowledge as a volunteer
  • Devotes an abundance of their time and is passionate about helping others
  • Sets a positive example for how newcomers can use their volunteering contributions to help define the path for a new life in the community

Leader of Tomorrow Award (Individual - Volunteer)

Volunteer MBC strongly believes that youth are the leaders of our tomorrow. We also believe that it is our role to help nurture youth, to provide them with the correct paths to follow, to lead them by example, and to provide recognition for their efforts of helping out their community. The Leader of Tomorrow Award covers youth (24 or under) who are attending school in Peel (elementary, secondary school, university or college).

The inaugural presentation of the Leader of Tomorrow Award took place at Volunteer MBC's 2014 Annual General Meeting and 4th Annual Volunteer Recogntion Awards Event held in April 2014.

Award criteria:

  • Has demonstrated a dedicated, ongoing commitment to the voluntary sector through sharing their expertise, skill set and knowledge
  • Has been an active elementary or secondary school student within the past year
  • Devotes an abundance of their time and resources, and consistently demonstrates a passion for helping others
  • Shows leadership through example and is a significant contributor to the team/community
  • Helps to mentor their peers by supporting and advocating for the voluntary sector either through their volunteer engagement or another activity (i.e. presentations at their school, involvement on student group or club, etc.)

Helping Hands Awards [Mississauga/Brampton/Caledon] (Individual - Volunteer)

The Helping Hands Award recognizes individuals who contribute many hours and may not necessarily fall under any of the other award categories, but deserve recognition for their voluntary efforts in our community. The inaugural presentation of this award took place at Volunteer MBC's 2012 Annual General Meeting and 2nd Annual Volunteer Recognition Awards Event held in April 2012.

Award criteria:

  • Has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to the voluntary sector through sharing their expertise, skill set and knowledge
  • Devoted more than 170 hours of their time annually
  • Demonstrates commitment and passion for helping others
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