Minister Duclos announces call for applicants for Canada's Volunteer Awards' National Advisory Committee

GATINEAU, QC, Jan. 14, 2019 /CNW/ - Through Canada's Volunteer Awards (CVA), the Government of Canada aims to inspire Canadians from all walks of life to find new ways of making a difference in their communities. There is no one better to help select the recipients of a CVA than a committee made up of leaders and change makers in the volunteer community. 

Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, announced the call for applicants for Canada's Volunteer Awards' National Advisory Committee (NAC). The NAC will play an important role as they advise and assist the Minister on all matters relating to the selection of CVA recipients.

The National Advisory Committee will be made up of 15 members that have shown passion and commitment in the field of volunteerism. Members include individuals with experience working or volunteering in the not-for-profit, voluntary and business communities. The Canada's Volunteer Awards' National Advisory Committee proudly represents Canada's cultural, linguistic and regional diversity.

Quote

"Each year, I look forward to working in collaboration with the National Advisory Committee members, experts in the volunteer community, as they assist me with the selection of CVA recipients. With their experience comes valuable knowledge since they have also given countless hours of their own time to lead positive change. I am honoured to work alongside these selected members and to hear their recommendations."
– The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Quick Facts

• Applications for the Canada's Volunteer Awards National Advisory Committee will run from January 14^th-February 15^th, 2019.
• The Committee will consist of 15 volunteer members.
• Committee members will serve for a term of three annual program cycles.
• Members will be selected by the Minister of ESDC.
• Canada ranked 15th in 2018's World Giving Index provides insight into the scope and nature of giving around the world.
• Nearly a third of Canadians (31%) had volunteered in the last 12 months.

Associated Links

Canada's Volunteer Awards Program 
Canada's Volunteer Awards' National Advisory Committee 
Canada's Volunteer Awards National Advisory Committee Biographies

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Backgrounder

Canada's Volunteer Awards

The Government of Canada is dedicated to recognizing the time and resources given by volunteers. The aim of the Canada Volunteer Awards is to nationally recognize the contributions individuals, not-for-profit organizations and businesses give to their communities through volunteering. Volunteering greatly benefits other government activities that engage individuals throughout communities and promotes partnerships which help to address persistent social problems.

There are a total of 21 awards, both at the regional and the national levels.

There are 20 regional awards, four for each of the five regions across Canada (Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairies and British Columbia and the North):

• Emerging Leader (youth 18 to 30);
• Community Leader (for individual volunteers or groups of volunteers);
• Business Leader (for businesses); and
• Social Innovator (for not-for-profit organizations).

There is also one national award:

• Thérèse Casgrain Lifelong Achievement Award (generally for those who have volunteered for at least 20 years).

Recipients are selected through a three-step assessment process:

1. Department officials screen nominations to ensure that they meet the eligibility criteria.
2. Regional Reviewers (volunteer representatives from across the country) assess eligible nominations based on the assessment criteria and develop a list of top‑ranked nominations for the National Advisory Committee.
3. The National Advisory Committee is comprised of volunteer members from various regions of Canada and is selected by the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. The National Advisory Committee assesses the top-ranked nominations and advises the Minister on final decisions.

About the National Advisory Committee Members

The National Advisory Committee (NAC) members will advise and assist the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development (ESDC) on all matters relating to the selection of award recipients.

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada

For media enquiries, please contact: Valérie Glazer, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P., Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, 819-654-5546; Media Relations Office, Employment and Social Development Canada, 819-994-5559, [email protected]