IYV - National Volunteer Awards

National Volunteer Awards

The International Year of Volunteers (IYV 2001) presents us with a unique opportunity to recognize our volunteers who make a significant contribution to the development of communities and our country. It also presents an opportunity to show our appreciation to those who have supported the work of volunteers and volunteer based organizations.

AWARDS

Outstanding Volunteer Service Award by region 1 – 10

Recognises individuals within the region who build, mobilize and unite people, institutions or causes into greater voluntary service to meet critical needs/ issues and have generally made a significant voluntary contribution towards the development of others in the community.

Life Time Award

Recognises an individual who has dedicated his/her life to building, mobilizing and uniting people, institutions or causes into greater voluntary service to meet critical needs/ issues and generally have made a significant contribution to the development of others and the promotion and advocacy of volunteerism.

Youth Award

Recognises an outstanding youth 15 – 30 who has in a personal or organizational capacity contributed to the development of young people and the promotion of volunteerism.

Outstanding Volunteer Organisation/ Group by region 1 – 10

Recognizes a voluntary based organisation/ group that has made a significant impact of the lives of others in their respective communities/ region.

Outstanding Volunteer Partner Award

Recognises a supportive organization/ agency/institution/private sector business that has demonstrated outstanding support for volunteers or volunteer organizations.

CRITERIA

The following criteria shall be utilized in reviewing and judging nominations: While these are written for the individual categories they are applicable across the board i.e. organizations and volunteer partners.

Achievement. The nomination must reflect the actual accomplishments achieved through volunteer service.

Community / Organizational Needs. The voluntary service must have addressed key community issues in various sectors i.e. health, education, environmental, organizational or public safety needs etc.

Innovation. Activities should reflect innovative or unique approaches to solving serious social problems.

Mobilization. Volunteer service should have resulted or presented opportunities for mobilizing resources or other volunteers.

Ongoing Involvement. The volunteer service must be hands-on and ongoing rather than a one-time activity with the exception of outstanding volunteer service during short-term crisis situation which shall be gauged based on the following:

a. Going the extra mile

This measures the willingness and readiness of the volunteer to take on volunteer work even if such would mean a personal sacrifice, loss of comfort and leisure, loss of material and financial opportunities and taking a different lifestyle.

b. Attitude towards volunteer work

1. Dependability, which shall measure the consistency in volunteer work and the quality of volunteer work, rendered.

Initiative, which measures the ability to start a task.
Disposition, which measures the prevailing tendency, mood and/or temperament in doing volunteer work.

c. Interpersonal Relations

This measures the ability of the volunteer to relate well to different persons, to the community members and officers / representatives of institution.

d. Effectively in Volunteer Work

This measures the motivating skills, commitment to task and responsibility.

This also measures the impact created by the volunteer work done as it relates to the needs and aspirations of the community, groups of persons or individual.

NOMINATION

Complete the "Official Nomination Form" and attach a statement of up to 500 words describing the nominee’s activities. The nomination form can be used for all categories, just complete relevant sections/questions. In addition, you may include appropriate supportive materials.

a. Nomination Form

Indicate nominee’s complete name, mailing address and telephone number. If the nominee is a group or institution, indicate the appropriate contact person within the group along with his/ her address and phone number.
Categories are used as guidelines in the selection process. Please check the appropriate award category. Because some nominations fits appropriately into more than one category, please choose the one you feel is most suitable. Check only one category.
Because finalist’s references will be contacted for verification of their activities and accomplishments, please choose references who are familiar with and can be available to discuss the nominee’s voluntary service.
Indicate name address and telephone number of the nominator and sign the nomination form. If appropriate, indicate the nominator’s title and organization.

b. The Statement

Please attach a narrative statement of up to 500 words, which describes the nominee’s community or organizational service activities, which demonstrates how those activities have addressed or are addressing the community’s issues. Because the judges will utilize the criteria in the review process, please be sure that you address each of the criteria within the statement. Include information on how and when the volunteer service began

c. Accompanying Materials

Up to five (5) pages of supplementary material may be submitted along with the nomination. These materials can include letters, testimonials, news clippings, pamphlets, etc. All submitted materials shall become the property of the Guyana IYV 2001 Committee and will not be returned.

d. Submission of the nomination

Please submit to:

The Coordinator
Guyana IYV 2001 Committee
42 Brickdam & United Nations Place
Georgetown Guyana

By Fax #226 2942
Email: iyv.2001@undp.org

Entries must be received no later than Friday 8^th February 2002