Paige Desmond
Volunteering is an excellent way to get in touch with, and make a difference in, one’s community.
While some people volunteer on a casual or “as needed” basis, there are others who stand out for exceptional service.
With that in mind, there are just a few months left to submit nominations for the Ontario Volunteer Service Awards.
The program, instituted by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, recognizes volunteers who have achieved years of continuous service volunteering for a specific organization.
Eligible volunteers cannot apply themselves, they must be nominated. And organizations wishing to be part of the nomination process face requirements, too.
To nominate a volunteer, only organizations that have been in existence for a minimum of five years may complete a nomination for up to seven volunteers, including one youth. If a youth is not being nominated organizations only may select six nominees.
Recipients are awarded trillium pins and personalized certificates, which are presented at ceremonies all over Ontario.
There are three important points used in determining the eligibility of a volunteer:
•time must be unpaid, ongoing, active, and for the same group;
•membership in a group alone is not a qualification; and
•services performed during normal business duties do not count.
Recipients of Ontario Volunteer Service Awards are selected based on the judgment of a head of a nominating group as a way to ensure the information submitted is accurate.
Although this provincial recognition is well-deserved by many dedicated volunteers, Debbie Bazylewski of the Fort Frances Volunteer Bureau said volunteering may be slowing down here.
“A lot of people are just so busy [they] just don’t have time to volunteer,” she explained.
Describing the local volunteer base as “slowly dwindling,” Bazylewski is watching volunteer numbers decline, which she attributes to people’s busy schedules and the mandatory community hours high school students need to perform in order to graduate.
Still, Bazylewski is quick to point out those hours have value.
Citing the required community hours can teach young people the value of volunteering, Bazylewski sometimes will assist students with their volunteer placements, although she added the local bureau has special requirements for young people.
Prior to beginning a volunteer placement through Bazylewski, high school students will need a criminal reference check and proof of their responsibility. And sometimes they’re required to have an adult accompany them during their hours.
Most often, students are taken on by the volunteer bureau to assist with special events in the community.
In the meantime, organizations that make use of volunteers, both youths and adults, should start thinking about who their award nominees might be. The deadline for applications is Jan. 25.
Those interested can visit www.citizenship.gov.on.ca or contact the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration’s field office in Kenora toll-free at 1-800-465-1108.
