Waltham Forest Civic Service Awards Scheme

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Recognising outstanding voluntary service to the community

The Council wants to recognise and celebrate outstanding performance and dedication shown by organisations or individuals in Waltham Forest. We are asking the people of the borough to nominate individuals or organisations they think have made a major contribution to improving the life of the community.

What is outstanding voluntary service to the community?

Many individuals and organisations do good work for the community. We are looking for outstanding examples of voluntary long service, ideas and projects which have transformed some aspect of community life for the better. We are also now keen to recognise outstanding acts of bravery.

What are the criteria for assessing nominations?

The individual or organisation nominated must be a resident in Waltham Forest. The only exception is anyone nominated to the Outstanding Bravery/Individual action category. The categories are set out below with the appropriate criteria:

1. Outstanding Voluntary Community Service of 20 years or more

For this category you need to provide examples covering the individual or organisation in relation to one or more of the following listed criteria (a) to (b). Please tick the relevant box and provide examples in your supporting statement on the nomination form.

a Helped people lead more productive lives; or

b Helped change communities for the better

Other categories eligible for an award

2. Sporting, artistic or cultural achievements of national significance which have brought credit to the borough

3. Providing significant innovations in the delivery of services or inventions which improved the quality of life of local people

4. Significant success in industry or commerce that benefits the local economy as a whole or particular sections of the local community.

5. Outstanding bravery/individual action

Local residents nominated should not be employed by the emergency or medical professions.

Relevant Criteria:

(i) A person risking/or receiving injuries while trying to prevent a crime in the borough

(ii) A person risking personal safety to save the life of another person(s) from a fire or from a similar hazardous situation

(iii) Successful resuscitation of an unconscious person

(iv) Helping people or saving victims at the scene of a road accident/scene of a crime

Who will consider the nominations?

All nominations will be considered by a panel of Councillors representing all political parties of the Council. The panel will make recommendations to the Council. Their decision will be final.

What will they receive?

Those chosen to receive an award will be presented with a personalised framed certificate and a badge of honour by the Mayor in a ceremony at a meeting of the Council. The person or organisation’s name will also be written in gold on a special commemorative board at the Town Hall, Forest Road.

How do I make a nomination?

  • If you want to nominate someone, or an organisation, and you think they meet the criteria set out on page 2, download a nomination form (Word file, 160KB). fill it in and return it today to the Town Hall, Walthamstow. Please make sure you have provided evidence to support each of the criteria which you believe applies.
  • Posthumous awards (an award made after someone’s death) will also be considered using the same criteria.
  • Exceptional voluntary service of less than 20 years will also be considered subject to the evidence submitted.
  • Please do not tell the person or organisation you are nominating, in order to avoid embarrassment or disappointment if they do not get an award.

Nomination forms

Where do I send my nomination?

Please send your completed form to:

People or organisations who nominate themselves will be disqualified, as will nominations prepared by Council officers.

Closing date

Please note the closing date for nominations is Friday 12 December 2008.

Your supporting statement

Please tell us in 300 words or less, why you feel this person/organisation deserves a Civic Award. Please explain how you think this person/organisation meets the criteria for one or more of the relevant award categories.

Please ensure you indicated clearly in this statement which numbered categories apply (these are listed on page 2 under the heading “What are the criteria for assessing nominations"). Please also provide evidence to support your nomination and clearly indicate which numbered category the evidence supports. Please attach additional sheets if necessary.

The detailed evidence you provide will be used by the panel of Councillors to decide if the person/organisation nominated is worthy of the Council’s Civic Awards. Please note the person/organisation must be a resident of the borough except in the case of anyone being nominated to the Outstanding Bravery/Individual Action category.

Important:

This nomination form is for members of the public, and should not be completed by officers employed by the Council.

Failure to follow these instructions may invalidate your nomination.