Home ABOUT THE MINISTRY Spacer Image  NEWS Spacer Image  PUBLICATIONS Spacer Image  CONTACT
 
 
 

HONOURS AND AWARDS

 

What are The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards?

The Ontario Volunteer Service Awards honour the thousands of people who generously contribute their time as volunteers across Ontario. These awards are an important way to recognize volunteers who have provided service over many years.

Who are the award recipients?

Volunteers play a very important role in our quality of life. They help to build safe, caring and vital communities, and donate their time to help others. In fact, Ontarians donate more than five million hours of their time each year to organizations and communities across the province.

Who can receive this award?

The Volunteer Service awards are given to people who volunteer their time to a single organization for several years.

About the nominees…

Youth nominees:

  • Must be under 24 years old and have volunteered with one group for at least 2 consecutive years.

Adult nominees:

  • Must have volunteered with one group for at least 5 consecutive years
  • 9 levels are awarded – at 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30+, 40+, 50+ and 60+ years of continuous service

Adult and Youth nominees:

  • Must not have received payment for their volunteer work
  • Must be active beyond simple membership in an organization
  • Must not have performed the services as part of their regular business or professional duties.

How are recipients selected?

Recipients are first nominated by their organizations. The Ministry then ensures the information sent about nominees is accurate, and that the nominees are eligible for an award. A letter is sent to confirm that the nomination has been reviewed and accepted.

How are the awards presented?

Recipients are awarded pins and personal certificates at special ceremonies across Ontario. Different pins and certificates honour a variety of years of service. Each recipient is invited with a guest. Every organization nominating a recipient is also invited to bring two representatives to the award ceremony.

What does the award symbolize?

The Volunteer Service Award is a stylized Trillium. The Trillium is the official flower of Ontario.

Can I nominate someone?

Only organizations can enter nominations for the Volunteer Service Awards. Any organization that has been providing service for five years or more can nominate up to seven volunteers. For example, nominations are received from:

  • Not-for-profit and non-profit organizations and associations
  • Co-operatives
  • Boards and commissions
  • Businesses
  • Government ministries that recruit volunteers
  • Arts, educational and correctional institutions and schools
  • Municipalities
  • Long-term care homes and hospitals

When is the deadline?

Nominations must be received by the end of January every year

How should nominations be submitted?

Nominations are usually accepted between November and January 25. When nominations are being accepted for this year, you will find a nomination form on this website in both PDFPDF and HTML formats.

Where can I get more information?

Do you have questions about Ontario’s recognition programs? Contact us at the Ontario Honours and Awards Secretariat.

Back to Top


Advanced Search