STAFF REPORT
November 11, 1999
To: Scarborough Community Council
From: Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
Subject: Annual Recreation Recognition Night
All Former Wards in the City of Scarborough
Purpose:
To respond to the direction of the Scarborough Community Council at their meeting of Tuesday, March 30, 1999,
regarding nominations for future Recreation Recognition Night Programs in the Scarborough Region.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1) the name of the event be changed to the Volunteer Recognition Night to more accurately reflect the diversity of
volunteer participation.
(2) a Volunteer Award Nominating Committee be formed to review all nominations received and select recipients.
(3) the criteria for the various awards as outlined in this report for use in selecting recipients for future Volunteer
Recognition Nights, be approved.
(4) the year 2000 Volunteer Recognition Night be hosted in September 2000 at a venue similar or the same as 1999.
Background:
For the past 43 years, the City of Toronto - East District, former Scarborough, recognized annually through the Recreation
Recognition Night, the contributions made by individuals and groups for their volunteer service to Recreation, Parks and
Culture. On March 30, 1999, the Scarborough Community Council resolved that a sub-committee be struck to consider the
matter of recipients and categories for the Recreation Awards and that the matter of criteria for future nominations be
referred to the Commissioner with the suggestion that a nominating committee be established for the year 2000.
Comments:
In the past, awards have been given to volunteers for their involvement in recreation, parks and culture activities in the
Scarborough Region. To recognize the diversity of this participation, it is recommended that the name of the event change
to the Volunteer Recognition Night.
The process for selection of award recipients will be based on the principles of:
(a) objectivity
(b) measurable criteria, and
(c) community involvement
To incorporate the above-mentioned principles, staff examined the nominating procedures and criteria of surrounding
municipalities. From this research, staff have articulated the roles of each of the stakeholders, those being--volunteers,
Parks and Recreation staff and members of the Scarborough Community Council below:
(1) Role of Volunteers
Previous award recipients will make up a volunteer Award Nominating Committee to review nominations. The committee
will be formed as follows:
(i) A letter will be sent to all 1999 Recreation Citation Award winners and previous 1999 Individual of the Year Award
winners inviting them to participate as a member of the Volunteer Award Nominating Committee.
(ii) A minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 recipients will be chosen to sit on the Award Nomination Committee.
(iii) A Committee will be selected based on the responses received and will be formed by the Parks and Recreation
Division.
(iv) The committee will be selected annually.
(v) The Volunteer Award Nominating Committee will then follow the established criteria for selecting the Award
Recipients.
(2) Parks and Recreation Staff Role
Parks and Recreation staff will act as a facilitator to the Volunteer Award Nominating Committee and will be a non-voting
member of the committee.
(3) Scarborough Community Council Role
Scarborough Community Council members will be involved in the presentations to the award recipients.
Award Criteria
Staff have examined the criteria from the former City of Scarborough and other municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area.
From this research, the following criteria for awarding individuals and groups has been established.
(a) Volunteer of the Year
(i) Individuals who have, as volunteers, given outstanding service to recreation, parks or culture activities in the
Scarborough Region for ten years or more.
(ii) Individuals must have been involved in a variety of organizations and held a variety of volunteer positions within these
organizations.
(iii) One nomination will be recognized annually.
(b) Community Group of the Year
(i) Any community group, association or service club who has provided outstanding service to recreation, parks or culture
activities in the Scarborough Region for five years or more is eligible.
(ii) One nomination will be recognized annually.
(c) Long Term Service Award for Groups
(i) Any community group, association or service club who has provided service to recreation, parks or culture activities for
15 years or more.
(ii) Groups will be honoured for anniversaries on their 15th year and every five years thereafter.
(d) Volunteer Citations
Individuals who, through their volunteer service to recreation, parks or culture activities in the Scarborough Region have
shown outstanding qualities of leadership and have five years or more service.
(e) Special Volunteer Awards
Individuals and/or groups who have shown outstanding qualities of leadership for a specific event or activity.
The nomination process for nominating individuals and groups will be as follows:
(a) All community associations, groups and organizations in the East District, Scarborough Region, that are associated with
the City of Toronto Parks and Recreation Division, will be mailed a nomination form inviting them to nominate individuals
and groups that meet the award criteria.
(b) Not eligible for awards are individuals gainfully employed in the field of recreation, parks and culture or organizations
that derive income from the activities they foster.
(c) Completed nominations will be forwarded to the Volunteer Award Nominating Committee to make their selections
based upon the approved criteria. The Volunteer Award Nominating Committee will make the final decisions on award
recipients.
Conclusions:
The result of establishing the new Volunteer Award Nominating Committee puts in place a formal approval body for all
nominations for the Volunteer Recognition Night. Approving the new award nominating criteria provides precise
guidelines for recommendations to be made on each nomination and a formal means for the Volunteer Award Nominating
Committee to select recipients.
Contact:
Paul McNabney
Supervisor of Recreation and Facilities, East District
Phone: 396-7810
Fax: 396-5399
e-mail: mcnabney@city.scarborough.on.ca
Joe Halstead
Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
