CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE AWARDS
The annual Christchurch Civic Awards recognise substantial service, usually of a voluntary nature that benefits the city of Christchurch.
Christchurch City Council has decided that this year’s Civic Awards be changed to recognise that there will be more worthy recipients of this award, due to the earthquakes since September 2010. Awards will be presented at a special ceremony in February 2012.
The awards will be known as the Christchurch Earthquake Awards and will recognise acts of kindness, service and heroism during and / or following the earthquakes of 4 September 2010 and 22 February 2011.
Nominations for the Christchurch Earthquake Awards will open on Thursday 10 November and close on Friday 23 December and nominees will be referred to the Civic Awards sub-committee for consideration in January 2012.
Individuals, associations, organisations and businesses are eligible and nominations are open to residents of all ages.
The nomination form will be available from Council Service Centres and the Civic Offices (from 14 November 2011), or may be downloaded as a PDF.
Nominations are to include a description of the acts or service rendered, those who benefited and a profile of the individual or organisation. The services or acts presented for civic commendation will need to have been performed in direct relation to the earthquakes of 4 September 2010 and 22 February 2011.
Completed nominations forms (and supporting information) should be sent to:
Christchurch Earthquake Awards
The Civic and International Relations Team
Public Affairs Group
Christchurch City Council
PO Box 73014
Christchurch
Or you can deliver your addressed envelope to a Christchurch City Council Service Centre.
The new criteria for nomination and judging of Civic Awards
The new criteria for nomination and judging of Civic Awards is agreed as detailed below:
Civic Awards are awarded in recognition of substantial service, usually of a voluntary nature or beyond normal employment benefiting metropolitan Christchurch and its people.
Eligibility for a Civic Award
Any volunteer of any age, or voluntary organisation which carries out service or work of a substantial (either length of time or intensity of service) nature benefiting Christchurch and/or its people can be nominated for an award.
The qualifying categories include recreation, youth activities, social welfare, educational services, cultural affairs, religious affairs, community affairs and any other voluntary service which contributes to furthering the vision of Christchurch. The vision for Christchurch is contained in the Statement of Strategic Objectives, which are outlined in the Christchurch City Council Annual Plan.
While Civic Awards relate to celebrating the work of Christchurch residents, in exceptional circumstances the selection panel may, by majority agreement, make an award to a non-resident if the service has been carried out within and added value to the City of Christchurch.
Work of a 'substantial nature' is defined as short term or long term projects or activities that have benefited the whole of the city in such a way as to have added to the quality of life of the residents.
Making a nomination
Individuals, societies, associations, clubs etc can make nominations, although in the case of a society, association or club making a nomination, a minimum of three executive members of the group must sign and record their title of office on the nomination form, and confirm that the nomination was endorsed at a properly constituted meeting of the organisation and recorded in the minutes of the meeting.
To make a nomination the following is required:
- Complete a nomination form and attach any additional information, including letters of support, you believe will help the judges make a decision.
- Ensure the nomination form is signed by three nominators, including their full names, addresses and telephone contact details.
- Post the nomination form and supporting material to Civic Awards, Christchurch City Council, PO Box 237, Christchurch.
The nomination should include a list of any other recognition the individual or organisation has received for the same activity the Civic Award is being sought to acknowledge.
Nominating a deceased person
If a person dies within 12 months prior to the closing date of nominations for a Civic Award, that person is eligible for nomination for an award which can be awarded posthumously.
Seeking permission to nominate a person
There is no need to seek the approval of the person who is being nominated. If the nomination is successful, the proposed recipient will be contacted by the administrator who manages the award process, to ascertain their consent prior to any announcements to the public.
Number of Civic Awards presented in any one year
There is no minimum or maximum number of awards presented in any one year.
Information required on the nomination form
To be considered, nominations need to include the following information:
- Name and postal address of nominee (ie the person or organisation being nominated).
- Measurable details of service, such as type of project/activity, time commitment to the project/activity, position or role of the individual or group being nominated, key success factors (or what has been achieved by this work).
- Letters of support or evidence of the work can also be attached to the nomination form.
Judging the nominations
A panel of judges (the Community and Leisure Committee) will consider all nominations made in any one year, against the following criteria:
1. Work of a 'substantial nature' is defined as short term or long term projects or activities that have benefited the city in such a way as to have added to the quality of life of the residents.
2. Each nomination is considered in the way it benefits the Metropolitan area of Christchurch. 'Metropolitan' means the area encompassing the east coast, the boundaries of Selwyn District Council, Waimakariri District Council and Banks Peninsula District Council.
Unsuccessful nominations
Nominations which are not successful in any one year, may be submitted for consideration in subsequent years.
Criteria for Judging
- The criteria for judging sets out some guidelines for the Committee and recommends a process for judging that allows for clarity and accountability.
- Members of the judging panel (the Community and Leisure Committee) for the Civic Awards cannot act as a nominator for a Civic Award contender.
- The Council, as a body, may not submit nominations, although nominations may be submitted by Councillors as individuals.
- The following criteria should be considered and used as a point rating system to assist judges in making their decisions:
- Utilisation of resources (financial, time and equipment)
- Initiative and creativity used
- Effectiveness of the activity/project
- Impact on the city
- Impact on the environment.
- Judges will be provided with a rating sheet.
- Judges will consider all nominations against the following criteria:
- 1. Work of a 'substantial nature' is defined as short term or long term projects or activities that have benefited the city in such a way as to have added to the quality of life of the residents.
- 2. Each nomination is considered in the way it benefits the Metropolitan area of Christchurch. 'Metropolitan' means the area encompassing the east coast, the boundaries of Selwyn District Council, Waimakariri District Council and Banks Peninsula District Council.
- Nominations may be made for individuals and organisations whose work, usually of a voluntary capacity, is considered to have made an impact on the city of Christchurch. This allows us to acknowledge those who make a difference in our city whether resident within the city boundaries, or otherwise.
- No award recipient will be eligible to receive both a Civic Award and a Community Board Award in the same year.
- Consistency in judging year on year will be maintained by the stability of the membership of the judging panel.
3. That if an elected member or committee staff member’s spouse or immediate family member is nominated for a Civic Award, the councillor or committee staff member retire from the discussion and voting on that nomination.
For further information:
Milinda Peris
Civic and International Relations Coordinator
Phone: (03) 941 8251
Email: milinda.peris@ccc.govt.nz
