FAQs Recognition Ceremonies
What is a local recognition awards ceremony?
An opportunity to recognize the achievement of Members!
Some examples are:
- A gathering of all the Pathfinder, Ranger and adult award recipients within a city or neighbourhood
- A gathering of all the Units (from Sparks to Rangers) within a neighbourhood
- A special event that includes an advancement ceremony for all of the Units in a town plus the presentation of Canada Cord and Chief Commissioner’s Gold award pins and leader recognition awards
In addition to these local ceremonies, girls are encouraged to also register for one of the provincial recognition ceremonies and receive a certificate signed by the Provincial Commissioner and letters of congratulation from the offices of the Lieutenant Governor, Prime Minister and Premier.
I have more questions about local and provincial recognition ceremonies, who can help?
Provincial Volunteer: Membership Registration/Retention Adviser
Staff Support: Event Coordinator
Does Ontario Council fund local recognition ceremonies?
Yes! To receive Ontario Council funding the following criteria must be met. The ceremony must be:
- Multi-Unit
- Take place in 2011-2012
- Be girl focused
- All ceremonies must include the presentation of Canada Cord or Chief Commissioner’s Gold Award to eligible girl Members in your community.
Additionally you can include:
- Outstanding Youth Award
- Bronze/Silver/Gold Merit Award
- Medal of Merit
- Ontario Award
- Honorary Life Award
- National GGC Awards
- Recognition of Members with 50, 55 and 60 plus years of Membership
The funding will not cover:
- Canada Cord and Chief Commissioner’s Gold Award pins (Unit expense)
- Travel/mileage
- Phone calls
- Other awards e.g. Lady Baden-Powell awards can be presented at the discretion of the organizers of the ceremony, but funding will not be provided by Ontario Council.
Note: There is a fixed amount of money available to fund these ceremonies. Ontario Council will subsidize up to $75 for the cost of the venue and $10 per eligible award recipient. Once all the money has been allocated, no further applications will be accepted. Applications will be processed in order of date received. Only one funding request application per ceremony please.
How to apply for local recognition ceremony funds:
Complete the online Local Recognition Ceremony Application for Funding form.
How will local recognition ceremony funding be provided?
If the local team has access to a Unit centralized banking account, as soon as your application for funding has been approved, the money will be transferred to the identified account. If the local team does not have access to a Unit centralized banking account, contact the Event Coordinator.
What Safe Guide forms are required for a local recognition ceremony?
Click here to access the Safe Guide.
How to I hold a local recognition ceremony?
Include girl Members in the planning. Prompt with questions such as:
- How many girls/Units would you like to invite?
- What theme should the ceremony have?
- Where and when will it be?
- How long will the ceremony be?
Tools to assist you in planning your event (Sample Budget Template, Speech, Program and Format)
Invite Guest Speakers and Special Guests
If you wish to invite your mayor or other local dignitary, then you are able to issue the invitation yourself. If you wish to invite guests from the provincial or federal level e.g. MPP, MP, Lieutenant Governor, Governor General, etc. please contact the Event Coordinator before any approach is made as all contact must come from the Provincial Commissioner.
Contact other Units close to you! Obtain this information from your Unit Administrator
Find out if there are Members with 50, 55 and 60 plus years of membership in your neighbourhood! Contact the Event Coordinator.
Choose a format. You may choose to follow the format of the provincial ceremonies:
- two keynote speakers
- theme for the speakers is “How Guiding has influenced my life”.
- Usually, one of the speakers is a young adult Member who can speak to what Guiding means to her. Each speaker has 5 to 10 minutes to speak.
When are the 2012 Provincial Recognition ceremonies?
The dates are as follows:
- London: Sunday, June 23
- Toronto (Mississauga): Saturday, September 22
- Ottawa (Nepean): Saturday, October 20
I won't be able to attend a Provincial Recognition ceremony, how do I get my certificate(s)?
These are mailed at the end of the calendar year. If you have any questions contact the Event Coordinator or call 1-877-323-4545 ext. 2485.
How do you get an invite to a Provincial Recognition Ceremony?
Information is pulled from the membership database (iMIS) for awards:
- Girl Members who have completed their Canada Cord
- Youth Members who have completed their Chief Commissioner’s Gold Award
- Adult Members who have received the Bronze/Silver/Gold Merit Award, Medal of Merit, Ontario Award, Honorary Life Award and National Awards
- Adult Members who have completed 50, 55 and 60 plus years of membership
Pathfinder and Ranger Guiders must initiate updates to the girl Member record as soon as a girl completes (or you know she will complete it before August 31 of the current Guiding year) her Canada Cord or Chief Commissioner’s Gold Award. This data update to the membership database (iMIS) enables the girl receive an invitation. Send this information to your Unit Administrator:
- Girl’s name,
- iMIS number,
- Name of award and date of completion of the award.
What do you receive at a Provincial Recognition Ceremony?
- Girl and Youth Members will receive a certificate signed by the Provincial Commissioner and letters of congratulation from the offices of the Lieutenant Governor, Prime Minister and Premier.
- Adult Members will receive a Certificate of Appreciation.
- Pins are not provided at a Provincial Recognition Ceremony. These should be presented at a local ceremony or event.
Can I attend a local AND a Provincial Recognition Ceremony?
Yes, you are encouraged to attend both!