The Chamber of Commerce here is asking its annual questions.
Who has made an impact on here this year? What local business has provided outstanding service?
Is there an unsung hero who has given above and beyond for many years and deserves to be this year’s Citizen of the Year, or is there a young person who deserves to be named the 2011 Youth Citizen of the Year?
Now is the time to nominate them for a Centre Wellington community and business Awards of Excellence. The gala will be held on April 26.
The chamber has made significant changes this year to the nomination process to make it easier. Nominations are now open and forms are available online at http://www.cwchamber.ca/admin/index.cfm?fuseaction=pages.edt&page=AoE_main.
To nominate a business, individual or organization in the following categories people will just need to complete the award nomination cover page, giving pertinent contact information of the nominee and that of the nominator. While it is wonderful to be nominated by someone else, the categories may include one’s own nomination, so chamber officials suggest to recognize a personal business if it qualifies.
The categories include agriculture and agri business; business beautification; business or home based business (under 15 employees); business of the year (15 or more employees); community award of merit; cultural, arts, tourism impact award; environmental excellence; skilled trades; and youth entrepreneur.
The business or home based business (under 15 employees) – includes home based business to recognize many businesses in that sector. Skilled trades is a new award to recognize those professions. The chamber has combined the cultural and arts and tourism impact award into one this year.
The nomination cover pages must be received by Feb. 10. A staff or committee member will contact the nominee and give that person a full nomination and information package to complete in as much detail as possible. The nominee must have the completed package returned to the chamber office by 4pm on March 2.
The adjudicating committee bases its decisions on the content in the nomination package only – so the chamber asks people to provide as much relevant information as required. Include photos, letters of support, and other awards received.
The nominees for Citizen of the Year, Youth Citizen of the Year, customer service excellence and corporate Citizen of the Year – must be nominated by someone else by completing the appropriate award nomination cover page and specific category criteria. For those categories the nominator will need to extol the virtues of the business, organization or individual and gather letters of support. Again the adjudicating committee bases its decisions on the information provided – so it suggests being as thorough as possible. Completed nomination packages must be received by March 2 at 4pm at the chamber office.
This year‘s theme is Centre Wellington – Oh the places we will go. It is a Dr. Seuss theme – so there are endless possibilities for costumes, if people wish to dress in the theme. Business attire is also appropriate.
Businesses that continue to grow and have reached 25 and 40 year milestones will also be recognized. The chamber would appreciate a tip if someone knows of a business that qualifies.
Nomination forms are available online or at the chamber office. Since some nominations require letters of support or photos, the pdf forms can be printed, completed and returned to the chamber office. Be sure to use the correct award nomination cover page – there are two to choose from.
To submit a nomination visit the web site cited above and fill the nomination form online (for most of the awards) or drop by the chamber office 400 Tower St. S. Fergus between 10am and 4pm to pick up forms.
To volunteer on the committee or assist with set up and take down on the day of the event contact Roberta Scarrow at 519-843-5140.
