National Search and Rescue Program:  Awards of Excellence

4.0   Nomination Process

4.1       General Rules

Eligibility.  Prospective nominees, as well as those forwarding nominations, must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in Section 2.0.

Award categories.  Nominations must be directed to one of the five (5) different award categories as described in Section 3.0.  While examples are provided of what might qualify a nominee for each award, these are to be used for general guidance only, and are not limiting.  Each nomination will be evaluated on its own merit, and relative to the context and supporting information provided.

Consent.  The nominee must not object to being nominated for an Award of Excellence.  This will be verified through the nomination process.

Frequency of nominations.  Individuals or groups may only be nominated in a single award category in a given year.  If a nomination is not successful, it may be resubmitted for consideration in a subsequent year.

Repeat nominations.  The recipient of a National SAR Program Award of Excellence cannot be nominated for a subsequent award in the same category.  Previous recipients may, however, be nominated for new achievements in a different category.  For example, the recipient of the 2010 Award of Excellence in Education and Training may be nominated for the Exemplary Service Award in 2011, for a lifetime of contributions to search and rescue as a team leader and front-line responder. 

4.2       Preparation and Submission of Nominations

Essential requirements.  Each nomination must include the following elements:

1. Nomination Form (Annex B)
2. Two (2) letters or statements of support

Nomination form.  The Nomination Form found at Annex B should be completed and signed by both the nominator, and the nominee.  If the nomination is being submitted electronically a scanned copy of the signature page and any attachments is acceptable.

Letters/Statements of Support.  In addition to the nomination form, two (2) letters or statements of support must be included in the package.  Letters or statements of support should be from an individual or a group/organization with direct knowledge of the nominee’s achievements, and which appreciates their impact.  They should not exceed two pages in length.

Supporting material.  As indicated on the Nomination Form, additional pages are permissible to accommodate text which exceeds the spaces provided, or helps illustrate or support the text.  The total size of the nomination package, including the 5-page nomination form, letters of support, and (optional) additional material must not exceed 15 pages.  Nominators are reminded that quality, not quantity is generally the most influential factor during review.

Format.  Nominations will be accepted electronically in MS Word or Adobe .pdf format, or through conventional mail or facsimile.  Mailed-in applications should not be permanently bound; pages should be collated only with staples or clips.

Use of colour.  Nomination packages are duplicated for distribution to the awards committee; this duplication will be in black-and-white only.  Nominators are therefore encouraged to ensure their package is simple, and retains impact without the need for colour.  While photographs, illustrations, or copies of newspaper articles, etc. are permitted as supporting material, they must be of a size and quality to permit reasonable duplication using a conventional laser printer or photocopier.

Multi-media.  Nominators are requested not to forward any multi-media presentations, video footage, recordings, or other physical items with their nomination.  The nomination package should instead focus on providing compelling evidence for the award through the narrative and facts presented in the text and supporting documents.

Hyperlinked material.  As the accessibility of Internet-based material cannot be guaranteed, nomination packages should endeavour to include full versions of additional content (e.g. news reports or articles), rather than supplying hyperlinks only.

Plain language.  While it is necessary to provide sufficient detail about the nominee’s accomplishments, the nomination should be written in plain language, such that any reviewer with a general background in search and rescue can understand and appreciate the significance of the achievements being showcased.  Specialized or highly-technical terms should be defined.

Submission of nominations.  Nominations may be e-mailed, faxed, mailed, or hand-delivered to the National Search and Rescue Secretariat Awards Coordinator.  Contact information is provided in Section 8.0.

Nominations deadline.  Nominations are due on the date shown in Section 7.0.