Abbotsford School District has a long history of community involvement in our schools. Many individuals and organizations contribute countless hours of volunteer service to enable our students to achieve success in school. While the Board of Education has taken the opportunity on many occasions to publically thank these individuals and organizations, the Board wishes to formalize a recognition process through the “Community Matters Award”.

Purpose
The “Community Matters Award” will be presented once per year as a way to formally recognize community partners who have exceeded their community service mandate and have made a significant, deliberate contribution to Abbotsford School District students.

Levels of Recognition

1. Verbal recognition at an Abbotsford Board of Education public meeting — typically after the group has been invited to the meeting to speak. Presented with a district pin.
2. Written letter of appreciation or commendation from the Board Chair upon request by the Board.
3. Presentation of the “Community Matters Award” plaque (perpetual and keeper) to recipient at a public meeting. The perpetual plaque will be on display in the School District Board Office foyer.

Process
Once per year, the Board of Education will receive a list of candidates who have been nominated by community members, school and/or district staff for consideration. Those wishing to nominate would provide:

• Name of Nominator, email address and phone number
• Name of Nominee, email address and phone number
• A short letter from the nominator outlining the reasons for nomination

The number of annual awards to be presented will be at the discretion of the Board. The Award will be presented at a Board of Education public meeting or event.

Basic Criteria
The “Community Matters Award” is intended to recognize those organizations or individuals who meet the following criteria:

1. A service mandate that has exceeded that mandate in specific service to the students of the Abbotsford School District.
2. If the nominee is an organization, it can be one of the following:
   • Corporation
   • Business
   • Not-for-Profit
   • Society
   • Service club
   • Stakeholder group
   • Community group
3. The contribution should be clearly aligned to the Board of Education’s Strategic direction and exemplify the district’s values.
4. The contribution should be sustainable over time (minimum of three years).
5. The contribution is for goodwill. There is no corporate advantage (e.g. financial gain) for the contribution; there is no expectation of recognition for the contribution.
6. The contribution is not specific to one Abbotsford District school.

For more information or to forward a nomination, you can either email, or mail/drop off to:

• Community Matters Awards
  c/o Board of Education
  2790 Tims St.,
  Abbotsford, BC V2T 4M7

A reminder to check the details of nomination information required under “Process” above. Closing date for 2014-15 nominations from the community is March 13, 2015.