No. Port Coquitlam’s Volunteer Recognition Awards are for individual recognition and couples and groups are not eligible.

However, City Council is appreciative of all volunteer groups who make a positive difference in our community. You are encouraged to notify the Mayor’s Office of any volunteer group(s) you feel worthy of recognition. Please provide the name of the group, the volunteer activities and a complete mailing address. During National Volunteer Week, the Mayor will send a personal letter to the group along with a Certificate of Appreciation.

There are no restrictions. Award nominations are gratefully accepted from all individuals, groups and organizations, including self-nominations.

Yes, but not by the same person. Because the awards nominations are submitted in confidence, occasionally several groups/individuals may nominate the same volunteer for a Volunteer Recognition Award during the same calendar year.

Yes. As long as the volunteer has not previously received a Volunteer Recognition Award from the City of Port Coquitlam, he or she is eligible. If you are not certain, review the list of previous award recipients or contact the Mayor’s Office at 604.927.5410 or admin@portcoquitlam.ca for confirmation.

• Nominees can be any age and do not have to be a Port Coquitlam resident.
• Self-nominations are permitted.
• Past Port Coquitlam Volunteer Recognition Award recipients are not eligible for nomination except for the Lifetime Volunteer category, but past nominees can be nominated for any category. (Click to view previous recipients.)
• Nominations must be for an individual (couples or group nominations are not eligible). Each individual nomination must stand on its own merit.
• Nominees must meet at least one of the following criteria:
• Their unpaid volunteer contributions provide extraordinary help or care to families or groups in Port Coquitlam.
• They continually commit their time, talent and energy, without pay, to improve the quality of life in Port Coquitlam.
• They have been voluntarily involved in a program or project that has had a lasting benefit for Port Coquitlam and its residents. 

The Selection Committee also considers the following criteria:

• Unpaid – Has or will the individual receive any financial or personal gain from their volunteer contributions? This includes remuneration, prizes, business contacts, clients, advertising, promotion of oneself or political gain.
• Continued – What is the level of commitment? Has the involvement been continuous? Did it begin recently? Is it ongoing?
• Extraordinary – Can the volunteer work or contributions be described as outstanding or remarkable? Is the level of involvement beyond that of most residents?

City Council will serve as the Awards Selection Committee for 2022.

In previous years, the Awards Selection Committee had included recipients of the previous year’s Volunteer Recognition Awards. With the cancellation of the 2022 and 2021 Volunteer Recognition awards due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s Awards Selection Committee does not include the past year’s recipients.

The Lifetime Volunteer recipient is selected by City Council from among submitted nominations and their knowledge of others worthy of consideration.

Volunteer Recognition Award recipients are announced at a special Awards Tribute held each year during Volunteer Appreciation Week in April.All nominees and a guest are invited to attend the event.

The names of the award recipients are not shared with anyone prior to that event. It ruins the surprise!

Following the Tribute, a press release is sent to the local newspapers and the names of the selected award recipients are usually published in the newspapers as well as appearing on the City’s website.