Civic Recognition provides an opportunity for the Mayor and members of Council to acknowledge and celebrate the incredible contributions made by individuals and groups who volunteer their time to make the City of Burlington better.
Civic recognition is given twice each year, in the spring and fall. Successful recipients are recognized in person at an evening Council meeting (June and October) where they are presented with a certificate. Nominations for civic recognition are open year-round.
The spring 2024 civic recognition recipients were recognized at a Special Council Meeting on June 24, 2024, in Council Chambers. Fall 2024 civic recognition recipients will be announced at a Special Council Meeting on Oct. 29, 2024.
Criteria
Civic Recognition celebrates exceptional individuals and groups in Burlington who exemplify the City’s values, found in Burlington’s strategic plan, Vision 2040.
Working together:
- We are a caring, friendly, and inclusive community
- We value innovation and trusted partnerships
- We demonstrate respect by being fair and ethical
Eligibility for nominations
You can nominate an individual, group or organization who has demonstrated a high level of achievement in any of the following areas:
- Contributed significantly to the quality of life in the community through volunteer efforts
- Identified and addressed a priority need in the community and put a solution into action
- Achieved provincial, national, or international recognition and, in doing so, have brought honour to the City of Burlington
To be eligible, nominees must meet the following criteria:
- Nominees must be a resident of Burlington, or own a Burlington business
- Nominees must not currently hold political office
- Nominees must have contributed on a volunteer basis
- Nominees that are groups or organizations must primarily serve the residents of Burlington
- City employees or elected officials may not be considered for an award for their work as a City employee or elected official. City projects are also not eligible for an award
Self-nominations will not be accepted.
How to nominate for Civic Recognition
Nominations must be submitted using the Civic Recognition Nomination Form by Friday, Oct. 4, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
- Only complete nomination forms will be considered
- There are no restrictions on who can submit a nomination
- The nomination deadline may be extended based on the number of applications received.
- All nomination information is kept confidential in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA)
Nominees who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be considered for recognition.
Civic Recognition Nomination Form
Selection Process
Completed forms are evaluated by an independent selection committee of up to seven volunteer Advisory Committee members, who will be confirmed by the City Clerk.
Any member of the selection committee nominated for recognition is required to remove themselves from the committee during consideration of the submission relating to the member. Meetings will be facilitated by City staff. There is no limit to the number of individuals or groups who can receive recognition.
Civic Recognition Recipients
Congratulations to the Civic Recognition recipients, recognized by City Council in June 2024. Watch a recording of the ceremony.
| Burlington Historical Society |
| Dedicated to preserving and sharing Burlington’s history for 74 years. Their initiative, the Archives, is located in the Burlington Public Library, Central Branch. Volunteers collect and preserve paper records and photographs related to the people and places of Burlington, from 1780 to today. Executive board members include: Don Thorpe, President; Nicola Thomson, Vice President; Joan Downey, Treasurer; Pat Taylor, Secretary; Alan Harrington, Director; Jennifer Kemp, Director. |
| Connie Price |
| With more than 55 years of volunteer services, Connie has a deep love for seniors. Connie is Chair of the Seniors Committee on the Partnering Aldershot group; the Treasurer of the Burlington Seniors Community Initiative, advocating for the wellbeing of Burlington’s seniors; and a member of the Halton Age Friendly Network. These are just a few of the organizations she supports. |
| Helga Cuddy |
| Combining her commitment to volunteering with her passion for tennis, Helga has volunteered with the North Burlington Tennis Club in Kilbride for 29 years. She is a champion of physical education, coordinating a free tennis lesson program to children in Kilbride Public School. |
| Jamie Fisher |
| Jamie is a champion of rural Burlington and agriculture, serving as President of the Halton Region Federation of Agriculture and Halton Agricultural Advisory Committee for the past 30 years. Through his volunteer work, he has helped lead discussions and input on the Official Plan, natural heritage system planning, and the private tree bylaw. |
| Janet Lucas |
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Janet has made feeding breakfast to grade school children her mission. For the last 10 years, Janet has provided a breakfast program at King Road School every Thursday morning, serving approximately 80 students. |
| Kimberley Calderbank |
| Kimberley started volunteering as a youth and has carried this passion through all stages of her life. From arts and culture to aquatics and mentoring young professionals, Kimberley is actively involved in many local committees and organizations throughout the city. |
| Peter Knoepfli |
| Peter is one of the founders of the Rotary Club of Burlington Lakeshore Charitable Foundation, dedicated to providing scholarships, bursaries, fellowships, prizes and financial assistance to students living in Ontario, particularly Burlington. Over his 30 years of volunteering with the foundation, over $500,000 has been given out. |
| Rural Ward 6 Advisory Committee |
| Through their engagement with the community, the Rural Ward 6 Community Committee identified a need for better internet connectivity in rural Burlington. Their advocacy work secured $1.3 million in funding from the federal government’s Universal Broadband Fund for the installation of fibre-to-the-home service. Members include Sheilagh Borcsok, Margaret Doma, Wilma Jacobs, Richard Lesueur, Jennifer Lickver, Vincent Sowa, Peter Spitzer. |
Volunteering Opportunities
The City of Burlington offers many volunteer opportunities. Volunteering provides an opportunity to gain experience, enhance or build skills, and make a positive impact in your community. Learn more about Volunteering Opportunities.