Have your say: Tell us what you think about President’s Award for Volunteer Service nominations

Editors Canada has been a volunteer-run association since it was formed in 1979. For more than 40 years, thousands of dedicated volunteers have contributed to the association in numerous ways, from participating in national and local activities and events, to creating professional standards, organizing conferences, running professional certification and webinars programs, writing publications, and so much more.

That’s why the association created the President’s Award for Volunteer Service in 2010: to thank and honour those people who generously contribute their time and energy and, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service. From among the nominees for the President’s Award, one candidate is selected each year to receive the Lee d’Anjou Volunteer of the Year Award.

Each year’s recipients are recognized at Editors Canada’s annual general meeting, in the Annual Report and on the website, and they each receive a certificate and a congratulatory letter from the association president.

Fewer nominations and a national executive council debate

Since the President’s Award was established, we’ve recognized many dedicated volunteers. In recent years, however, we’ve received fewer nominations. This downturn is in spite of the fact that hundreds of volunteers continue to contribute to Editors Canada every single year.

Prior to February 2025, the Awards and Scholarships Procedures stated that nominations for President’s Awards needed to be accompanied by the names of three (3) supporters to the nomination.

The national executive council (NEC) debated changing the procedures:

• Some NEC members were in favour of simplifying the nomination process by removing the requirement for supporters. They argued that removing the burden of having to find three (3) supporters would encourage more members to submit a nomination.
• Other NEC members advocated for keeping the requirement for three (3) supporters. They argued that requiring no supporters for a nomination would take away the prestige of the award, and that maintaining the requirement would ensure that nominees and recipients are deserving of the award.
• Another suggestion was to require fewer supporters for a nomination. They believed this process could ease the burden of having to find supporters, while still keeping the prestige of the award intact.

NEC votes to change President’s Award requirements and to consult with members

Substantive revisions to the Awards and Scholarship Procedures must be ratified by an NEC vote.

At its February 2025 meeting, the NEC voted to change the Awards and Scholarship Procedures to require no supporters for a President’s Award nomination. This vote passed with 8 in favour and 3 opposed.

This summer, the Awards and Scholarship Procedures were updated to reflect this decision. Nominations for the President’s Awards no longer require any supporters.

At the same February 2025 meeting, the NEC voted to send the discussion about the requirements for President’s Award nominations to the Editors Canada membership (this vote passed with 5 in favour, 3 opposed and 3 abstentions). Do you agree with the change?

Thank you for your participation!

National Executive Council
Editors Canada