Nominations for Burlington Chamber's 3 Mayor's Awards are Open

It's that time again — nominations are open for the three Burlington Chamber of Commerce business awards I present as Mayor of Burlington. The awards revolve around sustainable green business and community service (for business and not for profit).Our local businesses and organizations make valuable contributions to our community every day and those contributions include making important decisions and taking real action regarding their social responsibility. The Community Service Awards are designed to recognize and promote the social responsibility and charitable works or services provided by both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. The Sustainable Green Business Award is designed to recognize the green business practices demonstrated by a company.Organizations make a difference in our community.A review committee, as determined by me (as Mayor), will select the award recipients, while the Burlington Sustainability Advisory Committee will assist with the Sustainable Green Business Award. Nominees will be considered on the basis of criteria that show how they contribute to Burlington's quality of life, making our city a better place to live and work in.Nominees have to be in the City of Burlington and not have received a Mayor’s Award within the past five years.The deadline for nominations is Friday, Dec. 20, 2019. The Mayor’s Awards will be presented at the Burlington Chamber of Commerce Business Awards Gala on April 2, 2020.SELECTION CRITERIA

• Community Service Awards: Business
  • Involvement in community programs, activities or services (e.g. community fundraising, food banks, charities, etc.);
  • Community contributions must have been within the past calendar year;
  • Quality of work environment for employees;
  • Business leadership in a changing economic environment by creativity, innovation and risk-taking; and
  • Developing public sector and community partnerships to enhance community life.
• Community Service Awards: Not-For-Profit
  • Accountability to stakeholders: internal and external communication through which board members, staff, volunteers, funders, beneficiaries and the public are able to understand and (where appropriate) influence organization activities and how its objectives are met;
  • Innovation: imaginative use of original/adapted ideas and techniques;
  • Sustainability and Enterprise: demonstrated elements of management to ensure the organization’s financial sustainability, including new methods of controlling costs and self-financing and new ways of raising funds for activities, especially from non-traditional sources;
  • Measuring Achievement through appropriate techniques, including setting and meeting or exceeding targets for delivery of charitable objectives; and
  • Staff and Volunteer Development: commitment to retaining, developing and motivating staff and volunteers.
• Sustainable Green Business Award
  • Sustainable business practices: Moving forward on changes to products or wrapping that are environmentally-friendly, and making environmental choices in the internal procurement policies;
  • Sustainable site design: Demonstrating environmental stewardship of the exterior property through vegetation and water conservation, including storm water management;
  • Sustainable architecture: Utilizing various parts of the building to incorporate energy, water, heating and cooling efficiencies; and
  • Community involvement: Encouraging and supporting staff to participate and/or volunteer in sustainable community events, including any events on site.

To nominate a company or organization for a Mayor's Award, click this link bit.ly/ChamberMayorsAwards and complete the online form.— Burlington Mayor Marianne Meed Ward--*Posted by John Bkila, Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist.