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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPUB-016-25Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: October 6, 2025 Report Number: PUB-016-25 Authored by: Vanessa Bilenduke-Guppy, Supervisor, Community Development and Events | Julie Mitchell, Director, Community Services Submitted By: Lee-Ann Reck, Deputy CAO, Public Services Reviewed By: Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO By-law Number: Resolution Number: File Number: Report Subject: Civic Recognition Award Program Recommendation: 1.That Report PUB-016-25, and any related delegations or communication items, be received for information; 2.That Council repeal the existing Volunteer Recognition Program Policy to align with the Civic Recognition and Dedication Program Policy CP-016; 3.That Council rescind resolution GPA-319-11 regarding the Clarington Sports Hall of Fame; and, 4.That all interested parties listed in Report PUB-016-25, and any delegations be advised of Council’s decision. Municipality of Clarington Page 2 Report PUB-016-25 Report Overview The purpose of this report is to recommend the repeal of legacy policies and resolutions to enable the implementation of a new Civic Recognition Awards Program. This consolidated initiative will merge the biannual Volunteer Appreciation event and the Celeb rate Sport – Sports Hall of Fame into a single, inclusive annual celebration. The program will recognize outstanding contributions in volunteerism, DEI, sports, arts, culture, and civic leadership, while supporting Clarington’s strategic priorities and strengthening community pride. The program framework will be administered through Management Directives. 1. Background 1.1 The Civic Recognition and Dedication Program Policy CP-016 requires staff to maintain a Civic Recognition Award program. 1.2 Staff were directed through PUB-016-24 to engage the community in developing a Civic Awards program. The goal is to create a platform for residents and Members of Council to nominate individuals for outstanding accomplishments. 1.3 Historically, Clarington hosted two separate recognition events: a bi-annual Volunteer Appreciation event and the Celebrate Sport – Sports Hall of Fame. Attendance and nominations for the Sports Hall of Fame have declined in recent years, prompting a recommendation to merge both events into a single Civic Awards Ceremony. 1.4 A community engagement campaign titled “Help shape how we celebrate Clarington's MVPs!” ran from February 28 to April 17, 2025. Over 200 residents participated in the survey, with strong support for merging existing recognition programs. Volunteerism, Community Leadership, and Youth Achievements were the most favored award categories. 1.5 The Sports Hall of Fame induction process was historically overseen by a dedicated selection committee, established through Resolution GPA-319-11 (Report CSD-005- 11). In recent years, a noticeable decline in nominations has made it increasingly challenging to maintain annual engagement and activity within the committee. 1.6 The Sports Hall of Fame displays have historically been curated collaboratively by the Municipality and CLMA, featuring donated and loaned collections in Municipal community centres. 2. Proposed Civic Awards Program 2.1 The Civic Recognition Awards Program will celebrate exceptional contributions across Clarington’s diverse communities, recognizing achievements in volunteerism, DEI, Municipality of Clarington Page 3 Report PUB-016-25 sports, arts and culture, and civic leadership. It will feature an annual celebration event with formal recognition and community engagement, including the p resentation of Civic Awards and Certificates. Sports Hall of Fame inductions will occur at least once per Council term, subject to the availability of suitable nominations. Award recipients will be selected by a Civic Award Selection Committee, and engaging Municipal advisory committees of Council on relevant categories. 2.2 Aligned with Clarington’s strategic priorities, including the IDEA Strategy and the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan, the program will be supported by enhanced community centre displays. These will include digitized Sports Hall of Fame content and curated exhibits that reflect evolving community values and interests. The initiative also contributes to the Clarington Library, Museum and Archives (CLMA) 2023–2027 Strategic Plan, through collaborative efforts to modernize and expand public displays. 3. Financial Considerations There are no requests for additional funding to support the implementation of the Civic Recognition Awards Program. Staff will reallocate funding from the existing Sports Hall of Fame and Volunteer Appreciation budgets to sustain this program and other community events. Staff will continue to explore sponsorship opportunities to offset costs and strengthen community engagement. 4. Strategic Plan The recommendations in this report align with Council’s objectives to: L.4.1 Be a leader in the delivery of efficient, effective and meaningful municipal services by increasing opportunities for civic engagement and public participation C.3.1 To cultivate a strong, thriving and connected community where everyone is welcome by recognizing and celebrating the growing diversity of the community 5. Climate Change This program will incorporate sustainable practices, including the use of local vendors and environmentally conscious event planning, aligning with Clarington’s climate goals. The digitization of the Sports Hall of Fame also reduces material waste and energy use, while increasing accessibility. 6. Concurrence This report has been reviewed by the Director of Strategic Initiatives who concurs with the recommendation. Municipality of Clarington Page 4 Report PUB-016-25 7. Conclusion It is respectfully recommended that Council repeal the existing Volunteer Recognition Policy, rescind resolution GPA-319-11 and staff be directed to implement a civic awards program. This approach represents a meaningful step toward enhancing civic engagement, celebrating community excellence, and alignin g with Clarington’s strategic priorities. Staff Contact: Vanessa Bilenduke-Guppy, Supervisor, Community Development and Events, 905-623-3379 Ext: 2564 or vbilenduke-guppy@clarington.net. Attachments: N/A Interested Parties: List of Interested Parties available from Department.