SUGGESTION award program

1. This instruction provides the policy and procedures pertaining to the cyrille and elaine laurin suggestion award program, hereafter referred to as the Laurin Award Program.

general

2. The Laurin Award Program is designed to develop new and progressive ideas and stimulate interest in promoting greater efficiency and effectiveness in training, the marketing of training courses, and the provision of community service.

3. The Program provides for Suggestion Award Certificates and cash awards in an amount determined by the Awards Committee. Cash awards plus administrative expenses in any one year will not exceed the income derived from the principal provided by Cyrille and Elaine Laurin.

definition

4. A suggestion is a practical idea (not necessarily original) involving training, marketing or community service. A suggestion will result in one or more of the following improvements:

a. increased efficiency in training operations;

b. improved standards of training;

c. improved methods of instruction;

d. improved marketing techniques;

e. improved service or operation of community service;

f. monetary savings; or

g. other benefits.

5. Examples of subjects for suggestion may range from new and exciting ideas in course design, innovative ideas for new forms of community service, improved reference and instructional material, utilization of new audio-visual or other support aids, imaginative marketing techniques or savings in time, materials, supplies or equipment.

 

award criteria

6. The following conditions apply to the Laurin Award Program:

a. Members of St. John Association, Brigade, Special Centres, volunteers or staff, may be considered for an award for any suggestion that is adopted. Applications for suggestion awards may be submitted by individuals or by other St. John members on their behalf.

b. Persons whose normal paid duties include making suggestions on specific subjects, are not eligible for awards for such suggestions. However, paid staff should not refrain from submitting suggestions if they are in doubt as to their eligibility or if their suggestions pertain to an idea which is outside their normal project responsibilities.

c. Although most applications will probably pertain to suggestions that have not been implemented, an application for an award for a suggestion that has been implemented can be submitted within 90 days of the date of implementation, unless it is established that the proposal was implemented on a trial basis only and a longer period of time was required to assess its value.

d. A suggestion may be submitted by one person, or by two or more persons jointly. When submitted jointly, the suggestion should indicate how any cash award is to be divided (by percentages). In the absence of such direction any cash award will be evenly divided.

e. Although members of the general public are not eligible for awards, suggestions from the public received by St. John Ambulance agencies should be forwarded to the Secretary of the Awards Committee for acknowledgment and appraisal. A member of the general public may be presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for an adopted suggestion.

f. Once submitted, all suggestions are the property of St. John Ambulance.

 

7. Awards will be calculated on a basis of the estimated value of the suggestion in fostering improvement in St. John training, marketing or community service across Canada. The cash awards may range from $100.00 to a maximum of $5,000 at the discretion of the Awards Committee.

8. All cash awards will be accompanied by a Suggestion Award Certificate. Awards in cash may be subject to deductions for income tax, Canada Pension Plan and Quebec Pension Plan.

9. The authority to approve awards rests entirely with the Awards Committee.

 

10. The Awards Committee will be established and meet at the call of the Chairperson at National Headquarters, Ottawa. The Awards Committee will consist of:

Chairperson - a designated Vice Chancellor;

Permanent Member - Priory Secretary;

Members-at-large - three members chosen by the Chairperson;

Secretary - the National Director of Volunteer Support

and such non-voting advisors as may be required.

11. Four members present at a meeting of the Awards Committee constitutes a quorum.

 

administration

12. Suggestions are to be mailed to the Secretary (Director of Volunteer Support, National Headquarters) not later than 30th June annually.

13. Suggestion submissions must be in accordance with the application form at Appendix A which is available through Councils and Special Centres. The submission must include:

a. a brief descriptive title;

b. a clear and concise statement of the suggestion or idea and the results of any trials or tests which may have been carried out in developing the idea;

c. appropriate sketches or drawings; and

d. any additional material which helps to explain the suggestion.

Note: The name(s), address, and St. John organization of the originator is to be enclosed in a separate, sealed envelope and included with the submission. No reference to the suggester's name or organization is to appear on the submission.

14. The Administrator of the Laurin Award Program is the Priory Secretary and in all matters pertaining to these terms of reference and the allocation of total funds for awards, his decision is final.

 

5. This Laurin Award Program Instruction is issued under Part 2 - Volunteers for administrative purposes, but applies to the fields of Training, Marketing and Promotion and Brigade services equally and may be amended as required by the Priory Secretary with the approval of the Awards Committee.