Award guidelines

To make a nomination for one of the following awards, or to submit a name for the Helen Mark Excellence in Adoption Award, please carefully read the nomination guidelines, fill out the nomination form, and attach any supporting documents.

General guidelines | Eligibility | Selection procedure | Nomination criteria

General guidelines

  • Anyone, except members of the awards selection committee, may make a nomination.
  • Nominators may make multiple nominations.
  • Complete nominations must be submitted and/or postmarked by the posted deadline. Nominations postmarked or received electronically after the deadline date are not guaranteed full consideration. 

Eligibility

  • Awards are open to all qualified nominees, as specified in individual award descriptions.
  • Nominees may only be considered for one award category per year.
  • If a nominee wins another award within three years, it can not be in the same award category as before (though nominees may continue to be nominated and recognized in any category).
  • Nominators may not nominate themselves.
  • Current AFABC Board members, staff, and awards selection committee members may not be nominated for any award.

Selection procedure

  • If a candidate is nominated for more than one category, the nominator(s) will be contacted to determine the best award category.
  • The selection committee will consist of at least two Board Members, one AFABC staff member, and one invited participant from the adoption community.
  • If no nominees sufficiently meet the qualifications for a given award, the selection committee may choose not to give out the award that year.
  • All nominees will be notified of the winners before the awards ceremony at AFABC’s Annual General Meeting in June.

Nomination criteria

Adoption in Action Award

  • What kind of adoption benefits does the nominee offer its employees?
  • In what ways does the nominee formally promote and support adoption to its employees and clients?
  • If applicable, how else has the nominee contributed to adoption, adoptive families, and/or adoptive children in BC?

AFABC Champion Award

  • In what ways has the nominee demonstrated an outstanding personal contribution to the programs and services of the AFABC?
  • How long has the nominee volunteered with the AFABC?
  • If applicable, how else has the nominee contributed to adoption, adoptive families, and/or adoptive children in BC?
  • Other related materials, such as additional letters of support, news clippings, and resumes may also be attached.

Spirit Award - Individual

  • In what ways has the nominee demonstrated an outstanding financial contribution (monetary and/or gift-in-kind) to the AFABC?
  • How long has the nominee been contributing to the AFABC?
  • If applicable, how else has the nominee contributed to adoption, adoptive families, and/or adoptive children in BC?
  • Other related materials, such as additional letters of support, news clippings, and resumes may also be attached.

Spirit Award - Corporate

  • In what ways has the nominee demonstrated an outstanding financial contribution (monetary and/or gift-in-kind) to the AFABC?
  • How long has the nominee been contributing to the AFABC?
  • How does the nominee promote and support adoption to its employeees and clients?
  • If applicable, how else has the nominee contributed to adoption, adoptive families, and/or adoptive children in BC?
  • Other related materials, such as additional letters of support, news clippings, and resumes may also be attached.

Helen Mark Excellence in Adoption Award

  • In what ways has the nominee demonstrated an outstanding contribution to adoption, adoptive families, and/or adoptive children?
  • How long has the nominee been contributing to adoption in BC?
  • How does the nominee exemplify the values and beliefs of the AFABC?
  • If applicable, how has the nominee contributed specifically to the AFABC?
  • Does the nominee have any relevant awards, honours, and/or publications?
  • Please also attach any letters of reference (one may be written by the nominator) and/or any other related materials--such as additional letters of support, news clippings, and resumes--which you feel will help inform the committee.