Honouring heroes
The Alberta Northern Lights Volunteer Recognition Program honours the everyday heroes who are helping to make life better in communities across the province.
Albertans demonstrate incredible generosity with their time and talents in a variety of ways, whether they’re:
- volunteering formally with a club or organization
- instinctively stepping up to lend a hand whenever or wherever needed
Examples of the meaningful contributions that Albertans make include:
- assisting seniors or neighbours with health issues by going to the grocery store or doing other errands
- helping newcomers navigate the surroundings of their new hometown
- gathering and sorting food at food banks
- serving meals in the community or at local homeless shelters
- supporting education and awareness efforts to end discrimination and racism
- volunteering as a director on the board of a community organization
- helping a friend or a neighbour with childcare
- fundraising/contributing to community giving campaigns
- walking dogs and cleaning kennels at the local humane society
Nominate an amazing individual or group for the Alberta Northern Lights Volunteer Recognition Program by using the online form.
Eligibility
Individuals or groups across the province can be nominated for the Alberta Northern Lights Volunteer Recognition Program if they:
- contribute unpaid service to the community through formal or informal volunteering
- demonstrate community spirit
- serve as a role model for others in their community
Group nominees may include:
- 2 or more individuals – family, friends, team – who volunteer together to support either:
- a single organization, community event or cause
- members of their community
- businesses that support volunteerism through staff 'days of giving' or an ongoing volunteer program
Ineligible nominations
A nomination will be deemed ineligible in these situations:
- someone nominates themselves
- a nomination from a family member – if the story doesn’t clearly demonstrate a benefit to the community
- a nomination where an individual or business profited from their work
- the description of the nominee’s volunteer service is unclear
- it didn’t include a description of the actions the nominee took to help their community and the impact they had
- a nomination is incomplete or missing key information
Multiple nominations
If more than one nomination is received for the same individual or group, multiple nominations will be considered – all together – as a single nomination. Where possible, nominators are encouraged to collaborate and submit a single nomination for an individual or group.
Screening criteria
Nominations will be assessed, as they are received, on the basis of how they:
- impact the volunteer effort
- improve the quality of life for Albertans
- address community needs or concerns
Fill out the form
After you apply
You will receive a confirmation email that indicates the Alberta Northern Lights Volunteer Recognition Program has received your nomination.
Due to the high volume of nominations we’re receiving:
- there may be a delay in processing them
- selected nominees may be profiled at a later date
Nominees
Eligible nominees will be contacted by program staff to obtain consent to their nominations.
Nominees must respond via email to provide:
- consent to the use of their information – if their story is selected
- a clear photograph that can be used on the Alberta.ca website
Selected volunteers
Volunteers who are selected through the program will:
- be contacted by program staff to let them know when their story will be profiled on the Alberta.ca website
- receive recognition from the Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women
Select program guidelines
- nominations become the property of the Alberta government
- submitting a nomination does not guarantee that the nominee will be profiled
- selection decisions are final
- nominees must advise the program if they do not want to be profiled – when they are contacted by program staff