The Bhayana Family Foundation Award recognize the outstanding efforts of a staff at United Way agencies in five categories.
Recipients were presented with their awards at a celebration at the ROM on November 3, 2009. Details and photos of recipients are forthcoming.
- See the 2009 recipients...
The dedication, creativity, and team spirit shown by employees of agencies funded by United Way Toronto are essential to advancing the common good and creating a better city for us all.
The Bhayana Family Foundation Awards recognize extraordinary contributions made by agency staff. They are awarded by United Way based on peer nominations received in the following five categories:
- DEDICATION: $1,000
- INNOVATION & CREATIVITY: $1,000
- LEADERSHIP: $1,000
- PARTNERSHIP BUILDER: $1,000
- TEAM ACHIEVEMENT" $3,000
All award recipients will be invited to a special event in November to honour their success, when each receives a plaque of recognition and a monetary gift. Their agency will also receive a plaque.
Sponsorship
The Bhayana Family Foundation Awards are made possible by a generous donation from Raksha M. Bhayana and the Bhayana Family Foundation. As a member of United Way Toronto’s Board of Trustees, Raksha is a dedicated community volunteer and a passionate champion for the recognition of those who make a difference in the community every day.
On behalf of the United Way family we would like to express our admiration and gratitude to Raksha and the Bhayana Family Foundation.
Eligibility
Open to all permanent or contract agency staff, full time or part-time (minimum 20 hours/week) at agencies funded by United Way Toronto including member agencies and current grant-funded agencies.
- Nominations must be submitted online by two peers or colleagues of the nominee(s)
- Nominations made by the nominee’s supervisor are not accepted but employees may nominate their supervisor
- No self-nomination or nomination of family members
- Teams must consist of 2 - 12 members
- Achievements cover the previous year
- Award recipients must still be employed at the time of the awards ceremony in November 2009
Categories
DEDICATION
The purpose of this award is to recognize and reward employees who are dedicated to the mission and values of their agency. These individuals demonstrate unwavering loyalty and commitment to the success of a specific project or to the ongoing interests of the agency.
Ideal candidates demonstrate:
- Unwavering commitment to the goals of the organization
- Excellent and consistent performance and professionalism
- Exceptional service to external or internal customers over a sustained period
- Extraordinary levels of team spirit
- Solid support for colleagues
- Readiness to participate in special projects or committees
- Going above and beyond to make a significant contribution to their team, agency, or community
Download a sample / working copy (pdf) of the Dedication nomination form. Final applications must be submitted online.
INNOVATION & CREATIVITY
The purpose of this award is to recognize and reward employees who introduce ideas, services or practices in new and imaginative ways. These individuals contribute innovative solutions to their organization or make major improvements to agency operations or services provided.
Ideal candidates:
- Introduce ideas that increase revenue, reduce costs, or improve service
- Enhance efficiency, accuracy, or productivity in innovative ways
- Contribute creative ideas to address issues within the scope of their job, department, or organization
- Introduce changes to simplify or improve existing processes
- Challenge existing assumptions and think outside the box
- Take calculated risks in pursuit of continuous improvement
- Work with others to promote, implement, and adjust solutions to changing situations
Download a sample / working copy (pdf) of the Innovation & Creativity nomination form. Final applications must be submitted online.
LEADERSHIP
The purpose of this award is to recognize and reward employees who demonstrate exemplary leadership capabilities and consistently achieve superior, team-based results. These leaders play an exceptional role in helping others contribute to their organization and advance its mission.
Ideal candidates:
- Empower others and delegate responsibility
- Demonstrate strong relationship building abilities
- Foster cross organizational teamwork
- Promote and celebrate diversity
- Have exceptional communications and listening skills
- Introduce and manage change effectively
- Inspire those around them
Download a sample / working copy (pdf) of the Leadership nomination form. Final applications must be submitted online.
PARTNERSHIP BUILDER
The purpose of this award is to recognize and reward employees who make outstanding contributions to their community by recognizing, engaging, and maximizing the potential of relationships with key external partners, such as residents, schools, associations, other agencies, businesses, and funders.
Ideal candidates:
- Have developed partnerships that meet community needs and make a difference
- Demonstrate a commitment to creating healthy and vibrant communities
- Engage with and mobilize stakeholders to get the job done
- Foster a sense of common purpose to address root causes of social problems
- Effectively manage conflict and balance competing interests
- Promote and celebrate diversity
- Develop partnerships that are innovative, mutually beneficial, and sustainable
Download a sample / working copy (pdf) of the Partnership Builder nomination form. Final applications must be submitted online.
TEAM ACHIEVEMENT
The purpose of this award is to recognize and reward teams who work toward a common goal. Together, these individuals demonstrate commitment to success through excellent and consistent performance.
What is a team?
A team may or may not be an organizational unit. Nominations for cross-departmental teams are encouraged. What is most important to the selection panel is that the nomination demonstrates the active participation of each and every team member towards the achievement of common goals.
Number of team members
Teams must consist of 2 to 12 members. However, if you feel strongly that a team of up to a maximum of 20 members should qualify, please send us an email that explains why the selection panel should consider this exception. We will contact you within three business days with the selection panel's decision.
Ideal teams:
- Demonstrate the basic principles of teamwork
- Make a significant contribution to their agency or the clients they serve
- Implement projects that increase revenue, reduce costs, or improve service
- Increase efficiency, accuracy, or productivity of a department or across the agency
- Put the team’s objective ahead of individual personal gain
- Champion their cause at all times, both internally and externally
- Actively support other teams and projects in the agency
Download a sample / working copy (pdf) of the Team Achievement nomination form. Final applications must be submitted online.
How to nominate
- Submit the online nomination form
- Nominations must be submitted online by two peers or colleagues of the nominee(s) – nominations made by the nominee's supervisor are not accepted
- Please consider reviewing previous award recipients for insight into what the selection committee is looking for in your nominations
- All information provided will be verified by contacting the nominee’s supervisor
- All nominations will be reviewed by a selection panel comprised of five volunteers: two agency frontline staff, one agency management representative, one labour representative, and one United Way community volunteer.
- Only fully completed applications will be considered by the selection panel; the panel will not accept those that do not meet minimum criteria
- This year's award recipients will be announced in November 2010
- All monetary awards will be paid by cheque as a non-taxable benefit
- United Way reserves the right to use all information provided to further promote its mission
Questions?
Email: awards@uwgt.org
Toni Leonard, 416 777 1444 ex 622
