TAMRMS#: B02
9.2
REQUEST FOR DECISION
title
Seniors’ Advisory Committee Recommendation: 2025 Seniors and Elders Service Awards
Presented by: Sharon Brown, Chair, Seniors’ Advisory Committee
label
RECOMMENDED MOTION(S)
recommendation
That the 2025 Seniors and Elders Service awards be presented to the individuals listed in Confidential Attachment 1 - SAC Recommendation-2025 Seniors and Elders Service Award Recipients.
body
SUMMARY
The purpose of the Seniors and Elders Service Awards Program is to recognize the importance of seniors and their valuable contribution to our community, as well as to encourage both formal and informal volunteering, civic participation, and service to seniors in the City of St. Albert. Nominees could be recommended based on either of these two categories:
• their extraordinary service or contribution to the city as a senior (55+)
• their extraordinary service or contribution for the benefit of seniors (55+)
On March 19, 2025, the Seniors Advisory Committee (SAC) deliberated nominations and recommended candidates to Council for approval. SAC unanimously agreed to create three tiers (Gold, Silver, and Bronze) signifying the level of impact each applicant had in St. Albert. SAC invites the Mayor or a representative of Council to present certificates to approved winners at an awards dinner during Seniors Week on June 6, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the St. Albert Seniors Association.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On Feb 20, 2024, Council approved the Seniors and Elders Service Awards Policy C-CS-24.
On June 20, 2023, Council passed the following motion:
CM-23-25
That the city, in consultation with the Seniors Advisory Committee, create a St. Albert Seniors Service Awards recognition annual program. The program will recognize both residents that provide extraordinary volunteer services to seniors in St. Albert, and seniors who provide extraordinary volunteer services in our community, with the recipients reviewed and recommended to council by the Seniors Advisory Committee and recognized during Seniors' week each year.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
After Council’s approved motion to create a Seniors Service Award Program, the Seniors Advisory Committee (SAC) and Administration created a vision and program plan. Administration, with SAC’s advice, proposed a policy for the program as referenced above, which was approved by Council in February 2024. Initial actions in 2024 included preparing the required tools for administration of the program such as creating a landing page with information and an application form. A communications strategy was also created with insights from SAC. By November 2024 the program was launched to the public, with nominations due on March 1, 2025.
A range of marketing strategies were used including Gazette ads, paid and organic social media, community banners, posters, Servus Place snap frames, and newsletter inserts. Nominators were able to apply via an online form or by submitting a downloadable form in person or by email. A total of eleven applications were received, all for the category of recognizing exceptional service or contributions to St. Albert over the past five years by seniors (55+).
Each application varied in detail, with candidates assessed based on the criteria rather than compared to each other. While all nominees met the criteria, some stood out, prompting the use of a tiered awards system (Gold, Silver, Bronze). A Gold award signifies the highest scoring range based on level of impact, frequency or duration of their service, quality and quantity of those impacted. Silver would have scored in the mid-range and Bronze achieving the minimum requirements of meeting the criteria.
STAKEHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS OR ENGAGEMENT
Administration met with Métis, African, Latin, and Filipino cultural groups in St. Albert to ensure they were informed about the program and the nomination process for their community members. Any barriers to accessing the program were addressed or recorded for consideration in the following year.
IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION(S)
Approving this recommendation demonstrates Council’s confidence in the deliberations and discussions of the SAC. It is expected that seniors in St. Albert will feel appreciated and acknowledged for their numerous contributions, inspiring them and others to continue volunteering.
Financial:
None at this time.
Compliance & Legal:
None at this time.
Program or Service:
None at this time.
Organizational:
None at this time.
Risks
None at this time.
ALIGNMENT TO PRIORITIES IN COUNCIL’S STRATEGIC PLAN
Initiative aligned with Strategic Plan:
Not Applicable
ALIGNMENT TO LEVELS OF SERVICE DELIVERY
Not Applicable.
body
Report Date: May 6, 2025
Author(s): Tricia Boonstra
Department: Community Services
Department Director: Elizabeth Wilkie
Managing Director: Dinu Alex
Chief Administrative Officer: William Fletcher