Access to Information and Privacy Community Awards for Excellence

The purpose of this notice is to invite you to submit nominations for the “Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Community Awards for Excellence”. The awards are intended to recognize the accomplishments and achievements of those members of the ATIP Community who provide quality services to Canadians, to their institutions and to the Community itself.

The Treasury Board Secretary, Mr. Wayne Wouters, has also written to all deputy ministers and heads of agencies issuing a similar invitation to submit nominations for the Awards for Excellence. 

There are two categories for nominations: Excellence in Service and Innovation; and, Dedication, Leadership and Community Spirit. Each category serves to recognize some of the particular achievements of those in the ATIP Community who provide front line service, as well as those who work behind the scene. Nominations can be for individual or team achievements. The awards will be presented during the ATIP Annual Conference sponsored by the Treasury Board Secretariat and scheduled to be held on April 12, 2005.

Nominations are required no later than March 4, 2005. Program criteria and instructions on the nomination process are enclosed to assist in selecting nominees and in the preparation of supporting documentation. Given the importance of recognizing the valuable contribution of this Community, I encourage you and your officials to support this initiative. 

Any questions related to the “Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Community Awards for Excellence” may be directed to: 

Andrée Morissette
Policy Officer
Information, Privacy and Security Policy Division
Chief Information Officer Branch
Treasury Board Secretariat
Telephone: (613) 952-3222
Fax: (613) 957-8020
Internet: Morissette.Andree@tbs-sct.gc.ca 

Donald Lemieux

 Acting Senior Director
Information, Privacy and Security Policy Division
Chief Information Officer Branch

Criteria

Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) Community Awards for Excellence

The ATIP Community is fortunate to be composed of dedicated and hard-working individuals, who take pride in the work they do and the service they provide to Canadians. In recognition of the many accomplishments and achievements of those who serve as members of the ATIP Community, we are pleased to introduce the ATIP Community Awards for Excellence. 

Within the ATIP Community, you probably know someone, or a group of people, who in your view is worthy of recognition, for their outstanding work, their excellent service or their tireless dedication. Here is your opportunity to thank these people for their efforts and to ensure that their accomplishments are recognized. 

The two categories for nominations are:

Excellence in Service and Innovation

Dedication, Leadership and Community Spirit

* From time to time, the Selection Committee may choose to present a Special Recognition Award to an individual or team. Special Recognition Awards are bestowed in addition to, and do not replace, nominations in the above categories.

Criteria:

Excellence in Service and Innovation

Nominees in this category show excellence in ATIP service delivery or creativity in searching for new solutions in areas such as:

• Providing overall excellent or sustained improvement in client satisfaction;

• Improving access and delivery of ATIP service; and/or 

• Using technology or other innovative approaches to attain time-saving results or other improvements.

Dedication, Leadership and Community Spirit

Nominees in this category consistently excel in areas such as:

• Strengthening ATIP processes and furthering the ATIP objectives; 

• Promoting the intent and spirit of ATIP; 

• Acting as a strong voice, or champion, of the ATIP Community and upholding integrity and professionalism; and/or 

• Actively mentoring others within the ATIP Community. 

Eligibility:

Nominees must be members of federal government institutions subject to either the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act, and are or have been within the last two years members of the ATIP Community. The accomplishment for which individuals or teams are nominated must have been achieved while the nominee was part of the ATIP Community.

Nominees cannot nominate themselves for an award nor nominate a group that he/she is part of.

Individuals or groups cannot be nominated for an achievement that has already been recognized through the ATIP Community Award for Excellence. 

During their tenure, members of the Selection Committee will not be considered for an award nor make any award nominations. Any nominations received for an active member of the Selection Committee will be disqualified. The Selection Committee will consist of no less than three members. 

Award and Frequency:

One award will be given in each of the two categories. The award is non-monetary and consists of a framed citation / certificate. Awards will be presented at the ATIP Annual Conference sponsored by the Information and Security Policy Division – Treasury Board Secretariat. 

The Process:

1.    Choose a worthy candidate. Candidates can be individuals, or a group of individuals, who have excelled in one of the award categories described above. 

2.    Complete the Nomination Form. Be sure to include a description of the accomplishments (maximum of one page) of the candidate in relation to the category in which he/she is nominated. In other words:

• Spell out what makes your nominee great and explain how your nominee meets the criteria in their respective category.

• Explain why you think that your nominee’s contribution is significant and explain why you feel that it is important to nominate your candidate.

• Ensure that the nominee’s supervisor completes the supervisor’s portion of the Nomination Form. 

       Note: You as a nominator need not be a member of the ATIP Community nor the Public Service.

3. Gather the Evidence. Nominations include, in addition to your own recommendation, two letters of support from individuals who are willing to support the nomination of your candidate. Letters of support should include:

• An account of the accomplishment(s) of the nominee and what makes the candidate stand out.

• How the writer of the letter of support came to value the accomplishment(s) of the nominee and why the writer believes the nominee is a good candidate for the award.

Note: Letters of support need not be from members of the ATIP Community or the Public Service, and can include the nominee’s supervisor.

4. Send it in. Once you have completed the nomination form, attach your one page description of the nominee’s accomplishment(s), gather the two letters of support and submit your nomination to:

ATIP Community Awards for Excellence Selection Committee
C/O Andrée Morissette, Policy Officer
Information, Privacy and Security Policy Division
Chief Information Officer Branch
Treasury Board Secretariat
4th Floor
2745 Iris Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0R5

Fax: (613) 957-8020

5.    Deadline: In order for nominations to be considered, they must be received by the ATIP Community Awards for Excellence Selection Committee at the above address no later than March 4, 2005.

Need Help?

If you are having a problem putting together your nomination, or if you have any questions regarding the ATIP Community Awards for Excellence, feel free to contact Andrée Morissette at (613) 952-3222 or by e-mail at Morissette.Andree@tbs-sct.gc.ca.