5. Being recognized by her community for her sustained commitment and contribution within her category (e.g. awards, accolades)

Nominee criteria – Outstanding Workplace

An Outstanding Workplace supports the wellness and diverse needs of its employees by:

How are the nominees and recipients chosen?

The nominations committee reviews all submissions forcompleteness and eligibility. Accepted nominations areforwarded to an independent judging panel. The nominationscommittee and judging panel reserve the right to withholdan award in any category. All nominees will be advised of the eligibility of their appliceligibility of their applications by Tuesday, February 2, or Wednesday, February 3, 2016.

How are the nominees recognized?

Nominees and award recipients will be honoured at theAwards reception and dinner held at the Vancouver Convention Centre on Wednesday, June 8, 2016. Award recipients are announced at the dinner. Tickets for guests will be available online online at ywcawomenofdistinction.org on Wednesday, February 3, 2016.

Connecting the Community Award (individuals only)

All individual nominees are eligible for the Connecting theCommunity Award. It is the only award determined by anonline vote.

Each nominee chooses a YWCA program area to support:

•• Early learning and child care for children• Reducing child poverty• Safe and affordable housing• Healthy choices for youth• Preventing violence against women

The online vote will be open April 20 – May 13, 2016. Nomineesare encouraged to use social media to promote their choicesand enand encourage votes. The nominee with the most votes will receive the Connecting the Community Award and Scotiabank will donate $10,000 to the YWCA program area of her choice.

1. Being a role model in best workplace practices and implementing an innovative initiative exclusively for employees2. Being progressive and responsive to employee needs, including work/life balance 3. Supporting the advancement and success of women 4. Fostering professional development and mentorship 5. Supporting empl5. Supporting employee volunteerism and community initiatives 6. Promoting healthy lifestyles

Nominee criteria – Individuals

A Woman of Distinction inspires others. She has achievedoutstanding success in her field by:

1. Breaking new ground or old barriers2. Showing vision, creativity and initiative3. Being a leader and role model4. Participating actively as a volunteer

a. Live and work (individuals) or operate (businesses and organizations) within the Metro Vancouver region bounded by and including Hope, Pemberton, Sunshine Coast and the United States borderb. Not currently be in a campaign for or serving a term in office as an elected government officialc.c. Satisfy each of the five nomination criteria for their award category as listed belowd. Consent to the nomination and the publication of her/ its name, photo and informatione. Attend the photo shoot on either Tuesday, February 16, or Wednesday, February 17, 2016f. Attend the Announcing the Nominees’ reception, Tuesday, March 8, 2016 and Awards dinner on Wednesday, June 8, 2016g. Be 18-25 years of age as of Wednesday, June 8, 2016, for the Young Woman of Distinction categoryh. Satisfy the YWCA Metro Vancouver Women of Distinction Values Statementi. Submit a quote and participate in the Connecting the Community Award (individual nominees only)

ONLINE NOMINATION FORM

How do I make a nomination?

All nominations must be completed and submitted online.We recommend you have all documents ready beforecompleting the online nomination. Please visit our websiteand view our tutorial on how to successfully complete anomination. A nominator must complete all required fieldson the online nominon the online nomination form, including:

Visit ywcawomenofdistinction.org under “NOMINATIONS”Deadline for nominations: Friday, January 15, 20165:00pm

Eligible nominees must:

• Nominee and nominator information• Summary of nomination (120 word maximum)• Nomination criteria (300 word maximum for each of the criteria)• Letters of support (three letters required)• Optional: supplemental materials (magazine ads media releases etc., three pages maximum)• Submit the online nomination form and upload all additional material by Friday, January 15, 2016 at 5:00pm

NOMINATION DETAILS

The Women of Distinction Awards is YWCA Metro Vancouver’s premier fundraising event. The Women of Distinction Awards honours women whose outstanding achievements contribute to the well-being andfuture of our community. The Awards also honours businesses and organizations that support the wellness and diverseneeds of their employees.

VALUES STATEMENTTThe YWCA Metro Vancouver Women of Distinction Awards encourages nominations that showcase individuals who are driving positive change either directly or by example. Activities and achievements of all potential nominees must align with the YWCA’s values. The candidates’ participation in employment, recreation or special interests encapsulates the spirit of women’s equality as outlined in YWCA Metro Vancouver’s mission and vision. The YWCA reserves the right to revoke an award if subsequent circumstances respecting the recipient contradict the mission, ethics and / or values of YWCA Metro Vancouver or bring its reputation ininto disrepute. The nominee or nominator may withdraw the nomination, for any reason, up to two weeks before the award ceremony. The withdrawal must be made in writing, notifying the nominator/nominee and the YWCA of the withdrawal. The YWCA will accept the withdrawal, effective immediately.

HEALTH & WELLNESSSponsored by Industrial Alliance Financial GroupShe has an unwavering commitment to delivering, promoting and advocating for healthy lives and communities. She has made a significant and sustained difference in Metro Vancouver while empempowering her community to change or better their lives through improved health and wellness practices. She may be a physician, practitioner, nurse or other woman committed to health and wellness.

NON-PROFIT Sponsored by BC HousingHired or summoned to the role for her exemplary qualifications, sheshe propels change through her leadership, professionalism and vision within the non-profit sector. She has made a significant and sustained difference in Metro Vancouver while strengthening and building momentum and capacity by advocating for important issues or causes. She mentors, inspires and mobilizes others through her personal commitment and passion. She has successfully identified new opportunities, resources andand/or partnerships. She may be a director, CEO or other visionary.

PUBLIC SERVICE She listens to her communities needs and takes intentional action. HerHer tireless efforts create cooperative relationships and partnerships that foster solutions. The public and her peers respect her for her enthusiasm, integrity and heart. Acting on behalf of her community or organization, she is a compassionate advocate for important issues, topics or programs. Hired, elected or summoned into her role, she is a voice and champion for change. She may be a law enforcer, former political leader or other public service leadeleader.

RESEARCH & THE SCIENCESShe has made a significant and sustained difference in Metro Vancouver through her dedicated pursuit of scientific and/or research-based discoveries. She is highly respected in her field and is a mentor and visionary. Her dedicated approach to her research and/or program signifies her leadership and critical thinking abilities. She may be a scientist, researcher, senior administrator or other leader.

YOUNG WOMAN OF DISTINCTIONSponsored by FinningShe is an exceptional young woman aged 18-25 who demonstrates leadershileadership,maturity and compassion. She has made a significant difference in Metro Vancouver through her commitment to a cause or pursuit of a personal dream while showing perseverance, innovation and a keen understanding of community issues.

OUTSTANDING WORKPLACESponsored by SAP Canada Inc. This award category recognizes a business or organization that hashas implemented a unique workplace culture. It supports and responds to the diverse needs of its employees, encouraging them to balance the demands and rewards of career, family, community and personal growth. This business or organization acknowledges the additional challenges that its female employees may face and proactively supports the success and advancement of women in its workplace.

ARTS, CULTURE & DESIGNSponsored by TD Bank GroupShe enriches the community through her talents and commitment to visual, literary, media, architectural and/or performing arts and hashas made a significant and sustained difference in Metro Vancouver. She excels at facilitating or promoting the artistic efforts of others and broadening community engagement in the arts. She may be a curator, arts administrator, artist or other member of the arts community.

BUSINESS & THE PROFESSIONSSponsored by Goldcorp Inc.HerHer colleagues and competitors in the field acknowledge her pprofessional leadership and consistent commitment to excellence. She has made a significant and sustained difference in Metro Vancouver while leveraging her achievements and business acumen to facilitate change and create opportunities. She demonstrates respect for, and engagement with, her community, clients and colleagues. She may be a CEO, senior executive, professional or businesswoman.

CCOMMUNITY CHAMPIONSponsored by Vancouver International AirportShe has personally identified a local community need or issue and initiated meaningful change, dedicating her own time and resources to champion her cause. What started as a volunteer crusade could now be a full-time or paid role for this leader. She hashas made a significant and sustained difference in Metro Vancouver while being recognized as a source of strength and heart in her community and is able to harness the time, talent and capacity of others. She may be a founding member, administrator, board member or other community-minded leader.

EDUCATION, TRAINING & DEVELOPMENTSponsored by Port Metro VancouverSheShe inspires a passion for life-long learning in those around her and hashas made a significant and sustained difference in Metro Vancouver. She contributes through practice, research or administration in a learning environment including the education system, employee training and development, community education or alternative programs. She motivates others to gain knowledge, set goals or seek opportunities. She may be an academic, educator, administrator or other champion of learning.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATIONSponsored by ClioShe has taken an innovative approach to solving a problem, filling aa need or breaking into a new market. Her drive, ingenuity and solid vision for her business separate her from her competitors. She has made sacrifices and taken great risks to successfully launch, revive or manage a business, all while having made a significant and sustained difference in Metro Vancouver. She may be a founder, owner, leader or other innovator.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITYSponsoSponsored by BC HydroShe is dedicated to promoting and creating the practices that contribute to a sustainable community, while having made a significant and sustained difference in Metro Vancouver. She generates opportunities that minimize the physical, ecological, human and economic impact on our planet. She collaborates with and educates others to identify strategies and solutions for goodgood environmental practices and partnerships. She may be an advocate, leader, administrator or other promoter of green initiatives and practices.

AWARDS CATEGORIES