The purpose of these awards is to provide an annual recognition for employees or groups of employees who have made an outstanding contribution beyond that normally expected for their positions to the mission of the University in the recognition year through:

• the provision of exceptional service to staff, faculty, students, alumni, donors or visitors;
• the identification of measures which contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of University operations;
• direct or indirect contribution to the community or the University which impacts the reputation of McMaster.

The awards are open to all full-time or part-time staff from operations, research and ancillary departments or units of McMaster University who are employed on a continuing basis or for a term or contract of one or more year’s duration.  Individuals must be a current member of one of the following eligible groups: TMG, Unifor, SEIU, MUALA, IUOE. Learn more about these groups. The President’s Awards for Outstanding Service are not awarded posthumously.

The President’s Awards for Outstanding Service recognize employees who have made an outstanding contribution beyond that normally expected of their positions within the calendar year of recognition. Nominators of the awards must be a third party – i.e. there are no self-nominations allowed, in any of the award categories. Immediate family members, including spouses, children, parents, and siblings of the nominee are not permitted to participate in the nomination process. Individuals are expected to active employees at the time of receiving the award. Employees who retire after December 31 of the recognition year will be eligible for nominations based on their contributions within the recognition year.

This program takes place annually and the award period is the calendar year.  Nomination submissions are accepted from approximately December 1 – mid-February each year.  The awards are presented at the annual President’s Awards for Outstanding Service Celebration, which takes place in May or June every year. Dates are communicated to employees through email announcements and updates can also be found on this website when dates are confirmed and nomination forms are available.

• Step 1: When the nomination period opens for the President’s Awards for Outstanding Service, the eligibility check form will be available on this website. The eligibility check form collects basic identifying information for nominees and nominators. Complete and submit the eligibility check for your nomination by [DATE/TIME COMING SOON].
• Step 2: The individual or group of individuals will be checked by Human Resources Services to ensure they are eligible to proceed in the nomination process. Once eligibility is confirmed, you will receive access to the nomination portal.
• Step 3: Prepare your submission in the nomination portal by completing the nomination form, adding your supporting references, and uploading any supporting documents by [DATE/TIME COMING SOON].

• Nomination materials must be submitted no later than the deadline set out in the call for nominations.
• The nominator may submit a maximum of two nominations, but they must be in different award categories (team or individual).
• The nominator should make every attempt to enter data into each entry field.
• The total length of the nomination should not exceed the maximum indicated in the nomination package.
• A few graphics or pictures – not of the nominee – to illustrate the contribution are allowable in the attachment.
• Each nomination must be supported by references to be included in the nomination materials submitted by the nominator. A minimum of three and maximum of six references are required. The nominator may not act as a supporting reference. References must be a maximum of 500 words.
• If the nominator is not the nominee’s direct supervisor, the supervisor must be a supporting reference.  The supervisor must agree with the content being submitted.
• Nominators are encouraged to have their package peer-reviewed in advance of submission, in order to ensure the best possible case is built for each nominee.

Nominators are encouraged to contact the Program Coordinator well in advance of the nomination deadline to receive support/coaching to develop a strong nomination package.

More information about the process is also available on our tip sheet.

The eligibility form requires you to submit nominee and nominator identifying information.  Once eligibility is confirmed, you will be given access to the nomination portal.

You can access the sample nomination forms here for Individuals and Teams. These documents outline the questions you will be required to answer once you access the nomination portal.

In addition to completing the above questions, you will be required to submit a minimum of three and maximum of six supporting references.  The nominee’s direct supervisor must be either the nominator, or a supporting reference. References must be 500 words or less – longer reference letters will be declined.  The nominator may not act as a supporting reference. Video submissions of 1 minute or less for references will be accepted in accessible formats.

One supporting document may be included with the nomination materials.  This document is typically a sample of the nominee’s work, related to the nomination information.  Graphics, photos or images may be included as part of the supporting document.  Please do not submit photos of the nominee.  This document may be a maximum of 4 pages or 10MB, whichever is less.

In your nomination package, you will be providing examples of how the nominee demonstrates and advances inclusive excellence, including efforts which support and advance McMaster’s equity, diversity, and inclusion priorities and goals. When doing so, please consider any of the following areas:

• Establishing accessible, equitable, and inclusive unit or university policies and processes;
• Delivering accessible, equitable, and inclusive student and/or employee programs and services;
• Developing attitudes, knowledge, and skills in self and among others to foster accessibility, equity, and inclusion; and/or
• Enhancing the recruitment, recognition, and retention of diverse community members, and especially members historically underrepresented.

More detail and tips are also available on our tip sheet.

The President will appoint an Advisory Committee from among those ineligible for individual awards, to be drawn from amongst the categories alumni, students, faculty and other ineligible employees.

Once the nomination period has closed, members of the Advisory Committee will independently review and score all nominations based on the scoring criterion rubric, and develop a list of recommendations.

Nominations are scored based on the depth and breadth of examples provided.

Once scores are submitted by all Committee members, they are compiled and shared in a selection committee meeting.  The Committee will discuss and deliberate the nominations and compile a list of recommendations which will be presented to the President.  The President will confirm the final award recipients in each category.

While there is no limit to team size, nominators are encouraged to think critically, including team members who have gone above and beyond their normal job requirements to the contribution of a team achievement.

After the Selection Committee meetings take place and the nominees and recipients are confirmed:

• recipients are notified of their successful nomination and invited to attend the President’s Awards for Outstanding Service celebration, where they will receive their award from the University President. Recipients may request a copy of their nomination package, which outlines their significant contributions and identifies their nominator and supporting references.
• all remaining nominees are contacted to congratulate them on their nomination and invite them to the President’s Awards for Outstand Service celebration.  Nominees may request a copy of their nomination package, which outlines their significant contributions and identifies their nominator and supporting references.
• all nominators are advised of the outcome of their nomination submission.

Each award recipient will:

• be recognized formally at the President’s Awards for Outstanding Service
• receive a congratulatory letter from the University President
• receive an award trophy
• receive a professional photograph with the President
• be profiled on posters, which will be displayed across the University
• have their name permanently added to the ‘Roll of Honour’ list of all current and past award recipients
• be profiled on the President’s Awards for Outstanding Service

Additional recognition may appear in other University communications.  Award details are subject to change.

For more information about the program or to request a coaching session to support your nomination submission, please reach out to presidentsawards@mcmaster.ca.

To ensure continuous improvement for this program, we invite you to provide your feedback and suggestions by contacting any of the responsible parties listed under the Contact Us section located at the bottom of this webpage.

Yes!  Information is available below about other President’s Awards programs.  Human Resources Services does not manage or facilitate these awards.  Please review the website and contact the responsible person for further details.

• President’s Awards of Excellence in Student Leadership
• President’s Award for Outstanding Contributions to Teaching and Learning
• President’s Award for Excellence in Graduate Supervision
• President’s Award for Community-Engaged Scholarship