2015 Inclusion Award Winners

Congratulations to our 2015 Inclusion Award winners!

Award of Excellence – Arts and Culture: Tanice McMinis
Award of Excellence – Career and Community: Kate Kelly
Award of Excellence – Career and Community: Rhonda Kottusch
Outstanding Self-Advocate Award: Scott Anderson-Bazinet
Inclusive Education Award: Carol McCullough
Inclusive Employer Award: Bonnie Makarchuk of WINS
Inclusive Community Award: Rutland Park
Volunteer Spirit Award: Richard Stringer
Special Achievement Award: Mikal Almedom
Leadership Award: Mahdad Davary
Team Spirit Award: Communications and Development
Agency Spirit Award: Marilyn Ritchie
everyone belongs™ Award: Josephine Flancia

Thank you for the work that you do to make Calgary a more inclusive city!

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Inclusion Awards FAQ 2015

The 20th annual Inclusion Awards ceremony is just over a month away, but it’s never to early to start getting prepared! In order to ensure that the evening runs as smoothly as possible, we’ve put together a list of some of the most frequently asked questions. Feel free to ask any other event-related questions in the comments box at the end!Untitled-1

When is the event?

The 20th annual Inclusion Awards will be held on Thursday, September 24.

What time does it start?

Guests are invited to arrive any time after 5:30 to enjoy our live entertainment. The program will begin at 6:45 p.m.; for this reason, we ask that you arrive no later than 6:30 p.m.

How long is the event?

The event runs an average of two and a half to three hours.

What should I wear?

The dress-code for this event is business-casual. Please, no jeans.

What is the theme this year?

This year’s theme is the 1920s!

Will there be food?

Yes! Guests are treated to a delicious three course meal.

What if I have an allergy?

If you have a food allergy, please notify us as soon as possible via e-mail.

Will there be alcohol?

Yes. There will be a cash bar if you desire a beverage with alcohol. Water, juice, coffee, and tea will be provided free of charge.

Are kids allowed?

The event is open to guests of all-ages, provided that they have reserved a ticket online.

I was nominated for an award. Do I have to do anything special?

We ask that all nominees (and their guests) choose a seat in the first three rows, to ensure quick access to the stage if they are chosen as an award winner.

Will there be a photo booth again this year?

Yes! We are pleased to provide a fun 1920s-themed photo booth for the event! There will also be a 50/50 draw, silent auction, and door prizes.

How do I get to the Glenmore Inn?

The Glenmore Inn is easily accessible by car at 2720 Glenmore Trail SE. If you will be arriving by transit, routes 73 and 302 will also bring you to the hotel. Click here to see the Glenmore Inn on Google Maps.

Don’t Wait – Nominate!

Nominations for the 20th annual Inclusion Awards are open, but only for one more week! Nominations close on July 15, so if you want to recognise someone who has gone above and beyond in supporting inclusion, don’t delay.2014 Inclusion Awards

If you’re relatively new to the everyone belongs™ blog, you might be wondering just what the Inclusion Awards are. Since 1996, the DDRC has been recognising individuals for the work they have done to make Calgary an inclusive city. The awards are presented at a gala event in September, where the contributions of these outstanding Calgarians are celebrated.

So, what sort of contributions would qualify?

  • A local employer prioritising diverse hiring practices at their business.
  • A teacher working for inclusive education in their classroom.
  • A community member who volunteers to help out at events that promote inclusion.

This is only a small sample of the type of people we want to recognize. Chances are good that someone in your life would be a perfect candidate for nomination!

There are 14 awards available in three different categories:

Community

  • Inclusive Education Award
  • Inclusive Employer Award
  • Inclusive Community Award
  • Corporate Spirit Award
  • Volunteer Spirit Award
  • Good Neighbour Award
  • Special Achievement Award

People with Developmental Disabilities

  • Award of Excellence in Arts and Culture
  • Award of Excellence in Career and Community
  • Outstanding Self-Advocate Award

DDRC Employee

  • Leadership Award
  • Team Spirit Award
  • Agency Spirit Award
  • everyone belongs™ Award

Additional information on each award can be found on the nomination forms. Nomination forms are available here. Nominees are not eligible to win if they have received an Inclusion Award in the past two years. To view a list of all previous winners, click here.

The nomination form is quick and easy, and can be submitted via e-mail, fax (403.240.3230), or sent to the main office by mail:

Developmental Disabilities Resource Centre of Calgary
ATTN: Aurora Graveland-Daines
4631 Richardson Way SW
Calgary, AB  T3E 7B7

Nominations are Open!

It’s that time of the year again … time to recognize the wonderful people in your networks who are working to make Calgary a more inclusive city! And what better way to do that then by nominating them for a beautiful, shiny trophy?

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Oooooh!

 

Established in 1996, the Inclusion Awards (formerly the Awards of Distinction) celebrate the contributions of individuals, organizations and businesses that go above and beyond in promoting the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in the community in real and meaningful ways. The Awards continue to grow in size and prestige every year.  Last year’s event at the Glenmore Inn saw almost 400 guests come together to celebrate inclusive communities.

Click here to download a nomination form in PDF format.

Nominations will be open from April 15 until July 15. For more information, visit the DDRC website.

Sponsorship opportunities are available!  Click here to download our sponsorship package or contact Austin Clem by e-mail [email protected], or by phone at 403-240-7314, for more information.

2014 Inclusion Award Winners

2014 Inclusion Awards
2014 Inclusion Awards

The 19th annual Inclusion Awards took place on September 25th, and were a huge success. Thank you to everyone who attended, the volunteers who gave their time to run the evening, and to all of our donors and sponsors!
Here is a list of this year’s award winners:

 

Awards for Adults with Developmental Disabilities

Award of Excellence: Arts and Culture – Riley Sanesh

Award of Excellence: Career and Community – Trevor Warburton and Michael Hanna

Outstanding Self Advocate Award – Martin Bruns

Community Awards

Inclusive Education Award – Connaught Before-and-After School Program

Inclusive Employer Award – David Crutcher of Ramatek Inc.

Inclusive Community Award – YMCA Calgary

Corporate Spirit Award – Jeff Jaquish of Oxford Technologies Incorporated

Volunteer Spirit Award – Wensi Song

Good Neighbour Award – Teresa Stewart

Special Achievement Award – Denis Mercier

DDRC Staff Awards

Leadership Award – Cassandra Therens

Team Spirit Award – PACE Team

Agency Spirit Award – Hebert Turcios

everyone belongs™ Award – Ellen Toews Evans

Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners! Don’t forget to take a look at some of the evening’s highlights here.