The Hong Kong Volunteer Award is a community-wide award first organized in 2005. As an important initiative of Agency for Volunteer Service (AVS), it aims to recognize volunteer contributions and achievements, raise volunteer profile and social recognition on volunteerism, showcase and provide exemplary volunteering models to society.

Volunteers are the valuable capital of society crucial to building a caring and harmonious community. Volunteers, out of free will, devote their time and talents for the benefit of others. They participate in the work of non-profit organizations, playing front-line, planning, advisory and supporting roles. Their achievement and contributions deserve appropriate community recognition to promote the professionalism and sustainable development of volunteerism in the community.

	Entry Criteria

The candidate must

• be Hong Kong resident, irrespective of age;
• enter the Award on individual basis;
• have a track record of continuous and active volunteering participation and contribution to the community. Service record in the past two years (1 July 2005 to 30 June 2007)must be evident based and endorsed by local organizations; and
• be supported by at least one nominator

	Eligibility of Nominator

• Hong Kong resident or public / private organization in Hong Kong; individual nominator should not be relative of the candidate
• Nominator can make one or more nominations
• Board members and staff of the Agency for Volunteer Service, members of the Organizing Committee and Judging Panel of Hong Kong Volunteer Award are not eligible to nominate and be nominated

	Judging Process

• Shortlisted candidates have to attend the preliminary screening interview to be held in early November 2007
• Finalists will be interviewed by the Judging Panel in mid-November 2007
• Invited candidates who fail to attend the interview would be disqualified

	Selection Criteria

Achievements and Outcome

• Volunteering concepts and innovations
• Service impact / benefit to society / service recipients
• Resource utilization, cost effectiveness and service sustainability

Performance and Commitment

• Volunteering involvement, commitment, passion and initiative
• Team work with other volunteers, partners and staff members
• Reflection and insight on volunteering
• Ability to mobilize and motivate others to participate in volunteering
• Attitude and service performance related to the service recipients

Participation and Contribution

• Diversity and level of volunteer participation
• Number of service programme and service recipients served
• Number of service hours

Special Consideration

• Capacity to overcome difficulties or face challenges in the accomplishment of the service mission
• Ability to break personal limit and barriers, such as physical ability, resources, qualification and experience in order to achieve the objectives

	Number of Awardees and Recognition

• Ten Outstanding Awardees will be selected, subject to the final decision of the Judging Panel
• The awardees will be presented with a trophy, a Certificate of Recognition and a gift from the sponsor for volunteer service use

	Appreciation for Successful Nominators

• Nominators of the ten Outstanding Awardees will receive a souvenir in appreciation of their nominations.