Overview

The Multicultural Council of Windsor and Essex County (MCC) is proud to present an annual award to honour and recognize individuals and/or organizations in promoting and encouraging cultural, racial diversity, and advocacy for human rights. Windsor has the fourth largest immigrant population in Canada (Statistic’s Canada)) and is increasingly becoming more diverse as the newcomer population grows.

The award recognizes individuals, businesses and/or organizations that go beyond the every-day norm of their business, responsibilities, mission and vision. Significant consideration is given to candidates who implement innovative strategies and actions to support and encourage a harmonious society in Windsor and Essex County.

The Herb Gray Harmony Award recognizes individuals, businesses and/or organizations that act as champions and roles models that epitomize the Multicultural Council’s mission and actively participate in building a community that is multi-racial, multi-ethnic and multi-faith and works towards the social equality of all cultures.

Nominations will be accepted on behalf of individuals and/or organizations from both the public and private sector.

Nomination Criteria

Nominations should meet two or more of the following criteria:

A. Provides evidence of a spirit of multiculturalism;
B. Shows a commitment to enhancing quality of life for both newcomers and Canadian citizens that is considered over and above typical day-to-day duties.
C. Demonstrates leadership in helping others achieve full participation in Canadian Society.
D. Demonstrates outstanding contribution in building a more inclusive society.
E. Proof of a long-term contribution to creating a harmonious society that is multi-racial, multi-ethnic, and multi-faith and to working towards social equality of all cultures.

Nomination Procedures

The Herb Gray Harmony Award will be administered by the MCC and an independent volunteer adjudication panel consisting of judges, who reflect the values of the MCC. This panel will forward the names of the recipients in each category to the board for approval.

Submissions for this award must include:

• List of what the nominee has done to promote the mission of the MCC that go beyond the every-day norm of their business, responsibilities, mission and vision..
• Demonstrate how the nominee’s actions/activities benefit the Windsor/Essex County Community (attach a description of no more than 300 words).
• Describe how these actions/activities will or have resulted in sustainable or lasting change.
• Include three letters of reference written in direct support of the nominee.
• Include a one-page biography of the individual or a profile of the organization/ business.
• Meets two or more of the nomination criteria.
• Submit 6 copies of the award nomination package.

Note:
• Self-nominations will not be accepted.
• Nominators may only nominate one candidate per year and should not be related to the nominee.
• Current MCC board members and their immediate relatives are not eligible for nominations.
• Documents submitted for nominations will not be returned.
• Judges’ decisions are final and are based solely on the information specified in the nomination process and submitted in the nomination package.
• Only complete packages will be forwarded for judging.
• The MCC reserve the right to withhold an award in any particular year.
• Nominees are eligible for re-nomination in subsequent years; however, a new application must be submitted each time and only the information in the current application will be considered.