NOMINATIONS are now officially open for the third annual National Honours and Awards program, and the public is being urged to submit their suggestions.
This comes as the National Honours and Awards Committee (NHAC) hosted a press conference at the Hilly Ewing building in Providenciales on Wednesday, March 1 to update the public on the upcoming awards ceremony which is expected to be held in October this year.
The program recognizes outstanding locals who have made a praiseworthy contribution to the country`s development.
Speaking at the press conference, President of the Committee Willette Swan said the honors and awards form depicts a description of the achievements, merits and service a recipient should possess.
The category of awards are: The Order of National Hero, The Order of Turks and Caicos Islands, The Patriotic Award, The Long Service Medal, The Meritorious Award and the National Young Achievers Medal.
He said: “The honors and awards consists of two orders, one award, and three medals, the first order is the order of National Hero, it may be granted to an islander for extraordinary and outstanding achievement in merit in service to the islands or to humanity, the person may have the title “The Right Excellent” and may wear the insignia of the order.
“We`ve named only one National Hero, the Order of Turks and Caicos is the second Order , it may be granted to an islander who has served with distinction in a field or discipline ,the recipient may have the title “The most Honorable” and the letters “OTCI” after his name and may wear the insignia of the order.
“The Patriotic Award comes in tow categories, the gold for Turks and Caicos islander and silver for a non- Turks and Caicos Islander ,it maybe granted to someone who has demonstrated a keen sense of national consciousness and rendered exceptional sacrificial service to the islands and the people and of the islands.
“And the silver to a non-islander for demonstrating a very high regard for national integration and for philanthropic contribution to the development of the islands.”
He explained that the recipient of that award will have the title the “The Much Honored” and the letters “PA” after his name and may wear the insignia of the order; the committee has so far named eight nominees.
Swan said: “The Meritorious Service medal may be granted to an islander who has been giving sacrificial and meritorious service in a field that is inherently challenging or has performed a brave or humane act whether in the islands or abroad.”
Swan further pointed out that there are specific guidelines which must be followed to ensure that the nomination process is fair and balanced.
“It is of utmost importance that you nominate persons that you believe are worthy to receive an award.
“Additionally, a nominator must match the person that is nominated to the award since the committee cannot nominate him or her for a different honour or award.”
It was noted that the process must gain public confidence, trust and respect; and as such, special care should be taken to ensure the honours and awards process is carefully managed, and more importantly, to be seen as fair and balanced.
The guidelines which clearly define and outline eligibility and criteria need to follow a framework carefully crafted, studied and adopted as intended. There must be no room to accommodate subjectivity and discretion.
The committee must honour their role paying particular attention to judgment, and discharge their duty with integrity and dignity.
Forms are available at the Premier’s Office in Grand Turk and Providenciales, The District Commissioners Office and on the Government’s website.
The completed nomination should be delivered in a sealed envelope clearly marked: National Honour and Award Programme or any member of the National Honours and Awards Committee on or before June 30, 2017.
The form only introduces the nominee. Information regarding the nominee’s work, service and merits should also be added.
“Ensure that you provide all the information, in whatever form that information takes, to support your reason why your nominee should be so honoured,” Swan said.
“Whether documents, newspaper clippings, letters, testimonials.”
The Ordinance provides that an honour or award may be revoked if the awardee allows persons to whom the award was not granted to wear his insignia or commits an act the committee sees as bringing the honours system into disrepute.
Honours and awards are a particularly important means of recognition that can show not only how much the contribution of individuals are valued, but also can provide inspiration to others to perform to the standards.
