PRESIDENT S COMMENDATION Introduction 1. The Presidents Commendation is an award that recognises outstanding contributions, by an individual or group, to dressage in Great Britain. Recipients may have had a long-term or singularly significant impact on the dressage community and will be, without doubt, a stand out example to others. Key to the award is the undoubted and unequivocal excellence of the nominee. 2. The Presidents Commendation (PC) bridges the gap between the British Dressage Medal of Honour (MoH) and the Volunteer of the Month (VotM) Award. The award is one of recognition, there are no financial benefits attached, however a Role of Honour will be maintained. 3. This directive covers: Eligibility a. Eligibility. b. Nomination Process. c. Nomination Form. d. Examples of successful citations. 4. There are no restrictions on who may be nominated, save that their contribution, act or impact upon dressage in Great Britain is of the standard appropriate to receive the award. a. Groups, teams or individuals are eligible as are members of staff or anyone formally involved in BD. Where staff or those paid by BD are nominated, the substance of the nomination should clearly show where the nominee has gone above and beyond and that the reason for nomination meets the high standard for all other nominees. 5. There are no restrictions on how many times a nominee can be put forward, nor on how many times the award can be made, other than it cannot awarded a second time for the same reason/event. a. There is no hierarchy to the award in relation to VotM and MoH. No one is excluded. 6. The nominator must be a paid member (any category) of British Dressage. 7. Two supporting signatories are required for each nomination; both must be paid members of British Dressage.
8. The award is designed to recognise and reward outstanding achievements or contribution. The following list gives examples, but is not limited to, reasons why the award may be given: making a difference to their community or field of work enhancing BD s reputation long-term voluntary service innovation and entrepreneurship changing things, with an emphasis on achievement improving life for people less able to help themselves displaying moral courage and doing difficult things facing adversity with incredible determination significant selflessness in supporting others as an enabler within the sport or margins thereof Nomination Process 9. In the spring of each year, a calling notice will be released advising of the award and inviting applications. Application forms can be requested from BD, when the name of the nominee will be asked (but no other details). The purpose of this is to prevent duplication, and encouragement will be given for nominators to collaborate should this occur. The focal point for award administration will be listed in the calling notice and this is likely to be (but not exclusively) the HR/Office Manager. 10. The deadline for applications will usually be the end of May each year. 11. An award panel (with no conflict of interest with any nominee or nominator) will be appointed by the Board and will comprise a minimum of the President as Chair plus: a. Director. b. Member of the Senior Management Team. c. Member of BD staff at officer level or below or a BD member selected at random. d. Where a member of BD staff is a nominee, no member of the award panel may be within their area/department. e. BD may wish to call upon fellow BEF member body colleagues (at the same appropriate levels) should there be extenuating circumstances (i.e. the nominee is known well to all involved). 12. The award panel will usually meet by the end of June, consider nominations, and provide a shortlist for oversight by the CEO prior to presenting to the Board. 2
13. Announcements of recipients of the Presidents Commendation will usually be announced by the end of July. 14. The Presidents Commendation can be presented to recipients at an appropriate event commensurate with its prestige and as agreed by the Board. Annex: Presidents Commendation Nomination 3
Nomination for the Presidents Commendation The Presidents Commendation is an award that recognises outstanding contributions, by an individual or group, to dressage in Great Britain. Recipients may have had a long-term or singularly significant impact on the dressage community and will be, without doubt, a stand out example to others. Key to the award is the undoubted and unequivocal excellence of the nominee. PART A Particulars of Nominee Full name: (this format will be written on the commendation) Overview of the reason being nominated for the Presidents Commendation (max 50 words) Age: Address line 1: Address line 2: Town: County: Postcode: Telephone Number: Email: Normal work / Occupation: BD Membership number (if applicable) 4
PART B Particulars of Nominator Name of Nominator: BD Membership Number Address line 1: Address line 2: Town: County: Postcode: Email: Citation Please provide evidenced testimony on the nominee. Maximum 500 words. As a guide, you may wish to include: The nature of the honorary or exemplary work done The number of years of involvement Where the work has taken place and its impact on individuals/groups etc Examples where the nominee has inspired others Examples of Any other relevant details which would help the application 5
Verification Nominator Signed: Date Supporting Signatories Name (printed) Signed: BD Membership Number Date Name (printed) Signed: BD Membership Number Date 6
Example Citations The following citations were successful (for other awards) and give an idea of the evidence based content required. Unsubstantiated superlatives will be less helpful to nominees than simply presented evidence of significant endeavour. Guidance on the content of each individual submission is available (once you have written it), and can be arranged through the nominated focal point named in the calling notice; this is not compulsory but is in place to support those who may be unfamiliar with citations. The focus is on the right people receiving the award and we will aim to support all those wishing to see inspirational nominees recognised. Such is the respect for outstanding volunteer Arthur Frankland, more than 40 people submitted comments supporting him when he received the British Dressage accolade of Volunteer of the Month. Incredibly active, fit and infectiously enthusiastic, 55 yr old Arthur has not only supported British Dressage for a number of years (we understand decades!) but he continues to be at the forefront of our sport whether it be with national champions or grass roots riders. Notwithstanding the fact he was a London 2012 volunteer, he still covers an incredible number of events across the UK, both at weekdays and weekends. His generosity with his time knows no bounds and his support at the very lowest level of competition is no different to when we have seen him operate at a national level. As a steward, his role requires him to have a full understanding of the detailed rules governing dressage, but where he stands out is his ability to guide riders, many complete strangers to him, on competition days. His tact, gentle assertiveness and wry sense of humour make every rider feel settled; no mean feat when competition nerves are often raw. His role not only requires the knowledge of the rules, but sees him also manage a strict timetable (with each test lasting only 6 minutes, there is no room for relaxation). Often his days will run from 8am to late into the evening, and although some competitions are indoors, it would seem that Arthur has covered most of the outdoor shows - and battled the elements too. Respect and admiration stretches wider than riders too. One of our well known judges commented, He is always to cheerful, helpful and polite wherever I see him, he makes judging more of a pleasure. Whether a grass roots competition in the North or a high profile show in the south, riders who are stewarded by Arthur are steadfast in their admiration. A British young rider s mum complimented his tact in settling the parents as well as the children riding, furthermore, his ability to send first time competitors to their arena with an encouraging word and smile is truly inspirational. In summary, Arthur is, to quote one of our lowest level riders, a legend. His empathy, kindness and humility have made a significant difference to literally hundreds of British Dressage competitions. Combining those qualities with his knowledge, dedication and selfsacrifice [in giving his time], mean that we unequivocally give our strongest support to nominating Arthur for the X award. 421 words 7
An engaging young lady who has set one of the finest examples of dedication and selflessness, Holly Johnson has given so much to the youth within the sport of dressage, that she is, without doubt, the pride of British Dressage. It is an honour to put her forward as a young volunteer to be considered by the panel. The British Young Riders Dressage Scheme (BYRDS) was created by British Dressage to engage with riders between the ages of 6 and 25 years and to open up the world of dressage to them. Although supported by only a small handful of permanent staff, the Scheme covers the whole of the UK, near enough entirely through the efforts of a huge network of volunteers, with Holly being recognised by many as one of our very finest. As one of the very first to be asked to take on the mantel of BYRDS Ambassador for Wales, Holly has risen to the challenge with astounding vigour; although she has held the appointment for just over a year, she has been involved in BYRDS volunteering for the last 3 years. Indeed, her commitment has been further cemented by her applying, and successfully being appointed to, the national level committee that agrees strategy, focus and direction to BYRDS activity across the UK. She is an inspiration to all, although her modesty would play this down. She has organised training camps for the very young, facilitated use of Coleg Sir Gar (Carmarthen College, where she is a lecturer) and website and social media links for the benefits of the Scheme and British Dressage. To see her, still an active and competitive rider, amongst the younger members of BYRDS Wales, is heartwarming. Her Regional Development Officer noted, The younger riders aspire to be like Holly and engage with her realistic views of the dressage world in her monthly blog on the Welsh Rider website. With a background steeped in the equine community, there is so much she is able to give; she is also a volunteer with the British Riding Clubs, is a recognised British Horse Society Assistant Instructor as well as having represented Wales in dressage as a rider herself. When not riding her sheer dedication and drive to support the younger riders in her area is clearly evident; she will go to competitions to support them even when not riding herself. Not content with the already significant personal commitment she gives without second thought, she is also training to be a British Dressage judge (also a voluntary role) in her spare time. Holly Johnson is a young lady we are immensely proud of. To have the opportunity to share the selfless work she does for the love of dressage and the engagement of young riders is an honour; to have the chance to share her story, and potentially see one of our young shining lights recognised, is priceless. 485 words 8