Commonwealth Service Awards

Commonwealth Service Awards recognize a Lifesaving Society volunteer's length of noteworthy service and dedication to the Society's mission and mandate.

Under the auspices of our patron Her Honour the Honourable Lois Mitchell, CM, AOE, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, the Lifesaving Society honours those who have helped promote the goals of the Society.

Honorary appointments are reserved for those who have given outstanding service to the Society and acknowledge long-term service excellence. Awards are presented annually at the Investiture of Lifesaving Honours.

Certificate of Thanks:

• To recognize contributions or service by individuals, club, schools, organizations, etc.
• For short-term service or one-off contributions to Society Activities.

Service Commendation:

• Available only to individuals.
• Minimum of two (2) years involvement or service in an active volunteer role.
• Performed outstanding service as an active volunteer.

Commonwealth President's Award:

• To recognize the exceptional service or contributions of organizations, clubs, schools, etc.
• Not available to individuals.
• To recognize significant contributions made to the operations of the Royal Life Saving Society.

Service Medal:

• Available only to individuals.
• Minimum of four (4) years involvement or service in an active volunteer role.
• Performed outstanding service as an active volunteer.

Bar to Service Medal:

• Available only to individuals who are active volunteers and have previously earned the Service Medal four (4) or more years previously.
• Minimum eight (8) years of involvement/service in an active volunteer role.
• Performed outstanding service as an active volunteer.

Service Cross:

• Normally available only to individuals who have previously earned a Service Medal and a Bar to Service Medal.
• Minimum of twelve (12) years involvement/service in an active volunteer role.
• Performed outstanding service as an active volunteer.

Bar to Service Cross:

• Available only to individuals who have previously earned the Service Cross four (4) or more years previously.
• Minimum sixteen (16) years involvement/service in an active volunteer role.
• Performed outstanding service as an active volunteer.
• Can be awarded every four (4) years if the individual is not eligible for the next level of honour but must maintain level of service/involvement.

Commonwealth Honourary Life Member:

• Nominees must be exemplary representatives of the Society and contributed in a substantial and measurable way to the Society's mission.
• Available only to individuals who have previously earned the minimum of a Service Cross.
• Minimum of twenty-four (24) years of involvement/service in an active volunteer role.
• Usually reserved for a member of a National or Commonwealth Committee who has given outstanding service to the Society.
• Nominations for this award for candidates who have not served on a National or Commonwealth Committee will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees and are not subject for automatic ratification.  

Commonwealth Honourary Life Governor:

• Nominees must be exemplary representatives of the Society and contributed in a substantial and measurable way to the Society's mission.
• Available only to individuals who have previously been named a Commonwealth Honourary Life Member.
• Minimum of twenty-eight (28) years of involvement/service in an active volunteer role.
• Usually reserved for a member of a National or Commonwealth Council who has given outstanding service to the Society.
• Nominations for this award for candidates who have not served on a National or Commonwealth Committee will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees and are not subject for automatic ratification.

Commonwealth Vice President:

• This is the Society's highest Honour and is available to individuals who have given outstanding and exemplary service to the Society over a long period of time.
• Available only to individuals who have previously been named a Commonwealth Honourary Life Governor and have been a member of a National or Commonwealth Council.
• Minimum of thirty-two (32) years of involvement/service in an active volunteer role.
• National Presidents and Honourary Commonwealth position holders (past or present) may be eligible for consideration for this Honour regardless of time served and previous honours.
• Nominations for this award for candidates who have not served on a National or Commonwealth Committee will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees and are not subject to automatic ratification.

Commonwealth Service Order:

• A past or present professional officer or a member of staff of a Member Branch who has supported and assisted the activities of the Commonwealth Headquarters and/or provided development support to lifesaving organisations in other Commonwealth nations.
• Minimum of five (5) years continuous and outstanding service.

ADDITIONAL NOTES ON CRITERIA:

Nomination period: Service should be calculated to the end of the previous year in which the nomination is to be made, e.g. for 2016 Honours, number of years service is up to Dec. 31, 2015.

Length of Service: Length of time for active service/involvement should be continuous, although flexibility may be given where there has been an explained break in service.

Active volunteer roles: Active volunteer involvement/service can be undertaken as a qualified lifeguard performing volunteer duties, instructor, examiner, trainer, coach, official, commission or committee member, director, officer or other representative of the Society. 

An individual is considered to be a volunteer if they undertake work for the Society for which no compensation (other than reimbursement of reasonable expenses) is received.

During the time period specified involvement or service could be carried out in several roles.

Outstanding Definition: Performed ongoing exceptional and meritorious service during the period stated by representing the Society in a professional manner. Promotes the Society in its mission, vision and values throughout the period of service and/or furthers the work of the Society.

Starting age for service: Service may be taken from the age of 12 years providing all the criteria is met regarding service, contributions or achievement by individuals.

Commonwealth Service Award Recipients

2023 Commonwealth Service Awards will be presented on January 26, 2024 at the Investiture of Lifesaving Honours at Government House in Edmonton, Alberta.

Service Commendation

• Brad Dryer
• Cody Dunne
• Victoria Mitchell

Service Medal 

• Candice McMillan
• Jeremy Todgham

Service Cross 

• Tanya Jones