What is the Shevchenko Medal?
The Shevchenko Medal is the highest degree of recognition that can be granted by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. It recognizes individuals, of Ukrainian and non-Ukrainian descent, groups and organizations for their outstanding National voluntary contribution, towards the development and enhancement of the Ukrainian Canadian community.
A maximum of twelve (12) Shevchenko medals will be awarded at the UCC Triennial Congress.
Award categories for medals are:
- post-grad and extension services,
- non-traditional education programs,
- research and scholarly publication;
- performing arts (music, dance, theatre),
- literary arts, - heritage (museums, archives, research)
- competitive achievements,
- the development of community athletic programs
- outstanding accomplishments in the public,
- entrepreneur, science and technology or business sector
Outstanding achievements can be measured by the nominees’ level of excellence and initiative, their sustained body of work, commitment to volunteerism, peer recognition, and the nominees’ broad impact within and/or beyond the Ukrainian Canadian community, in Canada.
Nominee Criteria
Who is Eligible for the Medal?
All Canadians – individuals, groups or organizations, who meet the criteria as stated below – are eligible to be nominated to receive the Shevchenko Medal.
- Canadian individuals, groups or organizations are eligible to be nominated for a Shevchenko Medal.
- The Ukrainian Canadian Congress – may bestow a Shevchenko award, through means of a special recognition, for their outstanding contribution to the Ukrainian Canadian community.
- Posthumous nominations are ineligible except in situations where the nominee is deceased after being recommended by the jury panel.
What criteria must a candidate achieve to be eligible for a Shevchenko medal?
Nominees must have achieved:
- five significant accomplishments
- these accomplishments must have had a positive effect on the Ukrainian Canadian community at a Canadian National level (local, provincial or solely Ukraine focused achievements will not be considered)
- achieved predominantly through volunteer efforts
Nomination Process
- two-member signatories and
- an excerpt of their organization minutes, approving the endorsement. This information is requested on the application form.
UCC Member organization – A member in good standing of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress National.
- In addition,Nominees (both individual and organizational) will be required to provide the names of two references (as per the nomination form), who are able to corroborate the achievements of the nominee.
Nomination Form
How Do I Nominate Someone?
Please take a moment to consider members of our community, who have demonstrated excellence through their outstanding achievements that have benefited the Ukrainian Canadian community, and complete the appropriate form below.
Once you submit the form, you will receive an acknowledgement of the submission of the application.
We are not accepting applications at this moment. Applications will open closer to the Congress date.
Inquiries regarding the Shevchenko Medal can be directed to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress at (204) 942-4627 or via email at ucc@ucc.ca
If you experience challenges filling out the online form, you can download a PDF copy: Shevchenko Medal for Individuals and Shevchenko Medal for Organizations.
How Are Recipients Chosen?
Upon the recommendation of the Shevchenko Jury committee, the UCC Board of Directors will approve the Shevchenko award recipients.
All nominations remain confidential. Recipients are announced three weeks prior to the commencement of the Triennial Congress or prior to an extraordinary UCC event.
Who Serves on the Shevchenko Awards Jury?
Members of the Shevchenko jury are appointed by the UCC Board of Directors. Jury members may include former Shevchenko Medal recipients and community leaders.
Who serves on the Shevchenko awards committee?
The chair of the Awards committee is appointed by the UCC Executive Committee. The UCC board will appoint members to the UCC Awards committee upon recommendation of the chair. The committee will be in effect until the Triennial Congress, after which is is disbanded.
What Do Recipients of the Award Receive?
During the Awards ceremony, recipients will receive a bronze Shevchenko Medal which is imbedded into a framed certificate, as well as a Shevchenko lapel pin.
