Owen Sound City Hall. (photo by Matt Hermiz/Bayshore Broadcasting)
Owen Sound may be introducing a new community award next year.
Council passed a motion at its meeting Monday to ask staff to prepare a report outlining potential components of a Community Ambassador Award, which could be given out for the first time in 2027.
“Municipal ambassador awards recognize individuals, groups and organizations who significantly enhance local civic pride, and specifically promote the municipality by fostering positive change, economic and business development … tourism initiatives and community engagement,” says Coun. Carol Merton, who brought the motion to council. “They are outstanding community champions.”
“Municipalities can apply ambassador awards to engage and acknowledge specific demographics or ages, or promote particular initiatives,” Merton continues. “These awards effectively acknowledge engaged citizens as community advocates, strengthening the municipality from within.”
Owen Sound’s Director of Community Services Pam Coulter says staff will bring a report to committee that lays out the different awards the city already offers — volunteers of the year, arts and culture award and the Owen Sound Sports Hall of Fame — and try to figure out how this new award would complement them.
Draft criteria for a new community ambassador award will be brought to committee and council for input and then approval.
Merton adds: “The idea is for us as a council to start to promote, through an award, moving the negative narrative to a place of being grateful and thankful for the wonderful city that we have.”