Appendix 1 – National operating policies and procedures - The order of St. John [11 Feb 2014]

Reproduction of Section 6 “Honours and awards”

Section 6 Honours and Awards

6.1 The Order of St. John

Regulations – Admission / Promotion

Admission to and Promotion in The Order

This instruction provides general policy and procedures which govern the preparation and submission of recommendations for admission to or promotion within The Order.

Introduction

Admission to The Order is an honour bestowed by the Sovereign Head of The Order. The high status of these honours can be maintained only if appropriate diligence is exercised at all levels to ensure that persons recommended are worthy and meritorious.

Complements and Quotas

Within the Priory of Canada and in accordance with the Statutes, there are no quotas for each Grade within the Order: the maximum complement of members in the grades of Knight/Dame and Commander, Officer and Serving Member depends on the number of eligible approved candidates.

Membership in The Order

The Order is comprised of members in the following grades:

 

Grade	Designation	Post Nominal
I	Bailiff and Dame Grand Cross	GCStJ
II	Knight and Dame of Justice and Grace	KStJ / DStJ
III	Commander	CStJ
IV	Officer	OStJ
V	Member	MStJ

Admission to the Order at any grade and promotion of members between grades is at the sole discretion of the Sovereign Head of the Order on the advice of the Prior. [The Grand Prior and the Secretary General will always be consulted before a final decision is made on any of the following processes.]

The Nomination Process. Admission to the Order of St John is discretionary and results from the exercise of the Royal Prerogative. Recognition of humanitarian service, consistent with the aims and objectives of the Order may be extended beyond the membership of St. John, recognizing individuals of quality who will enhance the Order.

Merit. Nomination for admission or promotion in the Order is based exclusively on merit, which means on the candidate’s past contribution to the aims and objectives of the Order, the quantity and quality of work, volunteer service, and contribution of time, skills and resources, as well as a sustained involvement and commitment to the Order of St. John and/or to St. John Ambulance. Submissions should highlight the consequences of the work being recognized and demonstrate the impact the service being recognized has had since admission or the last promotion.

Admission or promotion in the Order will not be considered for a promise of future activities. Admission or promotion must be based on past activities that reflect ongoing involvement and a true commitment to the aims and objectives of the Order.

Age and Probity. Candidates must be 18 years of age to be considered for admission to any Grade in the Order. There must be nothing in the candidate’s character or background which make them unfit to become a member of the Order.

Citizenship. Candidates must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada to be considered for admission or promotion in the Order.

Inappropriate Conduct. Active lobbying by a potential candidate for admission or promotion in the Order is inappropriate and will be discouraged. It may constitute grounds for denying admission to or promotion in the Order. A commitment or promise for admission or promotion in the Order is inappropriate and will not be honoured.

Employees. Employees of St. John will only be considered for admission or promotion in the Order for their clearly demonstrated volunteer activity or exceptional service beyond what would be reasonably expected for their position.

Service to the Order. Length of service does not justify admission or promotion in the Order. Service within St. John is recognized through the issuance of the Service Medal of the Order, providing the conditions of issuance are met.

Posthumous Honour. Posthumous admission or promotion will be awarded only if the candidate was alive and accepted that their nomination be forwarded for the appointment which was recommended by the NHAC.

Admission as Member. Admission to the Order is normally at the level of Member (Grade V), and then promotion may follow in accordance with the provisions of this regulation. Admission at a Grade higher than Member (Grade V) is exceptional and should be treated as such.

Exceptions. Admission at a Grade higher than Member (Grade V) is possible for specified Ex-officio admissions.

Ex-officio Appointments. Ex-officio appointments to the Order are as follows:

1. The Governor General of Canada (Prior) is admitted as a Knight/Dame of Justice in the Order (Grade II);
2. Lieutenant Governors and Territorial Commissioners (Vice-Priors) are admitted as Knights/Dames of Justice in the Order (Grade II);
3. The Chancellor is admitted/promoted as a Knight/Dame of Justice in the Order (Grade II) if he/she does not already hold that Grade, not withstanding the required armorial qualifications for the Grade of Justice.

Accelerated Appointments. The NHAC may consider persons who have made an extraordinary contribution to the aims and objectives of the Order for admission or promotion to a Grade more senior than the one indicated on the nominating form. The accelerated process is only available once for any individual.

If an individual recommended for an accelerated appointment is a member of the Order, the Council Chair will consult with the Chair of the NHAC before submitting the nomination.

Submission Timeline. The timelines to submit nominations for admission or promotion in the Order are set annually by the Priory Secretary. Nominations submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

Authority to Submit Nomination. The authority to submit nominations to the NHAC is restricted to the following persons:

1. Chancellor
2. Deputy Chancellor
3. Chairs of Provincial/Territorial Councils and Adjunct Training Centres
4. Priory Secretary, for the Ex-officio appointments to the Order

Nominations by the Chancellor, Deputy Chancellor, and the Priory Secretary are made under their own signatures and are submitted directly to the NHAC.

Nominations by the Chairs of Provincial/Territorial Councils must be approved by the Council Honours and Awards Committees, and must be signed by:

1. the Nominator; and,
2. Chair of the Provincial Council

When Chairs of Councils are themselves recommended for admission or promotion, the nomination form must be signed by a member of that Council’s Executive.

Nominations by Chairs of Adjunct Training Centres must be approved by the Centre’s Honours and Awards Committee and must be signed by:

1. the Nominator;
2. Chair, Honours and Awards Committee; and,
3. Chair of Adjunct Training Centre.

Annually, the Priory Secretary will provide a nomination form and administrative guidance for completing the form. Every nomination submitted to the NHAC will be made using the prescribed nomination form.

Every nomination submitted to the NHAC will be accompanied by an explanatory note from the Priory Secretary that informs the committee as to any variance with the standard and as to any variance with the regulation.

Promotion Process. Promotions in the Order are based on the candidate’s meritorious contribution to the aims and objectives of the Order since the date of the candidate’s admission or last promotion.

The following broad guiding principles should assist the NHAC in assessing a nomination for promotion in the Order:

1. Knight or Dame (Grade II). The Candidate must have successfully demonstrated leadership at a national or regional level, in a position carrying major responsibility; or have demonstrated exceptional leadership and performed meritorious service at a local level.
2. Commander (Grade III). The Candidate must have successfully demonstrated leadership at a regional level, in a position carrying substantial responsibility or have demonstrated exceptional leadership and performed meritorious service at a local level.
3. Officer (Grade IV). The Candidate must have successfully demonstrated leadership at a regional level in a position carrying substantial responsibility, or at a local level carrying major responsibility.
4. Member (Grade V). The Candidate must have performed good and devoted service to the Order through sustained voluntary commitment of time, skills and/or resources to St. John.

More specifically, the quantity and quality of work, volunteer service, and contribution of time and skills are determining factors when considering a candidate for promotion – how has the individual made a difference worthy of such recognition.

Appeal. There is no provision for appeal. Nominations that are not approved may be resubmitted with additional facts as to the nominee’s service rendered to the Order in the next year.

Publicity. Nominations for admission or promotion in the Order of St. John are confidential and must remain confidential until they are sanctioned by the Prior. Successful candidates for admission or promotion are notified, in confidence, by the Priory Secretary that they have been nominated and approved by NHAC, and asked if they will accept the honour according to the administrative timeline outlined in Appendices to this Regulation. Candidate’s acceptance is achieved by filling out the Certificate of Acceptance and Undertaking prescribed in the Appendices to this Regulation.

Once the Prior (Governor General) sanctions the recommendations for admission or promotion, Provincial Councils are informed of the names of:

1. Candidates who have accepted the honour; and
2. Candidates who have declined the honour.

The Priory Secretary notifies the successful candidates that their admission or promotion has been sanctioned by the Governor General and informs them of the date of publication in the Canada Gazette.

To ensure transparency, after the publication of the list of successful candidates in the Canada Gazette, the Summary Citations supporting each of these admissions or promotions may also be made publicly available by the Priory Secretary.

Reclassification

A Knight or Dame of Grace may elect to be reclassified as a Knight or Dame of Justice, without any change in seniority in the Order, if they satisfy the Genealogist that they are entitled to bear Arms. Individuals must submit a letter of request along with a copy of the Coat of Arms and the appropriate fee to the attention of the Genealogist, c/o the Priory of Canada.

Roll of the Order

The Roll of the Priory of Canada, bearing the names of the members of the Order of Canada, shall be kept up-to-date by the Priory Secretary which shall liaise with the NHAC. It shall contain details of all admissions, promotions and terminations of membership of the Order in Canada. The name of a member whose membership has been terminated shall not be regarded as being borne on the Roll.

The Roll of the Order shall contain a division referred to as the “Inactive Division”. The Priory Secretary shall place in the Inactive Division the names of those Members who were last known to be resident within the territory of the Priory of Canada, but whose whereabouts for the time being are unknown.

If within the period of ten years from the date on which a person’s name is placed in the Inactive Division that personal shall come forward he shall be transferred to the Priory Roll of the Order.

If within such period that person does not come forward then at the end of that period his name shall be deleted from the Priory Roll of the Order, but without prejudice to his right at any time thereafter to apply for it to be restored to that roll.

Guide for New Members

Candidates for Admission to the Order will be sent a copy of the “Guide for New Members” along with the Certificate of Undertaking. A copy of the Guide is attached as Appendix 1.

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6.2 Termination of Membership in the Order of St. John

Termination

The Royal Charter and Statutes of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem (2003), Statute 43, provides for Termination of membership.

Termination of membership of the Order otherwise than by resignation or death is known as Forfeiture.

Resignation

Any member who wishes to resign his/her membership in the Order of St. John shall do so in writing. Such requests are to be sent to the attention of the Priory Secretary and Registrar of the Order of St. John. The member resigning from the Order is required to include his/her insignia and appointment document with the letter of resignation.

The Priory Secretary and Registrar upon receipt of a letter of resignation will immediately acknowledge in writing attesting that the individual is no longer a member of the Order, that his/her name has been removed from the Roll of the Order and that the insignia and appointment document has been returned. A permanent record of the fact and date of resignation shall be maintained by the Priory of Canada.

Forfeiture

Forfeiture of membership is not intended as a penalty for wrong-doing although it can be effected because of wrong-doing.

Forfeiture may be effected:

1. on the ground of membership of a Specified Body; or
2. in other circumstances in accordance with Statute 43 (4)

Forfeiture for Membership of a Specified Body

Pursuant to Statute 43 (3), a Prior acting on a recommendation of his or her Priory Chapter in the case of a person born of the Roll of that Priory may terminate the membership of the Order of a person who is also a member of a Specified Body.

A Prior who is minded to affect Forfeiture in such circumstances shall not be obliged to give the member an opportunity to resign his or her membership of the Specified Body before taking a final decision.

Forfeiture in Other Circumstances – Statue 43(4)

Statute 43(4) provides that the Grand Prior on the recommendation of the Grand Council and with the sanction of the Sovereign Head may terminate the membership in the Order of any person.

Statute 43(4) does not specify the circumstances in which the Grand Prior can effect Forfeiture but, taking together the specific statutory provisions and the practice which has been developed under this Statute, they can be regarded as falling into the following categories:

1. where the member has been convicted of any criminal offence for which an immediate custodial sentence exceeding three months has been imposed;
2. in certain circumstances where the member has been convicted of a serious offence or a criminal offence;
3. in certain circumstances where an adverse finding, award, official sanction, fine or reprimand has been made against the member in any civil proceedings, in proceedings before a tribunal or other body exercising judicial or quasi-judicial powers, or by an adjudicating body, professional association or other organization;
4. where a member has positively acted against the interest of the Order;
5. where facts relating to the member become known after admission; and
6. any other circumstances which the Grand Prior considers warrant such action.

Conviction of a Serious Offence or Other Criminal Offence

Forfeiture will be considered in all cases where a member of the Order has been convicted of a serious offence. Irrespective of the nature of the offence, Forfeiture will be regarded as appropriate in such circumstances.

Forfeiture may be considered in the case of any member of the Order who has been convicted of a criminal offence, including cases in which the conviction is not formally recorded or time served.

Adverse Findings

Forfeiture may be considered in the case of any member of the Order against who an adverse finding or award has been made in civil proceedings or by a tribunal or other body exercising judicial or quasi-judicial powers.

Forfeiture may also be considered in the case of any member of the Order who has been subject to official sanction, such as a fine or a reprimand, by an adjudicating body, professional association or other organization.

Conduct Contrary to the Interests of the Order

Forfeiture may be considered when the conduct of the member constitutes a significant departure from generally-recognized standards of public behaviours which is seen to undermine the credibility, integrity or relevance of the Order, or detracts from the original grounds upon which the appointment was based.

Circumstances Unknown at the Time of Admission

Forfeiture will be considered in the case of any member of the Order in relation to whom facts become known after admission which, if known at the time when he or she was invited to become a member of the Order, would likely have resulted in that person not being admitted to the Order.

Other Circumstances

Nothing herein contained purports to limit the general power of the Grand Prior to consider Forfeiture in any other appropriate circumstances. It is likely that any other cases would be because the conduct of the person concerned has shown that his or her continued membership in the Order is incompatible with the values, objects and purposes of the Order or because the forfeiture of his or her membership is considered to be necessary for the protection of the Order, or its members or those for whom St. John cares or potentially cares.

Recommendation of National Honours and Awards Committee

Forfeiture of a member’s membership to the Order of St. John shall be made on the recommendation of the National Honours and Awards Committee (NHAC) to the (International) Order Honours and Awards Committee.

The Process

A member of the Priory of Canada shall as soon as practicable after becoming aware of a circumstance which could reasonably be cause for forfeiture of a member's (the "Relevant Member") membership in the Order send details of that circumstance to the Priory Secretary and Registrar for the Order of St. John in Canada (the "request for forfeiture").

In dealing with any circumstance which might result in forfeiture, the process must:

1. be fair;
2. be transparent;
3. take into account all relevant facts so far as those facts are reasonably ascertainable;
4. be based on evidence;
5. allow the Relevant Member an opportunity to make representations before any recommendation/decision is made; and,
6. respect the Royal Charter and Statutes governing the Order.

In accordance with the foregoing guiding principles, the Chair of NHAC may direct the following process be observed, that:

1. The Relevant Member be provided with copies of the request for forfeiture and any supporting documents by the Priory Secretary;
2. The Relevant Member be allowed 20 business days to make written representations to the Priory Secretary in response to the allegations made in the request for forfeiture. "Business days" shall exclude Saturdays, Sundays, and another provincial or federal statutory holidays;
3. The member who submitted the request for forfeiture be provided with copies of the Relevant Member’s written representations to the Priory Secretary, and that he/she be allowed 20 business days to respond in writing to same. A copy of that written response shall be forthwith provided to the Relevant Member;
4. The Priory Secretary obtain such other relevant, necessary and ascertainable fact(s) for consideration by the NHAC to reach a decision;
5. Where facts are not ascertainable from public sources, the Priory Secretary (on the recommendation of the NHAC) may ask the Relevant Member to consent to the judicial or other authorities holding such information to disclose that information to us. If the Relevant Member fails for any reason to give such consent, the Priory Secretary and/or the NHAC may proceed on the basis of the information which is available to him/her and he/she may have regard to the fact that the Relevant Member has not given such consent;
6. Upon completion of the above directions, the Priory Secretary will prepare a report outlining all of the relevant facts of the matter. A copy of the Priory Secretary's report is to be provided to the Relevant Member and to the member who initiated the request for forfeiture, and those parties shall be allowed 10 business days to respond in writing to same;
7. The Priory Secretary has the discretion and authority to grant reasonable extension(s) of time. If any party fails for any reason to submit a written representation on time, the Priory Secretary and/or the NHAC may proceed on the basis of the information available to he/she prior to the expiry of the deadline. The review/forfeiture process will continue, even if a party omits to reply within the prescribed time;
8. If, in the opinion of the Priory Secretary acting reasonably, there are insufficient facts to support a case of possible forfeiture, the Priory Secretary shall inform all parties of her findings. No further action will be given by the NHAC to the request for forfeiture;
9. If, however, in the opinion of the Priory Secretary acting reasonably, there are sufficient facts to support a case of possible forfeiture, the Priory Secretary shall inform all parties of her findings. The Priory Secretary shall thereafter promptly provide a copy of his/her report and the written representations made by the two parties to the members of the NHAC;
10. At a meeting of the NHAC (the date of the meeting not being sooner than 10 business days from the date the members of the NHAC receive the information set forth in direction no. 9 above), its members may, if they think fit, consider the request for forfeiture, the Priory Secretary's report and the written representations made the Relevant Member and the member requesting forfeiture, and the circumstances.
    1. If the NHAC does not consider that forfeiture is appropriate it may either:
       1. notwithstanding its view, refer the matter to the (International) Order Honours and Awards Committee ("OHAC"); or
       2. decide that no further action is to be taken, in which case it shall forward to the Secretary-General of the International Order brief details of the case and of its decision. The Priory Secretary will inform both parties, and this will effectively end the process as the decision of the NHAC is final and without appeal; but,
    2. If the NHAC is minded to refer the matter to the OHAC in London or to recommend to the said OHAC that forfeiture should be effected, the Priory Secretary shall give the Relevant Member notice of that fact and invite the Relevant Member to make additional written representations before the NHAC makes a final decision.
       
       The Relevant Member will be allowed 10 business days to provide such additional written representations to the Priory Secretary for the NHAC.
       
       At a special meeting of the NHAC convened for that purpose (the Relevant Member shall be notified of the date and time of this special meeting of the NHAC which shall not be sooner than 5 business days after the members of the NHAC has received the Relevant Member's additional written representations), a decision related to the forfeiture of the Relevant Member's membership in the Order is to be made by a secret ballot, by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the voting membership of the NHAC (no proxies permitted). Where the decision is that forfeiture is not appropriate, the provisions of direction 10) (a) above shall apply. Where the decision is that the matter be referred to the OHAC or that a recommendation that forfeiture should be effected, the NHAC shall refer the matter to the OHAC in London to be determined in accordance with the provisions of Grand Council Instruction No. 14 (see Appendix 2). as amended from time to time, or any subsequent Grand Council Instruction on the issue replacing it.
       
       If the Relevant Member is expelled from the Order as a result of forfeiture procedure, the Relevant Member will receive written notification of forfeiture effective the date of sanctioning by the Prior, and a notice to this effect will be published in the Canada Gazette;
11. At any time during the foregoing review/forfeiture process, the Relevant Member may voluntarily choose to resign from the Order by notifying the Priory Secretary in writing of that fact. After the acceptance of the Relevant Member’s resignation by the Priory Secretary pursuant to Statute 43(1) of the Order, the review/forfeiture process shall be permanently suspended and the Relevant Member’s name will be struck from the Roll of the Order of the Priory of Canada. A resigned member must return insignia to the Priory Secretary. A permanent record of the fact and date of resignation shall be maintained by the Priory of Canada.

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6.3 Service Medal of the Order & Ultra Long Service Extension (ULS)

Pursuant to changes to the Service Medal design to update the inscription and the qualifying period for eligibility, and to the introduction of the Ultra Long Service Extension as approved by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Sovereign Head of the Order in July 2019, this section provides policy governing the awarding of the Service Medal of the Order and its Ultra Long Service Extension and related procedures to be followed. Changes are effective on the Appointed Day of January 1, 2020.

General

The Service Medal of the Order, the Ultra Long Service Medal Extension and bars are recognized by the Canadian Honours System and therefore are honours of the Crown.

As part of the Canadian Honours System and because of our unique language requirement (bilingual), the Priory of Canada has been authorized to have the revised inscription on the reverse of the Service Medal written in Latin. The inscription reads

“VENERABILISSIMUS ORDO HOSPITALIS SANCTI JOHANNIS HIEROSOLYMITANI - PRO OFFICIO”

which translates to:

“The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem – For Service”

Eligibility

The Service Medal of the Order is awarded to eligible persons who perform Qualifying Service each year, properly recorded and certified, for a determined number of years.

Volunteers and staff who perform volunteer service on behalf of the Order are eligible to receive the Service Medal of the Order.

Service Criteria

The Qualifying Period for an eligible person to be awarded a Service Medal shall be not less than ten (10) years of volunteer service on behalf of St. John, defined as follows:

1. Only Active members as of the Appointed Day are considered eligible under the ten (10) year qualifying period. Active members are defined as volunteers who, as of December 31, 2019, have rendered sixty (60) hours of volunteer service as a minimum in that year;
2. Not less than ten (10) years of Qualifying Service is to be interpreted as the equivalent of not less than sixty (60) hours voluntary service on behalf of St. John, for each and every year and for which no remuneration has been paid. Compensation or remuneration refers specifically to staff pay or compensatory leave and paid instructional time of First Aid Course Instructors. Compensation does not refer to honoraria paid to volunteers as reimbursement for out of pocket expenses;
3. Qualifying Service in one capacity may be added to service in any other qualifying capacity, provided they are not simultaneous;
4. Qualifying Service need not be ten (10) continuous years and therefore may be cumulative;
5. Prior to the Appointed Day, Qualifying Service under twelve (12) years will only be considered eligible if the the person is determined to be an Active member as of January 1, 2020.

Bars to the Service Medal

Silver and Gilt Bars may be awarded for each five years of satisfactory service, subject to the same criteria and application process as for the Service Medal. The Medal and Bars to the Medal are awarded as follows:

• 10 years – Service Medal;
• 15 years – Service Medal + 1 silver bar;
• 20 years – Service Medal + 2 silver bars;
• 25 years – Service Medal + 3 silver bars;
• 30 years – Service Medal + 1 gilt bar;
• 35 years – Service Medal + 2 gilt bars;
• 40 years – Service Medal + 3 gilt bars;
• 45 years – Service Medal + 4 guilt bars;

Ultra Long Service Medal Extension

The Ultra Long Service (ULS) Medal Extension is intended to allow for continued recognition of voluntary service beyond 50 years. It will be awarded after 50 years of qualifying service and will replace the silver Service Medal of the Order and Laurel Leaf.

The ULS Medal Extension takes the form of the same medal as the Service Medal, but finished in gilt with a distinctive thin gold stripe through the centre of the existing black and white ribbon to differentiate it from the silver Service Medal.

The awarding of the ULS Medal Extension will replace the Service Medal after 50 years of qualified service and beyond and is not to be worn along with the silver Service Medal. Any Active Member who currently has a silver Service Medal with Laurel Leaf decoration will be issued a ULS Medal to replace the Service Medal and will be entitled to receive a gold bar for each 5 years of qualifying service thereafter.

• 50 years – Ultra Long Service Medal Extension
• 55 years – Ultra Long Service Medal Extension + 1 gilt bar
• 60 years – Ultra Long service Medal Extension + 2 gilt bars
• 65 years – Ultra Long Service Medal Extension + 3 gilt bars
• 70 years – Ultra Long Service Medal Extension + 4 gilt bars

Please note: The Service Medal with Laurel Leaf decoration may be retained by the recipient, but not worn.

Replacement of a lost medal and/or bars will require a letter from the recipient explaining the reason for the replacement. The cost of replacing the Service Medal and bars is the responsibility of the recipient.

Service Medals and bars are awarded automatically to Officers and members of Community Service Units who meet the requirement. The request for the award is made by the Council’s Community Services staff.

Miniatures of the Service Medal and its ULS Medal Extension may be purchased through the Priory Secretariat at National Office.

Non-Members of St. John Community Services

Non-members of St. John Community Services units with qualifying service may make application, must complete the Application for the Service Medal of the Order and submit it to their provincial Council.

The Application for the Service Medal of the Order must be appropriately completed in full. Details of Service must include the number of hours of service for each year and the type of service rendered.

Corroborating Signature on the application form refers to the signature of a supervisor who is able to confirm the details of service for each year (i.e., Committee Chair, Branch Chair). These signatures may not be the same as the Council Chair’s signature appearing on the last page.

Completed application forms must be sent to the Council in which the applicant last served. The Honours and Awards Committee of each Council will review each application. The Council Chair’s signature will indicate approval for recommending the award of the Service Medal.

Applicants attached to an Adjunct Training Centre must submit their application to organization’s Honours and Award Committee.

Completed applications must be sent to the Priory Secretary at National Office.

Responsibility

The final recommendation for award of the Service Medal of the Order and its ULS Medal Extension will rest with the Priory Secretary on behalf of the National Honours and Awards Committee. The Priory Secretary may submit an application for final approval where the service does not fall within the general guidelines.

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6.4 Sovereign’s Medal for Merit

The award is for outstanding merit in fields which lie within the Order’s statutory objects:

1. the encouragement of all that makes for the spiritual and moral strengthening of mankind in accordance with the first great principle of the order embodied in the motto “pro fide”;
2. the encouragement and promotion of all work of humanity and charity for the relief of persons in sickness, distress, suffering or danger, without distinction of race, class or creed and the extension of the second great principle of the Order embodied in the motto “pro utilitate hominum”;
3. to maintain and develop the St. John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem Foundation; and
4. to maintain and develop the St. John Ambulance Foundation

The award will be made only in the case of exceptional merit. Save in the most exceptional circumstances, there would only be one award a year, and in some cases there might not be an award.

This award can be made to an individual, a group of individuals, an association or a corporate body.

Members of the Order are not eligible to receive the award.

The recognition takes the form of a Diploma, specially worded to record the person’s achievements, accompanied by a medallion which is not designed to be worn.

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6.5 Sovereign’s Award

Objects of the Award

1. The Sovereign’s Award is given to young St John Ambulance members in recognition of outstanding work in 3 key areas:
   1. Personal development;
   2. Benefit to St John Ambulance; and
   3. Benefit to the community.
2. It is the premier Youth award in St John Ambulance, as it is the only award to bear the personal signature of the Sovereign Head of the Order.

Entry Qualification

3. The Award is open to members of St John Ambulance, aged 16-25, who have completed the Grand Prior’s Award, or similar demanding projects in Establishments (such as the Amalfi Challenge (Priory of England)) or 1,000 hours of adult service.

Award Criteria

4. To qualify for the award of the Sovereign’s Award, candidates must submit evidence of significant achievement in 3 areas, in a format of the candidate’s choice:
   1. Personal benefit as an individual and team member;
   2. Benefit to the work of St John Ambulance; and
   3. Benefit to the community, preferably over an extended period.

Assessment

5. In each Establishment a panel of judges will examine all applications. The panel should be composed of people from a variety of backgrounds. The members of the selection panel may change from Establishment to Establishment, but will normally be expected to consist of:
   1. An independent external Chair;
   2. Two young people selected by their peers;
   3. Two experts in the field of assessing Youth work; and
   4. The Chief Commissioner (Youth) , or equivalent.

Assessment Criteria

6. The panel will assess the applications based on the evidence presented to them, according to the following criteria:
   1. Completion of either the Grand Prior Award, or similar Establishment challenge, or 1,000 hours adult service;
   2. significant personal development;
   3. benefit to the work and vision of St John Ambulance; and
   4. service and benefit to the community, preferably over an extended period.

General Notes

7. Details of successful candidates, together with outline details on the projects for which the Award is granted are to be submitted annually to the Secretary General, by the middle of November each year. Order-wide, these will then be collated within the International Office for submission to the Sovereign Head for approval, through the Grand Prior’s office. The number of awards each year is likely to be limited Order-wide, for which there will therefore be significant competition. [The issue of numbers will need to be discussed in due course with Buckingham Palace, feedback on this will be provided in due course.]
8. Successful candidates will be awarded a certificate signed personally by Her Majesty, The Sovereign Head.

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6.6 Grand Prior’s Award

This section provides the policy governing the awarding of the Grand Prior’s Award, and related procedures to be followed.

The Grand Prior’s Award is awarded by The Order in the name of the Grand Prior. It is a vehicle for developing a broad range of skills within the youth programmes of the Community Service.

The Cadet Proficiency Programme and the SJA Connect program lead to the awarding of the Grand Prior’s Award. These programs are designed to maintain the interest of youth and develop individual competencies, confidence and leadership abilities.

Eligibility

Community Service youth who have earned twelve (12) Proficiency Certificates and have a minimum of three years’ efficient service and are under 21 years of age are eligible for the Grand Prior’s Award.

Youth aged 14 to 19 who enrol in the SJA Connect program are considered eligible to receive the Grand Prior’s Award upon completion of three levels of Leadership certification and have engaged in a minimum of 30 hours of volunteer service in their communities. Participants are encouraged to volunteer with St. John Ambulance, but SJA Connect is a non-membership program. It is not mandatory for participants to join and volunteer with St. John Ambulance.

Procedure

Cadet Proficiency Programme

On obtaining twelve Proficiency Certificates, the Proficiency Badge and numerals earned thus far will be relinquished, and the Grand Prior’s Badge will be awarded.

Qualification must be obtained in at least one subject from each of the subject areas, as listed in the current version of the Cadet Proficiency Manual.

Not more than four Proficiency Certificates may be awarded to a single candidate in any calendar year.

Proficiency Certificates will be issued to successful candidates by Provincial/Territorial Commissioners. Proficiency Certificate counterfoils will be retained at Provincial/Territorial Council Offices until the candidate qualifies for the Grand Prior’s Badge, at which time they will be forwarded to National Office to support application for the award.

The Grand Prior’s Badge replaces the Proficiency Badge and numerals, and is worn on the upper left sleeve of the uniform.

Individuals earning this award are entitled to wear the Badge on their uniform for as long as they remain entitled to wear the Community Service youth uniform.

SJA Connect Program

SJA Connect Program was developed to work with the Grand Prior’s Award program. Participants can apply the SJA Connect topics taken towards the Proficiency Certificates. The three levels of certifications must be completed successively. Participants may incorporate elective topics into their programming at the same time as core topics.

Leadership Level I is composed of 5 core topics:

• SJA in Canada
• Why Volunteer
• Team Dynamics
• Conflict Resolution, and
• Citizenship.

Upon the successful completion of these 5 topics, the participant will be issued the Leadership Level I certificate.

Leadership Level II is composed of:

• 2-day Standard First Aid-CPR/C course
• Introduction to Occupational Health and Safety
• Emergency Preparedness,
• Balance Lifestyles, and
• 30 hours of volunteer work as a minimum

Note: Standard First Aid/CPR-C course may be substituted for Emergency First aid in provinces where warranted.

Participants will receive Leadership Level II certificate upon successful completion.

Leadership Level III participants are required to complete a total of 10 elective topics from the 4 program modules listed. At least one elective from each module must be taken:

1. Health and Safety
2. Volunteerism and Community Service
3. Leadership and Communication
4. Life Skills

Participants may choose from any single module area or a combination of module areas to complete the remaining 6 topics.

Upon successful completion, the participant will receive the Leadership Level III certificate and be eligible for the Grand Prior’s Badge.

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6.7 Priory Vote of Thanks (PVOT)

A Priory Vote of Thanks (PVOT) is a National Award, bearing the Seal of The Order and signed by the Chancellor. The PVOT is an expression of gratitude in recognition of exemplary, dedicated service, assistance or support to the Order of St. John in Canada on a particular occasion, or over a significant period of time.

Criteria

A PVOT is  not a prerequisite  for admission to the Order. It is sometimes used as a first step before admission.

A member of the Order is not eligible for a PVOT.

Non-St. John individuals or organizations, who have given special service to St. John, outside of contractual arrangements, may be awarded a PVOT.

A PVOT may not be awarded for financial contributions of any kind, no matter how made, directly or indirectly.

More than one PVOT may be granted to an individual or organization but each PVOT must be for a separate contribution to the work of St John.

Procedure

It is the responsibility of the Honours and Awards Committee for each Council or Adjunct Training Centre to determine whether service should be recognized at the national level through a Priory Vote of Thanks.

Citations must accompany each request for a PVOT using the approved form attached as Appendix 3.

Distribution

Once processed, PVOTs will be sent to the Councils/Adjunct Training Centres for presentation.

Councils/Adjunct Training Centres are responsible for ensuring that PVOTs are presented to recipients on a suitable occasion, along with the accompanying Citation. PVOTs that are not presented within a year of receipt must be returned to the Priory Secretary.

 

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6.8 Council Vote Of Thanks (CVOT)

A Council Vote of Thanks may be awarded for service or assistance which has contributed to work of St John through a Council in some manner. This may include transportation, assistance for meetings, or other appropriate services; however a CVOT may not be presented for financial donations.

Design and production of CVOT certificates is a Council responsibility. Councils may arrange for their Vice-Prior to sign the certificates.

Councils are strongly encouraged to develop specific criteria for receipt of a Council Vote of Thanks, i.e., authorizing body, limit of awards granted to an individual or deadlines for submissions, etc.

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6.9 Commendations

In addition to Priory Votes of Thanks, Admission and Promotion within the Order, it is possible to recognize distinguished work on behalf of the Order by means of a Commendation. Commendations may be granted by the Chancellor, a Provincial or Territorial Council Chair or an Adjunct Training Centre Chair.

Commendations are distinct from Admission and Promotion within the Order and recognise extraordinary levels of performance on specific tasks on behalf of The Order.

Commendations are presented in the form of a certificate and a Gold or Silver bar bearing a Maltese Cross which is officially recognized in the Canadian Honours system and may be worn on the uniform centred below Medals and Decorations. Commendations may be worn on Military uniforms in accordance with Canadian Forces dress regulations.

The Chancellor is allotted 20 commendations, with up to 10 allocated for presentation within Councils if the contribution of candidates put forward merit such recognition, with the balance of commendations awarded at the Chancellor’s discretion. In awarding commendations, the Chancellor should be sensitive to language, region and gender.

Councils with 500 or less volunteers are authorized to award a maximum of 5 Chair commendations and any Council with more than 500 will have a ratio of 1 commendation for every 100 volunteers to a maximum of 15 Chair Commendations.

The Priory Secretary may allocate, upon application from Adjunct Training Centres, on a discretionary basis, a reasonable number of Commendations but no more than five per calendar year.

All requests for commendations must be submitted using the nomination form.

All commendations are numbered, and the names of all recipients are recorded in a register maintained by the Priory Secretariat.

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6.10 The St. John Medallion

The St. John Medallion is presented to individuals and groups where an appointment or promotion to the Order or the award of a Commendation or PVOT would not be appropriate because of the status of the nominee, the honours and awards they may already have received or the nature of their function.

This award is divided into three categories to recognize volunteers, members of the paid staff of St. John or excellence in philanthropy.

Nomination Process

A call for nominations will be made at the same time that the Priory is soliciting nominations for the Order of St. John. Deadlines for nominations are September 30 and March 31 of each year.

The nomination will be submitted on the current application form for the St. John Medallion which is available from the Priory Secretariat or on line at www.sja.ca.

Nominations may be submitted by any St. John volunteer or staff members. All nominations will be reviewed and recommended by the Council Honours and Awards Committee.

Nominations must be signed by the Chair of the Honours and Award Committee of a Council and the Council Chair prior to submission to the Priory of Canada.

The Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor, each, in their sole discretion, have the right to nominate candidates.

All nominations will be submitted to the NHAC for review and recommendation.

The NHAC may, in its sole discretion, recommend candidates who have been unsuccessful in the admission or promotion process for a St. John Medallion.

Note: all nominations for the St John Medallion will be considered at the same time by the NHAC.

St. John Medallion for Dedicated Service

The St. John Medallion for Dedicated Service may be awarded to any St. John volunteer. It is awarded by the Chancellor on behalf of the Priory of Canada to eligible individuals to recognize dedicated volunteer services over a significant length of time or under extraordinary circumstances which deserves recognition but yet is not eligible for other St. John honours and awards.

The St. John Medallion for Dedicated Service is antique brass in colour and may be awarded to a maximum of 15 individuals in any given year.

St. John Medallion for Distinguished Service

The St. John Medallion for Distinguished Service may be awarded to:

• any person who is a paid employee of St. John Ambulance; or
• any group of persons who are paid employees of St. John Ambulance.

The St. John Medallion for Distinguished Service is awarded by the Chancellor on behalf of the Priory of Canada to eligible employees or groups of employees for service of a rare and exceptionally high standard, which accrues great benefit to the Priory as a whole.

The St. John Medallion for Distinguished Service is antique brass in colour and may be awarded to a maximum of 10 individuals in any given year.

St. John Medallion for Excellence in Philanthropy

The St. John Medallion for Excellence in Philanthropy may be awarded to an individual, organization or industry.

It is awarded by the Chancellor on behalf of the Priory of Canada to eligible individuals, organizations or industries to recognize outstanding contributions in time, leadership or financial support to further the mission of the Order of St. John or its charitable foundations, St. John Ambulance or the St. John Eye Hospital.

The St. John Medallion for Excellence in Philanthropy is antique brass in colour and may be awarded to a maximum of 5 individuals, organizations or industries in any given year normally.

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6.11 Life Saving Awards

Life Saving Medals of the Order - Gold, Silver and Bronze

There are three conditions for the award of the Life Saving Medal at any level, namely:

1. The Nominee must have performed “a conspicuous act of bravery”:
   • the circumstances must be dangerous
   • the nominee must be (a) aware of the risk; (b) have the opportunity, however brief, to assess the risk and make the choice whether or not to do the specified act and (c) deliberately and voluntarily decide to do that act. The specified act must go well beyond what might be expected of an ordinary citizen on corresponding circumstances.
2. in performing the specified act, the Nominee must have endangered his or her own life:
   • in light of the actual circumstances, in performing the specified act the Nominee must have incurred a real risk that he or she would die in the process.
3. And the Nominee must have performed the specified act in saving or attempting to save the life of another or others.

Certificate of Honour

The basic conditions for the Award of the Certificate of Honour are:

• the Nominee must have performed “a conspicuous act of bravery”; and
• the Nominee must have performed the specified act in saving or attempting to save the life of another or others.

An example of the circumstances in which a Certificate of Honour may be awarded is that the Nominee did not expose himself or herself to a material risk of death, but did expose himself or herself to a material risk of injury.

The primary factors to which the Committee has considered are:

• the degree of risk, or so of the likelihood of death, which the Nominee knowingly undertakes; and
• the degree of persistence shown by the Nominee in voluntarily continuing with his or her endeavours.

In the following circumstances, it is likely that no award will be made or an award will be made at a lower level than would otherwise have been the case:

• if the Nominee is a close relative of the person in peril (husband and wife or parent and child);
• if the Nominee has available and uses lifesaving or protective equipment which reduces the risk of the Nominee’s death; or
• if the Nominee is in remunerated employment and rescue activities are reasonably to be regarded as forming part of the duties of that employment.

Nominating Process

A Nomination can be made by anyone in respect of any Nominee, whether or not the Nominee has any connection with the Order, St. John Ambulance or the St. John Eye Hospital or whether the specified act was done in the territory of Canada.

If the specified act was done in Canada, the nomination should be submitted to the Priory of Canada. The Committee will only consider a nomination if it is supported by the Priory.

Supporting Documentation and Information

Nominations should contain the following information:

• the full names, country of residence and date of birth of the Nominee;
• the date, place and time of the specified act;
• comment on such of the factors set out under the criteria that are relevant to the nomination and on any other factors which the nominator or the Priory consider material, including the number of causalities, the presence or absence of the emergency services and any other complications;
• the assessment by the nominator and the Priory (if applicable) of the achievement of the Nominee in doing the specified act; and
• details of any connection that the nominated person has with the Order, St. John Ambulance or the St. John Eye Hospital.

Nominations should be accompanied by documentary or other independent evidence of the specified act, including where police attended the incident, a copy of the police statement or report.

Time Limits

Nominations will be considered only if they are received by the Priory within two years of the doing of the specified act.

St. John Ambulance Life-Saving Awards
The following awards are applicable only in Canada.

St. John Ambulance Life-Saving Award (Risk of Life) - may be awarded to an individual who placed his/her own life in jeopardy in saving or attempting to save life by means of his/her knowledge and use of first aid, where the situation does not merit the recommendation of the award of the Life-Saving Medal. If approved, the recipient will be awarded a gilt lapel pin and a St. John Life-saving Award Certificate.

St. John Ambulance Life-Saving Award (Non-Risk of Life) - may be awarded to an individual who saves or attempts to save life by means of his/her knowledge and use of first aid. Personal risk is not a condition of this award. If approved, the recipient will be awarded a silver lapel pin and a St. John Life-Saving Award Certificate.

Provincial or Territorial Certificate of Commendation for Life-Saving

This award may be granted by the Chair of a Council to an individual whose attempts to save a life may or may not have been successful, but whose actions do not warrant receipt of a Priory of Canada award. Receipt of this award does not preclude a nomination for Life-saving Medals of the Order or Priory of Canada awards. A silver lapel pin may accompany the Certificate of Commendation for Life-Saving.

Note: Councils or Branches are responsible for purchasing pins from the National Office.

St. John Ambulance uniformed members are authorized to wear their Life-Saving lapel pins centred on the left breast pocket flap of the jacket or shirt. If there is no left breast pocket, the pin is worn where the pocket flap would be customarily.

Note: Should a member be awarded one silver and one gilt pin, they are worn in order of precedence, silver to the left of gilt as viewed from the front.

Conditions for Receipt of Life-Saving Awards

An award by the Government of Canada, The Royal Life Saving Society of Canada or another agency does not preclude an application for a St. John Life-Saving Medal or Certificate.

A potential recipient need not be a member of or be trained by St. John Ambulance to qualify for any Life-Saving Award.

In the following circumstances, it is likely that no award will be made or an award will be made at a lower level than would otherwise have been the case:

• if the nominee is a close relative of the person in peril (husband and wife or parent and child);
• if the nominee has available and uses lifesaving or protective equipment which reduces the risk of the nominee’s death; or
• if the nominee is in remunerated employment and rescue activities are reasonably to be regarded as forming part of the duties of that employment.

Awards may be made posthumously.

Application for Awards

Applications for all St. John Life-Saving Awards must be completed and forwarded to National Office using the application form Application for a St. John Life-Saving Award.

Supporting documentation must be attached to every application form. This includes signed statements of any professionals who may have arrived during or after the incident, or who may have been involved with the victim directly after the incident (e.g., doctors, nurses, police, ambulance attendants, fire fighters, etc.). This also includes signed statements of witnesses. It does not include newspaper articles without other substantiation. Applications without supporting documentation will not be considered and will be returned.

Independent checks should be made through Council or Branch resources to certify accuracy of information.

In the event that obtaining information could jeopardize confidentiality, or be hindered by current Privacy legislation, the originator should note this in the covering letter, and complete the application accordingly.

Recommendations for Life Saving Medals of the Order and St. John Ambulance Life-saving Awards will be considered at National Office under the direction of the National Honours and Awards Committee (NHAC).

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6.12 Honorary Life Membership

Honorary Life Membership is granted to a person who has rendered long and faithful service to the Order. It is not granted while persons are serving the Order in an active capacity, but is an honour which may be awarded only upon final retirement from active duty with St. John Ambulance in Canada. Previous recognition in the form of Admission to the Order, a Priory Vote of Thanks, or the Service Medal of the Order does not preclude the granting of Honorary Life Membership. No specific service requirements govern the award of Honorary Life Membership.

Honorary Life Members may not accumulate credit for volunteer service hours towards the Service Medal of the Order.

If a person, who is in receipt of an Honorary Life Membership, wishes to accumulate credit for further volunteer service to the Order, he/she must temporarily relinquish Honorary Life Membership in order to do so.

Procedure

The award is made upon the recommendation of a Chancellor, Council Chair or Chair of an Adjunct Training Centre after due consideration of the nature of service rendered by the retiring member. Recommendations are to be forwarded in writing to the Priory Secretary. A brief outline of the service and circumstances supporting the recommendation must be included.

Award

The award will be in the form of an Honorary Life Membership certificate and a silver lapel pin bearing the Priory Shield on the Badge of the Order.

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