Message from the Ombudsman (March 5, 2012)

Ombudsman Now Accepting Nominations for the Liz Hoffman Memorial Commendation for Complaint Resolution

I am pleased to announce that our office is now accepting nominations for the 2012 Liz Hoffman Memorial Commendation for Complaint Resolution. This annual award serves to recognize Canadian Forces members, civilian employees and family members who go the extra mile and exceed expectations in helping their colleagues resolve a difficult problem or in bringing about positive and lasting change to the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Forces.
 

Liz Hoffman was an investigator with our office who had a deeply rooted sense of fairness and was a tremendous force for positive change. This commendation allows us to recognize those in the Defence community who, like Liz, are dedicated to helping others and making a difference.
 

Anyone can nominate members (individuals or groups) within the Defence community who have demonstrated one or more of the following attributes:
 

  • A willingness to resolve problems informally and quickly, as well as to support alternative means of resolving disputes;
     
  • The courage not to turn a blind eye to difficult situations, but to find ways to resolve them in a manner consistent with fairness, loyalty andintegrity;
     
  • The identification of issues of unfairness and a means of resolving them;
     
  • A systemic approach to problem solving; and/or
     
  • The resourcefulness to propose or consider innovative solutions.
     

Award recipients will receive a framed citation, an engraved glass sculpture created by a well-known Aboriginal artist, and a trip to Ottawa to be recognized at a special ceremony on October 18, 2012. In previous years, the Minister of National Defence, the Associate Minister of National Defence, the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff and numerous parliamentarians, senior leaders and officials have attended the lunch and ceremony honouring award recipients.
 

Members of our Advisory Committee, along with Liz Hoffman’s daughter, will review all submissions received on or before May 31, 2012. I will rely on the committee’s and Dr. Hoffman’s advice in selecting a maximum of three recipients for the 2012 Liz Hoffman Memorial Commendation for Complaint Resolution. All nominators and nominees – whether successful or unsuccessful – will be advised of the outcome of the process in the summer of 2012.
 

I look forward to reviewing all of the nominations for our 2012 award – as an office, we find these stories of service and dedication inspiring.
 

Pierre Daigle
Ombudsman

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