Company Program Awards

Award Description

Awarded to outstanding Company Program students who have made a positive contribution to the company morale. This award can be described as the “heart award” and recognizes students that put in extra effort to make the Company Program experience a positive one for all team members.

What is a changemaker?

A Changemaker is someone who:

• leads by example and inspires others with their positive outlook
• demonstrates a deep-rooted sense of empathy and caring for others
• is mindful of their actions and words and how it can affect others
• is present fully in discussions and conversations and encourages others to share and engage
• is curious and willing to listen, learn, explore and understand
• is a team player and helps to motivate and encourage teammates
• is always willing to recognize and celebrate the success and achievements of their peers
• demonstrates appreciation and gratitude for their fellow peers and advisors
• is always willing to step up, identifying opportunities to improve the Company Program experience for themselves and for others
• is inclusive and welcoming of all individuals in the program

Criteria to Apply

• The Changemaker Award only requires a submission from an advisor and does not require an additional application from the student.
• The Advising Team from each company will submit one Changemaker to be recognized.
• There is no judging process for this award. Each nominated Changemaker from each of the 30 Company Program teams will be automatically recognized. The 30 changemakers will all have an opportunity to apply for a changemaker scholarship.

How to Apply

• Advisors will be emailed the submission form to submit their changemaker decision.
• Complete the form by Sunday, March 26 at 11:59 p.m. (same deadline and form as the individual award nominations)

Prize

• $50 Amazon Gift Card
• Certificate of Excellence
• Opportunity to apply for a changemaker scholarship

Changemaker Scholarships Overview

Thanks to our generous sponsor, CNA Canada, all changemakers are invited to apply to the Changemaker Scholarships. Two students will be selected to receive a $1,500 scholarship and one student will be selected to receive a $1,000 scholarships.  The three changemakers will be selected by July by judges at CNA Canada.

How to Apply

• Record a video (maximum 2 minutes) which explains how you made a positive contribution to the company morale and made the Company Program experience enjoyable for all team members  (see below for Video Tips).
• No email applications will be accepted.
• Complete the application form by Sunday, May 14th at 11:59 p.m. (note this deadline is different than the other Company Program awards)

Video Tips

• Your video should be no longer than 2 minutes in length and be in mp4 format.
• We are not looking for a professionally shot video – however, it is very important that the audio be heard clearly for judges to understand your message.
• A video can be filmed on any device – smart phone, laptop, webcam, etc.
• Do not include footage of anyone who hasn’t given consent to appear in the film or use copyrighted music/images. Unless you tell us otherwise, we have a right to use this video on our digital channels and in our digital marketing campaigns.

What should you include in the video?

We want to know about how you made a positive contribution to the company morale and made the Company Program experience enjoyable for all team members.

Here is what you need to include in your video:

• Tell us a bit about yourself – your first name, age, where you’re from and your company
• How you fit the role of the changemaker?
• Why do you think you should win the Changemakers Scholarship?
• We want to see YOU in the video speaking so please make sure that you're on camera in the video (not just an animation or graphic).
• You may wish to include graphics and/or other footage to support the application (such as footage of your company in action).

​Evaluation

You will be evaluated on the categories below. You can look at the suggested topic questions below to help you frame your video.

• Team engagement - how you motivated and encouraged your team members to participate and go above and beyond
• Recognition - how you recognized and celebrated success, and showed appreciation for your peers and advisors
• Inclusivity - how you fostered an inclusive and welcoming environment
• Reflection - how you have made a positive contribution within your team

​Suggested Topic Questions

You don't have to answer all of the suggested topic questions - these are to provide you with some guidance on how to frame your video

• How did you lead by example and inspire others with your positive outlook?
• How did you demonstrate a deep-rooted sense of empathy and caring for others?
• How were you mindful of your actions and words and how it can affect others?
• How were you present fully in discussions and conversations and encouraged others to share and engage?
• How were you curious and willing to listen, learn, explore and understand?
• How were you a team player and helped to motivate and encourage teammates?
• How did you recognize and celebrate the success and achievements of your peers?
• How did you demonstrate appreciation and gratitude for your fellow peers and advisors?
• How did you step up, identifying opportunities to improve the Company Program experience for yourself and for others?
• How were you inclusive and welcoming of all individuals in the program?

Selection Process

Changemakers are not required to attend Student Interview Night and all changemakers will be recognized at ventureON. The winners will be selected solely on the basis of their video submission. Applications will be review by external judges and the winners will be announced via social media and email by July.

Prize

• Two $1500 Post-Secondary Scholarships provided by CNA Canada*
• One $1000 Post-Secondary Scholarship provided by CNA Canada*
• Certificate of Excellence

*Scholarship winners will be required to provide high school graduation in order to receive the scholarship funds. If the student is not in their graduating year, JA Central Ontario will hold the funds in trust until the student is able to provide proof of graduation.