Awards

Every year RTOERO honours volunteer members with awards that recognize significant and long-term contributions.

Distinguished Member Award

RTOERO members are organized into 51 regional districts, all of which are run by dedicated and hardworking volunteers. The Distinguished Member Award recognizes those who have made significant and long-term contributions at the district level.

Recipients of the award receive:

  • A gift from RTOERO
  • A donation of $500 to a charitable organization of each recipient’s choice, and
  • An invitation to attend the next RTOERO banquet for the recipient and a guest

2026 applications open: Nov. 1, 2025
2026 deadline: Feb. 6, 2026

Criteria
  • Nominees for the award are selected in recognition of their outstanding and/or long-term contributions to the work of RTOERO at the district level.
  • Members of the board of directors and members of standing and/or advisory committees are not eligible for nomination by districts for the Distinguished District Member Award for three years after their service has been completed.

 

Application instructions
  • Applications can be submitted on SurveyMonkey Apply. If you already have an account, you’ll be prompted to log in; otherwise, you will register a new account.

Start your application

  • Once logged in, select the RTOERO Member Awards program to find the application.
  • When you begin your application, you will be prompted to complete the “Selection of Application type and Eligibility section”. Please select “Distinguished Member Award” as your application type.
  • Submit your application once complete. You can save your progress and return at a later date if you wish. Applications must be submitted by Feb. 6, 2026.

 

Selection process
  • Districts are invited to submit a nominee by completing an online application by Friday, Feb. 6, 2026.
  • The Board of Directors will select the award recipients.
  • Nominations are not held over from year to year but may be resubmitted.
  • Awards will be presented at the RTOERO Spring Forum Banquet.

Apply now

Exemplary District Awards

While the Distinguished Member and Outstanding Leadership awards recognize individual volunteers for their history of contribution, the Exemplary District Award recognizes RTOERO districts that are doing outstanding work every day which contributes to RTOERO’s vision, mission and strategic goals.

Recipients of the award receive:

  • A digital toolkit, including emblem graphics, Facebook banners and PowerPoint templates
  • Expenses paid for an additional district volunteer to attend the Fall Forum Banquet, where recipients are recognized

2026 applications open: March 9, 2026
2026 deadline: Feb. 6, 2026

Criteria
  • Each year an award is given in each of the three nomination categories:
    • Small districts = 749 members or less
    • Medium districts = 750 – 1999 members
    • Large districts = 2000 members and more
    • Note: District size is calculated as of December 31 of the year prior to application submission
  • Districts are asked to highlight district initiatives taking place in the application calendar year that align with RTOERO’s strategic goals and values.
  • For more information about RTOERO’s strategic goals and values, please see the RTOERO Strategic Plan 2030.
Application instructions
  • Applications can be submitted on SurveyMonkey Apply. If you already have an account, you’ll be prompted to log in; otherwise, you will register a new account.

Start your application

  • Once logged in, select the RTOERO Exemplary District Awards program to find the application.
  • When you begin your application, you will be prompted to complete the “Eligibility” section. Once this is complete, the subsequent application tasks will be available.
  • Submit your application once complete. You can save your progress and return at a later date if you wish. Applications must be submitted by June 26, 2026.
Selection process
  • Each year’s Adjudicating Awards Committee will be comprised of the president of the previous year’s winning districts, or their chosen representative, and chaired by a Board liaison.
  • Awards will be presented at the RTOERO Fall Forum Banquet.

Apply now

Award for Eminent Contribution to Seniors in Canada

The RTOERO Award for Eminent Contribution to Seniors in Canada is for a non-member who has delivered outstanding service for seniors provincially and/or nationally. Award recipients are selected by the board, however it is not necessarily granted on an annual basis.

Recipients are awarded a donation of $5,000 to the charitable organization of their choice and are honoured at the RTOERO Forum Banquet.

In 2024, Dr. Samir K. Sinha was the first ever recipient of the RTOERO Award for Eminent Contribution to Seniors in Canada.

In 2025, the Board of Directors granted Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Seniors’ Advocate Susan Walsh with the Award for Eminent Contribution to Seniors in Canada for her ongoing service to older adults.

Questions about membership or insurance?

Email
membership@rtoero.ca

Call
(Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET)
1-800-361-9888