Lifetime Achievement Award

Recognizing the long-standing contribution of exceptional OMSSA members who have recently retired or who plan on retiring ahead of next year's OMSSA Exchange Conference.


Eligibility Criteria

Active participation with the association evidenced by at least two of the following:

  • Member of OMSSA networks

  • Member of OMSSA task forces/working groups

  • Member of OMSSA standing committees

  • Member of OMSSA Board of Directors

  • Member of OMSSA Zone executives

Representation of OMSSA on at least one external table, thereby making contributions to human services policy and implementation in Ontario, including: 

  • A committee, working group or table of the provincial government

  • A committee, working group or table of the federal government

  • A committee, working group or table of the Association of Municipalities in Ontario (AMO)

  • A committee, working group or table of OMSSA specifically designed to partner with another association, order of government or sector

A documented meaningful contribution to OMSSA that strengthened the association in one of the following areas:

  • Policy development

  • Educational programs and events development

  • Governance and sustainability

  • Reputation with external stakeholders

A documented, meaningful contribution to the improvement of human service policy and implementation at any order of government.

Nomination Process

Nominations for our 2022 Awards are now closed!

  • Any OMSSA member can nominate another individual, including themselves
  • Only one nomination per member will be accepted
  • The total number of award recipients is limited to one (1) person per year; however, exceptions will be made for more than one deserving recipient 
  • Nominators must receive sign-off from their Commissioner/Lead

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

OMSSA encourages nominations that reflect the diversity of its membership, in particular from individuals from racialized groups and Indigenous Peoples to ensure that our awards are reflective of the racial diversity of the populations its members serve.

To submit a nomination:

  • Download the fillable nomination form

  • Fill out the form to provide details about your nominee

  • Send your completed form back to us as a PDF by email at info@omssa.com by the nomination deadline



2022 Nominations 

Nominations for OMSSA's 2022 Awards are now closed! Thank you to all members who submitted their nominations. 




2022 Recipient

2022: Greg Bishop, County of Simcoe & Debbie Cercone, City of Windsor

Past Recipients

  • 2021: Grace Mater, City of Hamilton
  • 2020: Rick Farrell, York Region
  • 2019: Gayle Montgomery, County of Lambton & Beth Nowak, Cochrane DSSAB
  • 2018:
    • Walter Burt, Prince Edward Lennox-Addington Social Services
    • Bruno Ierullo, City of Windsor
    • Roxanne Lambert, Region of Durham
    • Linda Mitchelson, City of Peterborough
    • Joe-Anne Priel, City of Hamilton
    • Lucy Sobczyk, City of Windsor
    • Mary Lou White, Lanark County
  • 2017:
    • Stephen Arbuckle, City of Ottawa 
    • Mary Beth JonzHalton Region 
    • Adelina Urbanski, York Region 
    • Brenda Wilton, County of Bruce 
  • 2015: 
    • Lucy Brown, Municipality of Chatham-Kent
    • Shannon Hyatt, City of Windsor
    • Patti Moore, County of Norfolk
    • Brenda Patterson, City of Toronto
    • Dave Pelette, Niagara Region
    • Terry Sanderson, Grey County
    • Terry Talon, County of Simcoe
  • 2014
    • Marsha Millar, Municipality of Chatham-Kent
    • David Overboe, County of Huron
    • Jane Soldera, City of Hamilton
  • 2013
    • Merv Hughes, County of Norfolk
    • Heather MacVicar, City of Toronto
    • Sally Pincock, Halton Region
  • 2012
    • Carmen Ouellette, City of Greater Sudbury 
    • Mike Schuster, Region of Waterloo
    • Wendy Stewart, Niagara Region
    • Ronna Warsh, City of Windsor
  • 2011
    • Mary Lucas, Thunder Bay DSSAB
    • Sue Norden, City of Brantford
    • Valerie Sauer, County of Wellington
    • Johanne Tallon, City of Ottawa
    • Bill White, Nipissing DSSAB
    • Connie Woloschuck, City of Ottawa