Award Nominations
VFP will offer five awards this year. Four of the five awards are for individuals, with the fifth award going to the Chapter of the Year.
Read more about award categories below.
Award Categories
The Gandhian Non-Violence Award
The Veterans For Peace Gandhian Non-Violence Award is given to a member who exemplifies the qualities of compassion and selfless service according to Mohandas K. Gandhi’s philosophy that the highest form of service is rooted in love and non-violence and “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service to others.” Ideal candidates are those members who give themselves unselfishly in service to others in their personal lives, and in their communities. The award may also be given posthumously to veteran or associate members who have passed away since the previous convention.
Howard Zinn Lifetime Achievement Award
The Howard Zinn Lifetime Achievement Award is bestowed upon someone who has made significant and ongoing outstanding contributions to the cause of peace over their lifetime. This individual will have also made exceptional efforts to increase public awareness of the costs of war (via activism, teaching, writing, lecturing, the arts, music, stage, or radio). This award may also be given posthumously to veteran or associate members who have passed away since the previous convention.,
Ken Mayers’ Service and Stewardship Award
The Ken Mayers Service and Stewardship Award is given to an individual or group who has performed exemplary service in support of the well-being of veterans and their families while advancing the culture of peace in the local community, nationally, or internationally.
Ken Mayers was once asked why he kept working for peace and justice year after year, and he replied, “I do it in part because I can, and I do it in the hope of creating a better world for my children and grandchildren. The world is a little less depressing when you are trying to make things better.”
His dedication, equanimity, kindness, and nonviolence, and the respect he showed everyone, friend or foe, in word or deed, were unwavering. He is admired, loved, and respected by people in VFP and beyond. He represents in his person the peace, love, and wisdom that we want to see reflected in the wider world.
Leadership in Peace Award
The Leadership in Peace Award is given to a person or organization that has demonstrated outstanding leadership, vision, initiative, inclusiveness, and perseverance in advancing the mission and values of Veterans For Peace. This award recognizes those whose leadership has strengthened the organization, inspired others to action, fostered collaboration, and made significant contributions to building a more peaceful and just world at the local, national, and/or international level.
Chapter of the Year Award
The Veterans For Peace Chapter of the Year Award recognizes a chapter that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to the mission and values of Veterans For Peace through community engagement, peace education, activism, membership development, and organizational vitality. The award honors chapters whose efforts have made a meaningful impact in their communities while advancing the cause of peace, justice, and nonviolence.
Chapters are invited to nominate themselves by documenting their accomplishments during the award period. Nominations are evaluated using criteria including media outreach, chapter growth, community service, activism, and other measures of organizational effectiveness.