Nomination for a UK National Honour

Honours are given to people from all walks of life and all sections of society who have made a difference to their community. Nominees must still be involved in the activity for which they are nominated. The process takes around 18 months or more.

Awards are announced twice a year – at New Year and in June on the occasion of the Sovereign’s official birthday.

Since 1993, members of the public have been able to make honours nominations themselves. All nominations must be treated in the strictest confidence and a nominee should not be informed as it is not fair to raise expectations in case they are not met.

The number of honours available is strictly limited and therefore, however valuable their service, not everyone can receive recognition. It is important to realise that an honour will not automatically follow a submission. Of the thousands of people nominated each year, only about 1,250 receive an honour in each announcement, of which there are only about 70 in Scotland.

The bar is set very high, since honouring individuals with awards is a way of recognising only the most extraordinary achievements of merit and service to the nation.

Because only exceptional people are honoured, some criteria to be borne on mind are –

Those who –

• Make a difference to their community or field of work.
• Bring distinction to British life and enhance its reputation.
• Exemplify the best-sustained and selfless voluntary service.
• Demonstrate innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Carry the respect of their peers.
• Improve the lot of those less able to help themselves.

Nomination forms are available from: -

• The Clerk of the Lieutenancy, telephone 01436 810209 , who will put you in touch with the Chairman of the Dunbartonshire Honours and Awards Committee who will send all the relevant information and nomination forms.
• http://www.direct.gov.uk/honours