BEVERLY HILLS—The Beverly Hills Human Relations Commission is now accepting names for the Embrace Civility Award. People are encouraged to apply for the award until the deadline on November 5.
The Civility Award is meant to acknowledge those who are positive role models in their community. The people nominated for the award have a positive civil behavior, stand to support respectful and responsible behavior, and promote neighbor-to-neighbor relations.
“We’re looking to honor someone who has created positive, lasting civil change and inspires others to take action,†said Rochelle Ginsburg, Human Relations Commission Chair for the City of Beverly Hills. “We’re asking the community for their help in identifying our next Beverly Hills role model.â€
According to a press release from the City of Beverly Hills, the “Embrace Civility Award is part of the ongoing, award-winning Embrace Civility program, which promotes positive human relations in all aspects of community life. The program started in 2010, when the City of Beverly Hills Human Relations Commission established the importance of embracing civility and integrated the principles of civility, respect and responsible action into daily business at City Hall and municipal election proceedings.â€
Canyon News spoke to Heather Sumagaysay for additional details on the upcoming ceremony. “The City Council charged the Human Relations Commission to focus on promoting civility within the community to support an environment where civility, respect and responsible actions prevail. This is the third annual Embrace Civility Award. The first recipient was honored in 2012,” said Sumagaysay. The winner from 2013 was Raymond Flade who was recognized for his work “championing the cause of stray and forgotten cats in his neighborhood,” added Sumagaysay.
“The programs have expanded from promoting civility in the democratic process with the release of the Election Civility Statement to honoring individual citizens for civility and now taking civility to the streets of Beverly Hills with the Civil City program focused on drivers, cyclists and pedestrians,†she added.
Both people and groups can be nominated for the award, but nominees can not self-nominate. Nominees can only be nominated by others that have observed them acting as a role model of positive civic behavior, taking a stand in support of respect and responsible actions, and promoting neighbor-to-neighbor relations. “The recipient may be of any age and must be a resident of Beverly Hills, or City employee, or associated with a current business or organization that has operated in Beverly Hills for a minimum of one year,†said Sumagaysay.
To nominate someone for the “Embrace Civility Award†visit www.beverlyhills.org/embracecivilityaward to download a form or to send electronic submissions; nominations are also available around town on the first floor at Beverly Hills City Hall at the ranger desk, City Clerk’s Office, Rec and Parks, Registration and Council Chambers. Nominations can also be found at the library and Roxbury Park,LaCienegaPark, Coldwater Canyon Parkand Greystone Mansion Park.
“The nominating party will provide a brief narrative about the efforts of the individual they want to recognize,†said Sumagaysay.