1. Merit Awards are granted to recognize the quality and depth of voluntary service.

The Order of St. John

The Order of St. John is an honour bestowed upon deserving members who have demonstrated meritorious service to their communities. Learn more»

Priory Vote of Thanks (PVOT)

• A Priory Vote of Thanks is awarded in recognition of exemplary, dedicated service, assistance or support to the Order of St. John in Canada on a particular occasion, or over a period of years, on the recommendation of the Chancellor or a Provincial/Territorial or Special Centre Chair.

• A PVOT is not a prerequisite for admission to the Order of St. John. An individual who is already a member of the Order is not eligible for a PVOT.

• Non St. John individuals or organizations who have given special service to St. John outside of contractual arrangements may be awarded a PVOT.  More than one PVOT may be granted to an individual or organization.

Honourary Life Membership

On the recommendation of the Chancellor or Provincial/Territorial Chair, an Honourary Life Membership is granted to a person who has rendered long and faithful service to the Order of St. John through their affiliation with St. John Ambulance.

This award is not granted while persons are serving in an active capacity.  It is an honour which may be granted only upon final retirement from active duty with St. John Ambulance in Canada.

Previous recognition in the form of admission to or promotion in the Order of St. John, a Priory Vote of Thanks, or the Service Medal of the Order does not preclude the granting of an Honourary Life Membership.

No specific service requirements govern the awarding of an Honourary Life Membership, but no further service hours are counted towards the Service Medal of the Order or subsequent Bars to the Service Medal following the awarding of an Honourary Life Membership.

Grand Prior’s Award

The Grand Prior’s Award is awarded to youth members by the Prior of the Priory of Canada in the name of the Grand Prior of the Order of St. John.

This award is specifically designed to recognize a broad range of skills, competence and confidence developed in young St. John Ambulance members over a number of years.

Youth Members who have earned 12 Proficiency Subject certificates, have a minimum of 3 years of service and who have not yet reached the age of 21 years are eligible for the Grand Prior’s Award.  More information on how to reach this goal is available in the Youth Leader’s Manual.

Chancellor’s and/or Provincial/Territorial Chair’s Commendation

The Chancellor’s Commendation and the Provincial/Territorial Chair’s Commendation are exceptional distinctions granted to individuals in recognition of a particularly meritorious contribution to the Order of St. John, at either the National or Provincial/Territorial level.

Nominees need not be a member of the Order of St. John to be considered eligible.

2. Service Awards recognize volunteers for their hours and/or years of voluntary service.

Youth

• Special Service Shield

This red badge is awarded by the Provincial/Territorial Chair to youth members from 11 to 15 years of age who have completed a minimum of 200 voluntary hours.  Subsequent badges in varying colours are awarded at every 200 hour milestone, thereafter, up to 1200 volunteer hours.

• Service Stripes and Service Stars

Black and White Service Stripes, Service Stars or a combination of Stripes and Stars are awarded to youth members after each year of qualified voluntary service.  These years of service qualify toward the 12 years minimum requirement for the Service Medal of the Order.

Adult

• Service Bars

Awarded to adult volunteers (over 16 years of age) who have completed three years of qualifying service with additional stripes being presented at the six and nine year milestones.

• Service Medal of the Order

The Service Medal of the Order is awarded by the Prior for 12 years of service with a minimum of 60 volunteer hours per year.  Service Medals recognize volunteer services provided to the Order through various community service programs offered by St. John Ambulance including youth and adult patient care provision, therapy dog handlers, trainers and coordinators, board and committee work, etc.  Service can be cumulative and need not be 12 consecutive years. Download application form here.

• Bar(s) to the Service Medal of the Order

Silver and Gold Bars are awarded for every five years of service to the Order after the awarding of the Service Medal of the Order.  At the 47 year milestone, a gold Laurel Leaf is presented.  Similar criteria and application process apply to both the Service Medal of the Order and subsequent Bars to the Service Medal.

• Voluntary Community Service Certificate(s) are awarded to volunteers in recognition for their hours of voluntary service starting at 100 volunteer hours mark and every 100 hours milestone after that.  These bronze level awards are given at the provincial/territorial level.  When a volunteer reaches the 5000 hour milestone, a silver level Voluntary Community Service Certificate is awarded by the Chancellor.  Upon completion of 10,000 hours of service a gold level Certificate is presented to the volunteer.