Trillium Awards

The Red Award Category will be judged in person, Red Judges will visit the 14 Pink Trillium Award winning gardens, they will review and virtually score each garden, through an online scorecard.  The scores will be tallied and presented to the Red Judges Panel.  The Red Trillium Winner will be announced in October at the Hamilton Trillium Awards Celebration.

Red Trillium Award winners are not eligible for any Trillium awards (white, pink or red) for 5 subsequent years. If the property ownership changes, the new owner must apply in writing (via the committee) to be eligible for judging before the 5-year period is finished. This policy came into effect in 2015.

Curb appeal is the attractiveness of the property from the street such as:

• a good first impression that catches attention
• exterior looks inviting and welcoming
• naturalization, artistic expression or innovation in biodiversity

Curb appeal can be accomplished by any number of methods including:

Plants or structural elements that compliment the garden, such as:

Softscape/Hardscape

• Softscape comprises live horticultural and biodiverse elements, ornamental grasses, and naturalization of plants and shrubs. The purpose is to lend character to the landscaping, create an aura, support pollinators and provide ambience within the ecosystem. Groundcover should be well maintained. 
• Hardscape refers to a built environment: stones, rocks, pavers, structures, water elements and mulches (should be clean and well kept).

Annuals and Perennials

• Flowers should be well maintained, with healthy colour and foliage, dead headed and part of a colour scheme.
• They should be of proper size and proportion in containers/planters.
• Are there any native species or plants to support pollinators?

Property Maintenance

• walkways, driveways, fences and porches are in good order and contribute to the overall appearance of the property.
• Landscaping is maintained and free of litter.
• Elements and structures compliment a biodiverse landscape and are in working order.

Trees, Evergreens and Shrubs

• ​​​​​​Trees, evergreens and shrubs should be pruned, shaped and maintained
• Deadwood, weak, diseased or damaged branches and stems should be removed

• Native species to Ontario, and plants that support pollinators
• Includes a wise water use water feature to support visiting pollinators
• Pesticide free garden
• Invasive species free garden
• Innovative biodiversity with installed bird houses, seed libraries or bird feeders

Download Committee Volunteer Position Description(PDF, 305.77 KB)

The Hamilton Trillium Awards Executive Committee is responsible for the execution and successful operations of the Trillium Awards Program.  With the support of the Community Liaison Coordinator, the committee members carry out the goals and objectives of the committee.

The role the volunteer committee plays is important to the success of the Trillium Awards Program.  The success of the committee depends on the contributions made by each of its members.  All volunteer members are encouraged to play an active role in the Trillium Awards Program by following guidelines and procedures, attending committee meetings, and offering thoughts and recommendations to improve the program.  The volunteer committee has the authority to decide and act as a group, but not as individual members.

The Committee reports directly to the Community Liaison Coordinator who helps the operation of the program and is responsible for volunteer management.  The Community Liaison Coordinator liaises with City Staff to advance and contribute to the Trillium Awards Program while maintaining open lines of communication.  The Community Liaison Coordinator is responsible for the budget and facilitating adherence to any City policies and procedures that affect the Trillium Awards Program.  All positions are subject to 4 year terms, each candidate may reapply for their current position.

White Level Judges / no experience necessary, you only need a love for gardening!

The responsibilities of the White Judge require a commitment of approximately 15 hours per year and include:

• Register each year on the Hamilton Trillium Awards website.

• Be available on crucial program dates and attend the Judges Training & Celebration Event.

• Have access to a digital device, internet, and email.

• Be able to receive and review all the training materials and tools digitally.

• Receive mentoring and support from your ward coach and Trillium Team.

• Administer both Public Nomination Courtesy Cards for all Public Nominations and We Love Your Garden Cards to encourage more Trillium Award Nominations.

• Support your ward coach with delivering awards to winners if required / desired.

• Get out early each year and submit public nominations in your ward.

• Deliver program information and promotional materials in your ward.

• Help with posting social media content, graphics, and promotional artwork, found in the Trillium Award Volunteer Judges digital toolkit tab - Promotional & Social Media Toolkit.

Ward Coaches / Pink Level Judges - 1 year of experience being a White Judge

The responsibilities of the Ward Coach / Pink Level Judge require a commitment of approximately 20 hours per year and include:

• Register each year on the Hamilton Trillium Awards website.

• Be available on crucial program dates and attend the Judges Training & Celebration Event.

• Get out early in your wards April 1 to June 15, identify and submit public nominations for both (10) Trillium Awards and (5) Community Trillium Awards.

• Recruits, coaches, and responds to White Judges questions and concerns.

• Be prepared to cover nonrespondent or outstanding White Judges assignments.

• Deliver White winning Awards, review and score top 20 White winning gardens to determine Pink Award winners.

• While delivering White Awards, visit and score Community Trillium Award nominations.

• Highlight potential, feel-good Community Trillium Winners for possible media inclusion during prestation to Trillium Awards Chair and Trillium Awards email.

• Deliver and present Pink Awards and Community Trillium Awards to winners.

• Administer Publication / Photo Permission Door Hangers for Winning Pink Gardens and Community Trillium Award Winners email completed forms to Community Liaison Coordinator when complete.

• Assume all follow-up needed for maintaining deadlines to ensure the successful completion of the White, Pink and Community Trillium Awards.

• Deliver program information and promotional materials in your ward.

• Help with posting social media content, graphics, and promotional artwork, found in the Trillium Award Volunteer 
   

Advisory Team – Secretary - 1 year of experience with the Trillium Awards Program:

The responsibilities of the Secretary require a commitment of approximately 40 hours per year and include:   

• Have access to a digital device, internet, and email.

• Maintain records and information of the committee.

• In coordination with the Community Liaison Coordinator create Agendas for Advisory Team and sub-committee meetings

• In coordination with the Community Liaison Coordinator ensure accurate minutes are kept, motions recorded, necessary reports are prepared, and that a record of the committee work is maintained.

• Communicate changes needed to any documents.

• Reviews, identifies, and help with content development for judges’ packages.

• Attend monthly advisory team meetings and sub-committee working meetings.

• Be available on crucial program dates, Judges Training, Celebration Event, Debrief Sessions, Engagement and Outreach events.

• Get out early in wards April 1 to June 15, identify and submit public nominations for both (10) Trillium Awards and (5) Community Trillium Awards.

• Deliver program information and promotional materials in unrepresented wards.

• Help with posting social media content, graphics, and promotional artwork, found in the Trillium Award Volunteer Judges digital toolkit tab - Promotional & Social Media Toolkit.

Apply in writing with expression of interest to [email protected] 

Communication Coordinator - 1 year of experience with the Trillium Awards Program:  

The responsibilities of the Communication Coordinator require a commitment of approximately 25 hours per year and include:  

• Have access to a digital device, internet, and email.

• Facilitate communications and supporting marketing efforts, such as social media ads, website reviews, content for email blasts and newsletters.
• Planning and implementing a communications strategy to achieve Trillium Awards Program.
• Working with team to promote the Trillium Awards.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite of products, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams.
• Attend monthly advisory team and sub-committee working meetings.
• Be available on crucial program dates, Training, Meet and Greet, Celebration Event, Debrief Sessions, Engagement and Outreach events.
• Get out early in wards April 1 to June 15, identify and submit public nominations for both (10) Trillium Awards and (5) Community Trillium Awards.

• Deliver program information and promotional materials in unrepresented wards.

• Help with posting social media content, graphics, and promotional artwork, found in the Trillium Award Volunteer Judges digital toolkit tab - Promotional & Social Media Toolkit. 

Apply in writing with expression of interest to [email protected]

Advisory Team – Ward Coach Coordinator - 2 years of experience with the Trillium Awards Program:

The responsibilities of the Ward Coach Coordinator require a commitment of approximately 40 hours per year and include:  

• Have access to a digital device, internet, and email.
• Oversees the Community Trillium Awards and assignments.
• Reviews and proofreads assigned mapped gardens for the volunteer judges.
• Supports, identifies needs and prepares the judges’ packages.
• Liaise with Ward Coaches, provide coverage, support, and direction. 
• Provide training for Ward Coaches prior to judging date, ensure consistency in approach and performance.
• Ensure Ward Coaches are familiar with Ward boundaries in Hamilton and can execute the use of both MapQuest and the City Hamilton’s online Ward Finder tool.
• Respond to Ward Coaches questions and concerns.
• Works with Community Liaison in maintaining all data related to Ward Coach assignments.
• Attend monthly advisory team and sub-committee working meetings.
• Be available on crucial program dates, Training, Meet and Greet, Celebration Event, Debrief Sessions, Engagement and Outreach events.
• Helps to oversee other Advisory roles and assists with the Judges Training.

• Get out early in wards April 1 to June 15, identify and submit public nominations for both (10) Trillium Awards and (5) Community Trillium Awards.

• Deliver program information and promotional materials in unrepresented wards.

•  Help with posting social media content, graphics, and promotional artwork, found in the Trillium Award Volunteer Judges digital toolkit tab - Promotional & Social Media Toolkit.

Apply in writing with expression of interest to [email protected] 

Horticultural Advisor - 2 years of experience with the Trillium Awards Program:  

The responsibilities of the Horticultural Advisor require a commitment of approximately 25 hours per year and include: 

• Have access to a digital device, internet, and email.

• Provide expert advice on plant selection, care, and maintenance. 

• Provide expert advise and guidance to the team on all aspects of horticulture- including providing ongoing information with biodiversity and invasive species. 

• Provide training to judges as to what to look for when they are judging a garden. 

• Discuss invasive species and how they effect biodiversity.

• Stay current with the latest horticulture trends, techniques, and technologies. 

• Contribute to the development and delivery of educational materials and workshops.

• Attend monthly advisory team and sub-committee working meetings.
• Be available on crucial program dates, Training, Meet and Greet, Celebration Event, Debrief Sessions, Engagement and Outreach events.

• Deliver program information and promotional materials in unrepresented wards.

• Help with posting social media content, graphics, and promotional artwork, found in the Trillium Award Volunteer Judges digital toolkit tab - Promotional & Social Media Toolkit.

Apply in writing with expression of interest to [email protected]
 

Advisory Team - Vice Chair - 2 years of experience with the Trillium Awards Program:

The responsibilities of the Advisory Team Vice Chair require a commitment of approximately 40 hours per year and include:

• Have access to a digital device, internet, and email.

• Accessing the position as a training opportunity as part of the succession of office of the Advisory Team and assuming all duties and responsibilities of the Chair upon his/her absence(s).

• Assist with the recruiting and training of volunteers and Advisory Team members as well as volunteer judges.

• Helps to oversee other Advisory roles and assists with the Judges Training.

• Consults with Community Liaison Coordinator and other key members of the Trillium Awards Advisory Team in planning the Advisory Team objectives / Action Plans and the framework of the Advisory Teams responsibilities.

• In conjunction with the Community Liaison Coordinator, acts as spokespersons for the Trillium Awards Program, communicates with Councillor Offices, at Special Events, accepts community inquiries and resolves concerns as they arise.

• Attend monthly advisory team and sub-committee working meetings.

• Be available on crucial program dates, Training, Meet and Greet, Celebration Event, Debrief Sessions, Engagement and Outreach events.

• Get out early in wards April 1 to June 15, identify and submit public nominations for both (10) Trillium Awards and (5) Community Trillium Awards.

• Deliver program information and promotional materials in unrepresented wards.

• Help with posting social media content, graphics, and promotional artwork, found in the Trillium Award Volunteer Judges digital toolkit tab - Promotional & Social Media Toolkit.

Apply in writing with expression of interest to [email protected] 

Advisory Team - Chair - 3 years of experience with the Trillium Awards Program:

The responsibilities of the Advisory Team Chair require a commitment of approximately 40 hours per year and include:  

• Have access to a digital device, internet, and email.

• Works collectively with the Community Liaison Coordinator to ensure the overall operation and success of the Hamilton Trillium Awards Program.

• Consults with Community Liaison Coordinator and other key members of the Trillium Awards Advisory Team in planning the Advisory Team objectives / Action Plans and the framework of the Advisory Teams responsibilities.

• Maintains the group’s focus, stimulating group thinking, encouraging, and channelling discussions, weighing the value of the expressed ideas and suggestions, summarizing constructive suggestions, and seeking out decisions.

• Defines expectations of the Advisory Teams work; providing appropriate information, training and follow up.

• Supports and directs the work of all sub-committees, establishing strategic partnerships with influencers and contacts.  

• In conjunction with the Community Liaison Coordinator, acts as spokesperson for the Trillium Awards Program, communicates with Councillor Offices, at Special Events, accepts community inquiries and resolves concerns as they arise.

• Attend monthly advisory team and sub-committee working meetings.

• Be available on crucial program dates, Training, Meet and Greet, Celebration Event, Debrief Sessions, Engagement and Outreach events.

• Gets out early in wards April 1 to June 15, to identify and submit public nominations for both (10) Residential Trillium Awards and (5) Community Trillium Awards.

• Deliver program information and promotional materials in unrepresented wards.

• Help with posting social media content, graphics, and promotional artwork, found in the Trillium Award Volunteer Judges digital toolkit tab - Promotional & Social Media Toolkit.

Apply in writing with expression of interest to [email protected] 

Advisory Team – Red Judge - By Appointment only - requires 4 years of combined experience with the Trillium Awards Program and Professional Development: 

The Red Judges Panel, includes 7 Judges, representing the following: 

1. Vice Chair of the Trillium Awards Advisory Team
2. Ward Coach
3. Previous years Red Trillium Award winner
4. Local Horticultural Society Member OR a local garden writer, author, or columnist
5. Local nursery owner, cultivator, or garden store staff personal
6. Local community garden expert, not for profit, partner, funder or sponsor
7. Master Gardener OR local city personality 

The responsibilities of the Red Judge require a commitment of approximately 15 hours per year and include:

• Have access to a digital device, internet, and email. 

• Be able to receive and review all the training materials and tools digitally.

• Visit the 14 Pink Trillium Award winning gardens, one in each ward, view and virtually score in person, through an online scorecard, personalized links will be emailed to each Judge.  
• Receive a final presentation, with scores and Red Trillium winner announcement.
• Attend both the Judges Training and Trillium Awards Celebration in October, not mandatory.

Apply in writing with expression of interest to [email protected]