YMCA Fellowship of Honour

Recognizing A Lifetime of Outstanding YMCA Leadership

The YMCA Fellowship of Honour is the highest honour and most valued award in the YMCA in Canada. People are our greatest resource and the YMCA Fellowship of Honour is a way to celebrate their achievements. Each nomination is judged on its own merits, based on the impact that a nominee has made on a YMCA Association and community or communities.

Since 1981, 123 individuals from across Canada have been appointed to the YMCA Fellowship of Honour. The profiles of each recipient show how these leaders have passed on a legacy of caring from one generation to the next, and have inspired civic responsibility in others.

We applaud and thank all the recipients for their generous contribution to building healthier communities.

About the Award

Held every 3 to 5 years (depending on the availability of our Patron, traditionally their Excellency the Governor General of Canada), the YMCA Fellowship of Honour recognizes outstanding YMCA volunteers and staff who provide tremendous leadership towards our mission and expanding the capacity of the YMCA in Canada. Individuals are honoured in one of two categories:

A Companion award recognizes outstanding national and international leadership
An Officer award acknowledges local or regional leadership contributions

Each recipient receives a Fellowship of Honour Medal designed by award-winning artist Dora de Pédery-Hunt, a framed citation and a commemorative lapel pin, and is featured in a book listing all Fellowship members.