THE HONG KONG RED CROSS AWARDS SYSTEM 優異服務榮譽獎章 / 獎狀 ) I. THE BADGE OF HONOUR FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE( 優異服務榮譽獎章 2. Others who have demonstrated wise and skillful leadership which, through the encouragement of others, has promoted and publicized the work of the Red Cross and raised the morale and standard of service. 1. Distinguished service would involve, on the part of the nominee, an element of self-sacrifice in time and effort, and would include the ability to initiate innovatory ideas, maintain enthusiasm and expand red cross training and service to the community which may take many forms. Specific examples of such service and achievements and the effect of these on the work of the Hong Kong Red Cross should be given. 2. It is permissible to recommend the award of a Badge of Honour for Distinguished Service as a higher award to someone who already holds a Badge of Honour for Devoted Service and has subsequently given distinguished service to the Hong Kong Red Cross. II. 熱心服務榮譽獎章 / 獎狀 ) THE BADGE OF HONOUR FOR DEVOTED SERVICE( 熱心服務榮譽獎章 2. Others who have given devoted service or some special service to the Society or to the Red Cross generally. 3. Professionals, who have given their time and skill gratuitously over a period of time, thus demonstrating their considerable devotion to the Red Cross. 1. The nominee should have given devoted and consistent service normally over an extended period but such service could be of equal value to the community over a short period, depending on circumstances. 2. As a general rule, a minimum period of five years of service should have been completed before considering to confer the Award. Exceptional circumstances may raise when it could be acceptable to make the award sooner. Details of such service should be given when submitting the citation. Loyalty, self-sacrifice and dependability are qualities to recognize in such recommendation. 3. For consideration of paid staff, the nominees should be able to demonstrate that they have made special contributions that are beyond their employed duties. 1/5
III. CERTIFICATES OF COMMENDATION & APPRECIATION( 嘉許狀 III.1 Certificate of Commendation( 嘉許狀 ) 嘉許狀 嘉許狀 銘謝狀 ) : Certificate (signed by the Chairman) : Heads of Department, the Secretariat, and the various Hong Kong Red 2. Members of the public 3. Companies and Associations 1. Those who have rendered very special or substantial one-time support or regular support to the Hong Kong Red Cross over a period of time. 2. It should be considered as a suitable first award before submitting a recommendation for a Badge of Honour. III.2 銘謝狀 ) Certificate of Appreciation( 銘謝狀 : Certificate (signed by the Chairman) : The Heads of Department : The respective Department s Committee (Schools Management Committee, Youth & Volunteer Management Committee, Health & Care Service Management Committee, International & Relief Service Management Committee and the Blood Transfusion Service Governing Committee) 2. Non-members (members of the public) 3. Groups or Organizations 1. Those who have rendered services and support which are noteworthy. 2. A Management Committee may recognize exceptional support to work on a single occasion or more general help over a period. IV. 志願服務獎章 / 獎狀 ) THE HONG KONG RED CROSS VOLUNTARY SERVICE MEDAL( 志願服務獎章 2/5
Eligibility : 1. All volunteers/members (excluding paid staff, except when such recommended services are rendered on a voluntary capacity) of the Hong Kong Red Cross with 15 years of skilled/trained and active voluntary service which need not be continuous. 2. Throughout the year in question, the Volunteer/Member must have, as a minimum, one of the following valid certificates: - Standard First Aid Certificate Standard Nursing Certificate Basic Welfare Certificate At least 6 hours of service related training each year or a training course of 18 hours or over with 3 years validity, as recognized by the nominating Department. 3. Those holding related professional qualifications, are exempted from holding the above certificates according to the regulations governing the courses or as recommended by the nominating Department. 4. Volunteers/Members aged 70 years and over are exempted from such training requirements when applying for clasps. 1. Each Volunteer/Member must complete a minimum of 50 hours voluntary service per year in the discipline in which they have been trained or teach on training courses for at least 50 hours each year. 2. Service hours which are required for renewal of training certificates may be counted towards the service requirements for the Voluntary Service Medal. 3. Years of full time training related to the work of Hong Kong Red Cross may be counted in full if the Volunteer/Member maintained contact with the group during training and rejoined the group after successful completion of the course. 4. Volunteers/Members aged 70 and over may qualify for the Voluntary Service Medal Clasp by giving a minimum of 20 hours service each year without the otherwise necessary training requirements. This exemption does not apply to applications for the Voluntary Service Medal itself. 5. Youth members may, from 1st January 1981, count each year of service and training with the Red Cross Youth towards the Voluntary Service Medal. Qualifying service include: - Youth members are required to take a Youth First Aid Certificate Course during the first year concerned, and then one other Youth Certificate Course during each subsequent year until the Youth Member elects to follow the Regulations for adults. Youth members are required to give a minimum of 10 hours service annually. 6. Awards leading to the award of the Voluntary Service Medal : badge + certificate (signed by the Deputy Chairman) (Note: In addition to the badge and certificate, uniformed members are also given uniform Service Flashes and Crosses to signify their qualifying services) All Service Badges and Service Certificates are awarded for each 5 years of service as follows: - 6.1 Members with 5 years of qualified service would be awarded a Service Badge + Service Certificate (for non-uniformed members) plus a Service Flash (for uniformed members). 6.2 Members with 10 years of qualified service would be awarded a Service Badge + Service Certificate (for non-uniformed members) plus a Service Cross (for uniformed members) to be sewn on the Service Flash previously received. 3/5
6.3 15 years of qualified service would lead to the award of the Voluntary Service Medal. 7. A Clasp is awarded for every subsequent period of 5 years qualifying service following the same procedure as for the Medal. A silver emblem for the medal ribbon is issued with the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Clasps. After 35 years when the 4th clasp is issued a gilt Emblem is put on the medal ribbon replacing all three silver Emblems. A further gilt Emblem is issued with each subsequent Clasp. 8. Conversion Procedures for former 3 years Service Award Flash, 6 years, 9 years, and 12 years Service Crosses to 5 years and 10 years Service Award Flashes The 3 years Service Award Flashes and 6 years, 9 years, 12 years Service Crosses were previously awarded to uniformed members for signifying the number of years of qualifying service leading to the British Red Cross Society s Voluntary Medical Service Medal. With effect from 1st July 1997, the above awards would become obsolete and be replaced by 5 years and 10 years Service Flashes leading to the Hong Kong Red Cross Voluntary Service Medal. Criteria for nomination are detailed in 6.1 to 6.3. Holders of 3 years Service Award Flash, 6 years, 9 years and 12 years Service Cross could continue to wear these award flashes until they have attained the next grade of the new award. Upon awarding the next grade of Voluntary Service award, holders should replace the obsolete award flash with the new one. For fuller illustration, please refer to the Conversion Chart below: - Particulars Next Grade to Pursue Remarks 3 years Service Award 5 years Service Award 6 years Service Award and 9 years Service Award 10 years Service Award 12 years Service Award Voluntary Service Medal (VSM) 長期服務獎 ) V. LONG SERVICE BADGES( 長期服務獎 Continue to use the 3 years Service Flash until attaining the 5 years Service Award Flash Continue to use the 6 years or 9 years Award Flashes until attaining the 10 years Service Award Flash Continue to use the 12 years Award Flash until attaining the VSM Eligibility : Badge + Certificate (signed by the Deputy Chairman) : All members and staffs and volunteers of the Hong Kong Red Cross 1. Volunteers and members must prove that they have given a minimum of 10 hours service during each year that is counted. 2. Years of service need not be continuous. Types of Long Service Badges The following types of Service Badges and Certificates are awarded:- 4/5
1. 15 years service badge + certificate for those who have served for 15 years 2. 20 years service badge + certificate for those who have served for 20 years 3. 25 years service badge + certificate for those who have served for 25 years 4. 30 years service badge + certificate for those who have served for 30 years 5. 35 years service badge + certificate for those who have served for 35 years 6. 40 years service badge + certificate for those who have served for 40 years 7. 45 years service badge + certificate for those who have served for 45 years 8. 50 years service badge + certificate for those who have served for 50 years VI. 英勇服務十字獎章 ) MERITORIOUS SERVICE CROSS( 英勇服務十字獎章 Eligibility : Badge : The Deputy Chairman or Directors : Any adult or youth members of the Hong Kong Red Cross. 1. Special acts of distinction or gallantry in a potentially life threatening situation, which can be duly attested by witnesses. 2. Recommendations by the Deputy Chairman or Directors with complete details of the incident to the Council and an account by a witness. 5/5