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CIRC 043: ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2025 INCENTIVES AND AWARDS

The POA has a proud history of recognising the hard work and dedication of members.  In 2001, Conference established the incentives and awards policy as set out in Conference Paper 2 of 2001 and this has expanded throughout the years as more awards have been incorporated in the policy.

At the 2012 Annual Conference a further two awards were accepted and now form part of the Incentives and Awards Policy.

  • The Steve Oxby Branch Representative of the Year
  • The David Evans Health and Safety Representative of the Year

In order to bring all of the Incentives and Awards Policies together the Executive determined to promulgate this Circular and set out the criteria for each award for ease of reference.

 

LONG SERVICE CERTIFICATE

To be presented to members nominated by local POA committees who for a minimum of 25 years have been loyal to the POA.  All nominations should be forwarded to the General Secretary’s Office at Cronin House for consideration. 

The award will be presented to successful nominees by their NEC official.

LONG SERVICE AWARD

To be presented to branch officials who have served a minimum of 25 years in office – not necessarily unbroken service. All nominations should be forwarded to the General Secretary’s Office at Cronin House for consideration. 

 

CRONIN CLASP

To be presented to branch officials who have done union work on branch committees for a minimum of 15 years - not necessarily unbroken service.

The Cronin Clasp is only presented to three qualifying members each year.

All nominations should be forwarded to the General Secretary’s Office at Cronin House or via email to nicola@poauk.org.uk for consideration no later than 31st January each year prior to Annual Conference in May of that year on the attached pro-forma. 

The award is presented at Annual Conference.

 

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP

As per Rule 6.1 the qualification for Honorary Life Membership is having made outstanding contribution to the work of the Union.

This qualification will be used until such time as the policy review is carried out and Conference ratifies any changes.

All nominations should be forwarded to the General Secretary’s Office at Cronin House or via email to nicola@poauk.org.uk for consideration no later than 31st January each year prior to Annual Conference in May of that year so that the NEC can consider the nomination and if necessary, formulate a motion for Annual Conference. 

The award will be approved by Conference on the recommendation of the NEC.

 

MABEL HEMPTON BRAVERY AWARD

The qualification for recipients is those who have carried out “bold, brave or courageous actions” and are members of the union.  Consideration for the Mabel Hempton Bravery Award will be as a result of a recommendation from: -

  • A POA branch
  • The NEC
  • The Prison Service/Commissioners for Custodial Services
  • NHS
  • Or such other organisations which consider that an individual has qualified for the award.

All nominations should be forwarded to the General Secretary’s Office at Cronin House or via email to nicola@poauk.org.uk for consideration no later than 31st January each year prior to Annual Conference in May of that year.

 

Selection

Nominations will be considered by the selection committee made up of the National Chair, General Secretary, Vice Chair, Chairs of the Northern Ireland and Scotland and an appointee from the National Committee for Secure Health Care Services.

This Committee will make selections and the NEC will ratify the nomination.

The Award will be presented at Annual Conference.

 

THE DAVID EVANS HEALTH AND SAFETY REPRESENTATIVE OF THE YEAR

Nominations for this award must be approved by the local committee and submitted to the General Secretary of the POA no later than the 31st January of each year prior to Annual Conference in May of that year on the attached pro-forma.

All nominations will be considered by a sub-committee of the Executive consisting of :- 

  • Vice Chair (as Chair),
  • The General Secretary
  • The Deputy General Secretary, and
  • Two members of the National Executive Committee selected by the National Chairman.

The committee will make its recommendation to the NEC and this decision is final.

The Award will be presented at Annual Conference.

 

THE STEVE OXBY BRANCH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD

Nominations for this award must be approved by the local committee and submitted to the General Secretary of the POA no later than the 31st January of each year prior to Annual Conference in May of that year on the attached pro-forma.

All nominations will be considered by a sub-committee of the Executive consisting of:-

  • Vice Chair (as Chair),
  • The General Secretary
  • The Deputy General Secretary, and
  • Two members of the National Executive Committee selected by the National Chairman.

The committee will make its recommendation to the NEC and this decision is final.

The award will be presented at Annual Conference.

All nominations for any award must be forwarded to the General Secretary’s Office in line with the criteria set out above.

This Circular supplements all previous Circulars on these issues and incorporates the policies set out in previous Conference Papers.

Thanking you in anticipation of your support and co-operation.

 

Yours sincerely

STEVE GILLAN
General Secretary

 

ENCLOSURE

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Representing over 30,000 Prison, Correctional and Secure Psychiatric Workers, the POA is the largest UK Union in this sector, able to trace its roots back more than 100 years.

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