At the Universal Kindness Awards, we are dedicated to honouring individuals and organisations that embody the true spirit of kindness — those who uplift others, create positive change, and inspire compassion in the world. To protect the integrity of these awards and ensure that the values we celebrate remain untarnished, we’ve established this policy to guide the nomination process, outline minimum nominee criteria, and provide a fair mechanism for addressing concerns.
We understand that kindness is built on trust, sincerity, and accountability. While we celebrate the good in people, we also recognise the importance of safeguarding the credibility of the awards to honour those who genuinely live and breathe kindness in their everyday lives.
Why This Policy Is Necessary
Kindness is a powerful force for good — but true kindness must be authentic, consistent, and rooted in integrity. This policy exists to:
- Uphold the Integrity of the Awards: Ensuring awardees truly reflect the values of compassion, empathy, and social good.
- Encourage Authenticity: Verifying that nominees’ contributions are genuine and accurately represented.
- Foster Trust in the Process: Providing a fair and confidential system for raising concerns, reinforcing confidence in the award’s credibility.
- Protect the Spirit of Kindness: Honouring those who continue to inspire and spread kindness without compromising ethical standards.
We believe this framework strengthens the awards and ensures that every recipient is not only deserving but a beacon of kindness in its truest form.
Policy Overview
Here’s what you’ll find in this document:
- Why This Policy Is Necessary
- Policy Overview
- Universal Kindness Awards Policies and Shortcuts
- 1. Reporting Facility for Concerns About Awardees
- 2. Minimum Basic Criteria for Nominees
- 3. Enforcement and Feedback Mechanism
- 4. Reporting Form
Universal Kindness Awards Policies and Shortcuts
At the Universal Kindness Awards, we are committed to recognising those who make a positive difference in the world. To ensure fairness, transparency, and integrity in the process, we have established a set of policies that guide nominations, selections, and all related procedures. We encourage all participants to familiarise themselves with these guidelines to help maintain the high standards of excellence and kindness we strive to uphold. Thank you for being part of this meaningful journey! 🌸
- About Store with a Heart
- About the Universal Kindness Awards
- About the Difference Maker Award (for Books)
- Disclaimer
- Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Nomination Policies
- Policy for Reporting on Awardees and Minimum Nominee Criteria
- Our Awards Supporters
- Universal Kindness Awards Free Nomination Form
- Universal Kindness Awards Paid Nominations and Other Forms of Financial Support
1. Reporting Facility for Concerns About Awardees
To maintain the credibility and values of the Universal Kindness Awards, we provide a mechanism for reporting concerns about awardees. This ensures that kindness, as we define and honour it, remains at the heart of the awards.
1.1 Submission Process
Reports can be submitted through our secure online platform via a designated form (found at the bottom of this page). Submissions should include:
- The nature of the concern.
- Supporting evidence or verifiable references.
- Reporter’s contact details (optional but recommended for follow-up).
1.2 Review Procedure
- The report will be reviewed by at least three (3) neutral, randomly selected assessors. They will assess the concern impartially, relying solely on documented evidence and verifiable facts.
- If all three assessors determine that the concern is valid and serious enough to contradict the values of the award, the awardee will be removed from the official list of winners.
- If at least one assessor disagrees with the claim or finds the evidence insufficient, no action will be taken, and the report will be dismissed.
1.3 Notification and Communication
- If an award is rescinded, the awardee will receive an automated notification, though details of the report will not be disclosed.
- Nominees may choose to pay a once-off upfront fee of 10,000 AUD at the time of nomination to receive a detailed explanation of any retraction.
- This fee does not influence the neutrality of the review process.
- This applies only to nominees who opt to receive a detailed explanation following an award retraction.
- This fee covers the initial legal and other administrative costs, assessor time, and resources required to conduct an in-depth review and provide a documented rationale for the decision.
- Nominees who do not seek feedback incur no additional costs, ensuring free access to the impartial review process.
- Charging this fee helps protect the integrity of the Universal Kindness Awards, discouraging frivolous claims while ensuring that those seeking further insight receive a fair, thorough, and carefully prepared response.
- This policy allows us to continue celebrating genuine acts of kindness with transparency and care. 🌸
1.4 Transparency and Confidentiality
- All reports are handled confidentially to protect the privacy of both the reporter and the awardee.
- While we strive to maintain reporter anonymity, this cannot be guaranteed in cases where disclosure is required by law or public safety considerations.
1.5 Appeals and Finality
- Decisions made by the review committee are final and cannot be appealed.
- To preserve the neutrality and efficiency of the process, no further correspondence with the reporter or awardee regarding the decision will occur unless explicitly stated in the nomination terms.
2. Minimum Basic Criteria for Nominees
To be considered for an award, nominees must meet minimum ethical, professional, and impact-based standards. This ensures that those recognised not only promote kindness but exemplify it in all aspects of their personal and professional lives.
2.1 Ethical Standards
- Compliance with Laws and Regulations: No unresolved legal violations or breaches of industry standards.
- Social Responsibility: Commitment to human rights, diversity, inclusion, and respect for all individuals.
- Environmental Care: Active efforts to reduce environmental impact where applicable.
- No Unresolved Public Controversies: Nominees with unresolved ethical concerns may be excluded unless corrective action is demonstrably taken.
2.2 Achievement-Driven Standards
- Alignment with Award Values: Contributions should align with the spirit of kindness, compassion, and social good.
- Demonstrable Impact: Evidence of tangible, positive change (e.g., community programs, policy influence, personal testimonials).
- Innovation and Leadership: A record of leadership or unique approaches to fostering kindness and connection.
2.3 Transparency
- Clear Reporting of Achievements: Honest and accurate representation of accomplishments.
- Acknowledgment of Collaborations: Full recognition of shared efforts or partnerships.
3. Enforcement and Feedback Mechanism
- Self-Reporting: Nominees and awardees are encouraged to disclose any significant changes in ethical or professional status.
- Continuous Improvement: Feedback from the public, nominees, and experts will be periodically reviewed to refine these policies.
By establishing and adhering to these policies, we aim to create an award process that reflects the highest standards of kindness, honesty, and accountability.
4. Reporting Form
If you believe an awardee no longer upholds the values of the Universal Kindness Awards, we encourage you to report your concerns through the form below. Your voice helps us protect the integrity and heart of these awards.
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