If available, a current biographical sketch which includes dates of active participation in organizations, and any awards or honours earned by the nominee, is useful to the Advisory Committee. If letters of support or the names of two or three persons who are familiar with the candidate are offered, it helps reduce the required research time. The Advisory Committee meets periodically rather than at scheduled intervals. The dates and details about the candidates' unpaid work and how it has affected their community and fellow citizens provide the Committee with a valuable decision-making tool. Even if a political official has extensive volunteer experience, consideration for an award is given only after he or she ceases to serve in office.
Young people are particularly welcome.
It is preferable if the nominator is not related to the candidate. Once a nomination for a candidate is received, research is undertaken to confirm facts and then a summary of information about each candidate is presented to the Advisory Committee for review. The Committee submits their choices of recipients to the Governor General, who has the right to accept or decline their suggestions. A year is not an uncommon time period to research an award candidate. If substantial new information is presented regarding a candidate, it is possible to present a candidate for further Committee review.