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Policy 4.6 – Duke of Ed Approval and Presentations

Purpose of the Policy

This policy is based on the content of the Duke of Ed Handbook, adding additional practice notes to enable greater consistency amongst the Divisions/Duke of Ed Offices. It clearly outlines the preferences and expectations of the National Award Operator (NAO).

Policy

  1. Completion of a Duke of Ed Level means that the principles and the requirements for each Section are met as stated in the Duke of Ed Handbook.
  2. Duke of Ed Centres typically approve Bronze and Silver Levels and recommend Gold Levels.
  3. Bronze and Silver Levels are subject to a check by the relevant Division/Duke of Ed Office. This check for Bronze and Silver is typically undertaken by a random sample except for new Duke of Ed Centres where all completed Duke of Ed Levels are typically checked.
  4. The authority to delegate final approval for all Duke of Ed Levels is retained by the relevant Division/Duke of Ed Office. Each Duke of Ed Centre must confirm with their relevant Division/Duke of Ed Office regarding their Duke of Ed Centre’s approval delegation, which is related to the demonstrated experience of the Duke of Ed Centre’s Duke of Ed Leaders.
  5. Gold Levels, after preliminary approval by the Duke of Ed Centre, are subject to a further review process and final approval by the relevant Division/Duke of Ed Office.
  6. All Duke of Ed Registered Users are to be registered on the ORB. Users who have kept offline logs may be required to send these logs and any supporting materials to the relevant Division/Duke of Ed Office
    for approval. Offline logs may be required for Registered Users with limited access to technology.
  7. Certificates will reflect the ‘Duke of Ed Office Sign Off’ date as managed through the ORB. The Division maintains the discretion to alter the date printed on the certificate to the date of the ceremony to accommodate a request by the Gold Level ceremony host.
  8. Certificates will include the name of the Duke of Ed Centre in which the Registered User was registered with when their Duke of Ed Level was signed off. At the discretion of the Division and as confirmed by the Registered User, the certificate can list more than one Duke of Ed Centre; this accommodates transfers to two or more Duke of Ed Centres to finalise a Duke of Ed Level. Should this be required, it is preferred that the Duke of Ed Centre in which the Registered User of the Duke of Ed Framework Level is listed first followed by any other Duke of Ed Centres and separated by a comma.
  9. Sign Off date, and the Duke of Ed Centre are the only elements that may be printed onto the certificate. No other changes to the design/format of the Duke of Ed Level certificates is permissible.
  10. Presentations of badges and certificates are arranged at the discretion of each Division. The following is the preferred practice:
    1. Bronze Level badges are presented soon after completion by the Duke of Ed Centre.
    2. Bronze Level certificates are presented by the Duke of Ed Centre at a special event, preferably by a VIP guest.
    3. Silver Level badges are presented soon after completion by the Duke of Ed Centre.
    4. Silver Level certificates are presented by the Duke of Ed Centre at a major event, by a VIP guest or dignitary.
    5. Gold Level badges are presented soon after completion by the Duke of Ed Centre at a major event, by a guest or dignitary. If this cannot be arranged the Division/Duke of Ed Office can make
      alternate arrangements.
    6. Gold Level certificates are presented by the Governor (as Patron), or if the Governor is unavailable, or has restricted the number of events that they can attend, a senior dignitary e.g., Premier at a
      special ceremony organised by the Division.
  11. If a Division Board wants to pursue alternate arrangements to those outlined in clause 12 below, for example due to the logistics of managing large numbers of certificate presentations, it may present to the National Board an alternative arrangement. Such arrangements must ensure that the reputation and status of a completing a Gold Level Duke of Ed is retained.
  12. Gold Level Presentation Ceremonies are to include the following features:
    1. Held at Government House or similar special venue
    2. Organised as a major occasion with additional special guests, e.g., National Chair, National CEO Duke of Ed Ambassadors, and Duke of Ed supporters. Special guests will be acknowledged by the MC.
    3. Where applicable and allowed by the host, include entertainment for guests on arrival and following presentation (during post presentation refreshments)
    4. When a certificate is to be presented, as a minimum, it should be in a certificate cover to prevent marking/damage. Having the certificates framed is an option and left to the discretion of the Division.
    5. A program (colour printed) to be prepared including all names of the young people that have completed the Gold Level Duke of Ed requirements. If a certificate is being presented, it is preferable that each recipient’s highlighted activity that the recipient has selected, is used to read out when being announced at the ceremony. This will be managed at the discretion of the Division.
    6. Photographer to capture each recipient being presented as well as casual shots and a group photo
    7. An MC to be used, preferably highly experienced and a person of status/significance. Preference not to use the Division/Duke of Ed Office Committee Chair.
    8. Duke of Ed banners and displays to be discreetly used.
    9. A Guest Speaker to briefly address the ceremony, preference to use a Gold Level recipient (Alumni)
    10. A recipient to do the vote of thanks and present a small gift (option) to the Governor
    11. If applicable, the presentation of Volunteer Recognition Medals and plaques to follow the Gold recipients’ presentation.
    12. Alumni brochures and Ambassador brochures to be available
  13. Gold Levels completed through a National Duke of Ed Centre (including the National Virtual Duke of Ed Centre) will be presented at the appropriate Division/Duke of Ed Office Gold Level presentation.
  14. International Presentations
    1. Requests for a Gold Certificate presentation in another country must be made through the National Office, noting that in the United Kingdom Gold Level certificates are no longer presented at a Regal function.
    2. The National Duke of Ed Office will communicate with the relevant National Award Operator.
    3. Requests from International Duke of Ed for a Gold Certificate presentation in Australia must be directed to the National Office. The National Office will communicate with the relevant Divisions/Duke of Ed Offices. Any request made to the Divisions/Duke of Ed Offices is to be directed to the NAO.
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