Proclamations and Ceremonial Documents

Mayoral Proclamations and Ceremonial Documents

A ceremonial document is a proclamation, letter or certificate that may congratulate, honor, or recognize a City of Boerne resident or organization and are bestowed at the discretion of the mayor.

Ceremonial documents are reserved for people, places or events that positively contribute to the economic, social, and/or cultural fabric of the City of Boerne.

Ceremonial documents are at the mayor’s discretion, but will not be issued if:

The request promotes campaigns, events, or ideological and political beliefs that are contrary to the policies or laws of the City of Boerne or not of a generally inclusive and harmonious benefit to the greater Boerne community.
The request takes a side/position regarding international disputes or is a subjective statement of ideology.
The request is on behalf of individuals/groups of which the requester has no proven affiliation.

The mayor’s office reserves the right to deny any request or refer the requestor to another official or agency. Presentation of ceremonial documents are typically conducted outside of City Council meetings. The City of Boerne reserves the right to modify documents to meet City of Boerne formatting and editorial standards.

Request a Ceremonial Document

Please click on the tabs below to learn more about each document and any associated requirements before completing the request form. Review the frequently asked questions at the bottom of this page and email [email protected] if you have any questions.

Submit a Ceremonial Document Request Form online.

Proclamations

Proclamations

Proclamations from the City are issued by the mayor to honor, celebrate, or create awareness of an event, milestone, or achievement within the community. They can be issued for one day, week, or month. These public service documents are not legally binding, nor do they constitute an endorsement by the mayor.

A proclamation is an 8.5 by 11.5-inch document on special stationary that is issued for the following reasons:

Local, state, or national recognition of an awareness day, week, or month for a cause that directly affects or impacts Boerne citizens (ex: Fire Prevention Month)
Significant events in Boerne or benefiting the citizens of Boerne
Organization, business or group milestones and significant anniversaries
Organization and/or individual significant contributions to society
Cultural or historical occasions
Centennial (100th) birthdays
Wedding anniversaries for 50 years or more (in 5-year increments)

An organization does not have exclusive rights to one day, week, or month of their proclamation and proclamations issued in previous years will not be automatically re-issued. A new request must be submitted and approved.

Click here to see a sample proclamation.

Letter of Congratulation or Celebration

Letter of Congratulation or Celebration

A letter of congratulation or celebration is a document on City of Boerne letterhead that will be mailed to you once complete, and may be requested for the following occasions:

Professional celebrations
Significant birthdays or anniversaries
Student service organization awards (i.e., Eagle Scout Award, Girl Scout Gold Award, etc.)
Religious Installations
Citizenship

Required information: A brief summary about the occasion or individual to be honored and their accomplishments, involvement or impact on the community, date of recognition or event, type of event planned, and any other significant information relevant to the request.

Certificate of Commendation

Certificate of Commendation

A certificate of commendation is an 8.5 by 11.5-inch document on special stationary that is issued for the following reasons:

Appreciation - outstanding contributions to the city and citizens of Boerne
Heroism

Required information: A brief summary about the individual to be honored and his/her accomplishments, highlights of his/her accomplishments, highlights of his/her involvement in the community, the date of recognition, and type of event planned.

FAQs on Ceremonial Documents

Who can request a ceremonial document?

Any person who resides in Boerne and surrounding areas may request a ceremonial document.

How do I submit a ceremonial document request?

We ask that you submit your request via the request form found on the city’s website. Click here to complete the form.

Email [email protected] if you have any questions.

How long is the processing time?

We ask that all requests be made three weeks in advance of the date the document is needed. Once a request is received, staff will confirm receipt and follow up with any additional questions related to your request.

Can I send a draft of proposed wording for the ceremonial document?

Yes. We do encourage you to send any proposed wording. However, please note that we reserve the right to edit your proposed text to fit our editorial and formatting standards. It is highly unlikely that we will use a draft verbatim.

What happens after I submit my request?

Your request will go through an internal review and approval process.

Can I request for the mayor to present the ceremonial document?

Yes. You may request the mayor present your requested Proclamation or Certificates of Commendation. If the mayor is unable to attend, you are encouraged to reach out to the council member for your district. Click here to see a list of councilmembers.

If the mayor presents a ceremonial document, does the city contact the media?

No. City of Boerne staff will not contact the media to attend your event. As a courtesy, we can take photos and send them to media outlets if your event is during normal City of Boerne working hours and staff is available. However, the City of Boerne cannot guarantee the publication of the photos by the media. Sharing of a ceremonial document or presentation event on a city-maintained social media account will be handled on an individual basis at the sole discretion of the city’s communications office.

Can I get a copy of photos taken during my event?

Yes. You may request a copy of photos taken by city of Boerne staff from your event.

Can I publish my ceremonial document on my personal or organization’s website or social media?

Yes. However, if you intend to use the mayor’s name or image in any other manner, please contact the City of Boerne communications office first at (830) 249-9511 or email the communications team to obtain approval prior to doing so.

Can I pick up my ceremonial document or have it mailed?

Yes. After you have received a completion notification, you may pick up your document between the hours of 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. We will mail the document only on request.

Where do I pick up my ceremonial document?

You or a designated person may pick up your ceremonial document in person at the following location:

Boerne City Hall

447 N. Main, 3rd floor reception

Boerne, Texas 78006

What if I want to make changes to a ceremonial document after receiving it?

We retain full editorial control of all documents that leave our office. With the exception of grammatical, spelling or statistical errors, we will not make any changes to a document after it is picked up.

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