The Senate awards the Order of Merit of the State of Berlin, as well as honorary citizenship, to individuals in recognition and appreciation of their outstanding services to the city. The Order of Merit is awarded by the Senate of Berlin. The Governing Mayor has the right to nominate candidates. The members of the Senate for their respective areas and the President of the House of Representatives can make nominations. The Order of Merit is awarded in a single class and is worn around the neck on a red-white-red ribbon. In addition to the medal, a certificate bearing the official seal of the State of Berlin and the signature of the Governing Mayor is presented. Every year on 1 October, the anniversary of Berlin's 1950 constitution, the Governing Mayor receives the recipients of the order and appoints new ones if necessary.