IAWP Awards Training How To Write An Award

Why do we have awards? The IAWP awards program recognizes outstanding workforce professionals on the chapter/International levels. Awards are given in a wide variety of areas that cover Workforce programs. Award nominations start at the State chapter level and winners on that level can compete in the International contest. The IAWP awards program maybe the only venue in a state to recognize outstanding workforce professionals, it is a great benefit to members and their employers. With multiple award categories for individuals and groups, there is ample opportunity to recognize someone who goes above and beyond. The following details each IAWP award with a short description of each.

Chapter Plans All plans must be submitted to International by Oct 1st of the current year You will need to review your previous year’s plan to determine what items that were not accomplished Partner with former committee chair person Set goals for on going year and into the next Have someone review your plan prior to submittal

What you should remember In addition to the previous awards, each chapter submits documentation of chapter activities for the preceding year to show their efforts in education, promotion of IAWP, etc. The following categories also require documentation throughout the year and a submission appropriately documented and completed. At the International level, each submission is reviewed and scored based on the criteria set out for the award. The chapter with the highest points in each category is recognized at the International level AND the points in these categories help determine the chapters ranking annually at the International level.

Chapter Awards Education Recognition Chapter Development Membership Communication Legislation Marketing Retiree of the year High Five Award Most Improved Chapter

Education Award This award recognizes chapters for outstanding educational activities and initiatives that best demonstrate a well-rounded commitment to the IAWP objective. “To enhance the individual competence, knowledge and proficiency of members interested in all occupations in the Workforce development arena”

Education Criteria All of the following are criteria International looks for when judging chapter efforts, each are given a weighted score: Educational Plan- includes plans for delivering training, sponsoring conferences and district institute, promotion and distribution of Chapter grants and other educational activities Training (1 hour blocks, 20 hours) Educational Conference by Chapter/SubChapter(4 hours) District Institutes Chapter Sponsored Grants (Individual & Groups),keep copies of all advertisements of scholarships, this will include emails, application and selection notifications 6. Other Educational Activities—Articles, IAWP Library, WPDP,CWS, Other Educational Projects.

Communication Award The communication award recognizes chapters that have utilized multiple- communication methods for the purpose of sharing information and promoting IAWP activities and initiatives to both member. s and the public

Communication Criteria Communication Plan-includes plans, newsletter, sharing of legislative information, website, and email & other activities Newsletter, you are required to have four published with-in the year and you can have up to six Legislative Awareness Website & email Other Communication activities(including the flash assistance, etc.)

Chapter Development Award The Chapter Development Award recognizes chapters for a wide variety of activities that demonstrate diverse and creative projects

Chapter Development Criteria Chapter Development Plan-includes chapter services projects, holding an annual chapter business meeting, activities to assist chapters and other chapters development activities Service projects Annual business meetings Assistance to US and International Chapters Other Activities(Board meetings, officer training, new employee orientation, ect)

Chapter Development Criteria Ask yourself what kind of outreach is your chapter doing to assist other chapters Keep all correspondence pertaining to outreach Keep copies of any meetings, conference calls, print copy of calendars & invites What unique relationships has your chapter been working on this year Keep copies of all communications, weather the project comes to light or not Secure all printed material that shows there is a partnership, outreach, request copies from other chapters articles that reflect you have given them support

Recognition Award The Recognition Award recognizes chapters for advertising, promoting and conducting a chapter awards program and utilizing the International award and specialized chapter awards

Recognition Award Keep copies of emails soliciting for awards and if advertise in Newsletter Keep copy of awards criteria Keep copies of nominations Keep copy of notifications, publications in main stream media

Recognition Criteria Recognition Plan-includes plans for presenting chapter level awards, international awards and membership awards Chapter Awards & Recognition International Awards Membership Awards

Marketing Award The Marketing Award recognizes chapters for efforts in marketing IAWP to workforce systems staff, administrators, partner organizations and business.

Marketing Criteria Marketing Plan- includes chapter promotion of IAWP,WPDP and CWS, and mainstream media activities IAWP Promotion WPDP & CWS Promotion Mainstream Media

Membership Award Gold Key Award- all individuals who recruit 50 or more new members during the membership year Sliver Key Award- all individuals who recruit 25 or more new members during the membership year Bronze Key Award- all individuals who recruit 10 or more new members during the membership year Keepers Korps Award- chapter member most responsible for renewal achievement

Membership Criteria All members must be current on dues Transmittals need to be submitted by Membership plan to include information on how to grow chapter, how to sustain chapter Membership Plan to be submitted to International by October 1st of current year

Next Steps Once all the awards are submitted to the International office for scoring, the points are added up and the states are then ranked. Chapters receive recognition each year at the International Conference

High Five Award The IAWP High Five Award recognizes those chapters that submit nominations in all five categories. The five chapter award categories include: Education Communication Chapter Development Recognition Marketing

Most Improved Chapter The most improved chapter award recognizes the chapter that has increased it’s points by the greatest margin of points from the pervious year

International Awards These awards will also serve as your chapter awards Citation Award Award of Merit Public Policy Workforce Customer Service Lifetime Achievement Retiree of the Year

Individual & Group Awards

Citation Award Group or individual Only 1 nomination per category The prestigious Citation Award is one of the highest honors of the IAWP awards. Each year it is awarded to both an individual and to a group. The Citation Award recognizes individuals and groups outside of IAWP who have made outstanding contributions to IAWP and or Workforce Development programs

Here is what you need to know before nominating for this award One or more of the following achievements is required : Nominee qualifications: Promoting Legislation Specialized Customer Service Health and Working Conditions Professional advancement Community Awareness Must be from the private sector or a non governmental nonprofit organization, not employed by a workforce development entity Cannot be an IAWP member Activities must occur during previous calendar year preceding year in which award is presented

Award of Merit Group or Individual May nominate 1 in each category Recognizes an IAWP member or group of members who have delivered outstanding service or achievement, beyond normal expectations or job requirements, that benefits IAWP and the workforce development field.

Criteria for Award of Merit Advancing IAWP’S Objectives May be demonstrated by the results the individual/group achieved in leadership roles such as board members, committees, forums, teams, special programs Promoting Workforce Development Programs or Initiatives Results of nominees efforts to enhance awareness, knowledge, skills of other workforce professionals Leadership displayed in furthering the understanding and/or practice of workforce programs/initiatives Must be a member in both the year of activity occurred and the year of nomination was submitted Group nominations- two thirds/ 66% must be IAWP members

Public Policy Award recognizes an individual who performed outstanding public service in the support of workforce development programs and/or personnel. Potential nominees include state or federal elected officials, appointed federal administrators, workforce agency directors, etc.

Public Policy Criteria Promoting Legislation Policies Workforce Development Promotion Leadership IAWP Support Nominee qualifications Need not be an IAWP member if nominated by one Must have served in the legislative or administrative branch of US or State Government, an administrator/director or in a national/state policy making role Activities must occur during previous calendar year preceding year in which award is presented

Job Seekers UI Claimants Businesses Schools Vocational Rehabilitation Clients Veterans People with Disabilities Former Felons Co-Workers Youth Welfare Job Training Workforce Systems Customer Service Group or Individual May nominate 3 in each category Recognizes individuals and groups who provide exceptional service to customers throughout the workforce system. Service can be work in any workforce area including but not limited to:

Workforce Systems Customer Service One or more of the following achievements is required Resource Promotion Partnering Creativity/Innovation Improved Operational Efficiency Nominee: Need not be an IAWP member if nominated by one Activities must occur during previous calendar year preceding year in which award is presented

Lifetime Achievement Recognized outstanding long term commitment in advancing IAWP objectives Criteria: Advancing IAWP objectives , contributions have advanced one or more of the IAWP objectives Leadership Commitment

Retiree of the Year Recognizes continued outstanding commitment to IAWP’s objectives following retirement Criteria: Should have achievements in one or more of the following areas: Advancing IAWP’s objectives Education Membership Legislative Communication Non-dues income Mentoring Community

Quick Tips for Writing Awards Follow the instructions, which you will find on the International Website Call or email the recognition chair if you have any questions Meet as a Group Early in the Year to discuss potential Candidates for your categories Gather your documentation throughout the year. This will help when the time comes to write the award Make sure you provide documentation to support your nomination Many nominations are scored down due to lack of evidence of the activity Use a checklist and the awards scoring sheet to help guide you Refer to a previous award winner, follow their example use it as a template to write your award Have someone review your award before you submit to International

Missing Components No Chapter Plans or incorrect plan submitted No signatures No Agendas No meeting minutes No Awards program or documentation of who was given the award No flyers with dates supporting the activity No emails advertising activity Incomplete documents that do not show that the activity was publicized Not enough substantive documentation of a nominees accomplishment No pictures

What do you do if you have additional questions Contact your recognition chair Leah Wolfe Contact anyone of theses IAWP executive board members Suzanne Nichols Chapter President Sheila Johnson-Teeter President Elect and Membership Chair Donna Glacken- Past President Kyla Meredith- Boucher- VP and marketing chair George Mante- Treasurer Steve Ruggles- Education Chair & former Recognition Chair Cheryl Brown- International VP and former Education Chair What do you do if you have additional questions Contact your any of these former 1st Place writers: Steve Ruggles Suzanne Nichols Donna Glacken Lyn Godsey Marilyn Young Judy Johnson Cheryl Brown Kathy Blianko