1. IAWP Awards Training
How To Write An Award

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

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

6. 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”

7. 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 s, application and selection notifications
Other Educational Activities—Articles, IAWP Library, WPDP,CWS, Other Educational Projects.

8. 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

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

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

11. 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)

12. 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

13. 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

14. Recognition Award
Keep copies of s 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

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

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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. Individual & Group Awards

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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.

28. 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

29. 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.

30. 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

31. 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:

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. Quick Tips for Writing Awards
Follow the instructions, which you will find on the International Website
Call or 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

36. 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 s advertising activity
Incomplete documents that do not show that the activity was publicized
Not enough substantive documentation of a nominees accomplishment
No pictures

37. 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