SWCS Award Program Changes

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SWCS Award Program Changes

• Leadership Development Workshop
• Saturday, July 22, 2006

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Agenda

• Recent changes to the awards nomination process
  Rick Robinson
• Improving nomination quality - Melanie Oliver
• Facilitated discussion, member comments on the
  awards process - Robin Martinek

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Awards Committee

• Rick Robinson , ChairmanWest Des Moines, IA
• WEST NORTH CENTRAL Robin MartinekSt. Paul, MN
• NORTHEASTERNMarilyn Stephenson Ballston Spa,
  NY
• NORTHERN PLAINS Jon Stika Dickinson, ND
• SOUTHEASTERNBobby Brock Apex, NC
• CANADIAN
• David Clements
• Langley, BC

• SOUTHWESTERNMelanie OliverRipley, OK 74062
• SOUTH CENTRALDon TylerJackson, TN 
• WESTERN J. Herbert Huddleston Corvallis, OR
• EAST NORTH CENTRAL Margaret (Peg) Reese
  Morgantown, WV
• AT LARGEDon BalounBeaver Dam, WI

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Summary of Society Awards

• Awards Available to Society Members
• FellowRecognizes exceptional professional
  achievement coupled with service to the Society
• Number awarded Up to 0.1 of members
• Outstanding ServiceRecognizes distinguished
  service to the Society over a long and sustained
  period (10 years minimum)
• Number awarded Up to 0.1 of members
• CommendationRecognizes members for service to
  their chapters (members having received other
  Society awards are also eligible)
• Number awarded Each chapter, council of
  chapters, Society board member or officer may
  nominate no more than one member annually

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Summary of Society Awards

• Awards Available to Society Members and
  Nonmembers
•  
• Hugh Hammond BennettRecognizes extraordinary
  national and international accomplishments in the
  conservation of soil, water, and related natural
  resources.
• Number awarded One, and then only if a suitable
  candidate is nominated.
• HonorRecognizes people for outstanding
  accomplishments compatible with Society
  objectives
• Number awarded Up to 10 each year
• MeritRecognizes noteworthy conservation activity
  or products of organizations, agencies, or firms
• Number awarded As many as meet the criteria
•  

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Summary of Society Awards

• Awards Available to Society Members and
  Nonmembers (contd)
•  
• Harold and Kay Scholl Excellence in Conservation
  Award - Recognizes and individuals who creatively
  and effectively provide technical assistance in
  conservation planning.
• Number awarded Up to three with cash awards
  ranging 800-1,200. The number and value of
  awards will depend on the annual income from the
  Scholl fund.
•  

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Recent Changes to the Awards Nomination Process

• Revised Criteria
• Objective Scoring
• Nomination Procedures

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Revised Criteria

• In 2004
• the committee recommended review of each award
  criteria and tried to specifically match criteria
  to the award questionnaires.
• Tips for Completing SWCS Award Nominations
  placed on website.
• In 2005
• new revised criteria was first used.

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Objective Scoring

• In 2005
• began using numerical, objective scoring of
  criteria for each award.

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Nomination Procedures

• In 2006
• award nominations could be emailed
• Signature pages could be faxed.

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Improving Nomination Quality
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Criteria

• Award Flowchart
• Answer question on NEW Forms
• SWCS website

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Quality vs. Quantity

• Give yourself TIME
• Chapter Signatures
• Letters from peers
• Due Date DECEMBER 12, 2006

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Quality vs. Quantity

• Documentation
• Specific to award criteria
• Everything
• Concise

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Quality vs. Quantity

• Quantifiable
• Dates/years of service
• Number of people, communities, states
• Measurable conservation impacts

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Tips for Nominations

• Start work on you nominations at least one month
  in advance of the deadline (this year the
  deadline is December 12th).
• Expect to have at least two drafts of a
  nomination.
• Have a group of persons work on each nomination.
  Have each member read and suggest edits and
  corrections but have one person responsible for
  making final changes.
• Proofread the final draft and double-check all
  information for accuracy, completeness and
  legibility.
• Carefully review the eligibility and criteria
  requirements make sure the information supplied
  answers eligibility and criteria questions
  comprehensively.

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Tips for Nominations

• Use as many quantifiable specifics as possible
  (i.e., quantify the period of service, the number
  of persons served, the scope of the impact on
  conservation in some measurable fashion, etc.,
  whenever possible).
• Quotes from peers or clients may be of value in
  demonstrating how a nominee meets or exceeds
  award criteria.
• At the same time, be concise. Entries need not be
  lengthy for a nomination to have merit. Attach
  additional pages only if necessary.
• Be sure all materials are enclosed in one
  package.
• Do not submit any materials that you need
  returned.
• Do not submit photographs, scrapbooks,
  spiral-bound documents, videotapes, CDs, DVDs, or
  audio-cassettes. They will not be forwarded to
  the award committee.

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Facilitated Discussion Member Comments on the
Awards Process
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• Questions about any of the specific awards
  purpose, eligibility, etc.? Was the selection
  key on the web site helpful?
• Clarification on the criteria or the questions on
  the nomination form?
• Comments or suggestions about the criteria for
  any of the awards? What changes would you like
  to see?
• Do chapters receive enough information /
  encouragement to submit award nominations? How
  could this be improved?
• Comments or suggestions on the submission process
  was email helpful?

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The Awards Committee Thanks You!