Pioneer Awards and Grants

1
Pioneer Awards and Grants
You Can Make a Difference The TelecomPioneers
provides individual and team awards designed to
supplement local awards programs. These awards
recognize the community service projects of
Pioneers, as well as their efforts to help the
organization grow through member recruitment.
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Pioneer Awards

• Foundation Fund Grant
• Dodds Fund Matching Grant
• Community Impact Award
• Chapter of Excellence Award
• Individual Pioneers Excellence
• Project Excellence
• Telecom Challenge
• ProjectConnect

3
TelecomPioneers Foundation Fund Grant

• Overview, Guidelines, Timeline and Disbursement
  Committee
• Overview of TelecomPioneers Foundation Fund
  (formerly the Pioneer Foundation)
• The TelecomPioneers Foundation Fund carries out
  its mission of strategically supporting Pioneers
  by awarding grants for projects that make a
  significant impact in the educational field and
  generate substantial recognition for the
  Pioneers. Any chapter, council or club operating
  under the 501(c)(3) of the national
  organization may apply for funding. 
• The Pioneer Foundation grants are based upon the
  prior years investment results. The Association
  (now inclusive of the Pioneer Foundation) has
  changed its fiscal year from ending June 30th to
  a calendar year ending December 31st.
• Typically, organizations submit directly to a
  foundation to be considered for a grant. The
  Foundation Fund is different because the local
  Pioneers submit the grant application. The
  Foundation Fund will support local Pioneer
  educational activities and not merely be a
  distributor of money to unaffiliated schools or
  other organizations. The Foundation Fund will
  support any educational program that enhances the
  educational experience of children based on a
  needs assessment (see application) and other
  individually weighted criteria (see guidelines
  list below.) The Foundation Fund Disbursement
  Committee will give additional priority to any
  educational project that encompasses a technology
  focus. For any school, or other organization to
  be eligible for a grant, Pioneers must be
  involved as volunteers in that system.
• A Pioneer will be appointed as a Pioneer Advisor
  to each recipient entity that is awarded a grant
  to ensure compliance with the purpose/objectives
  of the project goals. This Pioneer Advisor will
  be appointed by the Group that received the grant.

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TelecomPioneers Foundation Fund Grant

• Pioneers fill out the application the Group VP
  and/or Review Team recommend grant recipients and
  the Foundation Fund Disbursement Committee
  authorizes the grants. The Groups VP and/or
  Review Team will be comprised of Pioneer leaders
  representing the Groups chapters. The setup and
  organization of each team is the responsibility
  of the VP. The team should ensure that there is
  no conflict of interest prior to submitting the
  application form for the grant money.
• The Foundation Fund Disbursement Committee
  stipulates that the minimum grant request be
  1,500. This minimum grant request will be
  strictly adhered to unless there are strong
  documented reasons not to which will be
  discussed and voted upon by the Disbursement
  Committee.
• Grants will be awarded on an annual basis.
  Requests for grants must be received by your
  Group VP and/or Review Team Leader on or before
  October 15. The Pioneers Foundation Fund
  Disbursement Committee will authorize awards by
  December 1 and inform the VPs. Presentation of
  the awards is the responsibility of the VPs and
  will be done at the Annual Meeting. A brief
  report on the use of the grant is required by
  October 1st the year following the application
  deadline and will determine eligibility for the
  following year (Groups that do not submit a
  report will not be eligible for grants the next
  year.) Reports should be sent to the
  TelecomPioneers Program Manager, Kari
  Biesendorfer, Kbiesendorfer_at_telecompioneers.org
  or (Fax) 303.572.0520.

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TelecomPioneers Foundation Fund Grant

• Guidelines for TelecomPioneers Foundation Fund
  Application
• Any chapter, council or club operating under the
  501(c)(3) of the national organization may apply
  for funding. 
• Grant applications are to be sent to the group VP
  and/or Review Team Leader (communicated to the
  Pioneers by their Group) on or before October 15.
• VPs and/or Review Team have the option of
  forwarding grant recipient recommendations up to
  50 more than their allocated amount, thus
  putting the final distribution of the allocated
  amount in the hands of the Disbursement
  Committee. (For example, if ATT is allocated
  8,000, they may submit recommendations to the
  Disbursement Committee for up to 12,000.
  However, grants will only be awarded up to
  8,000.)
• Note this will not have a positive or a negative
  impact on the on applicants chances.
• Minimum grant request must be 1,500 per
  application.
• VPs and/or Review Team have the option of
  increasing the minimum amount requested per
  application within their respective Groups.
• Note this will not have a positive or a negative
  impact on the on applicants chances.
• The exact amount allocated to each Group may not
  be able to be achieved based on the minimum
  application request but the Disbursement
  Committee will make every effort to get as close
  as possible.
• The Disbursement Committee has the authority to
  approve the recommended amount and/or increase or
  decrease the amount requested during the final
  approval process.

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TelecomPioneers Foundation Fund Grant

• Grant applications will be eligible for a total
  of 100 points, based on four individually
  weighted criteria determined by the Disbursement
  Committee. Up to 10 additional priority points
  will be awarded for projects that have a
  technology focus.
• Educational project (no points awarded - this
  criteria must be met for eligibility)
• Needs assessment (30)
• Pioneer recognition generated or expected to
  generate (30 points)
• Pioneer involvement and client impact (30)
• Branding and alignment to sponsoring company (10)
• Involving or promoting technology aligning to the
  Association Strategic Plan (up to 10 priority
  points)
• Pioneers must have appointed a Pioneer Advisor in
  the school(s)/ recipient entity to be eligible.
• Award Periods
• Grant applications due October 15, 2005, may be
  submitted for grants to be awarded for
  educational projects that have been or will be
  completed January 1, 2005 December 31, 2006.
• This is a one-time transition period to move
  into awarding grants for projects planned to be
  completed.
• Grant applications due October 15, 2006 will be
  for educational projects that will be completed
  January 1, 2007 December 31, 2007.
• Grant applications due October 15, 2007 will be
  for projects that will be completed January 1,
  2008 December 31, 2008.
• A report on the use of the grant monies is
  required by October 1st, the year following the
  application deadline. (The first report is due
  October 1, 2006 for grants applied for in October
  of 2005.)

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TelecomPioneers Foundation Fund Grant

• Foundation Fund Application and Award Timeline
• August 1 - Total dollar amounts allocated to each
  Group communicated to the VPs.
• October 15 - Foundation Fund grant applications
  due to the Group VP and/or Review Team Leader (do
  not send to the Association.)
• November 5 - VPs and/or Review Team Leader
  forward recommendations to Association Program
  Manager.

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Dodds Fund Matching Grant

• Guidelines for applying for the TelecomPioneers
  E. B. Dodds Fund
• Application due to the Group VP and/or Review
  Team Leader on or before October 15.
• Pioneer grant recipients are required to provide
  matching funds.
• The funds must be used to promote community
  service activities for either hearing impaired or
  deaf persons and/or for projects to help fulfill
  the educational focus of our Pioneer mission.
• Each Group VP and/or Review Team will use their
  own Dodds Fund assessment criteria (while
  adhering to the Association guidelines.)
• A report on the use of the grant is required by
  October 1st the year following the application
  deadline and will determine the eligibility for
  the following year.

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Dodds Fund Matching Grant

• TelecomPioneers E. B. Dodds Fund Timeline
• August 1 - Amount allocated to each group
  communicated to VPs.
• October 15 - Grant applications due to the VP
  and/or Review Team Leader.
• November 15 - Group VP and/or Review Team
  determine grant recipient winners.
• December 1 - VPs and/or Review Team Leader
  informs grant recipient winners and
  TelecomPioneers Program Manager (Please provide
  who the check should be made out to and the
  amount.)
• December 20 - Checks cut and distributed directly
  to the VPs. Public announcement of winners
  online at www.telecompioneers.org.

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Community Impact Award

• Explanation of Award This award is designed to
  recognize a Pioneer entitys overall cumulative
  impact on its community throughout the year and
  over time. Judging will evaluate benefit to the
  community, recognition as leaders in the
  community, responsiveness to community needs,
  community partnerships, impact of Pioneers on the
  community, media mentions, and the engagement of
  Pioneers and non-Pioneers in volunteerism. The
  application must be accompanied by at least ONE
  letter of recognition/ acknowledgement from a
  community leader outside of the organization
  (maximum of three letters) and a maximum of FIVE
  of your best scanned images.
• Entry Deadlines/Important dates Due to Group VP
  October 15th
• Applications will only be accepted from the Group
  VP
• Winners announced December 1st
• Eligibility Any formal Pioneer entity is
  eligible for the Community Impact Award,
  including chapters, clubs and councils.
• Submission Process Complete the application
  form and include up to three letters of
  recommendation/acknowledgement from an outside
  organization and/or community leader. A copy of
  each nomination form must first be sent to your
  group VP office, where they will be verified to
  be complete and acceptable for submission. The
  Group VP will then forward all complete
  submissions to the TelecomPioneers Headquarters.

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Chapter of Excellence Award

• Explanation of Award The Chapter of Excellence
  Award is given to chapters most closely aligned
  with the strategic direction of TelecomPioneers
  and their sponsoring companies (where applicable)
  in 5 main strategic areas. Projects will be
  eligible for a total of 100 points, weighted as
  indicated below
• Communications/Marketing (20 points)
• Leadership (30 points)
• Financial (15 points)
• Planning and Measurement (15 points)
• Volunteer Engagement (20 points)
• Entry Deadline
• Due to Group VP October 15th
• Applications will only be accepted from the Group
  VP
• Winners announced December 1st
• Eligibility All TelecomPioneers chapters,
  including self-sponsored chapters are eligible
  for the Chapter of Excellence Award. The
  application must be accompanied by at least ONE
  letter of recognition/ acknowledgement from a
  community leader outside of the Pioneer
  Association (maximum of three letters) and a
  maximum of FIVE of your best scanned images.
• Submission Process Complete the application form
  provided. A copy of each chapter nomination form
  must be sent to your group VP office, where they
  will be verified to be complete and acceptable
  for submission. After the 85-point threshold is
  verified, your Group VP will then forward all
  complete submissions to the TelecomPioneers
  Headquarters. Applications must be received by
  the Group VP on or before October 15th. Late
  applications will not be considered.

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Individual Pioneers Excellence

• Explanation of Award This award is designed to
  recognize individual Pioneers and Partners who go
  above and beyond to answer the call of those in
  need. There are categories for regular member,
  life member and partner. First-round judging
  will take place at the group level. The top
  candidates from each group will be advanced to
  the TelecomPioneers International level by the
  Group VP and at least two winners will be chosen
  from each category.
• Entry Deadlines/Important dates
• Due to Group VP October 15th
• Applications will only be accepted from the Group
  VP
• Winners announced December 1st
• Eligibility All Regular members, Life members,
  Associate members and Partners are eligible.
• Submission Process Complete the application form
  provided and include one letter of recommendation
  from a person or group outside of TelecomPioneers
  and the sponsoring company to provide further
  evidence of the individuals outstanding
  accomplishments. A copy of each nomination form
  and reference letter must be sent to your group
  VP on or before October 15th.

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Project Excellence

• Explanation of Award This award is designed to
  recognize the top level of TelecomPioneers
  community service projects completed throughout
  the year across the United States and Canada.
  Projects will be eligible for a total of 100
  points, based on five weighted criteria.
  Projects will first be judged at the group level
  and those scoring 75 points or more will be
  advanced to the TelecomPioneers International
  Office by your Group VP for the final round of
  judging, described below. Projects will be
  judged based on these criteria
• Innovation and creativity (15 points)
• Branding and alignment (20 points)
• Community Need (25 points)
• Volunteer involvement (25 points)
• Creative funding and/or cost-efficiency (15
  points)
• Entry Deadlines/Important dates Due to Group VP
  October 15th
• Applications will only be accepted from the Group
  VP
• Winners announced December 1st
• Eligibility All TelecomPioneers projects are
  eligible for the Project Excellence Award,
  including recurring projects. If a project is
  submitted in subsequent years, the project needs
  to have grown and changed significantly over the
  past year and this must be clearly explained in
  the project submission.
• Submission and Judging Process Complete the
  application form provided. A copy of each
  nomination form must be submitted to your group
  VP on or before October 15th. Projects will be
  subject to the first round of judging at the
  group level. Projects scoring 75 points or more
  will be advanced by your Group VP to the final
  round of judging at the TelecomPioneers
  Headquarters, where they will be judged by an
  external judging contingency. Late applications
  will not be considered.

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Telecom Challenge

• Overview of the Telecom Challenge
• The Telecom Challenge is designed to showcase the
  talents and creativity of Pioneers by challenging
  them to carry out a community service project, in
  alignment with the company(s) (or self-sponsored
  groups) goals, using the technology of the
  telecommunications industry to improve our
  communities.
• Its a chance for Pioneers to combine their
  volunteer skills and commitment with the
  technology of our industry to promote the value
  of volunteering within our communities. It is
  also a great opportunity to invite new or
  prospective members to enjoy the unique
  experience of volunteering with TelecomPioneers.
• Guidelines for the Telecom Challenge
• All projects submitted for the Telecom Challenge
  award must meet the guidelines listed below to be
  considered in the final judging process.
• The Telecom Challenge theme is Connecting Our
  Communities Through Technology. Communities are
  changing in ways unimagined a generation ago.
  Technology opens us up to numerous new
  possibilities.  This theme will guide Pioneers
  into exploring the many ways that the
  implementation of technology services/products
  can positively affect our communities. 
• For purposes of the Telecom Challenge,
  communities are defined in 4 categories  the
  Educational Community, Disaster
  Preparedness/Relief Efforts in our Communities,
  Health and Human Service Community (disabled,
  seniors, persons in transition, etc.,) and our
  Military Community.  The way your group
  connects to the community is up to you and your
  imagination!

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Telecom Challenge

• Theme  Connecting our Communities through
  Technology
• Connecting Technology and Education - 1 grand
  prize award of 1,000 and one runner-up award of
  500
• Connecting Technology and Emergency and/or
  Disaster Preparedness/Relief Efforts in our
  Communities 1 grand prize award of 1,000 and
  one runner-up award of 500
• Connecting Technology and Health and Human
  Services (disabled, seniors, persons in
  transition, etc.) 1 grand prize award of
  1,000 and one runner-up award of 500
• Connecting Technology and the Military 1 award
  of 1,000 and one runner-up award of 500
• Note If it so happens that there is not a grand
  prize and/or runner up winner in any of the above
  categories, the Association Program Manager
  reserves the right to either re-allocate or hold
  back distributing the monies for that specific
  category.

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ProjectConnect

• ProjectConnect Award Established
• ProjectConnect International Awards Program
  Criteria
•  
• The ProjectConnect (PC) awards are based on a
  calendar year.  The PC logs and reports will be
  pulled and tallied yearly on December 1st to
  determine the winning chapters.
•  
• 1.  PC Volunteer Implementation Excellence
•  
• An award will be given to the top 5 of chapters
  with the highest reported number of hours per
  member facilitating lesson plans and/or teaching
  game play face-to-face (in person or via virtual
  volunteer technology like WebEx) to
  participants.  This information will be pulled
  from iMIS.
•  
• Award is based on (total hours/total membership).

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ProjectConnect On the Spot

• On the Spot
• A ProjectConnect Pioneer Recognition Program
• A monthly program to provide immediate On the
  Spot recognition of Pioneers who, by their
  noteworthy performance and accomplishments,
  contribute significantly to the TelecomPioneers
  ProjectConnect program.
•  
• Any Pioneer can nominate another Pioneer for On
  the Spot recognition.
•  
• Nominations must be sent via email to Kari
  Biesendorfer, Program Manager, TelecomPioneers,
  at kbiesendorfer_at_telecompioneers.org
•  
• Nominations must include the following
  information
•  
• 1.                  Name, phone number, email and
  mailing address of individual being nominated.
• 2.                  Sponsor company or
  self-sponsored group, Chapter, Council and/or
  Club name.
• 3.                  Description of the nominees
  noteworthy performance and accomplishments
  (please keep the written description to a
  maximum of one page).
• 4.                  Name and contact information
  of Pioneer making the nomination.
• 5.                  A digital picture of the
  nominee is encouraged, but not mandatory.
•  
• Nominations must be received on or before close
  of business on the 25th of each month.
•  
• Recepients will be chosen by the ProjectConnect
  Group Coordinators.

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OTHER AWARDS

• OTHER AWARDSAs a TelecomPioneer, your good work
  makes you eligible for Awards outside of the
  Association. 
• See below for a few examples.
• WWW.CONNECTAMERICA.ORGNominate Someone Today for
  Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser, Sponsored by
  Ketchumwww.PointsofLight.org/Programs/Neighboring
  Daily Point of Light Awards 
• Walmart http//www.walmartfoundation.org/wmstore/g
  oodworks/scripts/index.jsp
• Target http//www.targetcorp.com/targetcorp_grou
  p/community/foundation.jhtml