Community Achievement in Knowledge and Ideas

2011 recipient MPI Minnesota Chapter, accepting are Sue Daly, CMP and Julie Ann Schmidt, CMP

ABOUT THE AWARD
This award recognizes chapters and other communities for demonstrated achievement in making human connections through knowledge and ideas.  Recipient(s) will have displayed innovation and creativity in the development, planning and execution of ground-breaking initiatives.

Peer Nominations are now Closed*

Eligibility
Nomination Process
Submission Deadline
Judging Process
Questions

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA?

Influence

• Within the community, what was the lifespan of the program and will it be repeated? 
• Describe whether the objectives of the program were met and how these benefit the community and the industry.
• How does the community operate more efficiently after implementing the new program?
• List any recognition the program has received within the industry. 

Innovation 

• Provide an executive summary in 500 words or less explaining the program details and the process that was followed to identify the need for the program.
• Provide examples of the communication tools used to promote the program including content and medium.  Provide qualitative and quantitative measurements and evaluation successes. 
• Summarize the program’s strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities.  List results to-date of utilization by the community and feedback received.
• Indicate if program is first of its kind.

Transferability

• Describe the program’s impact across boundaries. Achievements should have a global reach.
• List any planning practices such as marketing, green practices, cost-saving measures, or removing geographic boundaries that could be carried over to other programs.
• Explain how other communities may find success with the program. 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

  • MPI Communities of Geography, Practice, Peers, Marketplace, Cultures
  • Nominated program must have been completed and evaluation data available at time of application.

WHAT SHOULD THE NOMINATION INCLUDE?

  • Nominated by peer individuals, communities or organizations 
  • Specifically articulated goals, objectives for the program, initiative or project 
  • Impact must be documented in measurable terms 
  • Achievements must be validated by at least three recommendations by individuals with at least one from outside the community 

HOW DO I NOMINATE A COMMUNITY?
The nomination process is electronic.

  •  Step One: Complete the online peer nomination form. Explain how the nominee meets the criteria. The peer nomination form will serve as a letter of recommendation. The nomination form will be submitted to MPI Headquarters.
  • Step Two: In January, MPI will contact the nominee and request an application be completed. This is an opportunity for the community to provide more details of the achievements and provide two additional letters of recommendation. 
  • Step Three: Nominated community must submit the completed application, release statement, two letters of recommendation (cannot be from MPI staff) and documentation explaining how it meets the criteria. All items must be received prior to the application deadline.

*WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION?
The online nomination must have been received by MPI no later than December 16, 2011.

No hard copy submissions will be accepted.  No late or partial entries will be accepted. 

WHAT IS THE JUDGING PROCESS?

Applications and the letters of recommendation will undergo a round of judging. The judges are an international group of volunteers representing a range of professions and expertise. Applications are collected by MPI and reviewed for completion and compliance. Any nominations that require further review will be considered by the Chair of the judging panel.

Judges review and score all qualified entries. Finalists are submitted to the MPI Executive Committee for review.

WHEN WILL THE WINNER BE ANNOUNCED?

The winner of the Community Achievement in Knowledge and Ideas award will be selected and notified April/May 2012. The presentation of the award is July 2012 at MPI’s World Education Congress in St. Louis, Missouri.

WHO DO I CALL WITH QUESTIONS?
Please contact Janice Parker at jparker@mpiweb.org or 972-702-3048 with any questions.