Member of the Year

ABOUT THE AWARD
This award is given to an exceptional MPI member who through volunteer efforts has made outstanding grassroots contributions and demonstrated unparalleled commitment to the advancement of a chapter, club, community, or region.

Deadline for completed entries was December 15, 2009*

Eligibility
Nomination Process
Submission Deadline
Judging Process
Questions

WHAT ARE THE CRITERIA?

Influence

• Describe the roles the nominee has held in his/her community and how these roles have influenced his/her community.  Provide any examples how the roles and actions taken by the nominee have increased community participation or have helped the community.  Provide information that illustrates the sustained commitment of this nominee to his/her community.
• Explain how the nominee has collaborated with other community leaders or how he/she has mentored others in the community. 
• Outline examples of how the nominee has supported the Mission and Vision of MPI through his/her efforts at a grassroots level. 
• List any awards, honors or recognition the nominee has received from his/her community. 

Innovation 

• Provide specific initiatives the nominee has put forward at the community level which have sparked change with the community.  List the outcomes of these initiatives.
• Describe the legacy of these initiatives and how these support the Mission and Vision of MPI.

Transferability

• Describe the nominee’s impact across boundaries. Achievements should have a global reach. 
• Explain how programs implemented by the nominee can be used by others.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

  •  MPI member for 5 or more continuous years
  • This individual must be active in MPI locally in his/her chapter or club and/or in a community leadership role.
  • Anyone holding a current or recent leadership role in the last three (3) years with MPI is not eligible.  Leadership role is defined as MPI Board of Directors, MPI Foundation Global Board of Trustees, or Chapter President.  Members of judging panels are also not eligible.

WHAT SHOULD THE NOMINATION INCLUDE?

  • Nominated by peer individuals, communities or organizations
  • Specifically articulated achievements and/or contributions 
  • Impact must be documented in measurable terms
  • Activities must advance the MPI Mission and Vision 
  • Achievements must be validated by at least three recommendations by individuals or organizations and these recommendations should specifically focus on the value of this nominee to his/her community 

HOW DO I NOMINATE AN INDIVIDUAL?
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: MPI will contact the nominee and request an application be completed. This is an opportunity for the individual to provide more details of the achievements and provide two additional letters of recommendation. 
  • Step Three: Nominated individual must submit the completed application, release statement, two letters of recommendation and documentation explaining how the he/she meets the criteria. All items must be received prior to the submission deadline.

*WHAT IS THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT A NOMINATION?
All documents must have been received by MPI no later than Tuesday, December 15, 2009. A completed entry includes:

  • online peer nomination form 
  • completed application including contact information and release statement
  • documentation explaining how the individual meets the criteria
  • and two letters of recommendation.

No hard copy submissions will be accepted.  No late or partial entries will be accepted.  All recommendation letters must be received by the deadline.

WHAT IS THE JUDGING PROCESS?

Applications and the letters of recommendation will undergo two rounds 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.

1st Round of Judging: First-level judges review and score all qualified entries. Finalists are submitted to the MPI Executive Committee for review. After review, finalists go to 2nd round of judging.

2nd Round of Judging: The finalists are judged and the Chair of the judging panel verifies the results. The decisions of the judges are final.

WHEN WILL THE WINNER BE ANNOUNCED?

The winner of the Member of the Year award will be selected and notified May 2010. The presentation of the award is July 2010 at MPI’s World Education Congress in Vancouver, Canada.

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