2011 Above-and-Beyond Award Nomination Form (Word Doc)
2011 Above-and-Beyond Award Nomination Form (PDF)
Nominations Due June 30, 2011
Network and affinity groups – also known as employee/business resource groups - are carving an increasingly prominent space in Corporate America’s business framework in the ways they assist companies in recruitment, retention, representation, community relations, marketing, and communications. These forward-thinking and information-rich groups help companies achieve their diversity visions by improving performance feedback, employee development and retention, and diversity marketing, and by offering an insider perspective on company projects and policies to promote targeted business growth. Best practice companies take an active interest in their network and affinity groups, and the heads of these groups play an instrumental role in leading all employees toward better cultural understanding.
The 2011 Above-and-Beyond Award, presented by Diversity Best Practices and Working Mother Media, will be recognizing four categories of individuals and a group who/which work in best-in-class network and affinity group leadership:
- Executive Sponsors/Champions - individuals who provide a lifeline to their organizations’ network/affinity groups
- Network/Affinity Group Leaders – non-diversity professionals whose grit and determination have led to the creation, success and/or turn-around of their network/affinity group.
- Network Groups – as an entire unit, i.e. groups that are aligning with their business
- Program Managers – diversity professionals who provide exemplary leadership in the creation and growth of network affinity group(s)
The award recipients of each category will be individuals/groups who/which, in addition to their “day jobs,” work tirelessly to increase employee participation, nurture future leaders, and advocate on behalf of the diversity represented by their members. Bringing groups together for the benefit of mutual support, these champions ultimately work across corporate and community borders for their affinity group’s – and their organization’s – success.
The honorees of the 2011 Above-and-Beyond Award – as nominated by network and affinity group peers, diversity professionals and executive leaders – will be recognized on October 5, 2011 in Chicago, IL at one of Diversity Best Practices’ premiere annual events – the Network & Affinity Leadership Congress (NALC).
SELECTION CRITERIA
The Above-and-Beyond Award will recognize in each category (Category 1: Executive Sponsor/Champion, Category 2: Network/Affinity Group Leader, Category 3: Network/Affinity Groups & Category 4: Program Managers) those individuals who have served their network/affinity group, ERG or BRG by:
- Acting as a formal or informal mentor within the group
- Participating in activities and events that foster the recruitment and retention of employees
- Actively engaging with human resources, business sponsors and other corporate managers on behalf of the group
- Embracing, and helping others to embrace, the company culture
- Participating as a leader in volunteer activities within the community
- Advocating for the group’s programs and activities that promote personal and professional of company members
- Promoting group activities and events that further employee knowledge and understanding of the affinity/community represented by the group
- Business resource to support company growth, i.e. focus groups
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Above-and-Beyond Award nominees may be in one of four categories a) employee leaders of their respective ERG, BRG or network/affinity group, b) executive sponsor/champions of a ERG, BRG or network/affinity group c) Human Resources and d) Program Directors . Nominees do not need to be a member of Diversity Best Practices (DBP) and/or Working Mother Media. Nominators can submit the completed form and supporting materials to Sigrid Senamaud senamaud@diversitybestpractices.com 202-463-3768. We will accept electronic submissions. Nominations must be submitted by June 30, 2011. Please plan ahead as applications submitted past the deadline will not be accepted.
HOW TO NOMINATE:
Step 1: Identify three (3) strong nominators to support your candidate
Step 2: Complete the “Nominator Information Sheet”
Step 3: Distribute the “Nomination Form” for Category 1, 2,3 or 4 which ever is applicable to your nominators and allow them to complete it.
Step 4: Obtain all forms from your nominators and review to ensure strong submission
Step 5: Email forms and supporting materials by June 30, 2011 to Senamaud@diversitybestpractices.com tel. 202-463-3768
Step 6: Check calendar of the proposed award recipient to ensure he/she is available to accept the award in person. Please note Above-and- Beyond Award recipients are our guests and no registration fees apply for the two day conference.
The nomiation forms need to be signed and completed jointly by three (3) representatives who are either:
- A member of the nominee’s ERG, BRG or network/affinity group; or
- A manager of the group who oversees the BRG, ERG or Network and Affinity Group program for the company (i.e., Chief Diversity Officer, SVP of Diversity, Network Program Head) *If nominating an individual for the Network/Affinity Leader category you may use your Executive Sponsor/Champion as a representative
Please note, if you have submitted in the past and have not been nominated we encourage you to re-submit for this year
HELPFUL HINTS:
- Remind the nominators to please provide detailed descriptions of your candidate’s attribution
- The more details and personal experience provided will allow the voting committee to vote confidentially
SUBMISSIONS SHOULD INCLUDE:
- Nomination Form – with question responses
- Nominators Information Sheet – signed by three nominators
- Nominee Biography – 200 words in length
- Supporting documents, such as newsletters, mission statements, etc.
TIMELINE
June 30: Nomination closes
July: Advisory Board Reviews Nomination*
August 15, 2011: Honorees are announced
October 5, 2011: Honoree recognized at the annual Network & Affinity Leadership Congress in Chicago, IL
*The advisory board consists of prominent leaders in the diversity/human resource arena, and executive leadership of Diversity Best Practices and Working Mother Media.
