The Executive Committee will be presenting the “Celebrating Service and Voluntarism” Awards at the Latino Inaugural Celebration on January 19, 2009, during the commemorative event.

The Executive Committee recognizes individuals, groups and organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary dedication, and significantly contributed to increasing the Latino vote, especially on the historical presidential election of 2008, and have strengthened the Latino presence in the United States.

Nomination Process:  Nominations may be submitted by an individual or organization and are due by 12 pm EST on January 14^th 2009.

1.       Nominations must be submitted online by completing the electronic nomination form. Any materials submitted for consideration will not be returned.

2.       The below listed Awardee Criteria can be used to identify the appropriate award category. If applicable, candidates can be nominated for more than one category.

3.       The Volunteer Recognition Committee (VRC) will review and consider submitted nominations according to the given criteria. Selection will be based on information contained in the nomination form only.

4.       Awardees will be notified by January 17^th 2009.

Eligibility: Awards are open to individuals, groups, organizations, and institutions.

Categories: The “celebrate Service and Voluntarism” Awards will be made in three categories.  Up to three-awards will be given in each category.

A.      Local Grassroots Community Leader

B.      Local Community Organization

C.      National Grassroots Leader

Criteria: The Volunteer Recognition Committee will use the following criteria to select awardees in the three categories:

A. Local Grassroots Community Leader Awardee:

1.       Has proven leadership skills and commitment to community participation

2.       Has dedicated several volunteer hours to working on identifying, educating, and mobilizing the Latino community to vote.

3.       Has made outstanding contributions in the field of community organizing that have significantly impacted or have the potential to impact a substantial number of people

4.       Has catalyzed new intersections and interactions amongst the fields of canvassing, get out the vote (GOTV), and organizing

5.        Has measurable record of accomplishment in improving the grassroots effort of the Latino community 

6.       Has a record of dedication and success in recruiting other volunteers.

 B. Local Community Organization Awardee:

1.       Has local leaders in their board of directors

2.       Trains and develops local community leaders

3.       Is a catalyst for collaboration and partnerships

4.       Has raised new funds and created new technologies to increase the Latino voting participation at local elections.

5.       Has increased the Latino voting participation

6.       Has hired local community member(s), thus increasing the capacity of the Latino community. 

7.       Has made original contributions in the field of community organizing

C. National Grassroots Leader Awardee:

1.       Has proven leadership skills and evidence of motivating others to take leadership roles.   

2.       Has dedicated several volunteer hours to working on identifying, educating, and mobilizing the Latino community to vote by working with local Latino groups.

3.       Made significant efforts to collaborate and coordinate with other groups/organizations to strategically increase the number of Latinos voting in the 2008 presidential elections.

4.       Has dedicated several hours to recruiting volunteers, on volunteer basis.

5.       Has demonstrated fundraising skills to increase the Latino voting participation.

Nominate Online:

Please complete the Award Nomination Form in the attachments section below and send it to jcorganizing@yahoo.com . Be sure to include all required information.

Nominations may be submitted by an individual or organization and are due by 12 pm EST on January 14^th 2009!

Contact:

If you have any questions about the Awards, please contact Juan Carlos Ruiz, Award Committee Coordinator via email at jcorganizing@yahoo.com or call (414) 758-0600