Metro Vancouver
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Purpose: The award recognizes individual AWWA members and/or member organizations for fostering and supporting the development of public outreach programs and integrating public affairs as a core element of utility planning and management. The award is intended to encourage utilities to incorporate public outreach into their operating plans, as well as to provide examples of successful public outreach programs and best practices.
The Award: An exquisite sculpture that embodies the essence of accomplishment and serve as a testament to the recipient's dedication and contributions. Each Public Communications Achievement award is accompanied by a personalized inscribed nameplate to honor and preserve the recipient's name and accomplishment.
Award recognition: Award winners will be honored at the ACE conference and will be asked to contribute an article to Journal AWWA.
Number and frequency: Both individual and organizational awards are divided into three categories: A) those serving fewer than 5,000 service connections; B) those serving between 5,000 and 25,000 service connections; and C) those serving more than 25,000 service connections. A maximum of two awards per year will be given in each of the six categories; however, awards will be based solely upon merit and may not necessarily be issued in all categories. The program for which the individual/organization is nominated may be either ongoing or a large, focused initiative completed within the 24-month period prior to the application date, but which demonstrates a strong, broad-based commitment to public outreach and communications.
Solicitation of nominations: In addition to promotional materials at ACE, the Public Affairs Council will encourage nominations through practices that may include, but are not limited to, e-mail solicitation, direct mail, advertisements in AWWA publications and Section, conference and Web announcements. Additionally, the Public Affairs Council will encourage AWWA sections with similar communication awards programs to solicit recent winners and nominees to apply for the award.
Eligibility for individual awards: Because this award is intended to recognize directors and managers outside the public affairs field who foster and support public outreach as an integral part of the organization's management strategy , nominees must meet the following criteria.
Eligibility for organizational awards: Applications will be judged primarily on ability to demonstrate the utility's ongoing commitment to public outreach, commitment of resources to public communications, the linkage between communications efforts and the organization's operational goals, establishment of communication objectives, thoroughness of planning, execution of activities and documentation of results.
Judging criteria: Nominations will be evaluated on the following criteria and assigned a numerical score by a panel of three judges selected from the AWWA Public Affairs Council. Programs/individuals that do not qualify for the award based on scores may qualify for a Certificate of Merit at the judges' discretion.
Other factors that may be considered include:
Nomination procedure: Nominations must include:
Nomination deadline: Award nominations shall be due to AWWA by November 1st with the award to be presented at the awards ceremony at the AWWA Annual Conference and Exposition. For additional questions, or to submit an entry, please email Peggy Hofstra at phofstra@awwa.org.
Selection committee: Committee will include three individuals from AWWA Public Affairs Council.
2022 Irvine Ranch Water District
2021 Halifax Water, Nova Scotia, CanadaThe Metropolitan District, Hartford, Conn.
2020 San Diego Water Authority, CaliforniaSan Jose Water Co., CaliforniaVallecitos Water District, San Marcos, California
2019 Sweetwater Authority, Chula Vista, California