By Gina Ryan, CAE
With a revised script, there are new roles to play at the annual NYSAE Synergy Awards luncheon next April. You don’t even need an agent; self-nominations are encouraged!
What’s New in the Individual Awards Category?
Outstanding Program Development Award
This award recognizes an executive or manager who has contributed significantly to the development of innovative, visionary programming as a team leader within in a philanthropic, professional or trade organization and has demonstrated excellence in advancing the mission of that organization through one or more recognized CAE domains such as (1) organizational management; (2) leadership; (3) administration; (4) knowledge management and research; (5) governance and structure; (6) public policy, government relations, and coalition building; (7) membership development; (8) programs, products and services; and (9) marketing, public relations, and communications. This award lends itself to bestowal on a rotating basis, perhaps bi-annually or tri-annually.
The criteria for this award are:
- Is a regular member of NYSAE;
- Contributes significantly to the development of innovative, visionary programming as a team leader within a philanthropic, professional or trade association;
- Demonstrates excellence in advancing the mission of his/her organization through management of one or more recognized CAE functional domains;
- Shows commitment to the advancement of association management as a profession. CAE (Certified Association Executive) credential is an asset but not required.
What’s Changed?
Distinguished Service Award
(encompasses the former Diplomat Award)
This award, established in 1985 and given in all but six years, recognizes a member who has made extraordinary contributions to NYSAE by his/her skillful performance in aiding and assisting in areas such as special projects, new programs or with ad-hoc functions.
The criteria for this award are:
- Must be a current regular or associate member;
- Made extraordinary contributions to NYSAE with special projects, new programs or ad-hoc functions;
- Serves as a leader and mentor to the association management community and its partner suppliers;
- Acts as a role model for NYSAE members.
Volunteer of the Year Award
(encompasses the Former Outstanding Committee Chair Award)
This award, broadening the Outstanding Committee Chair award that was established in 1985, recognizes outstanding committee service demonstrating team leadership either as a chair, vice chair, past chair, participant, or liaison as a contributing member of multiple NYSAE committees that promote the purposes of NYSAE and benefit its members.
The criteria for this award are:
- Is a current regular or associate member;
- Demonstrates achievements as a committee leader or outstanding team member in developing and/or executing programs and projects that promote the purposes of NYSAE and that benefit its members;
- Acts as a role model for NYSAE members.
What’s the Same?
Outstanding Association Executive Award
This award, established in 1984 and awarded yearly, recognizes an executive who has contributed significantly to the advancement of the association management profession as a key leader in a philanthropic, professional or trade organization and has demonstrated outstanding achievement in advancing the mission of that organization.
The criteria for this award are:
- Makes significant contributions to the advancement of the association management profession as a current executive in a philanthropic, professional or trade organization within the tri-state area;
- Demonstrates outstanding achievement in advancing the mission of his/her organization;
- Shows commitment to professional, civic, community, and charitable organizations through sustained volunteer service;
- Acknowledges the NYSAE mission of leading and advancing the association management profession within the tri-state area;
- Is eligible for current regular membership in NYSAE.
Outstanding Associate Member Award
This award recognizes the contributions made to an associate member’s organization that have significantly improved, promoted and benefited his/her company within the NYSAE community.
The criteria for this award are:
- Is a current associate member;
- Made contributions that have significantly improved, promoted and benefited his/her company within NYSAE;
- Actively supports and promotes NYSAE programs and services;
- Contributes to community, professional, civic, charitable and service organizations.
New Star Award
This award recognizes the significant contribution of a new NYSAE member with fewer than three years of service made to NYSAE in the areas of committee work, special projects or new programs.
The criteria for this award are:
- Is a current regular or associate member;
- Made significant contributions to NYSAE in areas of committee work, special projects or new programs.
What’s Changed in the Organizational Awards Category?
Digital Excellence Award
(encompasses the former Website Excellence Award)
This award recognizes the philanthropic, professional or trade association of a regular member that demonstrates visionary innovation in use of digital technology and social media to advance its mission.
Criteria for this award are:
- Is a philanthropic, professional or trade association of a current regular member;
- Has a media plan in place that is updated as technology changes and opportunities arise;
- Demonstrates website excellence as evaluated on characteristics such as immediacy of overview, timeliness of content, aesthetics, consistency, ease of navigation, internal search capabilities, opportunities for online engagement that invite members to collaborate and contribute, and integration with its other social media;
- Hosts a Facebook page to post timely, engaging messages; and attracts a substantial number of "likes."
- Sponsors an association group on LinkedIn to facilitate dialogue and ongoing discussion forums on issues that are critical to its members, supporters, and stakeholders;
- Creates mobile apps featuring on-demand downloads and capabilities for members, supporters and stakeholders to engage the organization with immediacy;
- Uses multiple portals such as Twitter for mobile networking, allowing event attendees to access conference agendas, plan meetings or message one another;
- Provides a hub for subject matter experts to provide educational blogs, podcasts, and videos;
- Electronically publishes articles and commentary to enhance its presence and market membership, fund development and events.
New Nominating Process for the Digital Excellence Award:
Current regular members are encouraged to nominate their associations for this award. The Awards Committee selects the recipients from among the nominees.
What’s the Same?
Social Responsibility Award
This award, established in 1991 and awarded in all but two years, recognizes members' associations and associate members' organizations for their contributions to America.
The criteria for this award are:
- Must be the organization of a current regular or associate member or a philanthropic, professional or trade organization from the association management sector in the tri-state region;
- The program, project or service must be one that is extraordinary, and above and beyond the primary mission of the association/organization, although it can be related to that mission;
- Can be either ongoing or a one-time program, project, or service that has wide-ranging benefits and are potentially replicable within the association community.
Be an Awards Luncheon Producer
Don’t be upstaged by competitors. Grab the limelight for your products and services as a luncheon sponsor. Luncheon sponsorships offer the benefit of recognition for generously supporting NYSAE and its programs. Such sponsorships could contribute to providing printed programs to hand out at the luncheon, or, at a certain level, even a PowerPoint presentation to enhance the Awards ceremony. There are two producer categories available.
Be an Awards Luncheon Producer
Don’t be upstaged by competitors. Grab the limelight for your products and services as a luncheon sponsor. Luncheon sponsorships offer the benefit of recognition for generously supporting NYSAE and its programs. Such sponsorships could contribute to providing printed programs to hand out at the luncheon, or, at a certain level, even a PowerPoint presentation to enhance the Awards ceremony. There are two producer categories available.
NYSAE Table Sponsor for only $1,200
- One table of 10 at the luncheon event (priority seating);
- Mention in E-blast invitation;
- Recognition at the podium;
- Recognition on NYSAE website with hyperlink to your website;
- Organization name on stand at table;
- Opportunity to distribute materials/giveaways/seat drop.
NYSAE Table Sponsor for only $500
- Two registrations to luncheon;
- Mention in E-blast invitation;
- Recognition at the podium;
- Recognition on NYSAE website with hyperlink to your website.
Successful Auditions Gets You a Starring Role!
It’s easy to star in our production and get recognized by your peers at NYSAE’s Synergy Awards Luncheon (this year scheduled for April 22, in conjunction with the Technology Institute). Just visit www.nysaenet.org/awards or contact Nicole Millman-Falk, CAE, Awards Committee Chair, whose "mic" is live at mfc32@optonline.net or at 201-652-1687.
Join the fun! Get your head shot ready, and start working on your acceptance speech. Applause guaranteed!
Gina Ryan, CAE, is President of CEO Pathways/Creative Executive Options, a firm offering interim executive director services and transition management to newly formed or recently challenged associations. Ryan, recipient of NYSAE’s 1994 New Star Award, is a former NYSAE Board member. She currently serves as Vice Chair of NYSAE’s Awards Committee. She can be reached at ceopathways@mac.com or 917-971-7524.