Most of us, in one way or another, are encouragers. We inspire others to carry out good deeds through our words, by lending a helping hand, or by donating to good causes when we can. Sometimes, we may feel a volunteer is deserving of more recognition than we, as an individual, can give them. We may also believe, by publicly acknowledging an individual, we can, at the same time, draw attention to the deserving organisation they belong to, and the many others who support it. In cases like this, it makes sense to seek out opportunities to nominate an individual for an award. How we go about doing this will play a big part in whether our nominee is the eventual recipient of that award. If you personally know of a volunteer who deserves public recognition, the following tips will help you highlight their work:
Is it just me?
We can be grateful to an individual for helping us, often many times over, but it’s unlikely this alone will make them a suitable candidate for an award. On the other hand, if your potential nominee shows you kindness, it’s very likely they are helping others as well. Before you think about nominating an individual who has helped you, do some sleuthing in your community to see what else they are involved in. Ask discreetly among neighbours. Run an image and name search for them on the internet. If they have a social media profile that’s public, take a peek. Listen carefully to their conversation to see if they are helping others or working as a volunteer in the community. If your potential nominee appears to be well known for their good deeds, it’s time to move on with the next step.
It’s a match!
Securing public recognition for a nominee is very much dependent on matching their good works to a relevant award. Unless your potential nominee is doing big things at a national level, start looking for community awards you can nominate them for. Begin by contacting your local council or looking on its website for opportunities. Once you locate a suitable award, be sure to fine tune your search. For example, the Taupo District Council offers Mayoral Community Awards, but divides these into sections. To help you decide which category your nominee best fits into, check out past recipients (they will usually be featured on the same site). Preparing a nomination is a hefty task, so before you begin, read the details of the award carefully to make sure your nominee is eligible.
Collect and collate
Your nominee will have the best chance of success if you include evidence of their work. Those who sift through nominations for awards have limited time in which to create a shortlist. So, instead of presenting them with a mountain of material, choose half a dozen of the best examples you can find, and make mention of others. ‘A picture tells a thousand words,’ so where possible, include photos of the work your nominee has been involved in. For example, if they have played a significant role in enhancing the community’s environment, you may be able to locate photos of them on a community tree-planting day, or helping with a Forest and Bird fundraising stall. Collect quotes from those who have worked with them or been helped by them. It can be helpful if some quotes come from members of the community who are well known or who are in positions of authority.
Presentation is everything
Unless you feel very confident in writing the final text for the award nomination, consider asking a friend who has experience with writing to check over and adapt your draft. You may be a wizz at design, but if you’re not, ask a friend or family member who is, to help out. Whether you plan to submit your nomination by email or in hard copy form, arranging text, personal comments, and photos, in the best possible way, will really help your nomination stand out from others. Once you have everything organised, submit your nomination, and be sure you receive an acknowledgment of having done so before the closing date.
Preparing a nomination isn’t to be taken lightly. In fact, submitting one is an act of generosity in itself. But by taking your time, and drawing on the skills of others, your efforts may be rewarded. If they aren’t, you are better placed for applying again in the next round of awards – because it only gets easier!
