2008 Awards of Excellence Description

Excellence in Leadership

The Excellence in Leadership Award will be presented to an exceptional Executive Director or Board Member who has demonstrated excellence within their organization and community. This leader has:

• faced a major obstacle or problem
• successfully developed unique and thought-provoking strategies to overcome the difficult situation and,
• provided leadership imperative to making their vision a reality.

Who is Eligible: Executive Directors or Board Members of all CAN-member nonprofit organizations (Executive Directors/Board Members may NOT nominate themselves)

Award: $5,000 honorarium

Nomination Questions:

(see nomination instructions page for guidelines)

1. Briefly state the primary mission of the organization and describe the services offered.
2. Give the date the nominee was hired as executive director or give the date the nominee began serving on the board. (To qualify for this award, the nominee must have held the position for a minimum of three years)
3. Describe any programs the executive director/board member has initiated to advance the mission of the organization.
4. Describe any extraordinary challenges the executive director/board member has overcome.
5. What has the executive director/board member done to ensure the long term financial sustainability of the organization?

Achievement in Innovation

The Achievement in Innovation Award will be presented to an organization demonstrating innovation in the design and/or delivery of product(s) or service(s). Tell us how you've achieved positive results by:

• embracing a new idea,
• implementing a creative approach,
• or encouraging innovative solutions to better serve your clients, community and achieve your mission.

Who is Eligible: All CAN-member nonprofit organizations

Award: $5,000 honorarium

Nomination Questions:

(see nomination instructions page for guidelines)

1. Briefly state the primary mission of the organization and describe the services offered.
2. Describe the innovative program(s) in the organization, the problems/issues they uniquely addressed and how they advanced the mission of the organization.
3. What are the measurable outcomes that have resulted from the program(s), including the number of service recipients and how long you've been providing the product(s) or service(s).
4. Illustrate how the nominee's design and/or delivery of product(s) or service(s) do not duplicate services already available.