SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

Applications that do not conform to the following guidelines shall be disqualified:

• Nominations and a PHOTO of the individual/team must be submitted TOGETHER via email by the October 19 deadline.

• Nominations must be limited to ONE page (front and back).

• Nominations must be submitted in Microsoft Word, saved in 2003 or earlier version.  Margins must be 1 inch and information must be a minimum of 10 point font.

• A summary statement MUST be completed for EACH award application.  The summary statement should briefly highlight the application in 75 words or less.

• Nominees for individual awards must be current (2009) members of ESP and have paid their due on or before October 1.  Nominees for the Meritorious Support Award and State Friend of Extension are not required to be ESP members. To confirm membership, contact Craven Hudson, ESP Treasurer at craven_hudson@ncsu.edu.

• Team nominations and Diversity/Multicultural Recognition teams require least 50% of the team members to be current ESP members.

Send completed awards applications and photos to Robert Furr,  via email to robbie_furr@ncsu.edu no later than 5pm, October 19, 2009.

REMINDER:  All award applications and photographs MUST be received by October 19, at 5pm.

Bernadette Watts ESP Professional Improvement Scholarship
This $500 scholarship provides financial incentive and assistance for ESP members wishing to increase their professional competencies. The scholarship can be used for study leave, a graduate course or other projects contributing to professional improvement. Priority is given to those proposing study leave leading to a degree. Applicants must present strong professional improvement plans and be recommended by their supervisors. ESP members only.

Visionary Leadership Award
This award honors an Extension professional who has demonstrated visionary leadership resulting in new direction of Extension programs. ESP members only.

Early-Career Service Award
This award honors an Extension employees with 3-10 years experience who has shown the ability to plan/deliver Extension programs in work area. ESP membership not required.

Mid-Career Service Award
This award honors an Extension professional with 10 to 20 years service who has contributed significantly to Extension programs in work area ESP members only.

Distinguished Service Award
This award recognizes an ESP member who has contributed significantly to state Extension program planning and delivery for more than 20 years. ESP members only.

Continued Service Award
Recognition is for an experienced Extension professional with 20-plus years of experience who has exhibited continued leadership, initiative, and excellence in Extension program planning, delivery, evaluation in program or administration, on a state, regional and/or national level in years after receiving the state DSA award. Data supporting measurable impacts of the candidate's work in meeting the needs of clientele will strengthen the nomination. An Extension professional will become eligible for this recognition five years after receiving the State ESP DSA recognition. ESP members only.

Retiree Service Award
This award recognizes retired Extension professionals for continued contributions and outstanding service. ESP members only.

Meritorious Support Award
This award recognizes staff members who, over time, have shown support for Cooperative Extension's mission, program and professional staff. Such persons include secretaries, program assistants, print shop operators, computer operators and others. The winner is not necessarily an ESP member.

Administrative Leadership Award
This honor recognizes an Extension professional who has shown noteworthy administrative enthusiasm, performance and accomplishment during their Extension careers (10 years or more). Administrative leadership may be at county, regional, state, program, department or national level. Documentation of the candidate's work in meeting the needs and furthering the efforts of supervised faculty, staff and/or program should be primary in this recognition. ESP members only.

Friend of Extension Award
This award recognizes a non-Extension person who has given outstanding public service and support to state Extension programs.

Team Award
Team must have contributed significantly to the state's response to the National Initiatives. At least 50% of the team members eligible for ESP membership must be current members.

Diversity/Multicultural Award
One individual and one team may be recognized each year for outstanding efforts and accomplishments in achieving and sustaining diversity in the Extension, programs and/or audiences. Diversity is defined as acknowledging, understanding, valuing and celebrating differences among people relative to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status or sexual orientation. At least 50% of the team members eligible for ESP membership must be current members. Individual nominee must be current ESP member.

International Award
This award honors an ESP member who has contributed to Extension in other countries through state and/or overseas work. ESP members only.

County Performance Award
This award recognizes a total Extension program concept by the county staff in resource utilization that results in significant changes in the lives and actions of county residents. All counties are eligible to submit applications, and one county per Extension district will be recognized.