CALL FOR NOMINATIONS!

MAKING DEMOCRACY WORK
CITIZENSHIP AWARD

The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge is seeking nominations for its annual Making Democracy Work Citizenship Award.

The award is given to any person(s) or organization that has demonstrated a committed and visionary leadership that strengthens democracy through positive change.

Eligible nominees include all residents or organizations of Oak Ridge; and any residents living outside of Oak Ridge, but their leadership or organizational work is performed in Oak Ridge. Members of the League of Women Voters are eligible for this award. Not eligible are the current executive committee members of the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge; past awardees; nor current government elected officials.

This information may be forwarded to organizations, churches, or others who may be interested in nominating a person.

Nominations should be submitted to: Robin Graham: robin.lambert.graham [at] gmail.com

Nomination Selection Committee members are:
Chairman: Robin Graham
Members: Janis Williams, Carol Plasil, and Carolyn Krause (Ex-Officio member)

Deadline for Submission: April 1, 2025

Making Democracy Work Award

Criteria for Nomination

Description:

This award is given to a person, persons, or organization that has demonstrated a committed and visionary leadership that strengthens democracy through positive change.

The nominee’s contributions should clearly demonstrate democracy at work; be innovative and unique; and encourage active and informed citizenship within the community.

Eligibility:

In the spirit of the League, this leadership shall be non-partisan, collaborative, and responsive to the  needs of all members of our diverse community with equity and inclusion.

Any individual (s) or organizations performing their civic engagement within Anderson and/or Roane Counties may be nominated-including League of Women Voters members.

However, neither current members of the Board of Directors of the LWVOR; prior recipients of the award; nor current governmental elected officials are eligible. Appointed members of public committees, task groups, etc. are eligible.

Solicitation of applications/nominations:

The League will actively solicit nominations from the community for the award. Requests for nominations will be publicized through the League web site, distribution lists, social media, and announcements to the area media and to community-based organizations - as the Board deems appropriate.

Any individual or organization may nominate a candidate with the nomination form (attached) or facsimile. Self-nominations are accepted.

The nomination forms must be submitted by the deadline date established by the LWVOR Board of Directors. The nominations will be evaluated and ranked by a committee selected by members of the Board.

Applications are evaluated and ranked on the following criteria:

• description of the individual’s or organization’s contributions to the community and why they should be selected,

• the extent to which their leadership and contributions improves the community and strengthens democracy,

• and the ways in which their contributions/project promote social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Recognition:

The recipient(s) will be honored in mid-May at the annual meeting of the LWVOR. In addition, she/he/they will be recognized in an LWVOR news release, monthly newsletter and website, in social media, and through other LWV events and communications.

Citation

TBD - pending on the recipient

Examples of individuals/organizations that have received past awards from other Leagues

Individual/organization who engages in any League advocacy item (see Impact on Issues (google LWVUS Impact on Issues). This includes but not limited to: Organizations/Individuals that are advocates for/of: social justice; women’s reproductive rights; libraries; homelessness; immigration; educators; journalists; community action activists for gun safety; climate change; civics education; sexual orientation rights; criminal justice; incarceration; death penalty; etc.

Other awards to consider for the future

Woman of the Year Award
High School Making Democracy Work Award
Community Leadership Award

Please Note: The Making Democracy Work Nomination Form can be downloaded here. This form can be completed by inserting the information after the colon in each line.