Organizing Excellence Award
Congratulations to the Waste Not Center, recipient of the 2010 Organizing Excellence (in Community Service) Award!
The Organizing Excellence Award is presented to an individual or group that has demonstrated outstanding values and achieved measurable results through their organizational efforts. This award stresses achievement tied directly to organizational capability.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nominee's practice must fall into one of the following categories: Business, Community Service, Education, Family, or Humanitarian.
- Nominee must be an individual or group located in the state of the Annual Conference, and must be willing and able to attend the NAPO Award luncheon (Date and time to be announced at later time).
- Nominees need not be restricted to non-profit; the focus should be on their success as being a direct result of their organizational abilities.
- This Award is NOT open to NAPO members. Nominee must be nominated by NAPO members only.
The search for worthy recipients is conducted in the host city of the NAPO Annual Conference and Organizing Exposition and encompasses the following categories: Business, Community Service, Education, Family, or Humanitarian. The NAPO Board selects the recipient, and the Board President presents the award at the NAPO Annual Conference and Organizing Exposition.
Process and guidelines for the Organizing Excellence Award
- NAPO members in the conference host city are asked to nominate a maximum of three candidates. Nominations are submitted to the Awards Chair by mid-December.
- The Awards Chair summarizes the nominations, interviews the candidates by phone, and tenders a recommendation to the NAPO National Board for consideration at the January board meeting.
- The presentation of this award includes a cash donation, a plaque, and an invitation for one representative to attend the awards ceremony. The Awards Chair notifies recipients of the award prior to the annual conference and encourages them to bring materials for tabletop display at the awards ceremony.
Past Organizing Excellence Award recipients:
2009 – Janet Russell Nixon, The Russell Home For Atypical Children
The Russell Home for Atypical Children is a 50 year-old, faith-based organization, providing services to severely handicapped children from birth to 63 yrs. of age. Founded by Vantrease Russell (now deceased), over 50 years ago, this organization is currently operating under the care of her daughter, Janet Russell Nixon, and other immediate family members who have stayed true to their matriarch’s vision.
2008 – Evelyn Mount of Community Outreach of Reno Sparks Area, Inc.
For thirty years, Evelyn Mount and a team of volunteers have been serving the homeless and underprivileged by feeding families, seniors on fixed incomes, and grandparents raising grandchildren on limited budgets. Evelyn also spearheads food drives, and collects donations of clothes, household goods, and electronics. All preparation and storage takes place in Evelyn’s home, and she uses her own savings to pay for bookkeeping and tax services.
2007 – WomenVenture of St. Paul, Minnesota
Since 1978, WomenVenture has helped 90,000 women and men of all economic and ethnic backgrounds achieve their business and career dreams. Through a variety of classes and services, they empower their clients to create meaningful professional paths, and then create a road map to get there.
2006 – Women's Lunch Place
A not-for-profit founded in 1982 to be a safe and comfortable daytime shelter where homeless and underprivileged women and their children could find support, friendship, nutritious home-cooked meals, and a safe haven from the streets.
2005 – Polinsky Children's Center Foundation
The A.B. and Jessie Polinsky Children's Center, built to replace the Hillcrest Receiving Home, is a 24-hour facility operated by the County of San Diego for the temporary shelter of children.
2004 – Jamal Place
2003 – Partners in Housing
2002 – Furniture Bank-Metro Atlanta
Provides furniture and household items to help impoverished families move into their first quarters and become self-sufficient. Run by Tom Polk.
2001 – Faith Home
A home which has provided loving care to more than 30 HIV/AIDS babies since 1988. Run by Hy and Linda Taurig.
2000 – The Los Angeles Commission On Assaults Against Women
The commission established an alliance with community groups to assist and educate women on self-protection. Run by Andrea Wallace.
Honorable Mention: Culver Palms Life Skills Lab
This community action group provides classes and mentors in job preparation to help clients build independence and confidence. Run by Billie Silvey.
1999 – YWCA of Bucks County
This YWCA’s Family Centers in low-income housing complexes offer tutoring, day camps, and summer camps for high-risk children and employment training for their parents. Run by Betty Latham.
1998 – Students Recycling Used Technology
Under this Oregon community partnership, businesses can donate used technical equipment for high school students to repair. The refurbished items are then donated to public schools. Run by Dee Carlson.
1997 – Legal Aid for Abused Women & Children (LAAWC)
This not-for-profit organization established by attorney Herma-Joze' Blaauwgeers provides legal services to those in need.
1996 – Sacred Heart Community Service
Provides free food, clothing, housing, job assistance, and health care to the needy. Run by Susan Hunn.
1995 – Communidad Cambria
Three Latina, single mothers (Teresa Marcial, Josefina Guzman, Maria Contreras) spearheaded a campaign with the government to rid their apartment building of drug dealers, creating a model residence in their city.
1994 – Winners
Mayme McKentzie, Life Enrichment Center
For Community Service: McKenzie opened her farm to mentally and physically challenged visitors.
Lucia Rede Madrid
For Education: Established a public library in her small-town grocery store.
Dena Rodenbeck
For Business: Established a business to employ homeless women who produced products to sell out of retail carts in a shopping mall.
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