Hall of Fame Criteria
Purpose:
This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions at all levels of the RC&D Program, resulting in the strengthening and advancement of RC&D nationwide through the involvement of local RC&D Councils.
Criteria:
Candidates should have demonstrated commitment, dedication and effective leadership at all levels of the RC&D Program (primarily the national level). Such things as integrity, efforts above and beyond normal duties, innovative ideas, and exemplification of the RC&D spirit will be taken into consideration. To be eligible for membership, a candidate must have a minimum of 10-years involvement with the program and must not be a current member of the NARC&DC national board of directors.
Each year one RC&D volunteer, government employee or an individual from the private sector may be selected for induction into the Hall of Fame. In addition, every third year (to coincide with the National RC&D Conference), the Board of Directors may, by unanimous vote, name no more than one member per year (in addition to that named above) whom they feel deserves the honor.
Applications:
Written nominations must be submitted on Form: NARC&DC-AW #1, with appropriate documentation, and may be submitted by member councils directly to the NARC&DC Office. Councils may submit one application per year.
The selection process will consist of two parts: a screening phase and an induction phase. Candidates scoring more than 75 points in the screening phase will be considered in the induction phase. Applications will be screened by a committee appointed by the Association President and chaired by the chairperson of the Awards Committee. Of the three members on the committee, one member will be appointed from those already inducted into the Hall of Fame, one staff person from the NARC&DC and one at large representative from the RC&D community.
After the screening phase, each application earning more than 75 points will be passed on to the induction committee. This committee will consist of the Association President, Executive Director, Awards Chairperson, and one representative from the Hall of Fame and one from NRCS who will review the application and determine if a person should be inducted.
Determination will be based on the merit of the application without regard to regional affiliation. The reviewers can decide not to recommend anyone for the year, if they feel none of the candidates prove worthy of the honor.
Criteria:
Each candidate will be judged based on the following weighted criteria:
1) Innovation/forward thinking -- "Making Things Happen;" (35%)
2) Strengthening/influencing RC&D on a national scope; (30%)
3) Outreach to all residents in the RC&D area --
inclusion of underserved groups*/team building/coordination; (15%)
4) Marketing RC&D outside of the RC&D community; and (10%)
5) Leadership/commitment/dedication. (10%)
* Includes limited resource farmers and ranchers, members of minority groups (including American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Aleuts), women, and the physically challenged.
How to Apply:
Nominations must be submitted on Form NARCDC AW#1. All information must be typed using a 12-point font, preferably Times New Roman. One continuation page (both sides of the page) may be used to summarize the rationale. Supplemental material is encouraged, but is limited to two pages (four sides). Failure to abide with this criterion will disqualify the application from consideration.
Key Dates:
Application Deadline: November 1st
Committee Review Begins: November 15th
Selections Made: December 1st
Selectees Notified: January 15th
Induction:
Those selected will be invited to attend the annual Leadership Forum or National RC&D Conference. Recognition will be carried out at the awards banquet. Inductees will be encouraged to have a prepared acceptance speech not to exceed three minutes.