by M.J. Schmitt
The annual presentation of awards recognizing outstanding dedication, distinguished service, and achievement by and/or for blind and visually impaired people has become an eagerly anticipated event at American Council of the Blind national conventions. These awards present truly exciting opportunities for us to make sure that the heroes and heroines in our lives receive the recognition they deserve! How unfortunate it is that we all too often wait until someone is no longer alive to recognize their achievements and contributions. Isn’t it much more gratifying to salute those who have contributed positively to our lives while they are among us!
Without you, the process simply doesn’t work. But with your help and your very easily crafted and submitted letters of nomination, our awards can do much to uplift and change lives — for gratitude truly motivates people to stay involved and active. There’s no better way to show your gratitude and encourage those who have made a difference to continue doing so than by nominating them for one of ACB’s prestigious awards.
The Awards Committee is currently seeking nominations for the year 2000 awards. Please send your letters of nomination directly to the ACB National Office, 1155 15th St. NW, Suite 1004, Washington, DC 20005. Nominations are due by April 15, 2000.
For your information, criteria for the several ACB awards are:
The Robert S. Bray Award, which was established in 1975 in memory of the late chief of what is now the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, is presented periodically in recognition of outstanding work in extending library services or access to published materials, or improving communications devices or techniques.
The Durward K. McDaniel Ambassador Award recipient is selected each year from among blind candidates who, through their lives, associations, and activities, have demonstrated their integration into and their interaction with the life of the community. It is not necessary that the candidate be a member of or active in any organizations of the blind, or be engaged in work for the blind.
The George Card Award is presented periodically to an outstanding blind person who has contributed significantly to the betterment of blind people in general. This award is not limited by locality or by nature of the contribution.
The ACB Distinguished Service Award is given to a sighted individual who has made substantive contributions to the field of blindness. The award will be given as warranted. Remember to send in your nominations by April 15, 2000.
Affiliate Awards
The awards listed below are for state and special-interest affiliates, not individuals. Criteria are as follows:
The ACB Membership Development Award seeks to recognize a state or special-interest affiliate with the highest percentage of membership increase over the previous year. In 2000, the percentage of increase of membership will be calculated by comparing the membership total reported by the state or special-interest affiliate to the ACB national office as of March 15, 2000, to the affiliate membership total recognized by the 1999 Credentials Committee. Affiliates need to be certain that they get their membership lists and counts in to the national office by March 15.
The Creative Outreach Award is available to state and special-interest affiliates to recognize innovative outreach projects or programs. “Outreach” is defined as any activity other than fund-raising, which is designed to acquire or retain members, educate the public about blindness, and about the affiliate. Projects to be considered include but are not limited to: public education, public relations, public service announcements, and web page development. The outreach effort must result in some measurable success. Incidental income derived from a project or program will not disqualify a state or special-interest affiliate from being considered for this award. State affiliates are encouraged to recognize meritorious local chapter outreach efforts; local chapters are not eligible to receive this award. Nominations for this award must be submitted by the president of a state or special-interest affiliate, and must include a description of the project, its goals, and outcomes. Nominations must also be received by April 15, 2000.
Copies of video clips, radio spots, newspaper articles, or other appropriate evidence of impact of the outreach project or program should be attached to the letter of nomination. The project or program must originate in, but not necessarily be concluded in, 1999.
Caption:
Alan Beatty, president of ACB Lions, took a break from the hectic pace of the convention session to smile for the camera. Upon his affiliate’s winning the ACB Membership Development Award, he said, “Next year we’ll double it again!”