Affiliates in Excellence Awards

Affiliates in Excellence Awards

Affiliates in Excellence Awards

Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action serves its affiliates through collaboration, resource sharing, and networking. That is why we created the DSAIA Affiliates in Excellence Program, which recognizes our members’ innovation, individuality and creative collaboration.

Ten Ridiculously Simple Rules

  1. Only DSAIA members are eligible to submit entries.
  2. You may submit multiple entries in each award category.
  3. Entries must be submitted digitally.
  4. Entries must have been produced and/or utilized between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016.
  5. An entry form must be completed for each entry submitted.
  6. Please pay close attention to the submission requirements. If submission requirements are not met, your entry may not be judged.
  7. Please make sure all entries include the correct Name of Organization, Category and Budget Level.
  8. All entries become the property of DSAIA and may be used for the DSAIA Resource Library.
  9. All entries MUST be uploaded by January 20, 2017.
  10. Entry fees may be paid online or you may mail in payment (see below). You will be sent an invoice via email. Entry fees must be paid by February 1, 2017 in order to be eligible for the program.

Judging

Entries are judged by professionals in their respective fields, including (but not limited to) nonprofit management, special event production, fundraising, broadcast media, photography, website development, promotions, graphics, marketing, and social media.

The DSAIA Affiliates in Excellence entries are judged through a point system based on the criteria listed for each category.

Two Affiliates in Excellence Awards will be given in each award category; a Best in Category award and a Runner-up award, unless, in the opinion of the judges, no award is merited. The judges reserve the right to give multiple awards in a category if scores are tied.

Budget Categories

Affiliates of all sizes are encouraged to submit entries. To recognize the possible differences between entries submitted by affiliates with large vs. small budgets, each entry will be categorized by budget size of the organization. You will be competing with organizations with similar budgets.

Budget categories are:

  • SMALL – Under $200,000
  • LARGE - $200,000 and over

Budgets should include the entire budget for the organization for the fiscal year in which the event/program/initiative was instituted.

Please see judging criteria in each section for more information.

Award Categories

Include the following:

  • Affiliate of the Year
  • Best Use of Social Media
  • Best Marketing/Promotional Campaign
  • Best Partnership/Collaboration
  • Best Website
  • Best Use of Photography
  • Best T-Shirt Design
  • Best Educational Program
  • Best Outreach Program
  • Best Teen/Adult Program
  • Best Recreational Program

Best Marketing/Promotional Campaign

Judging Criteria

  1. Creativity
  2. Effectiveness
  3. Variety of medias

Examples include radio/tv, outdoor advertising, print, promotional products, and can include social media.

Best Use of Social Media

Judging Criteria

  1. Creativity
  2. Effectiveness
  3. Engagement

Examples of social media marketing include, but are not limited to, FaceBook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Instagram, webcasts, blogs, podcasts, Flickr, etc.
For Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, webcasts, and blogs, display profile page home page, plus two additional pages and URL (for podcasts, provide iTunes name instead of URL) submitted digitally. Please include reports on audience engagement and goals reached.

Best Partnership/Collaboration

Judging Criteria

  1. Benefit to partners
  2. Measurable results
  3. Original idea

Display a minimum of two images of the partnership in action (can be any print collateral, article, photographs, etc.) and one summary page describing the partnership’s purpose/objective, the level of involvement and measurable benefits of all partners.

Best Use of Photography

Judging Criteria

  1. Original and exceptional composition
  2. Exceptional use of light and color
  3. Evokes an emotion or leaves an impression
  4. Unique use of photo will also be given merit

Digital entries only –Physical photos must be scanned and uploaded.

Best T-Shirt Design

Judging Criteria

  1. Good use of design
  2. Originality

Please make sure the images are clear. Digital images of the design itself or the t-shirt as a whole are admissible.

Best Website

Judging Criteria

  1. Informative, clear, concise & compelling to engage audience
  2. Easy to navigate
  3. Has visual impact
  4. Possesses exceptional design features
  5. Displays originality

Please include website address and snapshot of front page in your entry.

Best Educational Program

Judging Criteria

  1. Test
  2. Test

Display a minimum of two images of the program in action (can be any print collateral, article, photographs, etc.) and one summary page describing the program’s purpose/objective, the level of involvement and desired outcomes.

Best Outreach Program

Judging Criteria

  1. Test
  2. Test

This category can include new/expectant parent outreach, medical outreach or community outreach programs.

Display a minimum of two images of the program in action (can be any print collateral, article, photographs, etc.) and one summary page describing the program’s purpose/objective, the level of involvement and desired outcomes.

Best Teen/Adult Program

Judging Criteria

  1. Test
  2. Test

This program must be dedicated to the needs of teens and adults with Down syndrome and can include educational, recreational, employment, or life skills.

Display a minimum of two images of the program in action (can be any print collateral, article, photographs, etc.) and one summary page describing the program’s purpose/objective, the level of involvement and desired outcomes.

Best Recreational Program

Judging Criteria

  1. Test
  2. Test

This program must be a recreational program that is unique to your organization (not a chapter or sub-division of a larger or national program) and must be focused at least 50% on individuals with Down syndrome.

Display a minimum of two images of the program in action (can be any print collateral, article, photographs, etc.) and one summary page describing the program’s purpose/objective, the level of involvement and desired outcomes.

Affiliate of the Year Award

Two affiliates will be honored based on their size – Small and Large. The previous budget categories apply for this award.

Please write an essay detailing the following information:

Accomplishments

  • Describe your organization’s accomplishments over the past year. Please be specific. Upload supporting documents as needed.

DSAIA Resources

  • Describe how your organization has utilized DSAIA resources (training, ideas, documents, discounts, etc.) over the past year to assist in accomplishing goals or initiatives.

Cost

The fee for each entry is $20.

Mailing Address for Payment of Entry Fees

(remember all entries must be uploaded digitally)

Down Syndrome Affiliates in Action

5010 Fountainblue Drive
Bismarck, ND 58503

Payment must be received by February 1, 2017.

You may also make an online payment at .

Questions

Phone: 701-354-7255

Top View