Each year, CSDA presents various awards during the CSDA Annual Conference and Exhibitor Showcase.  The deadline to submit nominations for these awards is August 6. Be sure to get your nominations to CSDA in time for consideration!

There are a number of different award categories available.  Please consider outstanding individuals within your districts for individual awards.  Chapter awards and district awards are also open for nominations.  The following awards (by category) are open for nomination.

Individual Awards

Board President of the Year
Nominations may be submitted for Board President of the Year based on experience, effectiveness and leadership.  Examples must be submitted that illustrate the rationale for the nomination.  This award will be presented on Tuesday, September 21 at the Super Session.

General Manager of the Year
Nominations will be accepted for the general manager believed to have exhibited exceptional experience, effectiveness and leadership in his or her district.  Illustrative examples must be submitted with the nomination.  This award will be presented on Tuesday, September 21 at the CSDA Super Session.

Excellence in Community Service
Selected for outstanding volunteerism offered to youth and/or seniors on behalf of the environment or for public safety, district staff or elected officials qualify to receive this award.  This award will be presented on Wednesday, September 22 at the Awards Banquet.

Chapter Awards

CSDA Chapter of the Year
Chapters are important and integral entities to the effectiveness of California’s special districts.  CSDA will present an award to one chapter nominated for its effectiveness in outreach, its involvement and creativity with activities on behalf of all districts in the chapter’s domain, and the chapter’s ongoing commitment to continuing education.  This award will be presented on Wednesday, September 22 at the Chapters Reception.

District Awards

Innovative Program Award
The criteria for this award includes originality of program, tangible and positive results and a documented decrease in district costs or a demonstrated improvement in the district’s quality of service without significantly increasing costs.  Additionally, the program should be easily adaptable for other districts.  This award will be presented on Wednesday, September 22 at the Awards Banquet.


Exceptional Public Outreach Award
The criteria for this award includes a demonstration of an increase in the district’s visibility with the public or the Legislature, an improvement in district-constituent communication, and evidence of communication pieces that are visually/graphically appealing and that include thorough and appropriate content relevant to district business.  This award will be presented on Wednesday, September 22 at the Awards Banquet.


Other Awards to be presented at Conference:

William Hollingsworth Award of Excellence
The prestigious “William Hollingsworth Award of Excellence” will be presented again in 2010.  The Hollingsworth Award is not open for nominations, but is voted by the CSDA Board of Directors.  It will be awarded to the one individual who has been vigilant in his or her championing for special districts.

Mr. Hollingsworth was one of the “founding fathers” of CSDA and was one of the foremost advocates for special districts in the Capitol in the 1970s.  Special districts and CSDA would not be what they are today were it not for Mr. Hollingsworth.  In his honor, CSDA will be recognizing an individual who exemplifies what it means to go above and beyond the call of duty and advocate extensively both for CSDA and special districts.

This award is selected by the CSDA Board of Directors and CSDA does not accept applications.

Legislative Advocate of the Year
Selected for effectiveness in advocating for the district at the local, state and/or federal level, district staff or elected officials may be nominated for this award.

This award is selected by the CSDA Legislative Committee and CSDA does not accept applications.


Special District Risk Management Authority
Each year the SDRMA Board of Directors recognizes four members for their efforts in controlling losses and reducing claims. One small member and one large member from each program are recognized for the following annual safety awards:

• Earl F. Sayre Excellence in Safety Award for  the Property and Liability Program
• McMurchie Excellence in Safety Award for the Workers’ Compensation Program

These awards will be presented to SDRMA participating member districts, displaying and implementing an exceptional safety and loss prevention program and will be presented on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 during the SDRMA sponsored breakfast.

The SDRMA Board of Directors will evaluate existing safety programs as well as claims loss history and length of membership from their current members.

No applications for these awards will be accepted.

How to Enter (Application for CSDA Awards)

The district must be a CSDA Member in good standing and must submit the following information by August 6, 2010 at 5:00 p.m.

1. Submit a cover letter including: district name, address, contact, email, authorized signature, whether you are a small district (budget up to $1,000,000) or a large district (budget greater than $1,000,000) and the award for which you would like to be considered.
2. Submit copies of all applicable documentation (i.e., a brochure on the program, a letter of commendation to an individual, etc.) with an explanation of why you believe your program/individual should be considered.

Address your packet to:

California Special Districts Association
1112 I Street, Suite 200
Sacramento, CA  95814

An external non-biased public relations firm will be reviewing all submissions and selecting the winners.

Questions?

If you have any questions regarding the awards or the awards process, please contact CSDA toll-free at 877.924.CSDA (2732).  All applicants will be notified prior to the Annual Conference who the winner is.  Winners will be awarded at the CSDA Annual Conference in Newport Beach.