Recognizing Excellence...
Awards Nominations Needed
By Scott Yoo, National Director

 
The California-Nevada Section is the largest AWWA Section and includes some of the water industry's most prestigious organizations and many of the "best and brightest" individual contributors. It is the Section's desire to recognize, to the fullest extent, the excellent work and service provided by its members. An important way to honor these exceptional members is through the nomination and presentation of Section and National Awards.
At the Section Education Symposium in Napa last February, the Section Awards Committee redoubled its efforts to seek appropriate award nominations for deserving Section members. These efforts included proposals for restructuring the Awards Committee, creation of additional award categories, more direct participation by other committees and greater publicity for soliciting award nominations. Some of the proposals require Governing Board approval and changes to the Section Rules and Regulations. As they are approved, these will be communicated to the membership via Source and the Section Website.
In the meantime, there is much that the membership can do to make sure that your California-Nevada colleagues are recognized for their excellence. As everyone can appreciate, the effectiveness of the Sections awards program is especially dependent upon a broad base of nomination support. With over 7000 members in our Section, we can easily miss truly deserving candidates. Therefore, the committee is asking that you take the time to nominate people that you know and work with in your Agency/Company. In fact, as you review the various National and Section Awards, if you see one that especially fits you, consider nominating yourself. Self-nominations are certainly encouraged, so don't miss this opportunity.
A complete listing of National and Section awards is available on the Section Website (www.ca-nv-awwa.org) along with the applications and deadlines for nominating individuals for these awards. To nominate an individual or organization, simply go to the Website, print the nominating form and submit it to the Section Office. Official deadlines for National award nominations vary, but as a general rule the deadline for submitting all nominations to the Section Office is July 1. The Section will collect and submit the forms to the Section Awards Committee chaired by Don Kaiser.
The Section Awards Committee will make the final nominations, but they will rely heavily on your recommendations. As required in the AWWA Bylaws, the AWWA Board of Directors will have the final approval for the National awards.
It often takes years of hard work and dedication to achieve excellence, but it only takes a few minutes to nominate someone for an award. Please help to recognize the people that contribute so much to the Section and AWWA.
The following National and Section awards are just a few of those in need of nominations
Abel Wolman Award of Excellence
An award of excellence to recognize those individuals with 20 plus years in the water works industry whose careers exemplify vision, creativity, and excellent professional performance. CA-NV Section submission Deadline: July 1st. National AWWA submission Deadline: October 1st.
American/Canadian Mexican Water Landmarks Award
An award to recognize and preserve an American, Canadian, or Mexican Water Landmark at least 50 years old that has had a direct and significant relationship with water's supply, treatment, distribution, or technological development. In 2003, the Alvarado Water Treatment Plant, City of San Diego (California-Nevada Section) was recognized. CA-NV Section submission Deadline: July 1st. National AWWA submission Deadline: October 1st.
Award of Merit
An award to recognize achievement of those outside the water industry who have demonstrated outstanding service in support of the principles of AWWA in providing better water for people. CA-NV Section submission Deadline: July 1st. National AWWA submission Deadline: October 1st.
Distinguished Public Service Award
An award to recognize distinguished public service outside the line of duty by an AWWA member. In 2003, Jack L. Clarke of Apple Valley Ranchos Water Company (California-Nevada Section) was selected as the recipient. CA-NV Section submission Deadline: July 1st. National AWWA submission Deadline: October 1st.
Friendship Medal
An award to recognize and advance friendly relations between the water engineers of North America and Great Britain. CA-NV Section submission Deadline: July 1st. National AWWA submission Deadline: October 1st.
Gold Water Drop Award
An award that recognizes individual members who have provided valuable service and support for AWWA programs and goals through their long-standing Association membership. CA-NV Section submission Deadline: July 1st. National AWWA submission Deadline: February 1st.
Heroism Award
An award that constitutes official recognition of an act of heroism on the part of an employee(s) in the water utility industry wherein the rescuer must have risked his/her own life in the process of aiding some other persons or person. Submission Deadline: Open.
Honorary Member Award
An award presented to individuals whose knowledge and accomplishments in the field of water supply entitle him/her to special recognition. National AWWA submission Deadline: October 1st. CA-NV Section submission Deadline: July 1st.
Life Member Award
This award is given to recognize individuals who are designated representatives of organizations and who have given 30 years of continuous service to the AWWA. Automatic unless changed from individual to utility member. CA-NV Section submission Deadline: July 1st. National AWWA submission Deadline: February 1st.
Outstanding Service to AWWA Award
An award to recognize and honor a member of the AWWA who has rendered outstanding service. CA-NV Section submission Deadline: July 1st. National AWWA submission Deadline: October 1st.
Public Communications Achievement Award
An award granted to individuals and organizations for excellence and significant contributions in communicating information about water profession issues to the public. In 2003, an award for organizations serving a population greater than 100,000 was given to Mr. J.C. Davis and the Southern Nevada Water Authority. CA-NV Section submission Deadline: July 1st. National AWWA submission Deadline: October 1st.
Water Industry Hall of Fame Award
An award to perpetuate the memory of those living (beyond the age of 60) and deceased who have made the most significant contributions to the field of public health and water supply. CA-NV Section submission Deadline: July 1st. National AWWA submission Deadline: October 1st.
George W. Fuller Award
An award to members for their distinguished service in the water supply field in commemoration of sound engineering skills and constructive leadership. CA-NV Section submission Deadline: July 1st. National AWWA submission Deadline: October 1st.
George Elliot Award
An award that recognizes outstanding service to the Section by presentations of good papers, unusual contributions to committee activity, exceptional effort to improve member and pubic relations or outstanding innovation in the water field. CA-NV Section submission Deadline: July 1st.
Larry Larson Safety Award (5 utility categories)
This award is given to leaders in the field of safety within the Section. CA-NV Section submission Deadline: July 1st.
Smaller Utility Award
This award recognizes the positive accomplishments of well-operated small water systems. CA-NV Section submission Deadline: July 1st.
Walter O. Weight Membership Award
This award recognizes members for their outstanding service in overall recruitment and retention of members. CA-NV Section submission Deadline: July 1st.
Gimmicks and Gadgets Award (multiple awards)
An award that recognizes inventive creativity by individuals. CA-NV Section submission Deadline: July 1st.
One of the goals of the Awards Committee is to increase the number of nominations for each award, and the best scenario would be to have multiple candidates for each award to consider. In this way, we can truly recognize the many deserving people in our industry. Remember that the success of this program depends on each of you. A little bit of your time can make a big difference in someone else's career, perhaps even your own.