City of Charlotte
Neighborhood and Economic Development Department
600 East Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-336-2061
http://neighborhoods.charmeck.org
2009 Neighborhood Awards
Nomination Packet
City of Charlotte Neighborhood Awards 2009
Program Description:
The City of Charlotte Neighborhood and Economic Development Department would like to recognize the hard work and accomplishments of neighborhood organizations and residents who strive to improve their neighborhood and the lives of the people who live in them. Through diligence, hard work, countless hours of selfless labor, and determination to change the world in which they live, these groups are making a positive difference in Charlotte. This year, the 2009 Neighborhood Awards, including eight separate categories, will be presented during the 14th Annual Neighborhood Symposium on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Eligibility:
1) Nominated neighborhoods and individuals must live within Charlotte city limits.
2) Nominated neighborhoods must be organized for at least six months (examples include a neighborhood association, HOA, or community crime watch).
3) Nominees may be nominated for more than one category. A separate nomination packet must be completed for each nomination.
4) A completed nomination packet must be received by the Neighborhood and Economic Development Department by the assigned deadline.
5) City employees are not eligible for awards where completed actions are part of their assigned job duties.
6) Neighborhood projects, programs, events, or activities must have been completed during the calendar year of January 1 through December 31 of 2008.
Application Process:
1) Nominations may be made by neighborhoods, individuals, community-based organizations, or other entities with direct knowledge of projects, programs, events, and activities completed by the individual or neighborhood being nominated.
2) Award winners will be selected by a panel of community judges based on information in the completed nomination packets. All decisions are final.
3) Winners will be announced at the 14th Annual Neighborhood Symposium on Saturday, May 16, 2009, at the Charlotte Convention Center.
4) Completed nomination packets must be received by the Neighborhood Development Department by 5:00pm, Wednesday, April 15, 2009. Completed packets should be submitted in person or mailed to:
Neighborhood Awards
Neighborhood and Economic Development
600 East Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Selection Criteria:
Judges will select winners after evaluating nominations based on the criteria for each category. A minimum of 75 points must be earned to be eligible to win. Information submitted within the nomination packet will be rated based on the following:
Example(s) of specific projects, programs, events, and/or activities 40 points total
For example: a grant project, community crime watch, neighborhood festival, etc.
Partnership building 20 points total
For example: partnering with the City, County, other organizations, neighboring communities, etc.
Potential for the action(s) to be completed by other neighborhoods 20 points total
For example: how easy another neighborhood can start and maintain a project.
Overall impact on the residents and community 20 points total
For example: how the project affects individuals and the community as a whole.
Award Categories and Criteria:
Awards will be presented in each of the following categories unless submitted entries are not correctly completed, do not reflect the category criteria, or earn the minimum required score. Winners will receive a trophy engraved with their name and category.
I. Awards for Neighborhoods
One (1) award will be presented to one neighborhood per category. A neighborhood organization may win in more than one category if nominations are received for more than one category.
Neighborhood Diversity
- Actively engages a diverse community of residents (seniors, youth, multiple nationalities, disabled, etc.)
- Neighborhood has a process to proactively deal with cultural tensions if/when they arise
- Neighborhood stakeholders' membership is diverse and/or participates in exchange programs
- Diverse neighborhood association and involvement in neighborhood activities and projects, including social capital projects (cleanups, garage sales, training, etc.)
Neighborhood Safety
- Strong relationship with CMPD and community officers to maintain a lowered crime rate
- Implement programs using community resources to establish or maintain a crime watch, citizens patrol, and/or block captains
- Produced meaningful results that can be used as models for others
- Residents received an increased awareness of public safety through education, activities, and neighborhood projects
Neighborhood Improvement
- Complete neighborhood project(s) to physically revitalize or beautify the neighborhood's appearance
- Positive changes in the Quality of Life Study's variables
- Strong evidence of self-help, including partnerships with public and private entities and other neighborhoods and community-based groups
- Actively engaged in neighborhood problem-solving, project management, volunteer contributions, wide-scale participation, sustainable outcomes, and replicated projects in other neighborhoods
Neighborhood of the Year
- High percentage of participation in neighborhood meetings and activities and capacity building trainings (Neighborhood Symposium, Community University, etc.)
- Improvement in the Quality of Life Study (transitioning up or consistently stable)
- Partnerships with others, especially diverse groups, to mobilize community resources
- Completion of neighborhood project(s) to physically revitalize/beautify the neighborhood, improve social or cultural aspects of the neighborhood, lower crime rate and known criminal hot spots, and/or improve the economic status of the neighborhood
II. Awards for Individuals
Two (2) awards will be presented to two individuals per category. An individual may win in more than one category if nominations are received for more than one category.
Neighborhood Youth
(ages 12-18)
- Regular attendance in school and shows academic successes
- Attends neighborhood meetings, provides a positive contribution to the community, performs community service, and participates in community-based organizations
- Uses skills and talents in the neighborhood to make a special and significant impact on individuals, families, or the community at large through two or more specific projects
- Generously gives time and energy promoting the well-being of others, inspires others to volunteer for community services, and has been a catalyst for new visions, understanding, and change in the community
Neighborhood Leader
- Active board member of the neighborhood organization (neighborhood association, HOA, community crime watch, etc.), attends meetings regularly, and participates in community activities
- Demonstrates strong leadership skills and dedication to the neighborhood
- Attends trainings to build capacity (Neighborhood Symposium, Community University, CMPD's Citizens Academy, etc.)
- Facilitates neighborhood improvement by bringing neighbors together to complete projects, address critical needs, and establish positive partnerships with local stakeholders
Good Neighbor
- Exemplifies the "spirit of neighborliness" in daily actions by helping neighbors with individual needs
- Practices effective communication and interpersonal skills
- Does not serve on the neighborhood board, but provides a positive contribution to the neighborhood and exceptional participation and involvement in neighborhood projects
- Holds no code citations for failing to follow City ordinances within the last 12 months (January-December 2008)
III. Award to be determined at the 14th Annual Neighborhood Symposium:
Best Participation
-One (1) award presented to one neighborhood. The winning neighborhood will receive a certificate.
- Largest number of individual residents, including youth, from one neighborhood in attendance at the Symposium. Participants must check-in/register at the registration table to be counted.
For more information, contact:
Neighborhood and Economic Development Department
Neighborhood Services
600 East Trade Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
704-336-2061
http://neighborhoods.charmeck.org
City of Charlotte Neighborhood Awards 2008 Nomination Form
Information about the Person/Neighborhood Nominated: (Nominee must live in neighborhood in which nominated actions occurred)
Name:
Address:
Neighborhood: Email:
Daytime Phone: Evening Phone:
Information about the Person Recommending the Nomination:
_____ Neighborhood Diversity
_____ Neighborhood Safety
_____ Neighborhood Improvement
_____ Neighborhood of the Year
_____ Neighborhood Youth
_____ Neighborhood Leader
_____ Good Neighbor
**Please submit a separate form for each nomination. **
Please include ONE additional page of up to 300 words (typed or handwritten) and explain why your nominee should be selected. Be sure to include the following information:
1) Providing examples, describe at least one project, program, activity, and/or event which demonstrates the nominated person's or group's fulfillment of the required criteria for that category.
2) Explain specific partnerships, actions, and/or contributions completed by the nominee.
3) Explain the potential for the action(s) to be completed by other neighborhoods.
4) Explain the impact the nominee has had on the residents and community as a whole.
- Up to 5 additional pieces of supporting documentation may be included. Additional items must be one-page per item and not to exceed the size of a standard letter (8.5" x 11"). The City of Charlotte will not return supporting materials and may use them for promotional and/or marketing purposes.
- NEIGHBORHOOD PROJECTS, PROGRAMS, EVENTS, OR ACTIVITIES MUST HAVE BEEN COMPLETED DURING THE CALENDAR YEAR OF JANUARY 1 THROUGH DECEMBER 31 OF 2008.
- INCOMPLETE OR INCORRECTLY COMPLETED NOMINATIONS, INCLUDING NARRATIVE LENGTH, MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED.
Photo Release: The City of Charlotte has permission to use any photographic images of the undersigned taken for publicity purposes. I understand that such publicity and/or photos are only to be used by the City of Charlotte as a means of promotional purposes for City programs and services.
Signature: ___________________________________________________ Date: _____________
Completed nominations, including the nomination form and one page narrative, must be received by the Neighborhood and Economic Development Department by 5:00pm, Wednesday, April 15, 2009. Completed packets should be submitted in person or mailed to:
Neighborhood Awards, Neighborhood and Economic Development at 600 East Trade Street, Charlotte, NC 28202
Name:
Address:
Email:
Daytime Phone: Evening Phone:
Relation to the nominee:
**Please inform the person you nominated of your application for this award. **
