Awards Basics and Tips
We have three types of awards:
National Association Awards (which qualifies you for state and regional awards)
State Awards from our Association Chapter
Extension State Awards (announced and offered by Extension's leadership later in the year)
National Awards
When you apply for awards at the National level, it qualifies you for State and Regional recognition. All members, regardless of how long they have been part of the association, can apply for almost any award.
The general requisite is that the person has to have paid their membership dues by December 31st (national due date) of the year before the awards are given. Talk to your District Treasurer on details to pay your dues.
You can apply for any award you want although some are specific for members with certain years of membership. Two awards specific for those with membership of 5 years or less (although you can apply for almost any award):
Greenwood Frysinger Award which is for any Extension Educator in FCS who has been a member of NEAFCS for 5 years or less (specific for newer members).
Past Presidents’ New Professional Award which is for members for 5 years or less (also for new ones)
There are two other awards that ask for longer membership eligibility standards:
Distinguished Service Award which is for those with 10 years of membership minimum.
Continued Excellence Award which is for those with 12 years of membership minimum.
NCEAFCS State Awards
North Carolina NEAFCS Affiliate sponsors two awards which are judged and presented along with the other association awards.
Early Career Award - This award was established to honor the outstanding accomplishments of Family and Consumer Sciences members with less than 10 years of experience as Extension Agents with North Carolina Cooperative Extension. It recognizes and encourages the use of innovative and effective programming methods and motivates Family and Consumer Sciences Agents to participate in NCEAFCS and attend annual sessions.
Youth Award - It recognizes the accomplishments of Family and Consumer Science Agents in youth programming. The program must have been conducted within the past year.
One Family and Consumer Science Agent winner is selected from each of the Association’s districts (when applicable). If there is more than one application per district but the total number of applications doesn’t exceed the number of Extension districts, more than one winner may be named from a district. As of now, there are five Extension Districts.
Extension Awards
North Carolina Cooperative Extension wants to recognize your achievements! The application process will open between the end of June and due through the Extension award system on August 11th. There are general awards and others specific to FCS you can apply for. FCS specific awards include:
Jean Woodley Ballance Award (for Northeast District FCS Agents only)
Ila McIIwean White Endowment Award (for Southeast and Northeast District FCS Agents only)
NCCE Foundation Search for Excellence Awards in Extension (Offers up to 3 awards to FCS Agents)
These awards are submitted through the Extension Awards page. Visit the Award Programs for Extension Employees page for more details.
Considering Programs for Awards
Look for an award that closely relates to the programs you are conducting or collaborating on.
Read about the award and see if you can provide all the information they ask for. If you think you do not have enough data or feedback that could sustain an award, you may want to reconsider another option.
Organize your award the way it is described in the application process. This will help you evaluate what information you may be missing and where to find it.
When Applying for an Award...
Write the information they are asking for.
Identify in your narrative the sections from the application (objectives, links, evaluation tool, etc.).
Follow the instructions.
Use color images.
Have someone else proofread your application.
If using a document from another year or award application, adapt it for the award you are submitting at the moment.
Tips for a Stellar National Award Application
North Carolina is part of NEAFCS Southern District (need to know for application)
Use Adobe Acrobat Pro to combine files (see how-to link above).
Use video files that are compatible with Windows Media Player such as MPEG-4 or WMV, or web links for videos.
If submitting a protected document or video, include Username & Password for judges to access it.
The Distinguished Service and the Continued Excellence awards are submitted nationally but not judged at state level.
Remember to add your picture to the application (application cannot be submitted without it)
Do not include "extra" pictures in written application.
For large teams of more than 20 members, enter in the last place of the online application "additional team members listed in application" (see details under "Procedure and Format", page 7, item #10, in the Awards Manual).
Do not enter awards for another person as entries are tied to you member profile.
When submitting to national, you will receive a confirmation email listing files uploaded.
Judges scores are final.
Please contact your State Vice President of Professional Development and Recognition, or your District Vice President:
North Central District: Savannah Meyers, smoore23@ncsu.edu
Northeast District: Dee Furlough, evfurlou@ncsu.edu
South Central District: Hayley Cowell, hmnapier@ncsu.edu
Southeast District: Taylor Crumpler, tcdavenp@ncsu.edu
West District: Tracy Davis, twdavis@ncsu.edu
State VP and Chair: Ivelisse Colón, icolond@ncsu.edu
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