2009 nspra award programs - National School Public Relations ...

2009 NSPRA
AWARD PROGRAMS
Three Outstanding Ways to Earn
National Recognition for You and
Your School Communication Efforts
Golden Achievement Award
Entry Deadline: March 6, 2009
For exemplary public relations activities, programs, and projects
Publications and Electronic Media Awards
Entry Deadline: March 13, 2009
For outstanding work in all types and all forms of educational communications:
print, digital, video, audio, web sites, and more
Gold Medallion Award
Entry Deadline: April 8, 2009
For superior educational public relations programs

Publications and Electronic Media Awards
NSPRA’s Publications and Electronic Media
Awards recognize outstanding education
publications, e-newsletters, electronic media
programs, radio/TV/cable, CD/DVD programs, and
Internet web sites.
The contest is open to all public or private schools
or districts, including special schools such as
vocational-technical institutes; regional or county
education service agencies; education agencies; and
private businesses serving as partners with those
organizations.
Awards
Prizes are awarded according to type of publication and type
and size of organization, which means that your entries are
judged only against those from organizations similar to yours.
The top award in each category is the Award of Excellence.
Winners of this award receive a handsome plaque.
Winners of Merit and Honorable Mention awards receive
certificates. (Award winners may request and pay for additional
plaques or copies of certificates. Information about this will be
included in a notification letter.) Winning contest entrants receive
a letter notifying them of their award. Winners should expect
to receive their letter(s) of notification on or around June 15,
2009. Award of Excellence winners are notified by letter and will
receive plaques by July 31, 2009. Award of Excellence winners
will be displayed at the 2009 NSPRA Seminar in San Francisco,
California. A list of all winners will be posted on the NSPRA web
site, www.nspra.org.
Categories
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Annual Report — Published once a year to summarize
activities.
Calendar — Containing general information and specific
dates for school (and community) activities; issued to
parents, students, and others.
Finance publication and presentation — Informing the
community about tax levies, bond issues, budgets, and
other financial topics.
Handbook — Containing general information about policies
and regulations, issued to students, teachers, or parents.
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Print newsletter/newspaper — External or internal,
published periodically. Two different issues of a newsletter
(i.e., two different months, quarters, etc.) must be
submitted to qualify.
Electronic newsletter, e-zine, or other electronic
communication, including audio, video, or text
podcasts — External or internal, published periodically.
Two different issues/samples must be submitted to qualify.
Please submit paper copies or complete files on a single
CD.*
Magazine — Containing feature articles and issued
periodically. Submit one issue per entry.
Special purpose publication — External or internal
booklet, brochure, poster, cultural diversity, accountability,
team-building publication or material not included in other
categories. One item per entry.
Branding/image package — Logos, stationery, and
other graphic treatments for a package of materials;
judged for creativity, consistency, unity, graphic design,
clarity, and overall image. Submissions must include three
or more printed pieces to qualify. Send only printed pieces
or photos of other collateral.
Marketing material — Items to communicate a school
or district’s special qualities that make it appealing to
potential customers or employees; material to make a
school the “school of choice” in a community; and staff
recruitment materials. Submit up to three items: printed
material, video, CD/DVD.*
Excellence in writing — One article from a newsletter,
newspaper op-ed piece, editorial, or speech, 500 to 5,000
words. Entries judged for clear, concise, and vibrant writing
ONLY. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ENTIRE PUBLICATIONS,
ONLY THE RELEVANT ARTICLE.
Video/audio program
F Presentation or episode — Each entry limited to a
single program, presentation, or episode per tape,
DVD, or CD.*
F Public service announcements — Promotional
announcements for use on television, radio, or the
Internet. Each entry limited to one PSA or PSA series
from a single campaign.
Internet/intranet web site — Please include your
web site’s Internet address on your entry form. Entries
are judged on clarity of writing, appropriateness and
freshness of content, graphic presentation, ease of use,
and download time. Special purpose or short-term project
web sites are also accepted. Intranet entries must include
password or other log-in information so judges can access
your site. One web site per entry.
For Outstanding Educational Publications and Electronic Media Programs

Criteria
Publications entries (includes e-newsletters) will be judged on
excellence of graphic layout and design, writing, and content.
(Exceptions: entries for Excellence in Writing and Branding/
Image categories.)
Electronic media entries will be judged for professional quality.
Programs for radio and television must be of broadcast quality
to communicate effectively. Sound should be emphasized for
radio, and color and motion for television. Criteria for web site
judging are listed in the category description.
Publications and Electronic Media
Awards Rules
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DO NOT send summary sheets for the Publications and
Electronic Media Awards. They are only required for the
Gold Medallion and Golden Achievement Awards.
Publications compete only against others in the same
category and organizational classification.
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Submit as many entries in as many categories as you
wish. Television productions must be on VHS cassettes
or DVD and radio entries on audio cassettes or CD.* Only
one VHS, audio CD, or DVD* may be submitted per entry
fee paid.
Newsletter/newspaper/electronic newsletter entries must
include two different issues (i.e., two different months,
quarters, etc.) to qualify as an entry.
Branding/image packages must include three or more
separate printed pieces to qualify as an entry.
Student written and/or produced newsletters or other
publications and audio/visual media are not eligible.
Enter only materials produced since March 2008. Previous
entries may not be re-entered.
Enter an item only in one category (exception: Excellence
in Writing entries).
All material submitted becomes the property of NSPRA
and may be reproduced, displayed, referenced, or
summarized in an NSPRA publication or other resource.
Entries cannot be returned.
Submission of any entry shall constitute entrant’s
representation that all material is original and/or free from
unauthorized use of copy, design, art, and/or photographs
from other sources.
Fee: $68 for each entry [NSPRA members], and $90 for
each entry [non-members]. Payment must accompany
all entries. Please send ONLY one check or money order
payable to NSPRA with your entry or entries; purchase
orders or vouchers cannot be accepted. Due to the large
number of contest participants, NSPRA cannot provide a
receipt for entry payment. Please make copies of all entry
forms for your records and use your canceled check or
credit card statement as your receipt.
Attach a form to each entry. The form is on the back of
this booklet. Mail it with entry and payment, postmarked
by March 13, 2009, to NSPRA, 15948 Derwood Road,
Rockville, MD 20855.
How Entries Are Judged
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NSPRA uses independent outside judges to evaluate
entries in the Golden Achievement Award, Publications
and Electronic Media Awards; and Gold Medallion Award.
Each Golden Achievement Award entry is judged on its
own merit in terms of on how it meets the award criteria
and follows entry rules.
Each Publications and Electronic Media Awards entry
and each Gold Medallion Award entry is evaluated by
judges on the overall excellence of the entry as well as
its performance against other entries received in the
category. Judges have no pre-set limit on the number or
types of award that may be given in each entry category.
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They may also opt to issue no awards if no entries are
deemed worthy of recognition.
Individual judging assessments are confidential and will
not be released.
Winners will be notified by mail of awards earned in mid-
June. A list of winners also will be posted on the NSPRA
web site once winners have been notified.
Due to the volume of entries received, NSPRA cannot
confirm receipt of your entry. If you wish confirmation
that your entry was received, please include a selfaddressed,
postage-paid postcard for each entry
submitted.
* IMPORTANT ENTRY NOTE: Submissions on CD or DVD must be accessible on multiple platforms.
Submissions that are not accessible will be disqualified by the judges.

Entry Forms
Golden Achievement Award Entry Form
Name (only one please)___________________________________________________
Title_ _______________________________________________________________
District/agency/organization_______________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________________________
Telephone number______________________________________________________
E-mail_______________________________________________________________
Title of Entry_ _________________________________________________________
You may submit more than one entry in each award program. Attach a form to each entry. Duplicate
forms as necessary. Mail all entries to NSPRA, 15948 Derwood Road, Rockville, MD 20855.
Deadline
Mail entries with payment, postmarked by March 6, 2009.
PAYMENT
The fee is $68 for each entry for NSPRA members; $90 for non-members. SEND ONLY
ONE CHECK OR MONEY ORDER, payable to NSPRA, for all entries, or complete the
information below to pay by credit card. PURCHASE ORDERS OR VOUCHERS CANNOT
BE ACCEPTED.
Member Number: (Required for member price)_ _____________________________
Credit card: q VISA q MasterCard q American Express
Name on the card_ _________________________________________________
Number________________________________________ Exp. date_ _________
Signature ________________________________________________________
Publications and Electronic Media Awards Entry Form
Name (only one please)_ _________________________________________________
Title_ _______________________________________________________________
District/school/organization_______________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________________________
Telephone number______________________________________________________
E-mail_______________________________________________________________
Title of entry_ _________________________________________________________
Purpose of entry_ ______________________________________________________
Entry’s targeted audience_________________________________________________
Member Number: (Required for member price)_ _________________________________
Credit card: q VISA q MasterCard q American Express
Name on the card_ _____________________________________________________
Number________________________________________ Exp. date_ _____________
Signature ____________________________________________________________
Please complete each line. Send ONLY payment and entry with form. ATTACH NO OTHER
DOCUMENTATION.
Gold Medallion Award Entry Form
Name and title_________________________________________________________
District/agency/institution_________________________________________________
Address_____________________________________________________________
Telephone number______________________________ Size of PR staff ____________
E-mail_______________________________________________________________
Member Number: (Required for member price)_ _________________________________
Credit card: q VISA q MasterCard q American Express
Name on the card_ _____________________________________________________
Number________________________________________ Exp. date_ _____________
Signature ____________________________________________________________
The fee is $140 for each entry for members; $200 for non-members. SEND ONLY ONE
CHECK OR MONEY ORDER, payable to NSPRA, or complete the information above to pay by
credit card. PURCHASE ORDERS OR VOUCHERS CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.
Deadline
Mail entries with payment, postmarked by March 13, 2009.
Type of Agency Submitting Entry (Check ONE)
q School district: Under 3,000 students q Individual school
q School district: 3,001-10,000 students q State/Intermediate agency
q School district: 10,001 - 25,000 students q Education association
q School district: 25,001 students & over q Business partner
Type of Entry (Check ONE)
q Annual Report
q Calendar
q Finance publication/presentation
q Handbook
q Print Newsletter
q Internal audience
q External audience
q Magazine
q Audio/visual programs & presentations
PAYMENT
The fee is $68 for each entry for NSPRA members;
$90 for non-members. SEND ONLY ONE CHECK
OR MONEY ORDER, payable to NSPRA, to cover all
entries or complete the information at left to pay
by credit card. PURCHASE ORDERS OR VOUCHERS
CANNOT BE ACCEPTED.
Deadline
Mail entries with payment, postmarked by April 8, 2009.
q Special purpose publication
q Branding/image package
q Marketing material
q Excellence in writing
q Electronic Newsletter/Podcasts
q Internal audience
q External audience
q Internet/intranet web site
FOR NSPRA USE ONLY
Check #_______________
Amount _ ______________
Date paid______________
Type of School/Agency Submitting Entry
q Public and non-public schools, school systems, and regional education agencies
serving grades K-12 or any segment of those grades
q State and national education groups (including NSPRA chapters) and state
departments of education
q Community or vocational/technical colleges
q Agency, consultant, or business in partnership with any of the above education
agencies
Entry Category
q Comprehensive, Strategic, Year-Round Communication Programs
q Public Engagement/Parental Involvement
q Bond/Finance Campaign
q Crisis Communication
q Special Communication Projects/Campaigns
Specify topic____________________________________________________
NOTE: Submissions that are not awarded the Gold Medallion will automatically be
considered for Golden Achievement Awards.

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2009 NSPRA Award Programs
You know the hard facts of life in schools today.
Performance demands are increasing. Competition
for resources is getting tougher. Earning outside
endorsement for the great work you’ve done for your
schools goes a long way toward building recognition for your
programs. Now, more than ever, you should enter your
work in NSPRA’s national award programs.
Three different contests offer excellent opportunities for building
credibility, earning national recognition, and showcasing your
communications achievements.
1. Golden Achievement Award
Deadline: March 6, 2009
Recognizes exemplary public relations activities, programs,
and projects. Each entry is judged only against an established
set of criteria, which means that you can earn the award
without competing with other entries. The contest is designed
as a major recognition program for great activities, regardless
of the number of entries, district size, or budget.
2. Publications and Electronic
Media Awards
Deadline: March 13, 2009
Recognizes outstanding work in all types and all forms of
educational communications: print, digital, video, audio,
web sites, and more. Entries are judged according to type of
publication, as well as type and size of organization, so your
publication will only compete against others in the same category
that are produced by organizations similar to yours.
3. Gold Medallion Award
Deadline: April 8, 2009
Recognizes superior educational public relations programs. As
NSPRA’s top award, entries in this contest are judged against a
set of criteria as well as against all other entries.
Winning entries are used as examples for other educational
organizations around the country. NOTE: Submissions that
are not awarded the Gold Medallion will automatically be
considered for Golden Achievement Awards.
Want More Proof? Just consider what previous entrants say about NSPRA’s award programs:
“Any type of recognition award, whether it’s an individual recognition
or recognition for your district, enhances your credibility.”
—Chris Tennill, director of communications,
School District of Clayton, Mo.
“I see two benefits to entering the NSPRA Publications and
Electronic Media contest each year. First, I get the opportunity
to be critiqued by my colleagues from around the country.
Second, awards validate our public relations program with the
superintendent and Governing Board.”
—Judi Willis, APR, public relations officer,
Paradise Valley Unified School District, Phoenix, Ariz.
“It’s always nice to have someone compliment your work. But
it’s truly meaningful — and incredibly motivating — when your
work is recognized by peers.”
—Gary Kubat, director of communications,
Orono Public Schools, Long Lake, Minn.
“NSPRA is really the gold standard association for communicators
in the education field. Winning an NSPRA award is not just about
recognizing the submission as an example of best communications
practice, it also says that the submission has helped move
education communication forward. Ultimately, this means you’ve
helped students succeed. And isn’t that why we’re here?”
—Lisa Austin, director of communications,
Edmonton Public Schools, Alberta, Canada
Imagine the local pride and excitement that your schools will enjoy when their good work —
and yours — is put in the national spotlight. Don’t pass up this opportunity. Enter today!