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National VOAD Award Nominations

The National VOAD Board of Directors invites all National Members, State/Territorial VOADs, and Partners to submit nominations for the National VOAD Awards. The awards will be presented this year during the Awards Dinner at the National VOAD Conference in May. The awards recognize organizational and individual excellence and contributions that reflect “the best of the best” in service and support within the entire VOAD movement.

How to Submit a Nomination

Nominations may be submitted by anyone who is part of the VOAD Movement in the United States. You can find the nominations form below. Please provide a detailed description of the actions, initiatives, and reasons you believe the nominee(s) should receive the award. Your nominations will not be considered complete without an explanation. You may nominate for one category, or several.

If you wish to submit further documentation regarding the nominee, please send them to [email protected]. This documentation could include pictures, letters of recommendation, etc.

We recommend that nominators coordinate their submissions with their organization’s Member Representative or Alternate, or their State/Territory VOAD Chairperson as appropriate.

All nominations will be treated confidentially. Award winners will be selected by the National VOAD Staff, and Executive Committee. All nominations must be submitted by April 1st. 

If Your Nominee Wins

If your nominee receives an award, both you and the award recipient will be notified prior to the virtual Member Meeting in May.

Questions regarding the nomination process or criteria may be directed to [email protected].

National VOAD Awards Nomination

  • Awarded annually to one of the National Member Agencies in good standing that, in the past year: 1. Exemplified the core purpose of the VOAD movement, which is to promote Cooperation, Communication, Coordination and Collaboration among voluntary organizations active in disasters within the United States and its territories, and practiced those values; 2. Facilitated relationships between voluntary organizations and other public and private entities engaged in all phases of disaster planning, response, recovery and mitigation; and 3. Demonstrated extraordinary support for the mission, goals, and activities of National VOAD.
  • Awarded annually to one of the State/Territorial VOADs in good standing that, in the past year, has: 1. Demonstrated the promotion of optimal effectiveness of voluntary organizations in preparing for, responding to, and/or recovering from disasters; 2. Increased the growth and strength of the VOAD Movement in their State or Territory; and 3. Made extraordinary progress in advancing one or more of the core four C’s of the VOAD movement.
  • Awarded to one official National VOAD Partner that, in the past year has: 1. Exhibited outstanding efforts to create or elevate their partnership with National VOAD through initiatives that address one of more of the core purposes of Cooperation, Communication, Coordination, and Collaboration before, during, and/or after disasters; 2. Demonstrated extraordinary support for National VOAD by creating programs, providing financial support, and/or developing innovative and effective solutions that elevated the National VOAD mission in the United States; and/or 3. Provided exceptional support to a National VOAD Member Organization through a collaboration that resulted in an efficient and expedient solution to a community impacted by disaster.
  • Awarded to one local, regional, state or territory VOAD or a VOAD member organization in good standing for exceptional innovation or ingenuity through the development and implementation of a program or project that has: 1. Provided a long‐term solution to a specific community’s problem utilizing one of the core four C’s of National VOAD; or 2. Created a unique project or program that filled a gap or unmet need in a community in preparing for, responding to, and/or recovering from disasters that positively impacted the lives of victims and could be replicated as a model for other communities.
  • Awarded annually by the National VOAD Board President to an individual who, in the past year, exhibited outstanding and unique volunteer service within the VOAD Movement and has: 1. Exemplified the core purpose of the VOAD Movement by promoting and practicing National VOAD’s core principles of Cooperation, Communication, Coordination, and Collaboration; and/or, 2. Facilitated increased support of the VOAD movement by building a new and/or innovative partnership between a voluntary organization and a public or private sector entity focused on improvement of disaster response, recovery and /or mitigation; and/or, 3. Embodied the passion, dedication, and professionalism for which VOAD volunteers are known.
  • Awarded annually to an individual, typically a paid staff member, who, in the past year, exhibited outstanding commitment to service, the 4 C’s and the VOAD Movement and has: 1. Exemplified the core purpose of the VOAD Movement by promoting and practicing National VOAD’s core principles of Cooperation, Communication, Coordination, and Collaboration; and/or, 2. Facilitated increased support of the VOAD movement by developing and maintaining partnerships between a voluntary organizations; and/or, 3. Embodied the passion, dedication, and professionalism of the VOAD Movement.