Awards

Nebraska Recreation & Park Association Award Guidelines

For information on awards contact Tracy Stratman @ tstratman@papillion.org 

2024 Nomination Form and Guidelines

FELLOW AWARD
The nominee shall have:
-been a member of NeRPA for a minimum of 5 years.
-worked in the recreation & park field a minimum of 10 years.
-held office in a state and/or national professional organization or performed important committee work.
-received broad acclaim from peers in excellence in one or more of the following:
-acquisition, design, construction, development, maintenance, administration, fund raising and financing, program development, public relations, leadership.
-brought recognition to the profession through leadership in other organizations.

NEW PROFESSIONAL AWARD
The nominee shall have:
-been a member of NeRPA for a minimum of 1 year.
-worked in the recreation & park field no more than 10 years.
-held office in a state and/or national professional organization or performed important committee
-received broad acclaim from peers in excellence in one or more of the following:
-acquisition, design, construction, development, maintenance, administration, fundraising and financing, program development, public relations, leadership.
-brought recognition to the profession through leadership in other organizations.

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
The nominee shall have: 
-been a member of NeRPA for a minimum of 5 years.
-worked in the recreation & park field for a minimum of 10 years.
-received broad acclaim from peers in excellence in one or more of the following:
-acquisition, design, construction, development, maintenance, administration, fundraising and financing, program development, public relations, leadership.

LIFE MEMBER AWARD
The nominee shall have:
-been a member of NeRPA for a minimum of 5 years.
-reached the age of 60 and retired.

VOLUNTARY SERVICE (INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION)
The nominee shall have:
-volunteered service in or on behalf of recreation & parks for a minimum of 5 years.
-served on boards or with recreation & park organizations at the local, state or national level.
-worked actively on behalf of significant legislation at the local, state or national level.
-been a donor to recreation & park agencies, organizations or institutions.
provided public service through efforts in related organizations, institutions or fields.
-demonstrated awareness & concern that each individual has an opportunity for enriched living through recreation & parks.

ARTS AND HUMANITIES AWARD 
This award is open to any leisure service agency in the state that is a member or whose director or superintendent is a member of both NRPA and NeRPA.
In the event that a community has no leisure service agency but is offering an outstanding program in the arts & humanities, the program may be submitted by any leisure service agency, director or superintendent belonging to both NRPA and NeRPA.
The program must have been conducted during the year immediately proceeding the year of the award.

OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL AWARD
The nominee shall have:
been in the recreation, park or therapeutic field.
been a member of NeRPA for a minimum of 3 years.
made significant contributions to the recreation, park or therapeutic profession.
shown and demonstrated professional growth.
BENEFITS ARE ENDLESS AWARD (INDIVIDUAL OR ORGANIZATION)
The nominee shall have:
worked within or outside the recreation & park fields.
provided service in or on behalf of recreation & parks at the local, state or national level.
worked actively on behalf of significant legislation at the local, state or national level
been a donor to recreation & park agencies, organizations or institutions.
demonstrated awareness & concern that each individual have an opportunity for enriched living through recreation & parks.

BENEFITS ARE ENDLESS AWARDS
Recreation Programming Award
-Membership with NeRPA is not required but recommended.
-Staff from park and recreation departments and therapeutic recreation agencies submit a summary describing their outstanding recreation program along with no more than 10 color photographs or a brief video.
-Entries will be categorized by population. Class I: over 10, 000, Class II: under 10,000.
-Finalists will be asked, but not required, to briefly present their program during a session at the NeRPA State Conference.
-Program must have been conducted during the year immediately proceeding the year of the award.
-Award selection will be based on:
-The recognized benefits from the program for the individuals, community and department;
-The growth of participation over the years or the extraordinary attendance the first year; and 
-Unique qualities of the program.

PARK & FACILITIES DEVELOPMENT AWARD
-Membership with NeRPA is not required but recommended.
-Staff from park and recreation departments or state parks submit a summary describing their outstanding park or facilities project along with no more than 10 color photographs or a brief video.
-Entries will be categorized by population. Class I: over 10, 000, Class II: under 10,000.
-Finalists will be asked, but not required, to briefly present their program during a session at the NeRPA State Conference.
-Facility, Amenity and/or improvement must have been completed during the year immediately proceeding the year of the award.
-Award selection will be based on:
   -The recognized benefits from the facility, amenity and/or improvement for the individuals, community and department;
   -Usage of the park and facilities; and
   -Unique qualities of the park and facilities.

*Awards are presented at our Annual State Conference.  All nominations are due prior to the conference*