Purpose: To encourage AAOHN Chapters to enhance their member activities through the use of communications media, to recognize the chapters’ contributions through volunteer efforts in promoting health and safety in communities, and to foster quality, ongoing professional development opportunities for occupational and environmental health nurses through the AAOHN chapters.
Eligibility: All AAOHN chapters in good standing (i.e. bylaws compliance, annual report) at the time of entry and selection are eligible to apply.
Award Selection: Members of the AAOHN Awards/Recognition Review Panel will judge entries. One selected chapter (state, local, or regional) from each category (7 in total) will receive a monetary award ($100) and certificate.
There are seven (7) different Chapter Award categories:
- Chapter Communications Award
- Chapter Community Service Award
- Chapter Governmental Affairs Award
- Chapter Education Award - Best Short Activity (1.0 - 3.9 CNE)
- Chapter Education Award - Best One-Day Activity (4.0 - 8.0 CNE)
- Chapter Education Award - Best Multi-Day Activity (8.0+ CNE)
- Chapter of the Year Award
Procedure
- Entries must be submitted by December 31, 2022 by 11:59 pm CT.
- You should receive an automated response if your application was submitted successfully, but you can email info@aaohn.org with questions.
- AAOHN will notify all applicants of results via email.
Criteria
Submission must include:
- AAOHN Chapter Award Electronic Entry Form (at the bottom of this page)
- Applicant statement addressing each of the judging criteria (below). Please include examples to strengthen your application (i.e. communication samples used, evaluations from educational program, etc.)
Entry Preparation and Guidelines
- Program year is December 1, 2021 through December 1, 2022. Submission examples must be within these dates.
- Entry form and all attachments (excluding media examples - not to exceed 5 samples) should not total more than 15, 8 ½ x 11”, typewritten, double-spaced, single-sided pages with 1” margins using 12 point font.
- For all acronyms, provide full name of organization or program upon first use.
Judging Criteria
The award is given to chapters, in either category, that enter examples that meet the criteria. Judging is based on a weighted scale using the following criteria for each Chapter Award. Please craft your applicant statement around the judging criteria for the desired award.
Chapter Communications Award
30% Planning and Implementation (Includes goals/objectives of communications efforts, needs assessment and implementation plan)
- Goals and objectives are established.
- Member survey is performed.
- Evidence of careful planning is apparent (e.g., budget considerations).
- Evidence of member involvement in preparation of communications (e.g., writing articles) is provided.
- Methods of implementation are effective.
20% Method/Functionality (Includes format, appearance, readability and creativity)
- Design/layout is appropriate for the particular media.
- Logo/name is easily discernible.
- Information is clear and succinct.
- Communications are easy to read, understand and receive.
- Creativity is apparent.
30% Content (Includes issues, topics and information presented and clarity of writing)
- Content reflects the needs of members.
- Information/articles are interesting.
- Content reflects the professionalism of the association.
- Information/articles are topical.
- Information/articles are creatively presented.
20% Evaluation (Includes methods/measures used to assess customer satisfaction)
- Members are satisfied with communications effort.
- Future goals mirror results of evaluation.
- Members are encouraged to contribute to communications vehicles (e.g., write articles).
- Results are measured against stated goals.
- Adaptations have been made.
Chapter Community Service Award
25% Contribution to health and safety of the communities: Examples may include health fairs, charity drives, blood drives, disaster response, etc.
25% Active involvement of time and energy (as opposed to cash contributions).
25% Creativity in addressing community health and/or safety issues.
25% Evidence of a group effort (as opposed to one or a few individual members, and evidence of involvement of different groups in the community).
Chapter Governmental Affairs Award
25% Relevance: Importance to the AAOHN key public policy issues and how the issue/s affect the practice of occupational and environmental health nursing.
10% Magnitude: Degree of opposition/support encountered in influencing health policy.
30% Implementation Methods: Strategies (i.e., special meetings, target audience, types of contacts made, supporting materials, educational/informational activities).
35% Results: Cost effective use of resources and demonstrable successes of program, Results should include a distinctive outcome of the program. Some examples may include: testimony or hearing participation, number of members visiting legislators, inclusion of supported language, bill passed or defeated, regulation promulgated, revised or withdrawn, members demonstrating improved lobbying skills, appointment of members on key committees or task forces, evidence of increased credibility and recognition.
Chapter Education Award - Best Short Activity (1.0 - 3.9 CNE)
20% Educational Goals: There are established measurable educational goals for the chapter consistent with AAOHN’s philosophy and operational framework for ongoing professional education. There is evidence of consistency between the educational goals and activities engaged in by the chapter.
20% Needs Assessment: A member needs assessment was conducted which facilitates member participation and documents results, which support the chosen goals. A summary copy of outcomes must be provided.
30% Planning and Implementation Processes: Chapter has taken actions to meet identified needs. Provide narrative description of planning process, as well as overview description of activity, objectives and content outline, which indicate support for achievement of goals chosen.
10% CNE Approval: There is documentation that the educational activity was approved for CNE contact hours by an accreditation body. Include a copy of approval documentation or letter.
20% Evaluation: There is documentation of evaluation of the educational activity relevant to meeting the stated objectives and members’ identified educational needs. Include tally of evaluation forms
Chapter Education Award - Best One-Day Activity (4.0 - 8.0 CNE)
20% Educational Goals: There are established measurable educational goals for the chapter consistent with AAOHN’s philosophy and operational framework for ongoing professional education. There is evidence of consistency between the educational goals and activities engaged in by the chapter.
20% Needs Assessment: A member needs assessment was conducted which facilitates member participation and documents results, which support the chosen goals. A summary copy of outcomes must be provided.
30% Planning and Implementation Processes: Chapter has taken actions to meet identified needs. Provide narrative description of planning process, as well as overview description of activity, objectives and content outline, which indicate support for achievement of goals chosen.
10% CNE Approval: There is documentation that the educational activity was approved for CNE contact hours by an accreditation body. Include a copy of approval documentation or letter.
20% Evaluation: There is documentation of evaluation of the educational activity relevant to meeting the stated objectives and members’ identified educational needs. Include tally of evaluation forms
Chapter Education Award - Best Multi-Day Activity (8.0+ CNE)
20% Educational Goals: There are established measurable educational goals for the chapter consistent with AAOHN’s philosophy and operational framework for ongoing professional education. There is evidence of consistency between the educational goals and activities engaged in by the chapter.
20% Needs Assessment: A member needs assessment was conducted which facilitates member participation and documents results, which support the chosen goals. A summary copy of outcomes must be provided.
30% Planning and Implementation Processes: Chapter has taken actions to meet identified needs. Provide narrative description of planning process, as well as overview description of activity, objectives and content outline, which indicate support for achievement of goals chosen.
10% CNE Approval: There is documentation that the educational activity was approved for CNE contact hours by an accreditation body. Include a copy of approval documentation or letter.
20% Evaluation: There is documentation of evaluation of the educational activity relevant to meeting the stated objectives and members’ identified educational needs. Include tally of evaluation forms
Chapter of the Year Award
20% Goals and Objectives: A listing of the goals and objectives for the program year (December 1, 2019 through November 29, 2020) including current status and goals.
20% Membership: Briefly describe activities to increase member value in the chapter (e.g., membership recruitment and retention, member services in response to member needs).
20% Education and Training: Describe the chapter’s education and training programs such as:
- Continuing education (provide year’s calendar of events, copies of CNE programs)
- Leadership development (board training, committee training, member needs assessment)
- Collaboration with other chapters/organizations in providing education/training programs
20% Networking/Collaboration: This category should provide information on the chapter’s efforts to network and collaborate both within and outside the chapter. Examples may include lists of networking contacts, topics and meetings, and collaborative activities such as contacts, topics and meetings. Applicants submitting for Regional/State Chapter of the Year must provide documentation of networking/collaboration and outreach efforts across its entire chapter territory.
20% Select one of the following and provide a brief explanation and examples of how the chapter met that criterion.
- Community Service – Documentation of active participation in areas must be included. Examples that may be used are:
- Professional organization affiliates (Chamber of Commerce, Nursing coalitions)
- Community service (health fairs, charity drives, blood drives, disaster response)
- Governmental affairs – outline the chapter’s monitoring and involvement in state and local issues (Governmental Affairs committee goals, letter writing campaigns, telephone trees, legislative dinners, meeting with elected officials, etc.)
- Public Affairs – supporting documentation should be included to show the chapter’s visibility. Examples may include newsletters, surveys, newspaper clips, public service announcements and chapter communications and correspondence to members.