NACAA

PURPOSE

To recognize NACAA members who excel in communicating programs and ideas to their clientele.

ELIGIBILITY AND JUDGING CRITERIA

Members of NACAA in good standing with their state association are eligible to enter, including team entry members. Extension editors and/or other paraprofessional Extension Communication specialists are not eligible. Only one entry per class per individual. All classes are open to entries from one or more NACAA members with the exception of Class 2 - published photo, Class 5 - personal column and Class 7 - individual newsletter, which are open to individual entries only. Entries must have been used by member between March 15, of the year prior to the award year and March 15, of the award year.

Entry materials that have already been state, regional, or national winners are not eligible again. First place national winners may not repeat in consecutive years in the same category. Communications Committee State, Regional, and National Chairs are not eligible to participate in this program unless they are one member of a team entry with another person as the primary entrant. Judging criteria for each category follows on pages 16-17.

ENTRY

Submit materials in a file folder (with folder tab removed). Attach copy of application form on outside. Application form may be photocopied or retrieved from the NACAA Home Page as needed. Do not submit entries in note covers or binders (exception - category 13). Electronic submission can be made for the Program Promotional Piece, Personal Column, Feature Story, Individual Newsletter, Team Newsletter, Fact Sheet, Publication categories only. All materials must be submitted to the State Chair at the same time. Note: NACAA will do everything possible to safeguard entry materials. However, it is recommended that members duplicate valuable entry materials in case materials are lost.

ABSTRACT

Each entry must have an abstract. Include members' name, state, and county (team entries should list all NACAA members who contributed to the entry); a short summary that includes objective, purpose (why, when, how, audience, and audience number, and results); and how the entry was prepared (i.e. recorded, edited, printed, or duplicated professionally or by field staff on field office equipment), how distributed and how many were distributed. The abstract should include the member's contribution to the final product. Abstracts for all regional and national winners will be published. See page 13 for abstract example and format that must be followed. Please include CD disc in a pocket or envelope attached inside the folder. Abstracts must be on a CD disc. Zip discs will not be accepted. Submit both hard copy and CD disc with entry material.

CATEGORIES

1. Audio Recordings - 1 to 15 minute presentation. Can be a complete program or only a segment of radio programs to be judged. Submit on a CD. Member(s) must have been a major contributor to the presentation or conducted the interview(s). On seperate page, indicate date and time(s) used, station(s) where program aired, and where taped (agent's office or station).
2. Published Photo & Caption - One or more black and white or colored photos taken by member which tell a story. Include clipping containing the photo (2); cutline and story (if used). Pictures should be 5x7 inches. Provide explanation if original photos are not available. Original copy must be included for cutline and/or story. Only photo and caption will be judged. If digital photos were used and transmitted directly to the newspaper, please include the digital photo in a JPEG format on a CD as well as a printed copy.
3. Computer Generated Graphics Presentation - Maximum of 80 slides up to 15 minutes in length or if longer, entrant must designate portion of set to be judged by indicating the portion to be judged on the script. Computer generated graphics presentations i.e. Powerpoint presentation may be submitted on CD.
4. Program Promotional Piece - One short, promotional item used to advertise a program or event and/or alert the reader to an important current issue. It should create awareness and call for action. Indicate audience to whom the item was sent and the number distributed as well as results of number registered.
5. Personal Column - Clippings and original copy for two columns for two different dates. Photocopies or scanned copies of the final published article will be accepted if original clipping is not available or for entries submitted electronically.
6. Feature Story - Clipping and original copy of one article. Photocopies or scanned copies of the final published article will be accepted if original clipping is not available or for entries submitted electronically.
7. Newsletter, Individual - Two issues of a newsletter written by a member that is informal and personal. It may contain several unrelated topics. Indicate audience to whom newsletter was sent and the number distributed and how distributed.
8. Newsletter, Team - Two different issues of a newsletter written by one or more members. Non-members may be a part of a team entry (i.e. NRCS). Entry may be a portion of a multi-county, area extension newsletter, or multi-agency newsletter. Indicate audience to whom newsletter was sent and the number distributed and how distributed.
9. Video Recordings - One presentation that one or more members contributed to or produced, not over 15 minutes long. It can be a segment of a longer program. Entries must be on a VHS or DVD. Indicate audience, purpose and how the presentation was used. DVD format is acceptable.
10. Fact Sheet - An educational piece on a single subject produced on a single sheet of paper. (size and format unspecified). Indicate audience, purpose and number distributed.
11. Publication - An educational publication on one or more subjects that is more extensive than class 10 - Fact Sheet. Publication may be a fact sheet that is more than one page or a bulletin. Indicate intended audience, purpose and number distributed, agent/educator’s role in the development, writing and production.
12. Web Site - Entry will consist of abstract and URL address for the web site. Person submitting should be the person primarily responsible for content, design and maintenance of the site.
13. Learning Module/Noteboo (includes either a book form learning module or web-page learning module) - Entry will consist of total materials written and compiled as learning/teaching aids for specific Extension Programs, (i.e...Master Gardener Notebook). Entry materials can be of several media (print, audio, video, etc.). Significant portions of the entry material should be the work of the entrants.
14. Bound Book - The entry will consist of a bound book on one or more subjects that is more extensive than either class 10 or 11. The primary author must be a member in good standing. Indicate the intended audience, purpose, number printed and the agent/educator’s roll in the development, writing and production of the book.

AWARDS

Awards in each of the fourteen (14) categories are as follows:

• National Category Winner - Plaque and cash if donor available.
• 3 National Category Finalists - Plaque and cash if donor available.
• 8 Regional Category Finalists - Certificate
• State Category Winners - Certificate

Donors are being solicited for these awards. If adequate donor funds are secured, the National Winner will receive up to $500; and three National Finalists up to $250. These cash awards are not cumulative. The Executive Program Committee reserves the right to adjust awards based on the availability of donor funds.

NOTE: First place National Winner and all National Finalists must register and attend AM/PIC to receive award. National winners are expected to prepare a poster display of their award winning entry for the AM/PIC.

In the event of a team winning entry, one cash prize will be given in the amount indicated along with an appropriate certificate/plaque to each NACAA member.

DEADLINE

Entry must be in possession of your Communications Committee State Chair by March 15.

State Chairs should send state winning entries to their region Vice Chair by April 1. Region Vice Chairs must send to National Committee Chair by April 15.