Committee adds new category and voting criteria in the wake of positive response

By Larne Boyles

They’re not paid, but they do it anyway. Year after year, they selflessly dedicate their time for the good of their chapters. Some go on to hold chapter officer positions, others continue to work behind the scenes, just because they want to.

These stalwarts are Alumni volunteers and to honor their efforts, the Alumni Award/Recognition Committee created a new category – the Most Valuable Volunteer (MVV) – in last year’s Tucson Alumni Awards program.

“The MVV award is for our unsung heroes,” said Rose McKenna, Alumni Relations manager. “It’s for those who go above and beyond without being asked, sometimes committing personal funds, and always committing emotionally for the success and growth of their chapters. We see there are a lot of them out there from the nominations that poured in last year.”

Response was so positive, the Association decided to modify the qualifying criteria for 2004, she said. In the past, recipients of the Alumni Association awards were selected based on the number of votes received from fellow alums during the nomination process. This year’s MVV honorees, Chapter and Chapter Member of the Year awards will be chosen based on the substance of the nominations received.

Nominators will be asked to write a brief paragraph explaining why the person or chapter they nominated deserves an award. Participation and community involvement will also be considered. The winners will be recognized during the 2005 Tucson Alumni Awards ceremony and listed in The Loupe, GIA Insider, the Alumni Association Web site and press releases.

“It doesn’t matter if a chapter has 10 meetings a year or two,” McKenna said. “The fact they’re having a meeting at all, and encouraging fellow alums together to continue their knowledge, is what merits our attention. These are the efforts we are looking for.”