Women Communicators of Austin
Banner Awards Nomination Helpful Tips
When writing your nomination, be as complete as possible and provide specific examples to demonstrate
how the nominee fits the award criteria. Nominees will be judged solely on the content of the award
application. If some questions are left unanswered, this will reduce the overall score. You do not have to
be a WCA member to submit a nomination.
You may provide additional relevant documentation including the nominee’s resume, media clips,
testimonial letters, or other relevant information as available. Please email attachments to
presidentelect@wcaustin.org. To help complete the form, we also recommend these resources:
1) Contact the nominee for additional information: The nominee can be your best source for
background information to provide the most complete application, and may be able to offer
supporting materials that will add weight to their nomination form.
2) Research the nominee online: An online search can provide you with media clips and
biographical data and other information relevant to the nominee’s achievements.
3) Talk with the nominee’s peers: Associates, clients and employees may be able to provide a
valuable perspective and additional resources.
An award may not be given if the awards committee deems there are no qualified nominees, based on the
nomination package.
Nominee’s Name:
Award Nomination:
Company:
Address:
City/State/Zip:
Home Phone:
Work Phone:
Email:
Nominated By:
Company:
Address:
City/State/Zip:
Home Phone:
Work Phone:
Email:
1
Women Communicators of Austin
Outstanding Austin Communicator
(open to members and non-members)
Criteria:
Women Communicators of Austin’s best known award recognizes Austin-area communicators who have
made their marks with their body of work. Many winners of this award have gone on to national
prominence. Since 1973, recipients have included: Elizabeth Christian, Judy Maggio, “Cactus” Pryor, Ann
Richards, Elspeth Davies Rostow, Ben Sargent, Shannon Sedwick, Bert Kruger Smith, Patti C. Smith and
Sarah Weddington. Emphasis is on achievement, community service, promotion of the field of
communications, and work history.
Questions:

Provide an overview of the nominee’s professional achievements, with emphasis on leadership,
innovation, and creativity. When appropriate, provide examples of how the nominee has
exemplified characteristics of an outstanding Austin Communicator.

What sets this nominee apart from other similarly accomplished colleagues?

How has the nominee promoted the field of communications in Austin and beyond?

How does the nominee serve as a role model to other communicators?

What contributions has the nominee made to the community?

List any awards or special recognition the nominee has received for professional or
community service.

Is there anything additional about this person the committee should consider? (optional)
2
Women Communicators of Austin
Liz Carpenter Lifetime Achievement Award
(open to members and non-members)
Criteria:
Created in 1993 and named for author and WCA member Liz Carpenter, this award recognizes professional
communicators who have reached the highest levels of personal and professional achievement over a lifetime.
Past recipients of this award include: Harry Cabluck, Liz Carpenter, Dr. Inez Jeffery, and Mary Beth Rogers.
Emphasis is placed on a lifetime of leadership, vision, outstanding achievement, and promotion of the field of
communications.
Questions:

Provide an overview of the nominee’s professional and personal achievements, with emphasis
on longevity, leadership, innovation, and creativity.

What impact has the nominee made on the field of communications over his/her career?

How has the nominee promoted the field of communications in the Austin area and beyond?

How does the nominee serve as a role model to other communicators?

What contributions has the nominee made to the community?

List any awards or special recognition the nominee has received for professional or
community service.

Is there anything additional about this person the committee should consider? (optional)
3
Women Communicators of Austin
Mentor Award
(open to members and non-members)
Criteria:
Women Communicators of Austin prides itself on supporting and cultivating mentor relationships. This
award recognizes individuals who have given selflessly to others, providing advice, support, and wisdom. The
selection committee looks for a person who has demonstrated a pattern of commitment as a mentor over an
extended period of time, particularly to other communications professionals. Past winners of this award
include: Cathy Bonner, Dara Quackenbush, Lynn Segall, Kerry Tate, and Laura Tuma.
Questions:

How has the nominee demonstrated commitment to mentorship over the course of his/her career?

How has the nominee’s mentorship positively impacted professional communicators and/or
the field of communications?

Describe the characteristics that the nominee has that make them an effective mentor.

Is there anything additional about this person the committee should consider? (optional)
4
Women Communicators of Austin
Gladys Whitney Hearst Outstanding Member Award
(open to members only)
Criteria:
Named for a founding member of the Women Communicators of Austin and former two-time Theta Sigma
Phi National President, this award recognizes an individual who has advanced WCA through outstanding
service and personal and professional achievement. Not only are the recipients of this award dedicated to the
success of WCA, they are respected leaders in the field of communications and people who best represent
the most desirable qualities of our membership. Past winners of this award include Patti DeNucci, Pam
Baggett (Johnson), Anne Lasseigne Tiedt, APR, and Christina Walsh.
The award is open to members in good standing who actively support WCA through contributions of time,
energy, and leadership and/or who bring positive attention through contributions to the community.
Emphasis is placed on service and leadership both within WCA and in the community.
Questions:

Describe the nominee’s contributions to the Women Communicators of Austin.

How have these contributions advanced WCA and/or the field of
communications?

Provide an overview of the nominee’s professional/personal achievements.

What contributions has the nominee made to the community?

Is there anything additional about this person the committee should consider? (optional)
5
Women Communicators of Austin
Anne Durrum Robinson Creative Initiative Award
(open to members and non-members)
Criteria:
This award honors a professional communicator who has shown inventiveness, dedication and creativity. It
recognizes someone who has taken a project or idea and seen it to fruition in a new or especially successful
way. The selection committee will look for ways in which the winner has created a measurable impact and
shown creative initiative in the development of ideas or programs that positively impact WCA, their business
or other volunteer role, the, field of communications and/or women’s issues.
Anne Durrum Robinson was a WCA favorite who set the standard for creativity within the organization.
Questions:

Describe the nominee’s project or idea and how it demonstrates creative achievement.

How does this idea or project incorporate innovation or a new point of view?

Describe the measurable impact the creative contribution has made to the organization
and/or on the communications community.

Is there anything additional about this person the committee should consider? (optional)
6
Women Communicators of Austin
Leadership Award
(open to members only)
Criteria:
The Leadership Award recognizes a WCA member who has gone above and beyond in leadership to the
organization. This award is given for years of outstanding service and is intended to honor those who have
made lasting and fundamental impact over time. There have only been five winners of this award (Christina
Walsh, Pam Baggett, Amy Hufford, Cory Leahy and Lisa Maxwell.) These winners in general have: 8-10
years on the board, chaired many committees, continued to work on WCA projects even after spending time
on the board and have innovated repeatedly over time.
Questions:

Describe nominee’s service to Women Communicators of Austin (and its previous incarnations as a
chapter of AWC National.)

How has this service made a lasting and fundamental impact on WCA?

Why is WCA a better/stronger organization because of this person?

Is there anything additional about this person the committee should consider? (optional)
7