GUIDANCE NOTES
FOR NOMINATION FOR BRANCH AWARDS 2011
Please read these notes carefully even if you have made nominations
previously as there have been a number of amendments.
Changes to Branch Awards
Following consultation with Branches, a number of changes to Branch Awards were
recommended to the NPCC for approval. The following changes have now been
introduced:
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

The two principal Branch Awards have been renamed as the ‘Award of Merit’
and the ‘Award of Distinction’.
Recipients will no–longer receive a badge but instead will be awarded with an
engraved paperweight.
Potential nominees may be approached by Branches to seek the requisite
details necessary to submit a comprehensive nomination.
Unsuccessful nominees will be presented with a certificate, thus recognising
the significant achievement of simply being nominated for an award by the
Branch.
New criteria for the awards were approved by the NPCC and this is reproduced
below.
2011 Nominations
Branch Awards recognise individuals’ contributions to the Institute or to promoting its
purpose at Branch level and further afield.
You are invited to make nominations for the following:


the Award of Merit
the Award of Distinction
Branches may submit one nomination in each category in each year. In 2011,
however, Branches will be permitted to nominate a second nominee in each category
should they wish.
The Award of Merit
“The Award of Merit is conferred on individuals who have
made a significant contribution to the Institute through
service in a Branch, in education, or on other appropriate
committees, local organisations and/or the wider HR
Community
Branches would be expected to submit no more than one
nomination in each category in any one year”.
Guidance on the Criteria:
The Award of Merit recognises individuals who have made a “significant
contribution” to the Institute.
Nominees may achieve the requisite standard in a number of ways, examples of
which are as follows:

Nominees may have made a significant impact in one or more of the
professional areas of the HRPM, for example, through:
o
o
The creation and leadership of a special interest group for practitioners.
The development of written materials for publication in order to further good
practice in HRM/HRD.

Nominees may have made a significant contribution in one or more of the
CIPD’s strategic cornerstones. Examples of such contributions might include:
o
o
o
Growing the core membership at a local level.
Developing effective links with local organisations to develop HR capability.
Demonstrating a proven track record of organising activities through the
Branch which have promoted the values and objects of the CIPD.

Nominees may have made a significant impact to the academic and or
professional development of others, for example through:
o
Teaching of HR qualifications to a standard recognised by their
contemporaries as excellent.
Producing academic works which contribute to current knowledge and
understanding.
Supervising academic research work and demonstrating a commitment to the
development and dissemination of other peoples’ ideas.
o
o

Nominees contribution to and collaboration with others may also qualify them
for this award, for example where:
o
Nominees have fulfilled their committee roles and responsibilities to a level
beyond normal expectation.
Nominees have communicated effectively and inclusively with branch
colleagues and branch members.
Nominees have used their communications to develop and maintain
professional and personal credibility amongst the Branch.
o
o
The above examples are provided as a guide only. Branches are advised to mention
any other activities or personal qualities that they consider demonstrate the
nominee’s professionalism or character.
The Award of Distinction
“The Award of Distinction is conferred on individuals who
have made an exceptional and distinguished contribution to
the Institute, either through service in a Branch, in education,
or on other appropriate committees, local organisations and
or in the wider HR community. Recipients are also likely to
have demonstrated a commitment to the Institute and or to
promoting its purpose
Branches would be expected to submit no more than one
nomination in each category in any one year”.
Guidance on the Criteria:
The Award of Distinction recognises individuals who have made an “exceptional
and distinguished contribution” to the Institute through service in a Branch or in
their wider HR community. Recipients are also likely to have demonstrated “a
commitment to the Institute and or to promoting its purpose”.
Nominees may achieve the requisite standard in a number of ways, examples of
which are as follows:

Nominees may have made an exceptional and distinguished impact in one or
more of the professional areas of the HRPM, for example, through:
o
Contributing to the wider HR community through distinguished service in a
formal role.
Writing a highly regarded article for a refereed journal on an aspect of HRM or
HRD.
o

Nominees may have made an exceptional and distinguished contribution in
one or more of the CIPD’s strategic cornerstones. Examples of such
contributions might include:
o
o
Growing the core membership beyond the local level.
Developing, maintaining and expanding effective links with local organisations
to develop HR capability.
Gaining wide recognition as an ambassador for the CIPD and HR profession.
o

Nominees may have made an exceptional and distinguished impact to the
academic and or professional development of others, for example through:
o
Teaching of HR qualifications to a standard recognised by their
contemporaries as exemplary within the teaching profession.
Producing academic works which are considered to be important
contributions to current knowledge and understanding.
Supervising senior academics’ research work and demonstrating a
commitment to the development and dissemination of other peoples’ ideas.
Developing and leading the strategic direction of a faculty or department in its
research and or teaching activities.
o
o
o
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Nominees contribution to and collaboration with committee members, other
branch members and other potential members may also qualify them for this
award, for example where:
o
Nominees have fulfilled their committee roles and responsibilities to a level of
excellence.
Nominees have communicated effectively and inclusively with branch
colleagues, branch members and the wider HR community.
Nominees have used their communications to develop and maintain
professional and personal credibility both amongst and beyond the Branch.
o
o
The above examples are provided as a guide only. Branches are advised to mention
any other activities or personal qualities that they consider demonstrate the
nominee’s professionalism or character.
General Guidance
The final deadline for receipt of nominations is 5pm on the 28 February 2011
Branches are advised to complete nomination forms comprehensively and to observe
stated word-limits. You will find copies of the forms on the branch extranet under
Managing Your Committee. Please note that we cannot accept handwritten
nominations.
Should Branches consider that it would be advantageous to do so, they may
approach potential nominees to seek professional / biographical information.
Branches are reminded that they are required to keep any information disclosed to
them confidential and agree not to use it except for the purposes of making a Branch
Award Nomination.
Branches may also wish to contact Cheryl Myles, Head of Branch Development, who
may be in a position to provide additional information about a potential nominee
based upon their interaction with the CIPD or its members of staff.
Branch Awards are determined within the context of all nominations received in any
one year. Branches should note that nominations are not transferrable between
award categories. Therefore, an individual nominated for an Award of Distinction
shall not, if unsuccessful, be considered instead for an Award of Merit. Equally,
Branches may not nominate the same individual in both award categories in the
same year. Branches are permitted, however, to re-submit unsuccessful nominees
the following year for consideration in the same or a different category.
Should you require any additional information about Branch Awards, please contact
Rebecca Emmott, Assistant Institute Secretary on: 0208 612 6703. Please send
completed nominations by email to: branchawards@cipd.co.uk