Awards Subcommittee

The Awards Subcommittee is one of six subcommittees created by the National Steering Committee resulting from discussions on the future of the 507 programs at the 2002 SBO/SBAP National Conference held in Chicago, Illinois.

Overall Mission
History and Current Status
Future Plans
Subcommittee Members
Resources
2009 Small Business Awards (and information about previous years' awards)

Next conference call:
To Be Determined

*Remember to check the Awards Subcommittee Forum on the Message Board for discussion and updates: http://www.smallbiz-enviroweb.org/message_board/

Overall Mission
The mission of this subcommittee is to identify awards that might be given or applied for in order to gain recognition for the achievements within the 507 programs, including the small businesses they serve, and to promote visibility for the services the programs provide.

History and Current Status
During the 2002 SBO/SBAP National Conference in Chicago, the working groups were charged with discussing Visibility/Recognition of the 507 Programs. The question was asked, "How can the 507 programs improve visibility and gain recognition for their efforts?" As a result, the working groups recommended that "a new subcommittee on awards be formed" and that there be "awards for programs or employees" and "awards for businesses working with the SBAPs." This outcome was discussed by the National Steering Committee during the Small Business Liaison Conference in July 2002. A number of subcommittees were formed, including the Awards Committee. The National Steering Committee drafted summaries and subcommittee goals on August 2, 2002. The Awards Subcommittee was charged to "explore awards for which the 507 network (singly, regionally or nationally) should apply, as well as awards we should be giving." The first teleconference call was held on November 5, 2002, and the committee generated more questions than answers. During subsequent meetings, the group narrowed their focus to two issues: 1) awards to be given, and 2) research for awards that could be applied for.

After much deliberation, the subcommittee identified two areas for awards: 1) existing awards that could be applied for, and 2) awards for a small business and for a 507 program. Volunteers for a research subcommittee were not forthcoming and this could be an issue for future working group discussions. Subcommittee members agreed, however, that an award to a small business and to a 507 program was a very achievable goal. Input from state and other associations that gave awards for documents and procedures they used was gathered. The minutes from the meetings/ teleconference calls provide further information regarding the issues that the subcommittee discussed and the reasoning behind much of their decisions (see Resources section below).

Future Plans
The new awards committee will continue to discuss outstanding issues and work on the 2009 annual awards program.

Subcommittee Members
The following are current members of the Awards Subcommittee. For more information or to get involved, please contact Phyllis Copeland.

Jean Beckwith	(608) 261-2517	jean.beckwith@wisconsin.gov
Phyllis Copeland (Chair)	(803) 896-8982	copelapt@dhec.sc.gov
Frances Hartwell	(971) 275-4759	fran@vanirmail.com
Rebecca Hillwig	(503) 229-5676	hillwig.rebecca@deq.state.or.us
Patrick Hoermann	(206) 263-3038	patrick.hoermann@metrokc.gov
Glee Kidder	(319) 273-8905	glee.kidder@uni.edu
Joan Meitl	(208) 426-1839	joanmeitl@boisestate.edu
Jennifer Pelloat	(225) 219-3259	jennifer.pelloat@la.gov
Liz Sapio	(303) 692-2135	elizabeth.sapio@state.co.us
Angela Suber	(202) 566-2827	suber.angela@epa.gov
Reimar von Kalben	(719) 564-0698	rvkalben@comcast.net
Audrey Zelanko	(724) 452-4722	zelanko@smallbiz-enviroweb.org

Resources
Below are minutes from conference calls, working session notes, and other resources.