Gordon M. Bliss Memorial Award

This award recognizes an ASTD member who has made significant contributions in three areas:

• advancing ASTD's vision and goals
• improving an employer's or client's workplace learning and performance
• enriching a community through volunteering professional skills.

The Gordon M. Bliss Memorial Award was established in memory of ASTD's first executive director whose leadership and contributions over many years were instrumental in the growth and development of ASTD.

Recent award recipients have been Elaine Biech, John Coné, Katherine Holt, Michael G. Hansen, Melinda J. Bickerstaff, Stephen H. Rhinesmith, Richard Y. Chang, Gloria A. Regalbuto Bentley, Ronald E. Galbraith, Donna McNamara, and Sylvia Odenwald.

Criteria

Nominations will be judged on the magnitude of contribution and impact of results achieved. These may be of a targeted duration or over a significant period of time.

A. Impact on ASTD

Demonstrated results in advancing the vision and goals of ASTD. Leadership at the national or international level is required. Contributions may be demonstrated by results achieved in leader roles and/or positions, such as board, committees, task forces, teams, special projects, and initiatives. Contributions through chapters that advance the vision and goals of ASTD may also be considered.

B. Impact on Employer/Client

1. The results of the nominee's efforts to enhance the awareness, knowledge, skills, and/or performance of individuals (e.g., specific behavior indicators; cost savings; increased productivity; impact on performance; impact on research, development, and advancement of theories in human resource development and performance improvement; etc.).
2. Leadership displayed in furthering the understanding and/or practice of human resource development and performance improvement.

C. Impact on Community Through Volunteering Professional Skills

1. Documented community enrichment through volunteering skills in human resources and/or performance improvement.
2. Only uncompensated personal time during the period the activities were performed will be considered. Community activities may not be part of nominee's full-time, professional work.

Community is defined as including civic, political, educational, cultural, religious, as well as professional organizations other than ASTD.

Eligibility

ASTD membership is required. The Bliss Award can be received only once; the recipient is no longer eligible for the Torch Award. In addition, members of the board of directors are not eligible for the Bliss Award during their term of office.

Deadline

Entries must be received by September 22, 2008.

Selection Procedure

Nominators will receive notification of the decisions regarding their entries by February 15, 2009.                      

The award winners will be honored at the awards ceremony during the ASTD International Conference & Exposition, May 31-June 3, 2009, in Washington, DC. Announcements of the award will be in ASTD publications and on the ASTD website. 

Submission Requirements

1.      Nominee

List the name of the nominee and contact information, including title, title, organization, address, telephone, fax, and email for each reference.

2.      Nominator

List the name of the nominator and contact information, including title, organization, address, telephone, fax, and email for each reference.

3.      Documentation

This section must not exceed 10 pages.

Summary of Nomination

In approximately 250 words, describe the accomplishments for which the individual has been nominated and the impact he or she has had on ASTD, the profession, and the community. If the nominee is selected for an award, this summary will be used for various dissemination and shared learning purposes.

Provide detailed information for each of these three criteria areas:

A.  Impact on ASTD

Demonstrate results in advancing the vision and goals of ASTD.

1. Define measurable outcomes and results achieved. Include dates and description of the nominee's roles and responsibilities.
2. Describe how contributions advance the vision and goals of ASTD.
3. If applicable, provide information requested in points A and B for contributions through chapters that advance the vision and goals of ASTD.

B.  Impact on Employer/Client

Describe significant outcomes in chronological order, supplying the following information for each:

1. Name of organization 
2. Need addressed 
3. Documented, measurable results
4. Description of nominee's roles and responsibilities. Also include:
   • Title of position and dates of assignment/engagement
   • Size of budget and number of people reporting to nominee
   • Name and title of person to whom nominee reported.

C.  Impact on Community Through Volunteering Professional Skills

Describe significant outcomes in chronological order, supplying the following information for each: 

1. Name of community/organization 
2. Scope of need addressed 
3. Documented, measurable results 
4. Description of nominee's roles and responsibilities. Also include
   • Title of position/relationship and dates of involvement
   • Name and title of person to whom nominee reported or with whom nominee worked.

4.      References

Provide three references who can speak to the results and impact of contribution. One reference is required from each of the three categories: ASTD, employer/client, community. Consider obtaining an ASTD staff member as a reference. Include title, organization, address, telephone, fax, and email for each reference.

5.      Submit an electronic copy of the entry to

Carol Chulew
cchulew@astd.org
ASTD Awards Program
1640 King Street - Box 1443
Alexandria, VA 22313-2043 USA
Phone: 703.683.8194