Writing an Excellent Nomination
(tips from the Review Committee)
The IOWA Review Committee looks for four components to be demonstrated by an individual or team --
- initiative
- innovation
- demonstrable results, and
- sustaining impact
It must have at least three of the four components to be considered appropriate for the IOWA. In addition, the nomination should be written in detail to convey those components to ensure that the problem is well defined, the new process/idea is fully described and showcases the efforts of the people nominated, and that the results or impact are fully communicated. Additional pages of text may be attached.
If you have questions, the Review Committee chair, Nancy Noyer (nancy-noyer@uiowa.edu, 335-0560), will be happy to assist you in writing a nomination.
As you begin to write, consider the following aspects.
Does the effort you are nominating:
- Indicate individual or group initiative in perceiving a problem and, then, solving the problem? Was the effort driven by their insight, not regulation?
- Reflect innovation or a different approach from what is currently being done in comparable areas?
- Show measurable results and/or description of impact? The committee recommends that nominations be made when some impact has been shown and results can be shared with the committee.
- Continue to be sustaining? Has the improvement become part of the way your area now works? If the effort is contingent on an individual or team to get it done, then it has probably not been embedded in your processes.
Please give enough explanation so that your nomination will be understood by the committee members who may not be familiar with your technical field or the impact of the effort. Consider asking someone who is not involved to review your nomination or ask the Review Committee chair to check it before final submission.
Download/Print nomination form (pdf)
The IOWA Review Committee wants to acknowledge outstanding staff who are engaged in their work, who see what needs to be improved, and act on it. Please nominate staff who are taking the initiative and using innovation to improve the UI workplace. Nominations are accepted twice a year with deadlines on November 1 and March 15.
The Improving Our Workplace Award is a partnership of Organizational Effectiveness, Staff Council and University of Iowa Community Credit Union.
Questions? Email nancy-noyer@uiowa.edu or call 335-0560.