AWNA gives awards and special recognition in order to:

• Highlight quality services and/or performance of individuals and Member organizations

• Recognize past service of Members 

• Recognize the quality of Member newspapers

 

 

Parameters:

 

1.  Recognition of Individuals Working in Member Newspapers

a) Bill Draayer Award

i. The Bill Draayer Award recognizes outstanding personal contributions by an individual Member to the progress and development of the AWNA that is not recognized in any other way.

ii. The Chair of the Executive Committee chairs the ad hoc Bill Draayer Award Committee.  Two (2) or more past winners of the Award are the other members of this committee.

iii. The Committee does not use a specific marking system.  The Committee researches each achievement individually.  Decisions are based on a majority decision of the Committee.

 

b) George Meyer Leadership Award

The George Meyer Leadership Award recognizes individuals who position their newspaper as a community leader, and who do their own work to strengthen their community and industry.

 

George Meyer has graciously agreed to lend his name to the ‘George Meyer Leadership Award’, which recognizes a newspaper staff member or publisher who exemplifies community leadership and volunteerism.

 

 

 

c) Quill Awards

i. Quill Awards are presented to community newspaper employees for long-term service to the community newspaper industry.

ii. A Member newspaper publisher may present Bronze Quills to any long-term employee.  These Awards are given locally.

iii. The AWNA presents CCNA Silver Quills for twenty-five (25) years of service, and CCNA Gold Quill Awards for fifty (50) years of service to Member publishers, editors or executive officers.  The AWNA presents these CCNA Awards at Provincial or National Conventions.

 

d)  Tributes

i. On the death of an official representative of a Regular Member, Past President, Honourary Member, or Life Member, the AWNA donates one hundred dollars ($100.00) to the charity of choice.

ii. Member newspapers, newspaper groups, or families may wish to honour an individual through scholarships or special awards.  When requested, the AWNA may assist in such areas as distributing information and awarding scholarships.

 

2. Member Newspaper Recognition

 

a) Better Newspaper Competition

i. This is a provincial competition and awards are given three (3) times each year in the categories of photographic, editorial, advertising, premier awards, and general excellence.

ii. The AWNA contracts judges who are leading journalists and practitioners from across Canada to judge the competition.

iii. The AWNA recognizes winners at the Convention or Symposium. The premier and General Excellence awards are handed out at the Annual Convention.. The AWNA Photo Awards are handed out at the Symposium or Convention.

iv. The AWNA advises the top three (3) newspapers award winners prior to the event.

v. The AWNA covers one (1) night accommodation and the award dinner for the top three (3) newspapers award winners at the General Excellence Award presentation. (depending on budget)

 

b) The AWNA shall purchase advertising space, valued up to $250, in those newspapers celebrating milestone anniversaries. Milestone anniversaries are in 25-year increments.

 

3. Recognition of Retiring Board members

Awards of recognition of past board members be presented at the annual convention.  This recognition will be comprised of an appropriate gift recognizing service and an invitation to dinner for two and one night’s free lodging at the meeting.