Recognizing organizations in central and northeastern Connecticut and their campaign coordinators, volunteer committees and employees for outstanding participation in the United Way Community Campaign

Save the Date!

When: February 17, 2012, 5:30-8:30 p.m. (5:30-7 p.m., open bar cocktail hour and hors d'oeuvres; 7-8:30 p.m.., awards)

Where: Bond Ballroom, Homewood Suites by Hilton, 11th Floor, 338 Asylum St., Hartford

For more information and to RSVP, click here.

United Way Best Of Awards

We invite you to submit nominations for the United Way Best Of Awards to showcase the work that you and your organization are doing on behalf of the community. This is an opportunity to broadcast the quality of your United Way campaign to other organizations and the public while gathering new ideas for your next campaign!

Any organization that runs a United Way campaign this year may enter.

Submission Requirements

• Complete the entry form and submit to the following address:

United Way Community Campaign

Attn: Best Of Awards

30 Laurel Street, Hartford CT 06106

• Please follow the requirements for each category you enter.
• Submit a description of each category you enter. The description should be in electronic format. Please submit on a cd or flash drive along with your entry form.
• Don’t forget to submit supporting materials! They distinguish you from the competition. Send us your photos, videos, press clippings, campaign results, statistics, and printed materials.
• All media supporting materials (e.g. photos, video, audio) must be burned to a cd or submitted on a flash drive and submitted with your entry form.
• Acceptable file formats:
  • Photo:  .JPG files
  • Video:  Please also include at least two stills from your video and please submit your video both as a playable DVD format and as one of the following:
  • Quicktime file (.MOV)
  • Windows Media file (.WMV)
  • Audio : .MP3 files or .WAV files
  • Printed materials: Please save to a PDF file when possible.

Entry deadlines:

Deadline extended! Best Campaign Photo and Best Campaign Video category submissions are now due November 18. All other category entries are due December 30.

Categories

Best In Show

Best overall United Way campaign

• Small Company (fewer than 250 employees)
• Medium Company (250-500 employees)
• Large Company (more than 500 employees)

Requirements: Please provide a 100-word minimum description of your campaign, outcomes from the campaign, a description of why you are the best of the best, and at least two high-resolution photos taken at some point during your campaign (with a 50-word description of each photo).

Coordinator of the Year

Best leadership and energy throughout a successful United Way campaign. Go for the glory – nominate yourself or nominate a co-worker who has run a fabulous campaign!

Requirements: Please submit a 50-word description of each entry. Supporting materials are encouraged.

Best Campaign Photo

Best photo from the campaign

Requirements: Please provide a 50-word description of each photo you are entering. You may enter as many different photos as you wish. Please submit only high-resolution image files on a cd or flash drive. Acceptable file formats: .JPG

Best Campaign Video

Best video from the campaign that uses key messaging to explain the importance of United Way

Requirements for Best Campaign Video submissions: Please include at least two still images from the video with your submission. Please include a 50-word description of each Best Campaign Video submission. Please submit your video both as a playable DVD format and as one of the following: Quicktime file (.MOV) or Windows Media file (.WMV).

Best Fast and Furious Campaign

Best United Way campaign that ran in one week or less

Requirements: Please submit a 50-word description of each entry. Supporting materials are encouraged.

Best Campaign Special Event

Best event that brings employees together and raises awareness of United Way (e.g. a fundraising event, volunteer event. etc.)

Requirements: Please submit a 50-word description of each entry. Supporting materials are encouraged.

Best Campaign Kickoff

Most effective kickoff strategy that engages employees and gets them excited about the campaign

Requirements: Please submit a 50-word description of each entry. Supporting materials are encouraged.

Best Partner Agency Campaign

Best partnership and support of the campaign by a United Way partner agency

Requirements: Please submit a 50-word description of each entry. Supporting materials are encouraged.

Best Rise to the Challenge

Best campaign despite significant setbacks

Requirements: Please submit a 50-word description of each entry. Supporting materials are encouraged.

Best Year-Round Partnership

Best year round United Way partnership with respect to communication, education, involvement and engagement

Requirements: Please submit a 50-word description of each entry. Supporting materials are encouraged.

United Way's Got Talent – New!

Think you’re the best singer, dancer, juggler, or musician in your office? Send us a video that shows your special talent. You may enter as an individual or as a group. The top 3 finalists as selected by our judges will be invited to share their special talent at the Best of Awards ceremony in February 2012, where the audience will vote on their favorite. The winner/winners will receive a special prize.

Requirements: Video submission - 3 minutes maximum, in two formats: a playable DVD format and a Quicktime file (.MOV) or Windows Media file (.WMV). Please also include at least two stills from your video.

Best Company Campaign Materials– New!

Best use of United Way branding and messaging in company campaign materials

Requirements: Please submit your company campaign materials and a 50-word description of your entry.

Best Company Leadership Involvement/Best CEO Involvement – New!

Best show of support from senior management during a United Way campaign

Requirements: Please submit a 50-word description of each entry. Supporting materials are encouraged.

UTC Challenge - for United Technologies companies only – New!

Think you have the best UTC campaign? Submit your entries for this category and go head to head with other UTC companies! If you are a UTC company submitting in any other category, you can submit the same entry for this category.

Mail completed entries to:

United Way Community Campaign

Attn: Best Of Awards

30 Laurel Street, Hartford CT 06106

Questions?

Email us at bestofawards@unitedwayinc.org, call (860) 493-6847, or ask your United Way representative.