The AmeriCorps Alums Eli J. Segal Entrepreneurship Award Information

1. History and Basic Information
2. Rules and Eligibility
3. Judging Criteria
4. Nomination Process
5. Nomination Form and Letter of Endorsement
6. Past Winners of the Award

I. History and Basic Information

History of the Award
Eli Segal served as the first CEO of the Corporation for National Service and under his leadership AmeriCorps was born. Eli Segal loved to get things done. His unique combination of optimism, visionand practicality resulted in ambitious and creative programs that have made a realdifference in our country. Eli’s passion for citizen engagement has been brought to life in communities across the country every day in the youthful energy andtalent of more than 550,000 young people who have served inAmeriCorps,America’s national service program.Through Mr. Segal’s, vision, perseverance, commitment and entrepreneurial spirit, National Service has become deeply imbedded within our American culture.

Eli Segal was a brilliant political strategist, an astute businessmanand, most importantly, an extraordinary friend and mentor to so many people, from all walks of life. He believed in the power that young, idealist Americans held in their hands and wanted to support them to have their dreams become reality. Eli Segal started the AmeriCorps Alums Entrepreneurship Award during his life to recognize alumni with such promise. To honor Eli’s life and to build upon his legacy, AmeriCorps Alums honors one alum each year who has demonstrated outstanding entrepreneurial commitment to service.

AmeriCorps Alums Eli J. Segal Entrepreneurship Award Winner will receive:

• Travel and lodging to Award Ceremony (location/date TBD)
  
• $5,000 cash award
• National recognition on AmeriCorps Alums’ online community and blog.
• Join short list of awardees that have made a profound contribution to their community and to society for the greater good of others in the spirit of Eli Segal’s legacy.

Expectations:

• Use of cash award for sustainable community initiative.
• Attendance at special event (date/location TBD) to receive award.
• Serve on the Eli Segal Award Selection committee next year.
• Attendance at Segal Friends Program annual gathering inBostonin October2010 (at the expense of the award winner). See below for more information.
• Serve as AmeriCorps Alums spokesperson and champion for 2010-2011 including:
  • Providing video and photos to use as promotion.
  • Speaking at two events throughout the year.
  • Writing quarterly blog posts about progress on initiative.
• Serve on one AmeriCorps Alums Advisory Board (if needed).

Annual meetings and other activities develop Fellows' skills and foster relationships that will expand their effectiveness at working for the common good. The goal is to make the experience of being a Segal Fellow a recognized and valued credential – signifying important leadership qualities, significant developmental experiences, and the support of a network of talented people committed to each Fellow’s success. The Fellows are nurtured at first with the help of the Program’s Founders – each of whom will be considered an Honorary Fellow. After a few years, alumni will themselves provide a guiding hand to incoming Fellows – providing them an opportunity to give back by mentoring others in much the same way that Eli did for so many.See more information and a video on the inaugural Segal Fellows Network lecture at Brandeis with President Bill Clinton at http://segalprogram.org/index.html.

The AmeriCorps Alums Eli Segal Award is open to alums from all AmeriCorps programs (NCCC, State and National Direct, & VISTA including pre-AmeriCorps VISTA). Candidates must have completed their term of service by June 1, 2010. Both full and part time members will be considered for the award.

Awardees will be chosen based five categories. See judging criteria for more information. Employees, Board members and contractors of Points of Light Institute are ineligible for the Eli Segal Award.

Nominations for this award may be submitted by self, friends, family, peers, co-workers, supervisors, etc[2].

III. Judging Criteria[3]

Our panel of jurors will judge applicants for this Award based on the following criteria. Please note that applications should clearly outline how the nominee has met the judging criteria. For the purposes of this application, the term "community” applies to any international, national, regional, state, or local effort.

Entrepreneurial Spirit

• How has the nominee demonstrated outstanding vision with regard to innovative approaches to building community through service?
• How did the nominee found creative ways to solve a problem or address an issue?
• How might the innovation developed by the nominee help advance the field of national service, and specifically- how has it contributed to the growth and advancement of the AmeriCorps Alums movement?

Convener and Connector

• How does the nominee bring people together to reach a common goal?
• How does the nominee utilize the power of community, bringing resources and ideas together to solve a problem?

Service and Civic Engagement

• How does the nominee engage in service and civic engagement in his/her community whether local or national?
• How does the nominee mobilize others to participate in service and civic engagement in their community?
• How is the nominee active in government and policy as an advocate for national service as well as issue important to his/her community?

Humility

• How has the nominee shown that his/her efforts are focused on benefiting the greater good and not serving individual interest?

Impact and Sustainability

• What results have been achieved thanks to the work of this nominee?
• How has the nominee impacted change beyond his/her immediate community of influence?
• Explain how the initiative will/would sustain itself in the absence of the nominee.

Deadline and Submission

• The nomination deadline is Tuesday, August 31st 2010 by 5pm EST.
• All nominations must be submitted via email toEliSegalAward@americorpsalums.org.
• No mailed or faxed submissions will be accepted.

Eli Segal Award Nomination Application

The following documentation must be submitted by Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 to EliSegalAward@americorpsalums.org.

• Nomination Form, including contact information, submitted as an attachment to email.
• One Letter of Endorsement (more than one is acceptable) emailed by person of reference.Subject line MUST include candidates name, for example "Letter of Endorsement for John Doe”
• Optional: Sample marketing material or other supporting documents for program/initiative.

The Review Board[4]:

Awards decisions will be made by a committee comprised of former award recipients, other Segal Friends Program participants, AmeriCorps Alums chapter leaders, and Leadership Council members. Recommendations are then given to the AmeriCorps Alums staff and Ms. Phyllis Segal, Eli Segal’s wife, for the final selection.

Award Presentation

This year’s award will be presented at a special Segal Award Dinner attended by AmeriCorps alums, staff, supporters and friends. It will most likely be held in Washington D.C., however time, date and location are TBD.

V. Nomination Form

VI. Previous Award Recipients