2010 Awards

WHY SUBMIT

MPOs are faced with a multitude of responsibilities, challenges, and requirements. The AMPO Annual Awards are designed to honor those MPOs and individuals that have found ways to advance their organizations by embracing the planning process and shaping sustainable regions. Tell us your stories of leadership, collaboration, innovation, and success. We will accept award nominations in ALL areas of planning, including (but not limited to), land use, climate change, performance measures, safety, travel modeling, long range and scenario planning, public participation, ballot initiatives, freight, transit, and any other topic area in which you or your MPO has excelled.

AWARDS CATEGORIES

Awards will be given in these four categories and depending on all the submissions, awards may also be given for excellence in areas such as innovation, collaboration, etc.

Outstanding Overall Achievement for a TMA MPO
AMPO honors the efforts of a TMA MPO that has successfully advanced and promoted metropolitan transportation planning.

Outstanding Overall Achievement for a non-TMA MPO
AMPO honors the efforts of a non-TMA MPO that has successfully advanced and promoted metropolitan transportation planning.

Outstanding Individual Leadership
AMPO honors outstanding efforts in planning and planning leadership from an individual who has advanced or promoted the cause of planning in the public arena. Any member of an MPO staff is eligible to be nominated for this Award.

Outstanding Elected Official Leadership
AMPO honors outstanding efforts in planning and planning leadership from an elected official who has advanced or promoted the cause of planning in the public arena. Any member of an MPO Policy Board is eligible to be nominated for this Award.

EVALUATION CRITERIA DEFINED

Each nomination must exemplify at least TWO of the below criteria.

Innovation
MPOs, staff, and elected officials are at the center of innovations to enhance and shape their communities. This category not only evaluates "new" ideas that have impacted the transportation planning process, but also examines "creative" approaches to implementing specific projects or a bigger vision.

Impact of Profession
MPOs, staff, and elected officials can greatly influence the cities, counties, and regions that they serve. This category looks at the potential application of the nominated effort to other MPOs and how the plan or project (components and methodology) would further the cause of good planning.

Implementation
MPOs, staff, and elected officials are the engines for pushing ideas into actions. This category looks at the implementation strategy of the nominated effort, what it includes, and the steps that have been/were taken to help build momentum and public support for following and implementing the effort.

Coordination
MPOs, staff, and elected officials are encouraged and required to work with a host of agencies. This category looks at strategic partnerships or alliances that were developed to help meet the goals and objectives of the nominated effort. It also considers the steps that were taken to engage community leaders, local officials, and other agencies to support and assist in the nominated effort.

OTHER CRITERIA

- The project or work you are submitting must have taken place within the last four years.

- Self nominations are permissible.

- It is suggested that award winners attend the membership meeting during the conference. This will take place at the AMPO Annual Conference in St. Louis, Missouri on October 20th.

HOW TO SUBMIT

- Write a one to two page summary of the accomplishments of the nominated work or person.

- Include one or two types of documentation (newspaper article, project brochure, letter of support, etc.), supporting the accomplishments of the nominated work or person.

- Fill out the application form with your contact information.

- Mail in 5 copies of: application form, the one to two page summary, and supplemental documentation.

DEADLINE AND NOTIFICATION

The deadline to submit application materials for an award is July 9, 2010.

Winners will be notified no later than the end of August of their acceptance.

QUESTIONS

Maria Staunton, Senior Program Manager, 202-296-7051 x4 or mstaunton@ampo.org