Award Information or PDF | Rules for entering or PDF

The 2011 Virginia Municipal League Achievement Awards encourage and recognize the accomplishments of member local governments in meeting the challenge of operating vibrant cities, towns and counties. Innovative problem-solving, excellence in management, increasing citizen participation, and reaching toward higher service levels are all daily occurrences in Virginia local governments, and they deserve public recognition. This awards program seeks out the best of these programs. It is through this public recognition that all Virginia local governments can share and learn from these achievements. . View the 2010 VML Achievement Award winners (PDF)

Population awards

The VML Achievement Awards competition includes five categories based on population so that local governments compete with other local governments of comparable size. The population categories are: (1) under 5,000; (2) 5,000-10,000; (3) 10,001-35,000; (4) 35,001-90,000; and (5) more than 90,000.

A local government may submit up to three entries in its population category. One winner will be selected from each population category to receive an Achievement Award. The winner of the President’s Award – the entry that does the best job of fulfilling the criteria set forth below – will be chosen from the five population category winners.

Entries in the five population categories will be evaluated on the following criteria, which emphasize innovation, efficiency and entrepreneurship:

• Generally speaking, accomplishing projects and implementing programs that enhance the vitality and quality of life in cities, towns or counties;
• developing more innovative ways of delivering government services;
• implementing new or improved approaches in addressing a significant community need, or significantly improving an existing program;
• reflecting excellence in management;
• increasing citizen participation;
• striving toward higher service levels;
• possessing ideas and approaches that make a project or program relevant to other local governments;
• having a long-term value to the community; and
• showing a documented record of effectiveness that illustrates how a project or program has achieved its goals.

NOTE: All submittals in a population category must list one of the five population brackets on the cover page of the entry. For entries that represent significant improvements to existing programs, the improvements must have been made between Jan. 1, 2010 and June 1, 2011.

President’s Award

The winner of the President’s Award – the entry that does the best job of fulfilling the criteria set forth on the facing page – will be chosen from the five population category winners. The winning entry will, in effect, be the equivalent of a best-in-show selection.

Communications Award

The Communications Award recognizes the best in local government communications programs. Local governments of all sizes may submit one entry for this award.

Projects may include publications, audio-visual productions, special events, speeches, crisis plans, Web sites, social media initiatives, etc. Videotapes must be submitted in 1/2-inch VHS format. CDs and DVDs may also be submitted.

NOTE: All submittals in this category must list the entry as “Communications Award” on the cover page of the entry.

The judging

Entries will be screened by the VML staff and judged by a panel selected for its expertise in local government.

The winners

All winning entries will be featured in the September issue of Virginia Town & City. The Population Category winners, the winner of the President’s Award and the winner of the Communications Award will be recognized and presented with their awards at the 2011 VML Annual Conference in Henrico County on Oct. 4.

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Rules for entering

The competition is open to all Virginia Municipal League local government members.

Entries must describe programs or projects brought to conclusion or showing significant results between Jan. 1, 2010 and June 1, 2011.

Each entry must include a cover page bearing the title of the entry, the category of entry, the name of the locality submitting the entry, and the signature of the local government’s chief administrative or elected official.

All entries must be typed double-spaced, and the body of the entry, which does not include the cover page, appendices or any supplemental materials, must be at least two pages and not more than eight pages.

Submit one complete bound copy of your entry, including the cover page, all appendices and supplemental materials, videotapes, etc.

All entries must be bound or submitted in a notebook or presentation folder.

Entries may be accompanied by photographs, artwork, CDs or DVDs. Videotapes must be in 1/2-inch VHS format.

A local government may have up to four entries: three in its population category and one in the Communications category.

An entry that is entered in one category may not be entered in the other.

Entries must be postmarked by June 3, 2011.

The 4 possibilities

Each VML local government has the opportunity to submit up to four entries in this year’s competition: three in its population category, plus one entry for the Communications Award. The winner of the President’s Award will be selected from the winners of the five population categories. This is a change from past years when there was a separate President’s Award category that could be entered.

Writing & presentation

Although the presentation of your entry will not be the most important consideration of the judges, it will be taken into account. Therefore your entries should have a neat appearance and should be well-written. Photographs or artwork are encouraged.

In writing your entry, be succinct and clear. State the program’s goals and objectives; explain how the project or program was accomplished; and provide as much relevant information about quantifiable results as possible.

Write your entry so that it progresses in a logical manner and tells a story. Your introduction should include background information, such as the need for the project, how it originated, and the goals and objectives. Clearly explain how the project or program was carried out or how a program operates. Also include how the project or program is financed and staffed. Your conclusion should state the results of the project or program.

Deadline & address

All entries must be postmarked by June 3, 2011 and mailed to: VML Achievement Awards, P.O. Box 12164, Richmond, VA 23241 or shipped (UPS, FedEx, etc.) to: VML Achievement Awards, 13 E. Franklin St., Richmond, VA 23219

Helpful reminders

The staff person who assembles an entry should read both the brochure announcing the 2011 Achievement Awards and the rules for entering at the beginning of this page.

The entry must be signed on the cover page by the chief administrative officer or the chief elected official.

The cover page must show the category of entry, (e.g. Achievement Award - Population 35,001-90,000; or Communications Award.)

Only one copy of each entry needs to be submitted.

Final checklist

Does each entry have a cover page showing:

• The title of the entry? The category of the entry? The name of the locality? The signature of the chief administrative officer or elected official?
• Are your entries neatly and securely bound?

Entries will not be returned. If you have any questions, contact David Parsons at the Virginia Municipal League or by telephone at 804/523-8527.