Awardees
2023 Award Committee
- John Schoppert, OIT, Chair
- Anne-Marie Deitering, OSU
- Alex Rolfe, GFU
Due date for 2023 proposals is December 9, 2022
Description
Orbis Cascade Alliance promotes professional development and engagement in support of our strategic initiatives and was pleased to announce the creation of the John F. Helmer professional development award program in 2017. The current award program supports the efforts to promote collaboration and learning across the Orbis Cascade Alliance.
For example, funding could support a workshop, a one-day symposium, a collaborative learning program associated with the Alliance team structure, or a guest speaker/trainer. Alliance Teams and individuals are encouraged to submit applications.
The total annual funding for Helmer awards is $5,000, with average award amounts of $2000 or less per project. Applications must focus on a project that is in direct alignment with Alliance Strategic Initiatives and that can be accomplished one calendar year after the award announcement in December. In the review of applications the committee will give preference to proposals that demonstrate a clear connection to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, or anti-racism across Alliance member institutions. Board and Council members may participate in project teams, but may not serve as Project Leader(s).
All recipients of the award agree to share the results of the project with the Board as well as with the Alliance community as appropriate by distribution of documentation, presentation at Council or Board meeting, or at the Summer Meeting. The method of results sharing will be determined by project leaders in collaboration with the Board upon receipt of the final project report. Projects are first and foremost to support personnel working in Alliance institutions. If an event or program is planned, it is important to coordinate registration to ensure that Alliance personnel are given sufficient time to register prior to opening an event up to a larger community.
Award Objectives
- To cultivate a strong professional cohort that perpetuates the spirit and practice of collaboration.
- To contribute to the growth of innovative and creative projects associated with the Alliance Teams and the strategic agenda.
- To support development of programs, activities, and services that benefit the entire Alliance.
Criteria
- Submit a complete application by the deadline.
- Preference will be given to projects that demonstrate collaboration across the Alliance community and a commitment to equitable, inclusive, or anti-racist practices in the execution of the project and its intended outcomes.
- Projects must support the Alliance vision and mission.
- The purpose, content, and impact of the project will be evaluated.
Application Guidelines
Applications must be sent to jfhaward@orbiscascade.org. Applications should include and be organized in the following manner:
- Project Title
- Project Leader(s)
- Project Description
- DEI or anti-racist analysis of the components and/or design of project
- Connection to the Alliance vision and mission
- Budget
- Marketing and Outreach Plan
- Assessment Plan
- Two (2) Letters of Support
Project Description
- Applications must include a summary no longer than two (2) pages of the project with learning objectives and outcomes. For 1-year projects, changes in culture, institutional diversity, and other structural changes are not expected. The inclusion of measurable short-term outcomes is expected.
- Clearly describe how the project design or components integrate and/or promote diversity, equity, inclusion, or anti-racist principles.
- Clearly state the connection to the Alliance strategic initiatives.
- Provide sufficient documentation for the review committee to understand the project.
- The description should include a timeline for project implementation.
- Include a feasible plan for coordinating the proposed event.
Budget
- Include a detailed budget that demonstrates how Alliance funds, not to exceed $2,000, would be used. Provide a detailed breakdown of expenses; in-kind support; individuals projected to be paid directly; and individuals projected to be reimbursed.
- Identify the designated Financial Contact and Funds Recipient (one who will make any financial reimbursement/disbursement request and receive funds).
- Standard Alliance travel and expenses policies will apply. Award recipients should try to limit reimbursement to one payment.
- Please note, funding is available after January 1, 2023 and must be expended by December 31, 2023.
- The Alliance recognizes that suggested events may need to be held remotely. While it is possible to utilize the consortium’s Zoom account for meetings, proposals should account for remote delivery costs, if needed (e.g., Alliance staff costs to set up the meeting and host).
Marketing and Outreach Plan
- Alliance e-mail lists can be used to publicize events and the Events Manager will support the recipients of the awards including, but not limited to: assisting is group scheduling; staffing events; arranging use of the Zoom/on-line meeting software, etc.Â
- The projects are first and foremost to support personnel working in Alliance institutions. If an event or program is planned, it is important to coordinate registration to ensure that Alliance personnel are given sufficient time to register prior to opening an event up to a larger community.
Letters of Support
Include no more than two (2) letters of support, one of which should be from an Alliance Council member.
Project Report
Agree to prepare a project report for the Board at the end of the project and share results with the Alliance community as appropriate by distribution of documentation, presentation at Council or Board meeting, or at the Summer meeting. This will be determined by project leaders in collaboration with the Board upon receipt of the final project report.
Timeline
Awards will be announced in January, after review by a committee and approval by the Board.