Eligibility:

Your organization is eligible to submit a nomination for the 2007 Neighborhood of the Year Award if you have developed or implemented a project that has benefited your neighborhood in 2006. If you have been recognized as a finalist in previous Neighborhood of the Year competitions, you may apply again if you are nominating a new project; you may not re-enter projects that have previously been considered.

Nomination and Selection Process:

In order to be considered for a 2007 Neighborhood of the Year Award, you must complete a nomination form, and return the completed form with a $50.00 entry fee to Robert Gibbons, Awards Chair, Neighborhoods, USA, 2007 Neighborhood of the Year Program, 1950 E. Washington Ave #1, Madison, WI, 53704-5278. Nominations must be postmarked by March 1, 2007 and accompanied by a $50.00 entry fee made payable to NUSA.

After nominations are received, a panel of judges will review the nominations and will select the best nominations in three categories as finalists for further consideration at the 2007 Neighborhoods, USA Conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The three categories are:

1) Physical Revitalization/Beautification - Single Neighborhood

This category includes projects that are initiated by one neighborhood organization and focus on the physical aspects of a neighborhood such as parks, green spaces, housing improvement, lighting, litter control, traffic management, signage, neighborhood business district enhancement, etc.

2) Social Revitalization/Neighborliness - Single Neighborhood

This category includes projects that are initiated by one neighborhood and focus on the social or cultural aspects of a neighborhood such as neighborhood safety, neighborhood youth and seniors, activities that help neighbors feel connected and foster a spirit of cooperation such as neighborhood festivals and celebrations, etc.

3) Multi Neighborhood Project Partnerships

This category includes projects that are jointly sponsored by at least two neighborhood organizations. They can address physical, social or other project areas.

The panel of judges reserves the right to place an application in a different category if they feel that the consideration with other applications in the new category would result in a fairer evaluation of the proposed project. Organizations that are selected as finalists will be notified via e-mail no later than April 1, 2007 and will be invited to make a presentation at the 2007 NUSA Conference. Attendance at the conference is not mandatory; if attendance at the conference is not possible for some finalists; a presentation can be made by video or in writing. Costs associated with attending the conference are the responsibility of the finalist organization. Award winners in each category and a grand prizewinner will be announced at the NUSA Awards luncheon which will take place Friday afternoon.

Selection Criteria:

Selection of NOTY finalists and award winners will be based on a consideration of the degree to which the nominated project, in its unique neighborhood context, is innovative, overcomes obstacles, mobilizes community resources, and creates partnerships between people of different ages, cultures or economic stature that who would not ordinarily work together. Awards will be based on the following considerations, with points given as indicated:

For more information, contact:

Robert Gibbons, Awards Chair
Neighborhoods, USA
2007 Neighborhood of the Year Awards
1950 E. Washington Ave #1
Madison, WI 53704-5278
robert.gibbons@charter.net

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