Jett Awards

The Jett Awards are named after NALS founder, Eula Mae Jett, and they represent the “best of the best” programs in NALS.

There are three levels of awards:

• The Founder’s Award recognizes the most exceptional program among all chapter and state entries.
• The Keystone Award recognizes the excellence in chapter and state programs in each category.
• The Cornerstone Award recognizes runners-up in each category.

Effective chapter and state membership efforts and educational endeavors are the foundation of success for NALS. Through your efforts, NALS has excelled in education, certification, and professionalism. Share your successful programs with other chapters and states throughout NALS.

Winners in eight categories can receive the Keystone Award, or the Cornerstone Award. One state or chapter will receive the Founder’s Award for the best overall program. All winning entries will receive special recognition at the National Forum or Professional Development Conference providing a forum for sharing your expertise with your peers.

The recognition does not stop there. The award winning accomplishments will be featured in an issue of @Law. All entries become the property of the NALS Resource Center Library. All winning entry programs are available for purchase at the Resource Center at $15 each for the first three programs. Additional programs are available at $10 each.Entries are judged in the following four classifications:
State: Programs or campaigns conducted exclusively by state associations.

Large chapter: Programs or campaigns conducted by chapters with more than 51 members.
Medium chapter: Programs or campaigns conducted by chapters with 26 to 50 members.
Small chapter: Programs or campaigns conducted by chapters with fewer than 25 members.

Choose from any of the following eight categories:

1. Membership Development

• Successful membership promotion
• Effective use of direct mail
• Recognition of new members
• Rewarding current members
• Retention campaign

2. Association Development

• Enhancement of image
• Bar relations
• Charity events
• Working with a changing membership base

3. Association Enterprises

• Handbook development
• Leadership training
• Nondues income

4. CLE One-Time Program

• Special guest speaker
• Law Day
• Promotion of educational program
• Evaluation of educational program

5. CLE Series of Related Topics

• Court Observance Day activities
• Legal Training Course
• Promotion of educational series
• Evaluation of educational program

6. ALS Certification Program

• Establishing study groups
• Recognition program

7. PLS Certification Program

• Establishing study groups
• Recognition program

8. Certification Programs

• Creating an environment of professionalism
• Promotion to members
• Promotion to law firms
• Promotion to nonmembers

ALL ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED BY NOVEMBER 1

All entries and supporting materials must be submitted to the NALS Resource Center on letter-sized white paper and placed in plastic sleeves in a three-ring binder. Responses should be numbered in the same order as the entry questions. Submit no more than two paragraphs of explanation for each question.

Please include your name, chapter or state association, and category on each page of answers. Entries will not be judged unless all the questions are answered. Submit supporting materials used in the program, including marketing materials, manuals, brochures, fliers, and budget.

General Description of Your Program

The following four questions must be answered on one side of a letter-size (8.5 inches x 11 inches) paper. Should your program receive an award, this one page should be suitable for use as a program summary.

Judging Criteria Questions

Each entry, within each category, at each classification, is evaluated against the same six criteria for effectiveness:

Needs Assessment

• How was the need for this program identified (surveys, requests, please quantify)?
• How does this program address this need?

Planning and Design

• List the program’s objectives.
• Describe the steps taken to design and develop the program (planning process, members involved, creativity).

Logistics and Production

• How was the program delivered to the target audience (room, room set up, etc.)?
• Provide details describing educational materials, methods, and resources. Include samples of printed materials used (lecture, small group discussion, handouts).

Budgeting and Finance

• What is the annual income and expenses of your chapter/state?
• What were the program’s broad financial objectives (profit, break-even, or subsidized service)? Choose one and tell why.
• Provide the project revenue and projected expense, as well as the actual revenue and expense.
• Provide your best estimate of association resources expended on this program. You might use, for example, total dollars and total volunteer time.

Marketing, Promoting, and Advertising

• Describe the promotion used for this program.
• List and describe the specific promotional and advertising vehicles used.

Evaluation

• To what extent did the program achieve stated objectives (quantify results such as 10 new members)?
• What broader impact, if any, did this program have on the growth image or performance of the chapter or its members?
• Based on the outcome of this program, describe the most significant changes you might make the next time you offer it or a similar program.

Judging

The Awards Committee will evaluate entries based upon the criteria described. Winners will be notified upon completion of judging.

Entry Rules

All official entries must be completed and sent with supporting documentation to the NALS Resource Center by November 1. The Awards Committee reserves the right to reclassify entries if, upon review of the entry, it deems that an inappropriate classification or category has been selected. All awards will be announced at the March Professional Development Conference.

All questions must be answered. Documentation and samples (brochures, fliers, programs, guidelines, procedures, financial impact, follow-up articles, checklists, and planning documents) must be provided.
All entries become the property of the NALS Library, which will be available for use by all chapters and states. Anyone requesting copies of award-winning programs must have adequate information to adapt the program and implement it in their chapter or state.

When an entry receives the Keystone, Cornerstone, or Founder’s Award, the award will be displayed at the National Forum or Professional Development Conference.

A maximum of two awards in each classification of each category is awarded, for a total of eight awards in each category. If the judges deem no entries submitted in a particular category deserve the award, none will be given. The decisions of the judges are final.

Why reinvent the wheel?
Not just a competition, the Jett Awards are a terrific member benefit!