Pioneer Awards and Grants

1. Pioneer Awards and Grants You Can Make a Difference The TelecomPioneers provides individual and team awards designed to supplement local awards programs. These awards recognize the community service projects of Pioneers, as well as their efforts to help the organization grow through member recruitment.

2. Pioneer Awards • Foundation Fund Grant • Dodds Fund Matching Grant • Community Impact Award • Chapter of Excellence Award • Individual Pioneers Excellence • Project Excellence • Telecom Challenge • Project:Connect

3. TelecomPioneers Foundation Fund Grant • Overview, Guidelines, Timeline and Disbursement Committee • Overview of TelecomPioneers Foundation Fund (formerly the Pioneer Foundation): • The TelecomPioneers Foundation Fund carries out its mission of strategically supporting Pioneers by awarding grants for projects that make a significant impact in the educational field and generate substantial recognition for the Pioneers. Any chapter, council or club operating under the 501(c)(3) of the national organization may apply for funding.  • The Pioneer Foundation grants are based upon the prior year’s investment results. The Association (now inclusive of the Pioneer Foundation) has changed its fiscal year from ending June 30th to a calendar year ending December 31st. • Typically, organizations submit directly to a foundation to be considered for a grant. The Foundation Fund is different because the local Pioneers submit the grant application. The Foundation Fund will support local Pioneer educational activities and not merely be a distributor of money to unaffiliated schools or other organizations. The Foundation Fund will support any educational program that enhances the educational experience of children based on a needs assessment (see application) and other individually weighted criteria (see guidelines list below.) The Foundation Fund Disbursement Committee will give additional priority to any educational project that encompasses a technology focus. For any school, or other organization to be eligible for a grant, Pioneers must be involved as volunteers in that system. • A Pioneer will be appointed as a Pioneer Advisor to each recipient entity that is awarded a grant to ensure compliance with the purpose/objectives of the project goals. This Pioneer Advisor will be appointed by the Group that received the grant.

4. TelecomPioneers Foundation Fund Grant • Pioneers fill out the application; the Group VP and/or Review Team recommend grant recipients and the Foundation Fund Disbursement Committee authorizes the grants. The Group’s VP and/or Review Team will be comprised of Pioneer leaders representing the Group’s chapters. The setup and organization of each team is the responsibility of the VP. The team should ensure that there is no conflict of interest prior to submitting the application form for the grant money. • The Foundation Fund Disbursement Committee stipulates that the minimum grant request be $1,500. This minimum grant request will be strictly adhered to unless there are strong documented reasons not to – which will be discussed and voted upon by the Disbursement Committee. • Grants will be awarded on an annual basis. Requests for grants must be received by your Group VP and/or Review Team Leader on or before October 15. The Pioneers Foundation Fund Disbursement Committee will authorize awards by December 1 and inform the VPs. Presentation of the awards is the responsibility of the VPs and will be done at the Annual Meeting. A brief report on the use of the grant is required by October 1st the year following the application deadline and will determine eligibility for the following year (Groups that do not submit a report will not be eligible for grants the next year.) Reports should be sent to the TelecomPioneers Program Manager, Kari Biesendorfer, Kbiesendorfer@telecompioneers.org or (Fax) 303.572.0520.

5. TelecomPioneers Foundation Fund Grant • Guidelines for TelecomPioneers Foundation Fund Application: • Any chapter, council or club operating under the 501(c)(3) of the national organization may apply for funding.  • Grant applications are to be sent to the group VP and/or Review Team Leader (communicated to the Pioneers by their Group) on or before October 15. • VPs and/or Review Team have the option of forwarding grant recipient recommendations up to 50% more than their allocated amount, thus putting the final distribution of the allocated amount in the hands of the Disbursement Committee. (For example, if AT&T is allocated $8,000, they may submit recommendations to the Disbursement Committee for up to $12,000. However, grants will only be awarded up to $8,000.) • Note: this will not have a positive or a negative impact on the on applicant’s chances. • Minimum grant request must be $1,500 per application. • VPs and/or Review Team have the option of increasing the minimum amount requested per application within their respective Groups. • Note: this will not have a positive or a negative impact on the on applicant’s chances. • The exact amount allocated to each Group may not be able to be achieved based on the minimum application request; but the Disbursement Committee will make every effort to get as close as possible. • The Disbursement Committee has the authority to approve the recommended amount and/or increase or decrease the amount requested during the final approval process.

6. TelecomPioneers Foundation Fund Grant • Grant applications will be eligible for a total of 100 points, based on four individually weighted criteria determined by the Disbursement Committee. Up to 10 additional “priority points” will be awarded for projects that have a technology focus. • Educational project (no points awarded - this criteria must be met for eligibility) • Needs assessment (30) • Pioneer recognition generated or expected to generate (30 points) • Pioneer involvement and client impact (30) • Branding and alignment to sponsoring company (10) • Involving or promoting technology aligning to the Association Strategic Plan (up to 10 “priority” points) • Pioneers must have appointed a Pioneer Advisor in the school(s)/ recipient entity to be eligible. • Award Periods: • Grant applications due October 15, 2005, may be submitted for grants to be awarded for educational projects that have been or will be completed January 1, 2005 – December 31, 2006. • *This is a one-time transition period to move into awarding grants for projects “planned” to be completed.* • Grant applications due October 15, 2006 will be for educational projects that will be completed January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2007. • Grant applications due October 15, 2007 will be for projects that will be completed January 1, 2008 – December 31, 2008. • A report on the use of the grant monies is required by October 1st, the year following the application deadline. (The first report is due October 1, 2006 for grants applied for in October of 2005.)

7. TelecomPioneers Foundation Fund Grant • Foundation Fund Application and Award Timeline: • August 1 - Total dollar amounts allocated to each Group communicated to the VPs. • October 15 - Foundation Fund grant applications due to the Group VP and/or Review Team Leader (do not send to the Association.) • November 5 - VPs and/or Review Team Leader forward recommendations to Association Program Manager.

8. Dodds Fund Matching Grant • Guidelines for applying for the TelecomPioneers E. B. Dodds Fund: • Application due to the Group VP and/or Review Team Leader on or before October 15. • Pioneer grant recipients are required to provide matching funds. • The funds must be used to promote community service activities for either hearing impaired or deaf persons and/or for projects to help fulfill the educational focus of our Pioneer mission. • Each Group VP and/or Review Team will use their own Dodds Fund assessment criteria (while adhering to the Association guidelines.) • A report on the use of the grant is required by October 1st the year following the application deadline and will determine the eligibility for the following year.

9. Dodds Fund Matching Grant • TelecomPioneers E. B. Dodds Fund Timeline: • August 1 - Amount allocated to each group communicated to VPs. • October 15 - Grant applications due to the VP and/or Review Team Leader. • November 15 - Group VP and/or Review Team determine grant recipient winners. • December 1 - VPs and/or Review Team Leader informs grant recipient winners and TelecomPioneers Program Manager (Please provide who the check should be made out to and the amount.) • December 20 - Checks cut and distributed directly to the VPs. Public announcement of winners online at www.telecompioneers.org.

10. Community Impact Award • Explanation of Award: This award is designed to recognize a Pioneer entity’s overall cumulative impact on it’s community throughout the year and over time. Judging will evaluate: benefit to the community, recognition as leaders in the community, responsiveness to community needs, community partnerships, impact of Pioneers on the community, media mentions, and the engagement of Pioneers and non-Pioneers in volunteerism. The application must be accompanied by at least ONE letter of recognition/ acknowledgement from a community leader outside of the organization (maximum of three letters) and a maximum of FIVE of your best scanned images. • Entry Deadlines/Important dates: Due to Group VP October 15th • Applications will only be accepted from the Group VP • Winners announced December 1st • Eligibility: Any formal Pioneer entity is eligible for the Community Impact Award, including chapters, clubs and councils. • Submission Process: Complete the application form and include up to three letters of recommendation/acknowledgement from an outside organization and/or community leader. A copy of each nomination form must first be sent to your group VP office, where they will be verified to be complete and acceptable for submission. The Group VP will then forward all complete submissions to the TelecomPioneers Headquarters.

11. Chapter of Excellence Award • Explanation of Award: The Chapter of Excellence Award is given to chapters most closely aligned with the strategic direction of TelecomPioneers and their sponsoring companies (where applicable) in 5 main strategic areas. Projects will be eligible for a total of 100 points, weighted as indicated below: • Communications/Marketing (20 points) • Leadership (30 points) • Financial (15 points) • Planning and Measurement (15 points) • Volunteer Engagement (20 points) • Entry Deadline: • Due to Group VP October 15th • Applications will only be accepted from the Group VP • Winners announced December 1st • Eligibility: All TelecomPioneers chapters, including self-sponsored chapters are eligible for the Chapter of Excellence Award. The application must be accompanied by at least ONE letter of recognition/ acknowledgement from a community leader outside of the Pioneer Association (maximum of three letters) and a maximum of FIVE of your best scanned images. • Submission Process: Complete the application form provided. A copy of each chapter nomination form must be sent to your group VP office, where they will be verified to be complete and acceptable for submission. After the 85-point threshold is verified, your Group VP will then forward all complete submissions to the TelecomPioneers Headquarters. Applications must be received by the Group VP on or before October 15th. Late applications will not be considered.

12. Individual Pioneers Excellence • Explanation of Award: This award is designed to recognize individual Pioneers and Partners who go above and beyond to answer the call of those in need. There are categories for regular member, life member and partner. First-round judging will take place at the group level. The top candidates from each group will be advanced to the TelecomPioneers International level by the Group VP and at least two winners will be chosen from each category. • Entry Deadlines/Important dates: • Due to Group VP October 15th • Applications will only be accepted from the Group VP • Winners announced December 1st • Eligibility: AllRegular members, Life members, Associate members and Partners are eligible. • Submission Process: Complete the application form provided and include one letter of recommendation from a person or group outside of TelecomPioneers and the sponsoring company to provide further evidence of the individual’s outstanding accomplishments. A copy of each nomination form and reference letter must be sent to your group VP on or before October 15th.

13. Project Excellence • Explanation of Award: This award is designed to recognize the top level of TelecomPioneers community service projects completed throughout the year across the United States and Canada. Projects will be eligible for a total of 100 points, based on five weighted criteria. Projects will first be judged at the group level and those scoring 75 points or more will be advanced to the TelecomPioneers International Office by your Group VP for the final round of judging, described below. Projects will be judged based on these criteria: • Innovation and creativity (15 points) • Branding and alignment (20 points) • Community Need (25 points) • Volunteer involvement (25 points) • Creative funding and/or cost-efficiency (15 points) • Entry Deadlines/Important dates: Due to Group VP October 15th • Applications will only be accepted from the Group VP • Winners announced December 1st • Eligibility: All TelecomPioneers projects are eligible for the Project Excellence Award, including recurring projects. If a project is submitted in subsequent years, the project needs to have grown and changed significantly over the past year and this must be clearly explained in the project submission. • Submission and Judging Process: Complete the application form provided. A copy of each nomination form must be submitted to your group VP on or before October 15th. Projects will be subject to the first round of judging at the group level. Projects scoring 75 points or more will be advanced by your Group VP to the final round of judging at the TelecomPioneers Headquarters, where they will be judged by an external judging contingency. Late applications will not be considered.

14. Telecom Challenge • Overview of the Telecom Challenge: • The Telecom Challenge is designed to showcase the talents and creativity of Pioneers by challenging them to carry out a community service project, in alignment with the company(s) (or self-sponsored groups) goals, using the technology of the telecommunications industry to improve our communities. • It’s a chance for Pioneers to combine their volunteer skills and commitment with the technology of our industry to promote the value of volunteering within our communities. It is also a great opportunity to invite new or prospective members to enjoy the unique experience of volunteering with TelecomPioneers. • Guidelines for the Telecom Challenge: • All projects submitted for the Telecom Challenge award must meet the guidelines listed below to be considered in the final judging process. • The Telecom Challenge theme is “Connecting Our Communities Through Technology.” Communities are changing in ways unimagined a generation ago. Technology opens us up to numerous new possibilities.  This theme will guide Pioneers into exploring the many ways that the implementation of technology services/products can positively affect our “communities.”  • For purposes of the Telecom Challenge, “communities” are defined in 4 categories:  the Educational Community, Disaster Preparedness/Relief Efforts in our Communities, Health and Human Service Community (disabled, seniors, persons in transition, etc.,) and our Military Community.  The way your group “connects” to the community is up to you and your imagination!

15. Telecom Challenge • Theme:  Connecting our Communities through Technology • Connecting Technology and Education - 1 grand prize award of $1,000 and one runner-up award of $500 • Connecting Technology and Emergency and/or Disaster Preparedness/Relief Efforts in our Communities – 1 grand prize award of $1,000 and one runner-up award of $500 • Connecting Technology and Health and Human Services (disabled, seniors, persons in transition, etc.) – 1 grand prize award of $1,000 and one runner-up award of $500 • Connecting Technology and the Military – 1 award of $1,000 and one runner-up award of $500 • Note: If it so happens that there is not a grand prize and/or runner up winner in any of the above categories, the Association Program Manager reserves the right to either re-allocate or hold back distributing the monies for that specific category.

16. Project:Connect • Project:Connect Award Established • Project:Connect International Awards Program Criteria • The Project:Connect (PC) awards are based on a calendar year.  The PC logs and reports will be pulled and tallied yearly on December 1st to determine the winning chapters. • 1.  P:C Volunteer Implementation Excellence: • An award will be given to the top 5% of chapters with the highest reported number of hours per member facilitating lesson plans and/or teaching game play face-to-face (in person or via virtual volunteer technology like WebEx) to participants.  This information will be pulled from iMIS. • Award is based on (total hours/total membership).

17. Project:Connect “On the Spot” • “On the Spot” • A Project:Connect Pioneer Recognition Program • A monthly program to provide immediate “On the Spot” recognition of Pioneers who, by their noteworthy performance and accomplishments, contribute significantly to the TelecomPioneers Project:Connect program. • Any Pioneer can nominate another Pioneer for “On the Spot” recognition. • Nominations must be sent via email to Kari Biesendorfer, Program Manager, TelecomPioneers, at kbiesendorfer@telecompioneers.org • Nominations must include the following information: • 1.                  Name, phone number, email and mailing address of individual being nominated. • 2.                  Sponsor company or self-sponsored group, Chapter, Council and/or Club name. • 3.                  Description of the nominee’s noteworthy performance and accomplishments (please keep the written description to a maximum of one page). • 4.                  Name and contact information of Pioneer making the nomination. • 5.                  A digital picture of the nominee is encouraged, but not mandatory. • Nominations must be received on or before close of business on the 25th of each month. • Recepients will be chosen by the Project:Connect Group Coordinators.

18. OTHER AWARDS • OTHER AWARDSAs a TelecomPioneer, your good work makes you eligible for Awards outside of the Association.  • See below for a few examples. • WWW.CONNECTAMERICA.ORGNominate Someone Today for Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser, Sponsored by Ketchumwww.PointsofLight.org/Programs/NeighboringDaily Point of Light Awards  • Walmart http://www.walmartfoundation.org/wmstore/goodworks/scripts/index.jsp • Target http://www.targetcorp.com/targetcorp_group/community/foundation.jhtml