HERA AWARDS

• Significance or timeliness of topic.

• Contribution to the field of housing.

• Recognition of previous work.

• Appropriate methodology.

• Depth or thoroughness of treatment.

• Mechanics (readability, composition, form and style).

• Type on 8.5 x 11 inch paper using elite (12 point) type or font, double spaced.

• Margins should be one (1) inch.

• Paragraphs should be indented five (5) spaces.

• Page limit is 25 pages - including title page, abstract, references, tables and figures.

• Pages should be numbered at the bottom and the author's name written lightly on the back of page one.

• All style matters should be based on the 5th edition of the Publications Manual of the American Psychological Association.

Submission Deadline: Submit your paper and a completed application form with a postmark no later than April 30, 2008.

Graduate Winner: Hyun-Jeong Lee, Virginia Tech
Undergraduate Winner: Luke Erickson, Utah State University

Graduate Winner: Dongwang Liu, Iowa State University
Undergraduate Winner: Dale Walker, Iowa State University

1. Application may be submitted by an individual or a collaborative team.
2. The outreach program or activity shall have been conducted by a County Extension Professional/Agent and implemented at the county local/level.
3. The outreach program or activity shall have been conducted in the past two (2) years.
4. National winners will present a concurrent session or participate in the Showcase of Excellence at Annual Session the year the award is received.

1. General application form and 50 word and 30 word summaries - 4 COPIES.
2. Program Outline - limit to four (4) double-spaced typed pages
   a.) Introduction - purpose, goal(s) and objective(s), target audience reached.
   b.) Program Description - content and materials, partnerships, leadership capacity, unique delivery methods
   c.) Program Impact - evaluation methods, results/impacts, transferability, marketing publicity
3. Supporting materials - program materials, photos, curriculum package examples, marketing materials - not to exceed 10 pieces.
   

1. Introduction (20 points)
2. Program Description - shows evidence that program is meeting the needs and interest of the families and communities being served. (40 points)
   a.) Content of program (15 points)
   b.) Partnerships - evidence of collaborations with other Extension workers as well as other agencies or organizations involved with housing. (10 points)
   c.) Leadership capacity - evidence that the Extension Service has provided the leadership to establish, implement, and evaluate the housing initiative. (10 points)
   d.) Unique Delivery Methods - evidence of using unique outreach methods to implement program, follow-up with program participants and document impacts of program. (5 points)
3. Program Impact - evidence that the program met goal and objectives of effort and made a difference in lives of families and/or communities. Impact measures may include adoption of practices, behavior changes, money/energy saved, reduction of risks, etc. (25 points)
4. Program Transferability - evidence that program and support materials can easily be modeled and implemented by another Extension program. (5 points)
5. Supporting materials. (10 points)

1. Submit one (1) copy of the application package and support materials and four (4) copies of the general application form to the appropriate affiliate chair by affiliate due date.
2. Affiliate chair will mail the winning application(s) postmarked no later than April 30 to their regional director.

2005
Marcy Krumbine (Florida). "There's No Place Like Home." The Home Loan Program provides a unique opportunity for low and moderate-income families to assess their readiness for homeownership and take the steps needed to achieve their dreams. Educational programs include workshops, individual counseling and exhibits. Patnering with local banks, Extension assisted 118 families in becoming homeowners since 2003.

Pamela D. Lincoln, Gussie McConnell, Linda Baxter (Texas). "Your Home is Your Castle." Well-built, affordable housing is indispensible for keeping rural communities vibrant. Extension and USDA Rural Development reached 1245 residents through workshops to inform families of assistance availble to repair, purchase or build a home and steps needed to qualify. As a result, $666,456 was loaned or granted to participants.

Rebecca Versch, Shirley M. Niemeyer (Nebraska). "Healthy Homes for Healthy Nebraskans: A Radon Awareness and Testing Campaign." Healthy Homes for Healthy Nebraskans is helping local citizens take steps to lower radon levels in their homes! Since 1999, over 1600 free test kits have been distributed, 200 homewonders have attended sessions to learn about radon and at least 20 report having mitigated their homes as a result.

2002
Zoe S. James, Birdie Crosby, Beth Judge of South Carolina CL-100’s, MOISTURE PROBLEMS & HAZARDS RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION FOR REAL ESTATE AGENTS seminars detailed housing problems that agents may face. Information was provided to Realtors on how to recognize and address moisture problems, how to interpret the “Wood Infestation Report” (CL-100), the importance of using a home inspector, possible litigations with the sale, the requirements of the lending institute, and suggestions to present to sellers and/or buyers on making a house hazards resistant.

Guadalupe F. Landeros of Texas Guadalupe Landeros provides exceptional direction and leadership in the development of non-traditional Extension programming. County needs, issues programming, and urban delivery opportunities have helped to establish new partnerships with representatives from the public and private sector. Quality programs on Home Buyer Education, health and wellness, and youth entrepreneurship are program focuses.

2001
Elaine W. Whitaker, Olivia Simpson, Marilyn C. Wells of North Carolina The Home Planning Seminar was designed to help prospective home builders make the best possible decisions at each step in the building process, from selecting a site on which to build through to landscaping. Excluding Extension's contribution, co-sponsors and other resource people contributed approximately $80,000 in time and other expenses.

Margaret Grenell Rogers, Beverly P. Lewis, Patricia S. Draper, Patricia Owner, Cynthia S. Wilson, Allegra Brigham, Patsillu Reeves of Mississippi The Home Planning Seminar was designed to help prospective home builders make the best possible decisions at each step in the building process, from selecting a site on which to build through to landscaping. Excluding Extension's contribution, co-sponsors and other resource people contributed approximately $80,000 in time and other expenses.

• Applications may be submitted by an indivdual or a collaborative team.

• The applicant, or at least one member of a team, must be a current active member (not student) of the Housing Education and Research Association (HERA) and have been a member of the organization for a minimum of three (3) years.

• Self nominations are encouraged.

• Evidence of a significant contribution to the housing field through research, teaching, and/or outreach activities focused on a single housing issue or program. The efforts of the applicant may involve one or all of these areas.
• Evidence that the initiative or program involves a unique approach and sustained work over a significant period of time.
• Evidence that the initiative or program has been widely adopted by a large number of people, agencies, groups or institutions, and serves as a model program to address the stated issue.
• Evidence that the efforts have made a major impact on the housing field over time.
• The award will only be awarded if the Awards Committee deems a nomination is worthy of consideration.

• Nomination letter (self or other) highlighting the nominee's/team's expertise and housing initiative and its impact (1 page maximum).
• A completed application form.
  Application Form (PDF)
  Application Form (MS Word - editable)
  (click here for the full 2008 Housing Impact Award Announcement (PDF))
• Vita for all individuals included in the nomination.
• Summary of the nominee's (individual or team) housing focus and activities including (4 pages maximum):
  1.) Description of the nominee's housing initiative summarizing the objectives, unique approach, and importance of the work.
  2.) Description of how the program has impacted the field of housing and the extent of its adoption.
  3.) Recognitions received for this program initiative.
• Two (2) letters of support from persons familiar with the significance of the nominee's housing initiative and its contribution to the field of housing (1 page maximum for each).
• A bibliography of materials that support the nomination, including: referred articles, published reviews, books or monographs, Extension publications, presentations, and other ways in which the work has been disseminated, adopted and/or shared.
• Support materials.
• Submit four (4) copies of all materials.
• Submission deadline: All submission materials, including letters, must be postmarked no later than April 30, 2008.
  

Purpose: This award recognizes those who have made outstanding contributions to the Housing Education and Research Association (HERA).

(The award does not replace the current Honorary Membership, but allows that recognition to be given to those who are not members of the organization. A new Housing Impact Award has been developed to honor those indviduals who have made significant contributions to the field of housing.)

2008 Distinguished Service Award full announcement (PDF)

Nominations: Nominations may be made to the Awards Committee by any HERA member. In addition, members of the Distinguished Service Awards Committee are encouraged to ensure that all outstanding persons are considered. Nomination process will follow the following schedule:

NOTE: Nominations must be submitted each year. Persons nominated in previous years must be resubmitted in order to be eligible for the award. A person must be nominated by someone other than him/herself.

Eligibility: The nominee must:

• Be a current active member of HERA.
• Have been a member of HERA for a minimum of 5 years

Criteria: The nominee must:

• Have participated actively in HERA through committee work, offices held, and participation in conferences.
• Demonstrate excellence in their field of work.
• Demonstrate a significant contribution to the organization.

Documentation: A nomination folder should be submitted to the Distinguished Service Award Committee and should include information organized in the same manner as the sections listed below.

1. Evidence of the candidate's service to the organization. A chronological list of work within the organization including: committee memberships, offices held, conference participation, and special assignments. Evidence of tasks performed while in an office should be included.
2. Letters of Support:
   a.) Letters from the nominee's place of work (administration and co-workers) indicating demonstrated excellence at his/her assigned job. Letters from previous places of employment could be submitted if the nominee is currently retired, unemployed or self-employed.
   b.) Letters from members of HERA who have worked closely with the applicant on HERA-related projects or committees indicating the significance of the nominee's contribution to HERA (minimum of three).
   

Selection Committee: The Selection Committee consists of three members who have been members of HERA for at least 5 years. They are:

• An executive officer,
• The most recent Distinguished Service Award winner (after the first award) and,
• Chair of the Awards Committee.

Submission: For more information or to submit a nomination, contact:

JoAnn Emmel, Ph.D.
245 Wallace Hall (0410)
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Ph: (540) 231-9259
Email: jemmel@vt.edu

Eligibility:

• Applications may be submitted by an individual within the first six years of their housing career at a college, university, or agency.
• The applicant must be a current active member (not student) of the Housing Education and Research Association (HERA) and have been a member for a minimum of one year.
• Self application is encouraged.

Criteria: The following criteria must be met:

• Evidence of outstanding effort and achievement in a housing area through research, teaching, and/or outreach program. The efforts of the applicant may involve one or all of those areas.
• Evidence that the housing program effort is continuous and focused, and involves a current housing issue.
• Evidence of the effort's potential to make an impact on the housing field or that it has already had an impact.
• Peer recognition of potential contribution to the field of housing and the housing knowledge base.
• The award will only be awarded if the Award Committee deems a nomination worthy of consideration.

Application: The application should include the following:

• Nomination letter (self or other) highlighting the nominee's expertise and housing initiative and its impact (1 page maximum).
• A completed application form which is available here.
• Vita which includes a bibliography that supports the nomination, including: referred articles, published reviews, books or monographs, Extension publications, presentations, and other activities resulting from this housing initiative.
• Abstract of the nominee's housing focus and activities including (3 pages maximum):
  1.) Description of nominee's housing program addressing the objectives, importance of the work, and potential to impact the field of housing.
  2.) Recognitions received for housing work.
• Two letters of support from someone familiar with the housing work of the nominee and its potential contribution to the field (1 page maximum each).
• Support materials.
• Submit four copies of all materials.
• Submission deadline: All submission materials, including letters, must be postmarked no later than April 30, 2008.

Mail entries to:

Dr. JoAnn Emmel
Virginia Tech
245 Wallace Hall (0410)
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Ph: (540) 231-9259
Email: jemmel@vt.edu

Purpose: The purpose of this award is to recognize outstanding housing education efforts at the secondary education level that demonstrate creative ways to teach and involve students in the area of housing education. This could be in the form of a unique housing education activity that is part of a semester long curriculum in housing or other subject matter area, or as a related student activity, such as a Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) club group. The housing activity undertaken must concentrate on a housing topic (such as renting, home purchasing, or other housing issue*) and not focus exclusively on interior design. The activity may be one that reaches beyond the classroom to community groups, or it may involve a partnership or interdisciplinary approach between secondary classes

* Housing issues may include energy, air quality, safety, special needs, green home products, sustainable design, universal design, lead poisoning, etc.

Eligibility:

1. The application may be submitted by an individual or a teaching team. Self nominations are encouraged.
2. The activity must currently be a part of the curriculum at the school.
3. The activity must have taken place within the past two years.

Application: The application should include:

1. Application form. (PDF version) (MS Word version - editable)
   2008 Goodheart-Willcox Secondary Education Housing Teaching Award Full Announcement
2. Project or activity outline - Limit to four (4) double-spaced typed pages.
   a.) Introduction
   b.) Project or activity description - content and materials, partnerships, sponsorships, unique delivery method, student involvement.
   c.) Evaluation and/or impact - evaluation methods, known results or impacts, ease of replication at other schools, publicity.
3. Supporting materials - lesson guide, learning activities, list of audio/visuals used, planning materials, student generated materials, publicity materials.

Judging Criteria:

1. Completeness of the project packet
2. Stated criteria for the award are met
3. Involvement of the students
4. Innovative approaches to teaching housing to secondary students are demonstrated
5. Partnerships formed, community involvement and/or interdisciplinary approach
6. Project or activity evaluation and impact
7. Support materials
8. Potential for replication in other schools

Procedure:

1. Submit one copy of the project outline with support materials and four (4) copies of the completed general application form.
2. Mail the materials postmarked no later than April 30, 2008 to:

Dr. JoAnn Emmel
Virginia Tech
245 Wallace Hall (0410)
Blacksburg, VA 24060
Ph: (540) 231-9259
Email: jemmel@vt.edu