How to Create a Successful Nomination

Tips for Success

  • Read through the Achievement Awards FAQs.
  • Review award-specific criteria to ensure your nomination is in the appropriate category.
  • Submit a compelling essay (one page, single-spaced) or video (no more than two minutes) explaining the reason(s) for nominating the exemplary employee, NPA, business partner, or customer. Your submission must answer the required prompt questions for that award.
  • Include quotes from managers, co-workers, etc.
  • Attach up to three supporting documents, such as news articles, letters of recommendation, and other materials you think support your submission.
  • Complete your nomination ahead of the submission deadline.

Drafting an Essay or Creating a Video Submission

  • Carefully review nomination form questions and prompts that are required as part of your essay or video submission.
  • Draft an outline to guide the writing of your essay or draft talking points to read from for your video. Remember, your video can be up to two minutes long.
  • Identify and collect the supporting documents you wish to submit along with your essay or video.
  • Make your essay or video stand out by including specific examples of your nominee’s accomplishments, results, and impact (please refer to the nomination prompts).
  • State if the nomination is for work on an AbilityOne® contract.
  • Use "People First" language:
    • People First language defines the person before the disability.
    • For example, use the term "people with disabilities," not the "disabled" or "handicapped."

Submitting Your Nomination

  • Review your essay or video and supporting documents before you enter them into the online nomination form.
  • Video submissions must be under two minutes (20 MB) and uploaded as an attachment as any of the following file types:
    • Mov
    • Avi
    • Mp4
    • Ogg
    • Wav
    • WebM
  • Changes cannot be made once a nomination has been submitted, even if it's submitted before the deadline.
  • After you've entered all the required information, click the Submit button and you'll receive a confirmation of your submission.
  • If you don't receive a confirmation, contact us at AchievementAwards@SourceAmerica.org.