NONPROFIT AWARDS BREAKFAST

BERKSHIRE NONPROFIT AWARDS

The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires, in partnership with The Berkshire Eagle, held the 2nd Annual Berkshire Nonprofit Awards breakfast on Tuesday, May 21, at Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield. The awards recognize people who work tirelessly in the nonprofit sector to serve the Berkshire community.

Nominations were submitted from across the Berkshires in seven categories: Executive Leadership, Board Leadership, Super Staffer, Unsung Hero, Volunteer, Rising Star and Lifetime Achievement. 19 honorees (One Lifetime Achievement honoree and 3 in each of the remaining categories) were selected by a committee of business and nonprofit leaders.

The NPC thanks the sponsors for this celebratory event. For more information about sponsorship, click here. Major support came from The Berkshire Eagle and Berkshire Bank.

PHOTOS FROM THE EVENT

Many thanks to our hardworking panel of judges!

Front Row L to R: Hannah Van Sickle/Freelance Writer, Craig Smith/Fundraising and Development Consultant, The Rev. Timothy Weisman/Zion Lutheran Church of Pittsfield, Mary Vasquez Slack/My Versatile Secretary, Jen Brown/United Personnel, Ilene Marcus/Berkshire United Way. Back Row L to R: Auric Enchill/Elegant Stitches, Julia Dixon/Creative Economy Consultant, Meggie Baker/Berkshire Eagle, Leah Thompson/BART Charter Public School, Akilah Edgerton/Miss Hall’s School, Wendy Healey/Lee Bank, Oskar Hallig/Only in My Dreams Events, Maeve O’Dea/Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, David Rice/Raymond James, Brian Handspicker/TedX North Adams & Northern Berkshire Habitat for Humanity. Not Pictured: Bill Johnson/October Mountain Financial Advisors

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Nominee must work or volunteer for a registered Berkshire County 501(c)(3).

Nominees must show evidence of the strength of their work across a broad range of criteria including: strategic thinking, thoughtful execution, support of the culture, growth and strength of the organization, supportive of the population the nonprofit serves, commitment to the community, embodies the mission and vision of the organization. Nominations should provide evidence of significant achievements at his/her organization.

NOMINEES ARE ACCEPTED IN SEVEN CATEGORIES

Click the category name below for a link to the corresponding nomination form. Deadline for submissions is March 31st.

A person can only be nominated in one category.

1. Executive Leadership Award
   This award honors a nonprofit staff leader (CEO, Executive Director or member of the Executive Team) whose strategic vision, passion, innovation, perseverance, and integrity has led to a strong record of extraordinary organizational results.
2. Board Leadership Award
   Given to a current or former member of the nonprofit’s board of directors who demonstrates commitment to prudent use of all assets, provides oversight for activities that advance effectiveness and sustainability, ensures compliance with applicable laws and ethical practices, and who serves on committees or task forces and offers to take on special assignments.
3. Super Staffer Award
   This award is given to nonprofit staff member whose work has had significant impact on an organization. Recognized by peers for exhibiting a can-do attitude, demonstrating a high level of commitment and responsibility, and going above and beyond the job description.
4. Rising Star Award
   The Rising Star award honors a relative newcomer to the Berkshire Nonprofit sector who has demonstrated the potential of making a significant impact on the community. This individual may be young, new to the Berkshire nonprofit sector, or part of a new nonprofit launched in the last 5 years. This individual has demonstrated remarkable talents at an early stage in their tenure, achieving outstanding accomplishments and significant impact.
5. Volunteer Award
   Awarded to an individual who has a record of activities that have made a long-lasting and meaningful difference in the lives of people or communities. This award honors the volunteer who has shown outstanding dedication to a nonprofit or multiple nonprofit organizations whose programs serve the Berkshire County community. Active volunteerism can be ongoing or linked to a single project or cause.
6. Unsung Hero Award
   This award honors the contribution of a nonprofit staff or volunteer member in any area of an organization whose good work has not been publicly recognized in the Berkshire community.
7. Lifetime Achievement Award
   This award honors an individual who has dedicated his or her life to being a leader and role model. His or her influence has made an enduring and profound difference in his/her community and the lives of those around him/her. Recipients of this award strive toward the highest level of personal and professional accomplishment, excel in their chosen field, devote time and energy to their community in a meaningful way, and forge paths of leadership for others to follow.