CUPA-HR Midwest Region
Excellence in Human Resource Management Practices Award
This award honors the achievements of a human resource department or a specific HR professional within a CUPA–HR Midwest Region College or university. The department or individual must have demonstrated that they have successfully worked to improve the quality of programs and services through effective human resource administrative practices, used creative application of human resource principles, provided strong leadership or directions, and/or be recognized within the institution or by peers as providing an outstanding HR program.
Criteria:
- Successful development of a pattern of human resource excellence that has been documented/benchmarked/assessed.
- Identification of activities or programs that is renowned for their excellence.
- Examples of institutional support for the human resource function, such as being a strategic partner within the college/university community.
- Evidence of the awareness of the importance of the role of HR within the institution.
- Documentation of new/revised services which the person or HR has initiated and implemented.
- The institution and ( if applicable) the specific person are members of CUPA-HR.
Process:
Nominations may be submitted by CUPA-HR Midwest region members to the Midwest Region Awards Committee. Nomination forms, time frames for deadlines, etc are explained on the CUPA-HR Midwest region homepage. The Midwest Region Awards Committee reviews the nominations and recommends a nominee to the Midwest Board of Directors. The winner is recognized at the regional conference. The Midwest Board may forward their winner on to the CUPA-HR National Awards Committee as a candidate for the National CUPA-HR Excellence in Human Resource Management Award.
Successful Practices Award
This award is presented to an individual or team in the Midwest CUPA –HR region that demonstrates creativity, process improvement or professional achievement through the implementation of a significant new practice that contributes to the overall excellence of the institution’s human resources programs, services and/or administration. A single significant project or a pattern of smaller projects will be considered.
Criteria:
- Successful development and implementation of a different approach or a variation of a traditional process, procedure, or practice in one of the functional areas of human resources.
- Successful and innovative partnership role in assisting another academic or an administrative unit in achieving its overall mission.
- The Successful Practice has lead to improved performance of the college or university, the unit in which the department resides or, the human resource department; and the achievement has advanced the profession and/or promoted better understanding of human resource management.
- The Successful Practice is in currently in operation or has been in operation during the past three years.
- The nominee’s institution is a member of and participates in CUPA-HR.
The following questions should be answered when submitting a nomination:
- What was the original need/problem/dilemma/idea?
- Why was it important to the Department of Human Resources or the institution?
- How was it approached, i.e. what new approaches or methodologies were used?
- What was accomplished or achieved?
- How did the individual or team know they were successful? What assessment methods were used?
- How would the institution’s president and/or the executive officer to whom HR reports, describe the accomplishment? (A letter of support from that executive would be appropriate.)
Process:
Nominations may be submitted by CUPA-HR Midwest region members to the Midwest Region Award Committee. Nomination forms, time frames for deadlines, etc are explained on the CUPA-HR Midwest region homepage. The Midwest Region Awards Committee reviews the nominations and recommends a winner to the Midwest Board of Directors. The winner is recognized at the regional conference. The Midwest Board may forward its award recipient’s information on to the CUPA-HR National Awards Committee as a candidate for the National CUPA-HR Successful Practices Award.
Midwest Region Outstanding Service Award
This regional award is given to just one member who, over a period of three or more years, has provided outstanding service and leadership to the Midwest Region through involvement in activities such as board office, councils, task forces, committees, and/or teaching.
Criteria:
- A minimum of three years of demonstrated, active involvement/leadership in the operations of a Midwest Chapter and the Midwest Region. National CUPA-HR involvement is encouraged but not required for this award. Examples of active involvement include formal CUPA-HR elected or appointed officer positions, committee assignments, a leader in providing professional development opportunities to members at the chapter and regional levels, etc.
- Contributions to the development of CUPA-HR programs and services, such as author, conference presenter, conference program or activities.
- CUPA-HR programs, services, or activities that can be directly attributable to this individual’s efforts.
Chapter Distinguished Service Award
Individual chapters within the Midwest region may develop their own award criteria to recognize one member from their chapter who has provided sustained leadership and support of the chapter.
Process: By the deadline for submission of the regional award nominations, the Chapter Chair notifies the Midwest Region Awards Committee of the person chosen to receive this award. The Midwest Region will officially recognize the Chapter Distinguished Service Award recipients at the Midwest regional conference.
Midwest Retiree Lifetime Membership
The Midwest Retiree Lifetime Membership recognizes retiring HR professionals who have been actively involved in CUPA-HR during their professional working career.
Criteria:
- Individual must meet his/her institution’s definition of retirement (example: applicable age and service requirements).
- Individual must have retired within the past 12 months, or has announced his/her intent to retire in the next 12 months.
- Individual must have a demonstrated record of 10 years of active involvement in chapter (if applicable) and region activities. Examples of active participation include elected or appointed officer positions, committee assignments, and presentations at state and regional conferences.
Process:
An individual may self nominate or a Chapter may nominate a person for Midwest Retiree Life Membership by sending a written letter of nomination to the Midwest Region Chair. The Midwest Board of Directors will make a determination on the nomination and notify the nominee and the nominator of the decision. Midwest Retiree Lifetime membership will allow the individual to register for future Midwest region conferences at member rates. Individual chapters may grant additional benefits.