People and organizations with spirit, new awareness and vision are guiding the dramatic transformation of the greater Silver Spring community. The IMPACT Awards seek to recognize those exemplifying this spirit, contributing to our diverse civic infrastructure and ensuring that we are a thriving multicultural community – a vision which cannot be reached without honest acknowledgment and sustained dialogue about the role of racial, ethnic, cultural and economic diversity in our neighborhoods and community. 

IMPACT Silver Spring is currently accepting nominations for this years IMPACT Awards.  The nominations deadline is Friday February 22, 2008 at 5:00 pm.  Download a nominations form: [WORD] [PDF]. For more information email megan@impactsilverspring.org or call (301) 495-3336.

Emie Mercier-Cadet accepts the Pioneer Award in 2007

The IMPACT Awards honor people and groups in the following categories:

• Pioneer
  Emerging grassroots leader, group, or organization who takes risks and acts to improve the quality of life for all.
• Explorer
  Established leader, group, or organization who takes risks and acts to improve the quality of life for all.
• Builders
  Partnership between emerging and established leaders who together take risks and act collaboratively to improve the quality of life for all.

The 2008 award winners will be honored at the Spirit of Silver Spring event May 8, 2008 6:30 pm.

Eligibility
Nominees may include individuals, organizations, institutions, businesses or collaborative partnerships who meet the following program criteria:

Richard Crump winner of the Explorer Award with Council Member Valerie Ervin

• They positively impact and transform the lives of others in the greater Silver Spring community;
• They have demonstrated a commitment to working collaboratively across lines of race, class, and culture based on a process that is respectful and equitable;
• They go beyond good intentions and their comfort zone to take action and achieve tangible results;
• They inspire and empower others to take action themselves or can serve as a model for others.

Current staff, Board of Directors, or paid consultants of IMPACT Silver Spring are not eligible for this award.

We are seeking nominations reflecting the diversity of the greater Silver Spring area including race, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic, age and neighborhood.

Nominations Requirements & Review Process
Nominators may submit no more than one nomination per category and may not nominate a family or household member. 

Each nomination must include one complete copy of the nominations materials:

• the nominations form
• a narrative responding to the nominations questions, not to exceed 3 typed pages

Nominations will be reviewed in a competitive process by the Spirit of Silver Spring Event Committee, comprised of representatives from the local business, nonprofit, and civic communities and IMPACT Silver Spring’s network.  Event Committee members are ineligible for either nomination or as nominators.

Completed nominations must be received by Friday February 22, 2008, 5:00 pm
Email: megan@impactsilverspring.org 
Fax: 301-495-6660
Mail or drop off: IMPACT Silver Spring, 1313 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910