Submission Requirements

Entries must use the application form available from the Michigan Association of Planning.

Entries must include a one-page summary of the submission or, in the case of an individual, one page resume and individual's photograph.

Entries must include a two-page explanation demonstrating how the submission meets each of the criteria. Use this explanation to reference specific examples within the complete submission that illustrate these points.

Entries must include a one-page statement in support of the submission. The statement may not be written by the nominated individual, by the nominator of the submission, or by anyone who directly worked on the project.

The Bricks and Mortar and Outstanding Planning/Project awards shall include an independent statement signed by the chief executive of the community in which the project/plan is located.

A supporting materials listed on the application form must be included with the entry. Brevity is encouraged. Entries should be limited to a one-inch, three-ring notebook. Do not include complete works that exceed this recommended maximum; but do reference related information to prove adherence with the criteria.

Entries for the Leadership Awards must be accompanied by three letters of recommendation. These letters should address the noted criteria.

Entries for the Outstanding Planning/Project awards are advised that the category emphasizes action and results. Supporting documentation should take the form of reviews of the implementation effort, analysis of the results, newspaper clippings, editorials, etc. Copies of the document being implements are not necessarily pertinent of the submission.

To ensure anonymity, no part of any entry for Outstanding Planning/Project or Bricks and Mortar award shall contain anything that would serve to identify the person, firm, or agency who prepared the plan or project except the application form.

Five collated sets of the application form and all supporting materials must be submitted. Michigan Association of Planning are not responsible for assembling, collating, or copying submission material

Entries for Outstanding Planning/Project and Bricks and Mortar awards must include two sets of ten(10) slides that illustrate and/or supplement entry. Entries for Leadership, Student Project, and Media awards shall include a minimum of one (1) slide of the individual(s) being nominated student or writer. Entries without accompanying slides will be disqualified.

Entries in Outstanding Planning/Project and Bricks and Mortar award categories must include the appropriate fee. Fees for these submissions are $50.00 per submission. Fees must be paid by check or money order made payable to the Michigan Association of Planning. No cash payments will be accepted.

All application forms must be signed by the nominator/entrant. Submissions lacking required signatures may be disqualified.

The awards committee's procedures prohibit any communication with jurors on behalf of an entry. Such communication is reason for disqualification.

Winning entries become the property of the Michigan Association of Planning and will not be returned. Other entries, including slides, can be returned after the conference, upon request by the nominator.

Winners of the Outstanding Planning/Project and Bricks and Mortar awards will be required to prepare a display according to Michigan Association of Planning specifications.

All completed entries must be received in the Association office by Friday, May 18, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. All entries received after this date will be returned.


Eligibility
All categories are open to Michigan Association of Planning members and non-members alike.

With the exception of the Outstanding Student Project and Outstanding Media awards which require the submission to be of a project or coverage within the previous year, any plan, project, tool, process, report, or ordinance entered must have been published, implemented, or completed within five years of the date of submission.

All entries for the Bricks and Mortar award, shall be made by private developers for projects constructed in Michigan. A governmental agency may submit an entry on behalf of a private developer. However, the agency is not considered an award entrant.

Nominators must select one category for the submission.
Projects that have been previously awarded an Outstanding Project Award shall not be considered for the same project award more than once.

Members of the awards committee, Michigan Association of
Planning Board of Directors are not eligible to enter or be nominated to receive individual awards. These individuals may not attempt to influence or affect the outcome of the jury process for projects nominated in other awards categories.

Judging and Awards Ceremony
The Michigan Association of Planning Board of Directors is not involved in the selection process and is not aware of the entries submitted for consideration until after the jury has rendered its decision. Judging for the Outstanding Planning/Project award will be performed by three prominent community planners from a major region outside of Michigan in July. Judging for other categories will take place instate. Jurors are under no obligation to grant an award in any category or sub-category. Nominators of submissions will be notified confidentially by mail. Official announcements of the winning submissions will be made after all nominators have been notified.
Projects/plans are not judged in competition with other entries, but to the extent that the project meets the aware criteria.

Presentations will be made at the Michigan Association of Planning Annual conference. Award winners receive plaques and are featured in a multimedia presentation at the conference and in the Michigan Planner.