The
purpose of this memorandum is to advise you of this year's
Service Awards programs and the Outstanding Contribution
Awards Program for 2004.
The
Outstanding Contribution Awards program (OCA) has been very
special for recipients since its creation in 1987. Because
this is the highest honor the University bestows on staff
employees, it is extremely important that those deserving of
this award be nominated and recognized for their
contributions.
Again
this year, the University will conduct the nomination process
for the OCA concurrent with the State's program for
recognizing employees for their hard work and dedication to
the Commonwealth called the "Governor's Awards." Nominations submitted to identify
outstanding employees will be used for both the OCA selections
and for submission to the State for consideration for the
Governor's Awards. Three University selection committees will
choose up to eleven employees, five from the Academic
Division, five from the Medical Center, and one from UVa's
College at Wise to receive an OCA. The Virginia Public
Service Reward and Recognition Steering Committee will choose
the recipients of the Governor's Awards and there is no
guarantee that anyone will be selected from the University.
Recipients of the OCA and the Governor's Awards will be
announced during the week of May 3-9, which has been
designated as Virginia Public Service Week (VPSW.)
Governor Mark Warner will present the Governor's Awards in
Richmond during VPSW. As part of that celebration, the State
is offering the opportunity for interested employees to
participate as "Ambassadors" during the Governor's Awards
Ceremony. Any employee who is interested in serving as an Ambassador should complete and submit the Ambassador Sign-up Form http://www.dpt.state.va.us/publicsvc/ambassador.htm ) by March 31, 2004. There will be a random drawing from
all applicants to select a total of 35 Ambassadors from
all regions of the Commonwealth. (If selected, employees
must receive permission from their supervisors to attend the
function. Travel expenses are to be reimbursed by the state's
Department of Human Resources Management. The time will not
be counted toward annual leave.)
President Casteen or his designee will present the OCA awards
at the annual Service Awards dinner banquet to be held on June
3, 2004. In addition to an engraved award and public
recognition, winners of the OCA will each receive a $1,000
cash award. (This award is exclusive of any other
pay action or any other potential monetary recognition through
routine departmental programs such as Rewards and
Recognition.)
This year, the nomination period is Monday, February 16, 2004
through Friday, March 19, 2004. Nominations must be received in University Employee Relations, 914
Emmet Street, Michie South, by 5:00 PM on March 19, 2004.
The nomination must be submitted by the nominator as a
complete packet that contains the original nomination and
two endorsements by individuals who have direct knowledge of
the employee's contributions. Either the nominator or one
of the endorsers must be the nominee's supervisor. Detailed features and requirements of the program are
included in the nomination form http://www.hrs.virginia.edu/forms/NOMINATION_FORM_OCA_and_GA.doc ). Please
inform your employees of this program. We will
also publicize the program in Inside UVA and Link.
Forms are available on the UHR website under the OCA Icon http://www.hrs.virginia.edu/linksforms.html#OCAGA ) and will be
available through employee council representatives.
Nomination packets must be submitted in "hard copy." Your
help in nominating, encouraging nominations and in publicizing
the Outstanding Contribution Awards and the Governor's Awards
programs will help insure a substantial number of high quality
nominations for consideration for both programs.
Last,
but not least, the University will recognize its long service
employees through two annual events. We will honor employees
who have attained 10, 15, and 20 years of service with a
ceremony and reception. Honorees attending the ceremony will
be presented with appropriate jewelry and certificates for
their years of service and will be recognized during the
ceremony. The program is scheduled for Tuesday, May 18, 2004
in the Cabell Hall Auditorium beginning at 1:30 PM In order
to demonstrate employee support and to maximize participation,
departmental representatives are encouraged to attend with
their employees. We are requesting that all honorees and
guests arrive by 1:15 PM.
The
awards dinner banquet honoring employees with 25 and more
years of service will be held at 5:30 PM on Thursday, June 3,
2004 in the Omni Hotel Ballroom. The Outstanding
Contribution Award recipients will again be honored at this
program. Attendance at the banquet will be by invitation
only.
Detailed information about both Service Awards events will be
sent to honorees and their departments closer to the dates of
the events.
If
you know of any recipient or guest who has a disability and
who will need special accommodation such as interpreters,
please let us know so arrangements can be made. Both
locations are wheelchair accessible.
Your
support of the University's efforts to recognize long service
employees and outstanding performers through departmental
publicity will be greatly appreciated. |
