NYSTRA AWARD CATEGORIES

DISTINGUISHED FELLOW AWARD

Qualifications:

1. Current NYSTRA Professional Member (CTRS).
2. Experience-at least ten (10) years experience related to TR
3. Service-At least two of the following:
   1. Distinctive leadership in promotion, organization, and development of a new or unique innovative service in TR
   2. Professional advocacy of TR to other allied professions i.e., physical education, health education, science, medicine, psychiatry, rehabilitation and/or education.
   3. Exemplary contributions to the TR profession on a national, regional, or state level.
4. Leadership-At least one of the following:
   1. Current or past office holder in a TR association
   2. Current or past TR association committee work.
5. Professional Development, Publications, Presentations - at least 2 of the following:
   1. Numerous presentations to groups pertaining to TR.
   2. Newspaper, magazine, journal, or online articles pertaining to TR.
   3. Research that has advanced the TR profession.
   4. Author/co-author or editor of a book, chapter of a book or other publication pertaining to TR or a related field.
   5. Unusual contribution to the profession which has affected philosophy or practice.

THE KIMBERLY A. KIERNAN OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL AWARD

Qualifications:

1. Current NYSTRA professional member (CTRS).
2. At least 2 of the following:
   1. A minimum of five (5) years experience related to TR.
   2. Distinctive leadership in promotion, organization, and development of new or unique/innovative service or TR program.
   3. Service to the profession on a national, regional, state and/or local level.
3. Evidence of leadership

     At least one of the following:

1. 1. Current or past office holder in a TR association.
   2. Current or past TR association committee work

4. Professional Development, Publications or Presentations

       At least one of the following:

NYSTRA MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD

Qualifications:

1. Current professional member of NYSTRA.
2. Has made significant contributions to NYSTRA such as:
   1. Advocating legislation.
   2. Supporting and promoting NYSTRA (the focus is on contributions made over this past year).
   3. Achievement of exceptional merit through a program or committee which has extensively and richly benefited NYSTRA.
   4. Professional research, writing and /or presentation.

ORGANIZATION OR INSTITUTION AWARD

Organization:An organization is defined as any group whose major purpose is to advocate, promote, and/or support the delivery of services to persons with disability, including any public, private or voluntary agency or group organized under a local or state charter, permit, certificate or incorporation, such as local, county or state recreation and parks agencies, associations of or for disabled persons, scouting or other youth groups, Y’s or other community-based recreation agencies, senior citizen clubs, women’s or men’s service clubs and organizations.

Institution:Agencies which are primarily residential in nature, but which also provide day or outreach services and whose purpose is to provide health, treatment, rehabilitation, or other human services, including recreation/therapeutic recreation to people with disabilities.

This award is not based upon the quality of the agency’s TR department, staff, or services, but rather for external TR services noted under the qualifications listed below.

Qualifications:

1. Supporting TR on any level as evidenced by any one or more of the following:
   1. Support of TR through the provision of funding and/or other supportive services.
   2. Sponsoring or supporting TR workshops or seminars.
   3. Supporting employees who are active in the TR profession through the employee’s involvement in research, holding office, or conducting workshops/seminars.
   4. Promoting TR to those typically underserved regardless of race, religion, or sexual preference.

INNOVATIVE PROGRAM OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award recognizes recipients who have made outstanding contributions to TR through a creative and innovative TR clinical program, promotion of the profession and service to upcoming professionals.

Qualifications:

1. The program must be created, planned, implemented and/or administrated by a TR professional.
2. The program must be evidenced by at least two of the following:
   1. A case study of positive outcome by consumers.
   2. Creative and/or unique TR clinical program developed to meet the needs of a specific population.
   3. Outstanding program development as evidenced by:

a.      Demonstration of a needs analysis and development of a program based upon those criteria.

b.      Ongoing program evaluation and revisions and/or improvement of the program based upon the evaluation.

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD

This award recognizes an individual who has contributed an outstanding service as a volunteer in a therapeutic recreation setting.

Qualifications:

1. A minimum of two years of voluntary service within a TR program.
2. Contributes the required number of hours as required by the organization.
3. Is self-motivated and able to work comfortably with minimum supervision.
4. Recognizes the mission of the organization and works toward fulfilling it.
5. Maintains excellent standards of attendance, dependability, and adherence to guidelines.
6. Displays sensitivity to the population served.
7. Makes a significant contribution to the facility and the assigned department.

STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD

Qualifications:

1. Must be a full-time student currently enrolled in an accredited college or university within New York State with a distinct TR program.
2. Has shown outstanding academic ability as evidenced by not less than a B average.
3. Has made an outstanding contribution to a clinical internship site.
4. Has completed two years in a TR curriculum with a minimum of 12 credits in therapeutic recreation and recreation courses.
5. Is a current NYSTRA member.
6. At least one of the following:
   1. Served on a NYSTRA committee in relation to conferences/functions.

2.      Encouraged student membership and attendance at NYSTRA conferences/functions.

Award nominations, including all required information may be emailed to: NYSTRAVoting@gmail.com

Your continued commitment to and support of NYSTRA and to our profession is what keeps our organization moving forward. Your valuable time and input are greatly appreciated.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions at NYSTRAVoting@gmail.com