TEXAS COUNSELING ASSOCIATION

List of Awards

Mail awards packets to:

Texas Counseling Association
ATTN: Awards Coordinator
1204 San Antonio, Suite 201
Austin, Texas 78701

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF NOMINATIONS IS JUNE 15.

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AWARDS AND CRITERIA

This award is presented annually by the Texas Counseling Association to a layperson as recognition of his/her exemplary service in the support and promotion of guidance and counseling in the State of Texas. The criteria for this award is as follows:

1. Nominees must not be in the profession of guidance and counseling.
2. A resume submitted either by an individual TCA member, a Chapter or a Division must be no more than five pages in length and must include documented evidence of this person supporting and promoting counseling and guidance.

 B. OUTSTANDING TCA CHAPTER AWARD

The criteria for this Chapter award is as follows:

1. Documented evidence, no more than ten pages, such as communication, service to membership, research activities, promotional activities, and any other data that reflect the Chapter's accomplishment during the previous association year.

   Consideration will be given to Chapter newsletters based on originality and creativity, promotion of professional counseling and enhancement of Chapter activities. One copy of each issue of the newsletter should be submitted.

   Consideration will also be given to activities that focus attention on human rights issues, such as workshops, special projects, development of materials, or interactions with other groups or associations. Entries should contain documentation of or implications for change relative to an area of human rights. The entries should demonstrate that activities were an intentional act of the Chapter to address the topic of human rights.

   Consideration will be given to public relations products that positively promote the guidance and counseling profession to the public. The product can be, but is not limited to, the following: brochure, video tape, newspaper series, T-shirt, or billboard. The product must be a non-commercial item and must be sent to the committee. If it is impossible to send the product, an enlarged photograph will suffice. Entries should list specific markets/groups targeted by the public relations activity/product. Some public acknowledgment of the public relations effort should be included, such as letters from the community, newspaper articles, etc.

   In the area of membership, consideration will be given to the Chapter with the greatest annual percentage of growth in TCA membership during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30). Creative and innovational promotional activities, projects, or strategies for encouraging membership in TCA and the Chapter will be taken into consideration as well as the Chapter's processes of recognizing new members and acknowledging current members sponsoring/promoting professional membership. Chapter strategies for inclusion of all kinds of counselors, for flexibility in accommodation for various meeting structures (e.g. time, date, location, needs assessments, survey results, etc.) and for communication in inviting and keeping TCA members should be listed. Upon receiving the award, the Chapter should be prepared to share information about their promotional projects and strategies. This information would be shared through Guidelines, information sent to Chapters by the Membership/Member Services Committee, and a display at the Membership/Members Services booth.

2. Individual Chapter members or groups of members may submit nominations.

 C. OUTSTANDING TCA DIVISION AWARD

The criteria for this Division award is as follows:

1. Documented evidence, no more than ten pages, such as communication, service to membership, research activities, promotional activities, and any other data that reflect the Division's accomplishment during the previous association year.
2. Consideration will be given to Division newsletters based on originality and creativity, promotion of professional counseling and enhancement of Division activities. One copy of each issue of the newsletter should be submitted.

   Consideration will also be given to activities that focus attention on human rights issues, such as workshops, special projects, development of materials, or interactions with other groups or associations. Entries should contain documentation of or implications for change relative to an area of human rights. The entries should demonstrate that activities were an intentional act of the Division to address the topic of human rights.

   Consideration will be given to public relations products that positively promote the guidance and counseling profession to the public. The product can be, but is not limited to, the following: brochure, video tape, newspaper series, T-shirt or billboard. The product must be non-commercial item and must be sent to the committee. If it is impossible to send the product, an enlarged photograph will suffice. Entries should list specific markets/groups targeted by the public relations activity/product. Some public acknowledgment of the public relations effort should be included, such as letters from the community, newspaper articles, etc.

   In the area of membership, consideration will be given to the Division with the greatest annual percentage of growth in TCA membership during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) Creative and innovational promotional activities, projects, or strategies for encouraging membership in TCA and the Division will be taken into consideration as well as the Division's processes of recognizing new members and acknowledging current members sponsoring/promoting professional membership. Division strategies for inclusion of all kinds of counselors, for flexibility in accommodation for various meeting structures (e.g. time, date, location, needs assessments, survey results, etc.) And for communication in inviting and keeping TCA members should be listed. Upon receiving the award, the Division should be prepared to share information about their promotional projects and strategies. This information would be shared through Guidelines, information sent to Divisions by the Membership/Member Services Committee, and a display at the Membership/Member Services booth

3. Individual Division members or groups of members may submit nominations.

 D. RESEARCH AWARD

The criteria for the Research Award are:

1. An individual, Chapter or Division may submit a nomination for the Research Award.
2. Research materials must be submitted with the resume as part of the documented evidence.
3. The nomination will be judged on the basis of how the research was accomplished and the benefits to counseling.
4. The Research Award cannot be given to an individual in the following areas:
   1. Doctoral dissertations
   2. Masters papers

The criteria for this award is as follows:

1. An individual TCA member, a Chapter or a Division may submit a nomination for the Professional Writing Award.
2. The written document must be submitted with the resume as a part of the documented evidence. The document must pertain to counseling and guidance activities.
3. The Professional Writing Award cannot be given to an individual in the following areas:
   1. Doctoral dissertations
   2. Masters papers

1. The person must be actively engaged in the profession of counseling and guidance.
2. The person must be a member of TCA, a local Chapter and a Division.
3. An individual TCA member, a Chapter or Division may submit a nomination for the TCA Outstanding Counselor Award.
4. A resume must be submitted along with examples of professional achievement and personal dedication.

This award is presented to an individual in recognition of his/her contributions in one or more areas of human rights. The award is named in memory of Molly Gerold, a counselor for the Northeast Independent School District in San Antonio. Molly was an innovator and was the district's counselor for the gifted and talented program. She was a creative, energetic woman who served as the Elementary Vice-President for the Texas School Counselor Association, contributed her poetry to the TCA Journal, and co-authored articles.  The criteria for the award is as follows:

1. The individual must be a TCA member.
2. Entries should contain evidence of activities that focus on the nominee's contributions to human rights.
3. Entries should contain documentation of or implications for change relative to an area of human rights.
4. Entries should demonstrate that the individual has exhibited a pattern of continued activity in the area of human rights.
5. Individual TCA members, Chapters or Divisions may submit nominations for this award.

This award is presented to a graduate student in counselor education whose dedication and academic work demonstrate excellence in the theory and practice of some significant area of counseling and exhibits outstanding scholarship.

1. The individual must be a TCA member.
2. The individual must be a student pursuing a graduate degree in counseling at any time during the year preceding the nomination.
3. The individual must have compiled an outstanding academic record in his or her graduate studies, in some significant area of counseling.
4. The individual must have demonstrated through independent work a commitment to issues of counseling (e.g. published or engaged in scholarly activities related to issues of counseling, developed innovative programs, demonstrated leadership in counseling at the local, state, regional, national, or international level, participated actively in community service and/or advocacy initiatives).
   
   

I. ADVOCACY AWARD

The TCA Advocacy Award recognizes an individual or community organization for excellence in legislative advocacy efforts. Effective legislative efforts require the tireless energy of individuals dedicated to making a difference for the future of the counseling professional and the communities in which they serve. Only through legislative advocacy can counseling professionals educate the state and governmental leaders regarding the importance of mental health wellness. The criteria for this award is as follows:

• Nomination must come from a TCA member, division or chapter.
• The nominee must be an individual or community counseling organization.
• Self-nominations are welcome.
• Award recipients must have engaged in a concerted activity aimed at achieving a specific legislative, regulatory, or organizational goal. Although actual legislative accomplishments are particularly worthy of recognition, a greater emphasis will be placed on the effective, collaborative, and productive efforts of the individual or organization.