Call For Nominations
“Making Our Mark: Nepalis in North America”
The 20th ANA Convention, July 4-7, 2002
The theme for this year’s convention will be “Making Our Mark: Nepalis in the Americas” -- inspired by the ambitious ANA-sponsored Nepal Educational and Cultural Center project which seeks to enshrine the mark of Pushapatinath and Lord Buddha on American soil. In other ways, too, Nepalis in this great continent have begun to make their marks – in academia, business, sports, and numerous other endeavors. The 20th ANA convention will bring Nepalis together to recognize and celebrate the individual and collective achievements of Nepalis as a distinct immigrant community in North America. This will be the first undertaking of its kind by a national level Nepali organization.
This is a continent of immigrants and each immigrant community has added to the strength and diversity of this land in unique and lasting ways. The Nepali community of North America is small. Our journey into the halls of history of this continent is at its earliest beginnings. But it is not too early to become conscious of our individual and collective aspirations and achievements in a land whose very features have been woven out of the yarn of immigrant dreams. Nepalis have dreams too! And in the short time that we have landed in these shores, some of our kin have pursued and indeed achieved very lofty dreams. Others are on their way. The past few years have revealed that Nepalis have begun to make their marks in a continent where so many other immigrant groups have made theirs.
By choosing “Making Our Mark” as the theme for the 20th Annual Convention, the Association of Nepalis in the Americas is starting a positive tradition within our own community of recognizing and honoring outstanding achievement. As Nepalis we all know that there is much to lament when we look towards Nepal as so many of us so frequently do. But our identity and spirit as a community is not simply the sum of the political failures and social upheavals that have racked Nepal in recent times. Rather, our identities increasingly will be governed by the standards of our adopted land, and rooted in the quality of our individual and combined experiences and contribution in our “karma bhumi.” In the long run, what we are able to achieve here will influence how and what we are able to contribute to the upliftment of Nepal and Nepalis, much like the success of NRI’s has now begun to have an impact on India’s economic and social revival. In that sense, “Making Our Mark “ in this continent empowers us as a group to make a mark in our motherland Nepal.
ANA has constituted a special committee to conduct a fair and impartial nomination and selection process intended to identify individuals whose achievements truly stand out. We believe that recognizing those among us who have reached great heights will be inspiring and uplifting for all Nepalis. It will generate an excitement and optimism within our communities that will serve as the building blocks for community pride and a culture of high achievement. The details of the process of nominating individuals for the “Making Our Mark” Award are explained below.
The Nomination Process
Individuals may be nominated only by other individuals. The nominations must be made on the official Making Our Mark Nomination Form (attached) and received by the specified deadline of June 3rd, 2002. The Nominee must sign his/her consent to be considered for the Award (electronic signature is permissible).
The person sponsoring a nominee must submit a curriculum vita (CV) of the nominee and supporting documents highlighting the nominee’s accomplishments in his/her respective field. Supporting documents and materials should be of reasonable length and detail and should include all relevant materials (print, audio, video, etc.) that demonstrate the degree of excellence achieved by the nominee in a chosen field, and thus establish the eligibility of the nominee for consideration for inclusion in the ‘Making Our Mark” Award Ceremony at the DC 2002 ANA Convention.
The Selection Criteria:
“to make a mark”
to make a “lasting or strong impression: enduring effect”
(Webster’s Third New International Dictionary)
The overall theme for the DC 2002 ANA Convention is “Making Our Mark: Nepalis in North America.” This year also signals the first time that ANA is involved in an undertaking of this nature and scope. Therefore, in the interest of preserving the integrity of the Convention Theme and in the interest of keeping the selection process manageable and timely, nominations will be solicited only under the single, broad category of “Making Our Mark.”
The selection committee will follow the criteria and guidelines listed below in evaluating the nominations it receives:
1) National or significant international award, major private or public sector awards
2) Pioneering work or outstanding achievement in a chosen field, including but not limited to:
· Government/Politics
· Business
· Academia/Research
· Sports
· Community service
· Arts and Literature
3) Significant positive coverage in international, national and/or regional media
4) Significant contribution to Nepal or the Nepali Community of N. America, or
substantial contribution to introducing and preserving Nepali culture and heritage in North America.
Note: Nominees must meet at least 3 of the criteria above.
Eligibility
1) Nominees must be of Nepali ancestry
2) The works and accomplishments for which a person is nominated for the “Making Our Mark Award” must have been undertaken in North America or under the aegis of institutions based in North America.
Special “Friend Of Nepal” Award
In addition to the Award under the “Making Our Mark” category, a special “Friend of Nepal” award is also being instituted. This award, to be given simultaneously with the Making Our Mark Award, recognizes a person other than a Nepali who has been deeply involved with the welfare, development, and growth of Nepal and Nepalis and whose work and dedication has helped to make a significant difference for Nepal and Nepalis.
Criterion:
1. Significant, outstanding and recognized contribution to the welfare and well being of Nepal and Nepalis.
The Selection Committee
The Association of Nepalis in the Americas, in conjunction with the DC 2002 ANA Convention Committee, has formed an independent selection committee consisting of individuals of high standing in the community who will receive and evaluate all the “Making Our Mark” nominations. The selection committee will make its final recommendation to the ANA after the close of the deadline for nominations. To insure impartiality and anonymity in the selection process, the selection committee membership will not be disclosed until the day of the Awards Ceremony.
The “Awards”
The individuals selected by the committee will be invited to attend the 20th ANA Convention where they will be formally introduced and recognized at a special opening day forum titled, “Making Our Mark.” The award will not carry any monetary value. There will however be an official ANA recognition and Award ceremony. These individuals will also be highlighted for the whole year on the official ANA web page and in subsequent ANA newsletters. There will also be a variety of write-ups in North American and Nepali media regarding the “Making Our Mark” awards at the 20th ANA Convention. The ANA may call them upon on occasions for consultation, assistance and guidance on specific issues.
MOM document is available for download at the ANA website under subheading "Convention Theme".
|
