Nominations still open for Distinguished Service Awards Derived from the Ten Outstanding Young Americans program, and the long history of Brainerd Community Action’s Citizen of the year, “The DSA” typically honors 10 individuals annually. The Brainerd Jaycees and Brainerd Community Action have partnered once again this year, along with a variety of other non-profit organizations, to identify the honorees. We are accepting nominations for the following Distinguished Service Awards:

• Outstanding Citizen of the Year – Selected by Brainerd Community Action
• Outstanding Nonprofit of the Year – Selected by Brainerd Community Action
• Outstanding Youth Volunteer of the Year – Selected by Brainerd Community Action
• Outstanding Agribusiness Person of the Year – Selected by Brainerd FFA Alumni
• Outstanding Child Care Provider of the Year – Selected by Crow Wing County
• Outstanding Educator of the Year – Selected by Education Minnesota – Brainerd
• Outstanding Senior Volunteers of the Year – Selected by The Center
• Outstanding Community Service Provider of the Year – includes Police, Fire, EMTs etc. – Selected by the Brainerd Jaycees
• Outstanding Young Citizen of the Year – Selected by the Brainerd Jaycees

Outstanding Nonprofit of the Year criteria are as follows:
• Demonstration of a positive impact on the region/improve overall quality of life for the community
• Demonstration of Community/Nonprofit Partnership
• Active involvement by director, staff, board members, volunteers, constituents, and other stakeholders in delivering excellent service/product
• Effective fundraising and resource development
• Solid Financial management
• Unique use of financial resources to strengthen organization
• Effective use of Social Media and IT for communication of product/services Typical characteristics of a successful non-profit include a pro-active Board of Directors, dedicated staff, and unwavering support from community partners.

In order to recognize a stand out nonprofit with these characteristics, this impressive award is presented to an organization that displays amazing leadership, integrity, and management skills required for success.

Outstanding Youth Volunteer of the Year criteria are as follows:
• The award is to be given to a living person
• Candidates should be 18 years or younger.
• The nominee will have volunteered services that are above and beyond normal youth pursuits
• The services performed have contributed to the welfare of the community
• The services were performed for an extended period of time

Recognizing the youth of the community typically ages 13-18 who make a difference in the community through volunteerism and service work. Open to anyone in the Brainerd Lakes Area (BLA) who exemplify the ideal of service to humanity.

Outstanding Citizen of the Year criteria are as follows:
• The award is to be given to a living person
• The nominee will have volunteered services that are above and beyond normal employment or business pursuits
• The services performed have contributed to the welfare of the community
• The services were performed for an extended period of time

Outstanding Young Citizen of the Year criteria are as follows:
• The award is to be given to a living person, who is between the age of 18-40 years old.
• The nominee will have volunteered services that are above and beyond normal employment or business pursuits
• The services performed have contributed to the welfare of the community
• The services were performed for an extended period of time

Recognizing youth who make a difference in the community through volunteerism and service work. Open to anyone in the Brainerd Lakes Area (BLA) who exemplify the ideal of service to humanity.

Outstanding Agribusiness Person of the Year criteria as follows:
• The award is to be given to a living person who works closely with, or in, the farming community in the BLA.
• The nominee will have volunteered services that are above and beyond normal employment or business pursuits
• The services performed have contributed to the welfare of the community
• The services were performed for an extended period of time

Outstanding Community Service Provider of the Year criteria as follows:
• The award is to be given to a living person, who could include Police, Fire, EMTs etc.
• The nominee will have volunteered services that are above and beyond normal employment or business pursuits
• The services performed have contributed to the welfare of the community
• The services were performed for an extended period of time

Letters of nomination should include:
• The nominees occupation
• Details of volunteer work and length of service
• Office held in organization(s)
• Impact of the nominees contributions to the lakes area
• Letters of support from organizations that have benefited from their services.
• Letters should be no longer that 4 pages.

Letters of nomination should be SUBMITTED preferably through e-mail to The Brainerd Jaycees at jaycees.dsa@gmail.com by September 8th, 2020. If you’d like, please send a hard copy to: Brainerd Jaycees c/o Distinguished Service Awards (DSA) PO Box 384 Brainerd, MN 56401

For more information Contact:
Dave Badeaux Brainerd Community Action
Phone 218-829-5278
info@BrainerdCommunityAction.org