The Bob Wootton Political Achievement Award

The Wootton Political Achievement Award is given to a KNEA member, UniServ District, local association, or political action committee whose activities further the educational opportunities for KNEA members and the students of Kansas, and has significant impact on the education community.  This award recognizes outstanding service in the field of political action.

PURPOSE:
This award shall be given in recognition of outstanding service in the field of political action.  This award may be given to any KNEA member, UniServ District, Local Association, or Political Action Committee whose activities further the educational opportunities for KNEA members and the children of Kansas.  This award will be given to those people who best personify the spirit of Bob Wootton and whose work will have significant impact on the education community.

NOMINATION PROCESS:

  1. Nominations may come from individual KNEA members, KNEA staff, UniServ Districts, or Local Associations.
  2. Nomination forms may be obtained from any KNEA office, will be printed in an every-member KNEA publication, and will be sent to all Local and UniServ Presidents.
  3. Nominations will be submitted to the President of KNEA by February 1, and the President will choose and convene a selection committee which shall consist of no less than nine (9) members:  the KNEA President, KNEA Vice President, three (3) members of KPAC, two (2) KNEA Board members, and two (2) UniServ Presidents.
  4. The Selection Committee shall have the discretion to award or not to award on a yearly basis.
  5. Committee expenses shall be the responsibility of KNEA/KPAC.
  6. The award, if given, will be presented at the annual State Representative Assembly.

CRITERIA
The award will be presented to the person(s) primarily responsible for furthering the mission and/or objectives of KNEA in one or more of the following:

  1. Electing a statewide candidate
  2. Electing a legislative candidate
  3. Electing a state board of education candidate
  4. Electing members to a local board of education
  5. Passage of legislation beneficial to the professional advancement of Kansas teachers
  6. Passage of legislation beneficial to the children of Kansas
  7. Lobbying activities beneficial to the mission and objectives of KNEA
  8. Organizing and implementing local, UniServ, or state political activities
  9. Tenacity in the face of adversity
  10. Activities beneficial to the mission and objectives of KNEA.
  11. Involvement in training, guiding, and nurturing those who become involved in the political process

The award shall be a plaque recognizing the significant achievement made by the person or group in the area of political action.

PLEASE NOTE: The deadline for submitting a nomination form is 5 p.m. on Feb. 1 of each year or the next business day if Feb. 1 falls on a Saturday or Sunday.

CLICK HERE to download the nomination form.