Whether you ate tofu or turkey, spent the holiday with friends or family, Thanksgiving begs a simple and significant question: What are you grateful for this holiday season?
As 2010 draws to a close, many of us in the bicycle and pedestrian movement are reflecting on the progress we’ve made this year. That progress is driven by individual leaders, advocacy organizations and business supporters working to transform their communities into better places to bike and walk. Now is the time to show your thanks for those who work tirelessly to make our streets safer and more accessible for all.
The Alliance for Biking & Walking is now accepting nominations for its annual, national Advocacy Awards. Established in 2009, the program honors those who show exceptional leadership in advancing the bicycle and pedestrian movement, including an Advocate of the Year, Winning Campaign of the Year and Innovation Award. Anyone can make a nomination — you don’t have to be part of an Alliance member organization — and the online submission form makes it quick and easy.
Do you know someone who deserves national recognition for his or her efforts? Did your local advocacy organization start or win an innovative or high-impact campaign this year? What corporate or business champions have invested in better biking and walking in your community? If you’re like me, a dozen people and a handful of groups just popped into your head. Show your appreciation by taking just a few moments to nominate them for an Advocacy Award.
Nominations are evaluated by Alliance staff, board and advocacy organization representatives, and the winners get some high-profile recognition. Each year, we host our Advocacy Awards reception on the first night of the National Bike Summit — and a couple hundred advocacy and industry leaders turn out for the big announcement.
Kate McCarthy, the recipient of an advocacy award in 2010, said: “Being honored with the Susie Stephens Joyful Enthusiasm award was a truly proud moment for me, like winning an Oscar for bicycle and pedestrian advocacy! It’s particularly special to me to be recognized for my work on membership at the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition, because I am not a typical policy advocate, and yet membership programs provide us the resources we need as advocates to propel our cause — ambassadors, volunteers, and revenue. It was a true privilege to receive this acknowledgment from the bicycle and pedestrian advocacy community.”
Nominations close on December 17. To submit your nomination, click here.