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March 2012

ISA Insights

Society’s new awards program—continuing a long history of honoring excellence

By Robert E. Lindeman, 2012 ISA President

Businesses and organizations have long acknowledged the importance of peer recognition. There are even companies that specialize in developing peer recognition programs. These programs can help a company’s employees develop ways to express appreciation for their coworkers who make a difference in everyday work life. ISA has a long-standing program that bestows honors upon those who have made special contributions to the Society: the Honors and Awards Program. I personally feel one of the benefits of belonging to ISA is the opportunity to receive acknowledgement from peers for the contributions made over the span of a career.

New awards program

In case you haven’t heard, the Society has a new honors and awards program—“Celebrating Excellence.” Thanks to a special task force formed by the ISA Honors and Awards Committee and headed by Dr. Peggie Koon, this new program will re-invigorate ISA’s long standing practice of recognizing individuals and companies that have made significant technical contributions to the automation profession, as well as honor ISA members for their service to the Society.

Celebrating excellence

As a technical organization, acknowledgement of technical contributions is a key element of the Society’s awards program. Celebrating Excellence honors companies and individuals, members and non-members, for significant contributions in leadership, technical innovation, and contributions to education that have advanced the profession.

As a volunteer-driven organization, ISA depends on its members and leaders to advance the mission of the Society around the world. The new awards program honors technical accomplishment and service to the Society. A variety of awards among categories, including Education, Leadership, Member’s Choice, Society Service, and Technical Innovation, are offered this year. Here is a summary of the new awards and a brief description of each:

• Excellence in Leadership – Recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the industry or profession to advance automation.
• Excellence in [Corporate] Technical Innovation – Recognizes the company whose contributions and innovations have enhanced social value. The contribution or innovation provides a solution to a significant current social, economic, technical, and/or environmental challenge.  
• Excellence in [Individual] Technical Innovation – Recognizes an individual who has played a critical role in the conception, design, and/or implementation of an innovative product, process, or service.
• Excellence in Analytical Innovation – Recognizes an individual who has played a critical role in the conception, design, and/or implementation of an innovative product, process, and/or service in the analytical technology field.
• Excellence in Technical Presentation – Recognizes the most outstanding paper, article, presentation, or document published or presented on behalf of ISA that introduces a new technology or explains an existing automation process. 
• Excellence in Society Service – Recognizes an ISA member for distinguished and dedicated volunteer service to the Society. 
• Excellence in Enduring Service – Recognizes dedicated volunteer service to the Society at the grassroots level. 
• Section Excellence – Recognizes an ISA Section for development or execution of programs or services to advance the mission of the Society. 
• Division Excellence – Recognizes an ISA Division for development or execution of programs or services to advance the mission of the Society.
• Excellence in Education – Recognizes an individual who has developed or enhanced established educational programs to advance the automation profession in educational institutions. 
• Member’s Choice – Volunteer Leader of the Year – Recognizes ISA members who have provided a specific service to advance the mission of the Society. The member’s activities have demonstrated exceptional leadership of a Board, Committee, or Task Force at the Section, Division, District, Department, or Board level, resulting in a specific positive outcome.
• Member’s Choice – Section Leader of the Year – Recognizes a section leader who has demonstrated leadership or provided a specific service to advance the mission of the Society. 
• Member’s Choice – Division Leader of the Year – Recognizes a division leader who has demonstrated leadership and/or provided a specific service to advance the mission of the Society. 
• Member’s Choice – Student Mentor of the Year – Recognizes ISA members who have demonstrated leadership or provided a specific service to advance the mission of the Society. The member’s activities in the previous year have promoted and encouraged student involvement in automation programs.
• Member’s Choice – Standards Leader of the Year – Recognizes members who have demonstrated leadership and/or provided a specific service to advance the mission of the Society. Activities in the previous year have contributed to the development and advancement of industry standards. 

Who will you nominate?

We all know of deserving people we have worked with and admired during our careers who fit one or more of the award descriptions. I have nominated candidates in the past and assure you that it is rewarding to see your candidate selected.

I am excited about the new program––especially about the “Member’s Choice” category and the member voting provisions that allow all ISA members to participate in the selection process. Visit the website to learn more about each Celebrating Excellence award and how easy it is to submit your nomination. Nomination deadline is 15 April. Help make this the best recognition program of any technical society.

Robert E. Lindeman, CAP, PMP

2012 ISA President