UHA Seeks Nominations for Award of Merit Postmark Deadline: December 2, 2006 More Info: www.upstatehistory.org Have you seen an exceptional exhibit at an upstate New York institution this past year? Has your organization created an innovative educational program or publication? Would you like to recognize a volunteer or employee who have done exceptional work? If so, we encourage you to submit a nomination for our Awards of Merit. Each year the Upstate History Alliance gives annual Awards of Merit to recognize outstanding work in the regional history and museum community, reward staff and volunteers, and provide encouragement for development of new and innovative projects. This year, the Upstate History Alliance Award of Merit program has been reorganized into four categories for nominations. These categories are: Preserving Our Past: Museums and Historical Societies throughout New York are often the caretakers and preservers of our history as they care for museum collections and historic sites. Nominations for this category should be for exemplary projects that concern preservation, cataloging or care of collections. Examples might include excellence in collections management and the recognition or preservation of a historic site for future generations. Interpreting Our Past: The work of museums and historical organizations is not solely collecting and preserving. This category recognizes the importance of interpreting our past through thoughtful, thematic, and well-researched exhibition, tours or publications. The Public Dimension: A critical element of any museum or historical society is the way that it interacts with its community. Nominations for this category should highlight projects that engage your community or create new audiences for your organization.. These projects could include an interpretative exhibition, lecture series, educational program or other community engagement effort. Individual Achievement: Any successful organization has the support of a devoted team of staff and volunteers. Nominations in this category should be for those people who have played pertinent roles in moving their organizations forward over a sustained period. Nominations can by for an individual or a team of museum staff and/or volunteers. Any organization or individual is invited to nominate an organization, person(s) or project that was completed in 2006 in upstate New York for an Award of Merit. Nomination of oneself or one's organization is permissible and encouraged. Award winners will be recognized at the Opening Reception of the Upstate History Alliance/Museum Association of New York Annual Conference on Sunday April 15, 2007. More details and a nomination form are available on the UHA website at www.upstatehistory.org. The postmark deadline for nominations is December 2, 2006. If you have any questions, please contact the Upstate History Alliance at 800.895.1648. We are looking forward to learning about the efforts being made in the museum field at upstate New York organizations.