2011 AWARD NOMINATIONS DEADLINE: Friday, September 16, 2011
Each year GMEN recognizes those in the industry that serve as role models:
See the history of GMEN’s Annual Awardees >
Founders’ Award
This award recognizes an individual that has made an outstanding contribution to the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network. Award recipient cannot be currently on the Board of Directors.
One award recipient is selected annually by a committee composed of at least two Georgia Micro Enterprise Network founders or representatives of at least two founding organizations of the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network. Founders have a strong desire for the organization to thrive, and respect others who contribute to the network’s growth. This award was initiated in 2002.
The Georgia Micro Enterprise Network Board of Directors makes nominations for the award to the Founders committee.
Download the Founders’ Award nomination form here >
Builder Award
This award recognizes organizations that have contributed significantly to increasing the capacity of the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network. This award was initiated in 2002.
Award recipients are nominated annually by the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network Board of Directors and are selected by the Executive Committee of the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network.
Program Innovation Award – Technology
Program Innovation Award – New Program Design
This award(s) acknowledges, highlights and shares the most unique and creative innovations in technology and/or program design taking place in the microenterprise development field among GMEN members. This award was initiated in 2005.
Award recipients are selected annually by a committee of the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network Board of Directors or the Founders committee from nominations made by GMEN member organizations. The award recipient must be a GMEN member program.
Download the Program Innovation Award nomination form here >
Celebrating Rural Microenterprise Development
This award recognizes a rural microenterprise development program that has made significant progress in one or more of the following areas:
- Increase in number of participants graduating from business development training
- Increase in number of microenterprise loans made
- Improvement in lending performance
- Increase in number of microenterprises started (making sales)
- Initiated new access to markets services
Rural microenterprise development programs are programs that serve areas with populations of 50,000 or less.
This award is not intended for urban programs that also serve rural areas. This award was initiated in 2004.
Nominations are considered and an award recipient selected annually by a committee of the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network Board of Directors or the Founders committee. The award recipient must be a GMEN member program.
Download the Rural Microenterprise Development Award nomination form here >
Microentrepreneur of the Year Award
This award recognizes a successful entrepreneur who is a graduate of a Georgia Micro Enterprise Network member program. Each GMEN member program is allowed to nominate THREE entrepreneurs. This award was initiated in 2003.
Nominations are considered and an award recipient selected annually by a committee of the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network Board of Directors or the Founders committee.
Download the Microentrepreneur of the Year Award nomination form here >
Excellence in Sustainability Award (Going Green)
These awards focus on encouraging micro businesses to reduce operational costs and increase market presence by “going green.”
There are three award levels:
- Increased Awareness – Recognizes a business that has increased its awareness about going green by participating in Keep America Beautiful programs, sponsoring sustainability events, and/or using the Georgia “Sustainable Office Tool Kit” to evaluate their business operations.
- Business Commitment – Recognizes a business that has increased its business commitment to going green by becoming certified as a green business.
- Sustainability Innovation – Recognizes a business that has increased its innovation in sustainability operations through a supply chain management, facilities operation, energy efficiency, water conservation, product innovation, production, carbon reduction, or communications.
Nominations are considered and an award recipient selected annually by a committee of the Georgia Micro Enterprise Network Board of Directors or the Founders committee.
Download the Excellence in Sustainability Award nomination form here >
