COF Nominations - Final Preparations

All nominations must be uploaded to the online submission system by the February 2 deadline.  You can create an account in the system while you are still working on the nomination. The system has a task list for completion that will help you organize for the final submission.

Check out the website for information on:

• Categories of nomination
• Category-specific nomination templates
• Sample nominations 
• A recorded webinar on nomination preparation

In preparation for final submission: 

All nominations should be sent to chapter presidents for review and signature prior to February 2 deadline in preparation for final submission.

An account should be created in the online submission system by the chapter or by the nominee.  

• Creating the account will require contact information for both the nominee and the chapter president (a chapter may create one account with one president and multiple nominees). The contact information is used to contact the nominee after the jury’s decision so please include the best email or phone number for this. 
• Do not use general email or voicemail boxes.

The last step to complete the online submission is an electronic approval by the chapter president.  

• The chapter president will receive an email message from the system requiring approval before the submission can be completed. 
• Because of the restraints of the online system, the chapter president needs to approve before they can view the nomination. This is why it is important for the chapter president to be aware of and see the nominations before you get to this final submission and approval step.  
• Once the chapter president has approved, someone needs to hit the submit button once again to complete final submission. 

Frequently asked formatting questions: 

1.    The Executive Summary at the beginning does not need a box around it but should have a heading. A few paragraphs are plenty for the Executive Summary.  

2.    Be sure to use the category specific templates and headings found on the website. 

3.    Avoid shading side boxes and testimonial boxes.  Shading can be difficult to read for jurors.  Use black-lined borders only.

4.    Nomination statements should be signed by chapter president only.  The last paragraph of the five-page statement should be a summary by the chapter president and does not need to take up the full page.

5.    The nominations may be no more than five pages in length, portrait orientation, and must be in an easily readable typeface, such as Times Roman, Garamond, or Arial, no smaller than 10-point size, for all text.

6.    Nominations may include four testimonials only.  Each testimonial may include only 75-words plus writer’s name and title.  We will return the submission for revision if too many testimonials or too many words.  No reference letters will be accepted. Testimonials should be part of the five-page statement, not in addition to it. 

7.    Upload all text and image documents as PDFs.  They are much easier for the jurors to access in the system.

8.    If submitting in the Works category, the presentation may include 20 images only.  Any page with multiple images will count toward that limit.  Please upload PowerPoint as a PDF document.  

9.    If submitting in the Knowledge, Leadership/Management, or Service category, the candidate should submit a presentation of 10 images only.  Any page with multiple images will count toward that limit.  Please upload PowerPoint as a PDF document.  

 Please visit the Council of Fellows website or contact Curt Millay ([email protected]) with any questions you may have.