Hi Board, With Leanne's assistance, I made some changes to the language for our two awards to make it a little clearer what they are about. Below is the current language. Please let me know if you have any thoughts. I hope to have this info sent out within the next week. Thanks, Roberta The David & Joann Search Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated a lifetime dedication to serving persons who are blind and visually impaired in Michigan. Nomination forms must be complete. In the letter of support section the nominator should describe, in detail, the significant contributions made by the nominee in his or her work with or on behalf of persons who are blind or visually impaired. Preference will be given to those nominees who demonstrate activity and achievement, either past or current, in any of the following: 1) overall professional experiences 2) innovative practices 3) unique or extraordinary contributions to the field 4) professional presentations and/or publications 5) research 6) AER involvement at the chapter and/or international level. The Awards Committee will give preference to nominees who are or have been members of MAER. The MAER Recognition Award is to commemorate individuals or organizations working with people who are blind or low vision at the time of an event or activity to be recognized such as an anniversary, special project, etc. It is based more on an individual event rather than a long record of involvement or activities. Nomination forms must be complete. In the letter of support section, the nominator should describe, in detail, the event or activity to be recognized and the reason for recognizing it. The Awards Committee will give preference to nominees who are or have been members of MAER. Please submit your completed materials to Roberta McCall, Awards Committee Chair