PIQUA — The Edison State Community College Center for Leadership Development announced the first annual A–Z Nonprofit Board Award recipients at The Mosaic of Community Leadership Conference, held at Edison State.

The award recognizes recipients for their exceptional work in the region and commitment to service and stewardship.

In addition to this recognition, the award provides nonprofit boards with a tool for self-evaluation and planning, as well as checks and balances that can be used at their organizations throughout the year. This is achieved by providing specific steps and actions that will help boards meet their organizational goals.

The A–Z Nonprofit Board Checklist consists of 26 criteria, which fall under six areas: governance and leadership, human resources, financial management, friendraising and fundraising, communication, and partnerships. The award offers gold-, silver-, and bronze-level recognition. To be awarded at the gold level, boards must meet at least 23 of the 26 criteria; to be awarded silver, at least 19 of the criteria must be met; and to be awarded bronze, at least 17 of the criteria must be met.

The following recipients were recognized this year.

Gold:

• Agape Distribution, John Geissler, CEO

• Downtown Tipp City, Kim Bulgin, executive director

• Mainstreet Piqua Inc., Lorna Swisher, executive director

• Shelby County Big Brothers Big Sisters, Jennifer Bruns, executive director

• The Edison Foundation, Dr. Rick Hanes, executive director

• The Future Begins Today, Katie Clevenger, executive director

Silver:

• Piqua Compassion Network, Rebecca Sousek

• The New Path Inc., William Lutz, executive director

Bronze:

• Partners in Hope, Carol Jackson, executive director.

To be considered for the award, nonprofit boards need to submit the A–Z Nonprofit Board Checklist to the Edison State Center for Leadership Development by April 30. Nonprofit boards can apply for the award each year. Recipients are encouraged to seek additional recognition at the state and national levels.