Senior of the Year

Helping to celebrate the contributions of area seniors to the fabric of our community.

In 2020, because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Senor of the Year Awards program will be conducted VIRTUALLY! We will create and launch a special Senior of the Year on-line event to celebrate the impact and contributions our nominees have made on our community. It’s going to be fantastic!

Watch this website and social media for details.

PURPOSE

The Senior of the Year Award program celebrates the contributions that seniors have made – and continue to make – to the fabric of our community.

BETHANY RETIREMENT LIVING MISSION

…to provide living opportunities in a senior community shaped by Christian values.

EVENT

September 24, 2020
6:00 pm Virtual Events
Link to Come

NOMINEES

Gloria Adelman
Debra Ball-Kilbourne
Donald Birmingham
Lowell Bolger
Donna Chalimonczyk
Gary Clark
Yvonne Condel
Paul “Otto” Ferrie

Charlotte Grant
Susan Johnson
Geraldine Juran
Thomas Kirchoffner
Frank Lenzmeier
Rod McLarnan
Marvin Nicklay
Mary Sinner
Evert Van Engelenhoven

CRITERIA

A) The nominee will be aged 65 or older.

B) The nominee will be a resident of, or made an impact in Cass or Richland Counties in North Dakota or Clay County in Minnesota.

In judging nominations, the nominee’s contribution to the area encompassed by the category in which s/he is nominated and his or her overall contribution to the larger community will be considered.

Business Person

This senior may have a background at any level of business. He or she may be a current or retired owner, manager or employee of a profit or non-profit business. The nominee will have made a unique contribution to the local business community and/or economic environment. He or she will have been a role model to others in business.

Community Involvement

This senior will have demonstrated a commitment to improving the community through thoughtful advocacy, volunteerism, philanthropy, military service, involvement or other selfless effort.

Education/Arts

This senior may have a background at any level of education or in any of the visual or performing arts. Through his or her work, the nominee will have inspired others to lifelong learning or impacted others through their creativity.

Faith

This senior will have, through their church community or individual ministry, inspired others to grow in their own faith and personal values.

Healthcare/Wellness

This senior may have a background in any healthcare discipline. The nominee will have demonstrated a commitment to helping improve the health and well-being of others in their community.

PROCEDURES

Using the SOTY Nomination form, explain why you are nominating this person for the Senior of the Year award. The more detailed and precise the information you provide for the judges, the better chance your nominee will emerge as a selection. It is helpful to give specific examples. Do not hesitate to interview the person you are nominating. It does not have to be a secret to be nominated. You can also speak to people at the organizations where the individual volunteers or works. Political and religious involvement will only be considered when they benefit the community.

Judges will look for:

• Diversity of accomplishments, how this person has touched the lives of other people in the community

• Total scope of activities, years of service, time commitment, variety of services performed, involvement in a variety of organizations

• Quantity of accomplishments, amount of service after age 65

• Quality of activities, especially innovative services

• Geographic area covered by their service. All information will be held in confidence by the judges. Only material submitted on the application form will be considered.

JUDGES

Senior of the Year Nominations are reviewed by a select panel of judges representing metropolitan government, the Chamber of Commerce, gerontology education, senior services, community promotion and other facets of the community. Nominations are blindly scored and results are compiled and recipients are revealed at the Annual Awards Banquet.