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The Social Development Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to present the Don Sykes Legacy Award. This award is annually given to an individual who the Board of Directors feels best reflects the Social Development Foundation’s mission and the life and legacy of the late Don Sykes. The mission of the Social Development Foundation is to generate awareness, identify resources, and secure support to advance the efforts of the Social Development Commission.
Don Sykes is remembered as one of Milwaukee’s most prominent antipoverty activists. As part of President Bill Jefferson Clinton’s administration, Sykes served as director of the Health and Human Services Office of Community Relations. In Milwaukee, Sykes was executive director of the Social Development Commission for two decades (1968–1988). He is celebrated for a career of service and his fight to empower people experiencing poverty. He was truly a legend in our community. Don Sykes passed away in 2017, but his work continues to inspire advocates working on behalf of people experiencing poverty every day. Therefore, it is fitting that the Social Development Foundation, dedicated to the elimination of poverty, annually select a member of the community, who, like Don Sykes, works tirelessly to move people beyond poverty.
Selection Criteria:
The recipient of this award will be selected according to the procedures and criteria contained herein. Each nominee will be evaluated on the following:
- Community leadership
- Community impact
- Alignment to Social Development Foundation’s mission
- Personal attributes
- Efforts to eliminate poverty in our community
Guidelines and Deadline
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 Don Sykes Legacy Award. The deadline for nominations will be 5 p.m., Friday, February 7, 2020. Self-nominations or nominations from family members are not accepted. Current Officers of the Social Development Foundation Board of Directors shall be ineligible for consideration or receipt of the award during their respective terms.
Nomination requirements include:
- Completion of the nomination application
- Letter of nomination / recommendation (including examples of nominee’s demonstration of excellence in prescribed areas)
- A one-page biographical sketch or resume of the nominee
- Current headshot of the nominee
Please return the completed application by 5 p.m., Friday, February 7, 2020 to LaToya Jones; Don Sykes Legacy Award Nomination; 1730 W. North Avenue; Milwaukee, WI 53205 or ljones@sd-foundation.org.
NOMINEE’S INFORMATION
Name: _____________________________________ Age: _________
Address: _________________________________________City: ____________________ State: ___ Zip:________
Telephone: ______________________ Email:_________________________
Employer or School if applicable: ______________________________________
NOMINATOR’S INFORMATION
Name: ____________________________________________________________
Address: __________________________City: ____________ State: ___ Zip:________
Telephone: ______________________ Email: ____________________________
Please use a separate sheet of paper for the following information.
Share with us why you are submitting this nomination and why your nominee should receive the Don Sykes Legacy Award. Describe how your nominee has demonstrated excellence in areas of community leadership, community impact, alignment to Social Development Foundation’s mission, personal attributes and efforts to eliminate poverty in our community.
How has the nominee impacted the local, state, or national community? How has the nominee engaged with the community and demonstrated a strong sense of purpose? Please share specific details and provide evidence to the nominee’s community accomplishments and impact.
The Don Sykes Legacy Award is an honor we confer upon an individual who has created lasting change resulting in a measurable difference in our community. Please share details and provide evidence on why you believe your nominee fits these criteria. Please list nominee’s other awards, distinctions, and recognitions.
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