GOVERNOR'S HOME TOWN AWARDS PROGRAM By STEVE McCLURE, Director Department of Commerce & Community Affairs

Volunteerism today has become a very important part of the life of almost every community in the nation. In this day of tax unrest, if projects are not completed by volunteers, they very well may never be accomplished.

Volunteers from every facet and walk of life are today cooperating to improve the quality of life in their home towns. Youth groups, church groups, civic clubs, economic development groups and interested senior citizens are conducting community projects on a daily basis.

While there is a great feeling of personal satisfaction in participating in a project and seeing it bloom and grow to fruition, the volunteer deserves a pat on the back and a hearty "thank you" from his fellow citizens. Giving recognition of volunteer efforts and commitment can help motivate volunteers and assist in recruiting additional volunteers.

The Governor's Home Town Awards Program helps to do just that by recognizing the time and efforts volunteers have put into a project to benefit their community. These projects can be anything from a group of volunteer citizens building a community building, securing a doctor or dentist to serve its citizenry, providing ambulance service, meals on wheels programs, building a community swimming pool, assisting a new or existing business to relocate/expand, and to create or retain jobs, plus a myriad of others limited only by the imagination.

The Governor's Home Town Awards Program recognizes these volunteer efforts by publicizing the volunteers' work and awarding plaques and road signs to winning communities. Entries are placed into population categories and they may compete in any one of four program categories: General category and three special categories of Economic Development, Youth Involvement or Senior Citizen Involvement.

Recognition is given to first, second, and third place winners with honorable mentions in the general category while first place and honorable mention is awarded in the special categories, in each of the population categories.

All entries are evaluated on four criteria: community need, volunteer resources, tangible results and community support. Entries will be judged on the accomplishments made during the calendar year of January 1 — December 31, 1990. Volunteer judges select the winners.

The grand prize winner, selected from the various first place winners, will receive the silver Governor's Cup, a traveling trophy.

Any community group, organization, or local government may enter a project.

Application/guidebooks are available by contacting the Office of Local Government Management Services on their toll free number 1-800-562-4688, or they may be ordered by mail by addressing:

Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs
Office of Local Government
Management Services
620 East Adams Street, 5th Floor
Springfield, Illinois 62701 •

Page 6 / Illinois Municipal Review / February 1991