Helen Putnam Award
2013 CALL FOR ENTRIES
Enter Your City's Innovative Program Today and Compete for Statewide Recognition -
DEADLINE THURSDAY, April 11, 2013
Each year the League of California Cities honors outstanding work in member cities across the state through the League Partner-sponsored Helen Putnam Awards for Excellence. If your city has done remarkable, innovative work in any of the 12 categories listed below now is the time to get your deserved recognition. It is an opportunity to thank your employees and collaborators, gain the appreciation of your residents and feel proud of outstanding contributions made to better your city.
The award recognizes the successes of California cities as demonstrated by beneficial innovations, resourceful efficiencies, improved public service, and overall enhanced public trust and support. The award also provides a great opportunity to have a community celebration of the good work you are doing.
Does your city have an outstanding program that delivers efficiency, quality service and innovation? Enter your program at www.helenputnam.org to compete for the recognition it deserves.
Award categories include:
CCS Partnership Intergovernmental Collaboration Award
Community Services and Economic Development
Economic Development through the Arts-NEW Category
Enhancing Public Trust, Ethics, and Community Involvement
Health and Wellness Programs
Housing Programs and Innovations
Internal Administration
League Partners Award for Excellence in City-Business Relations
Planning and Environmental Quality
Public Safety
Public Works, Infrastructure, Transportation
Ruth Vreeland Award for Engaging Youth in City Government
Additionally, your city can receive the President's Advocacy Award. This prestigious award honors a distinguished program or individual that best advocates for the League's annual strategic priorities. One outstanding winner may be chosen from the 12 categories.
Your city must be a member of the League of California Cities to apply. To qualify, simply demonstrate that your city offered a program or service that has proven measurable and successful within a minimum of one year of actual implementation. Particular attention and credit is given to applications specifically advancing the League's strategic priorities at www.cacities.org/priorities, which are determined each year by the Board of Directors.
Online entry deadline is April 11, 2013. Submit your application online at www.helenputnam.org.
What is the Helen Putnam Award?
Established in 1982 by the League of California Cities, the California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program recognizes outstanding achievements by California's 482 cities. These winning cities have made unique contributions to community residents and businesses, contributions which have resulted in lower costs or more effective delivery of services. The purpose of the California Cities Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program is to recognize and promote the outstanding efforts and innovative solutions by city governments to:
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Improve the quality of life in local communities.
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Implement efficiencies in service delivery and operations.
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Provide services responsive to the local community.
Sponsored by the League Partners, the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence program was designed to recognize and promote the outstanding efforts and innovative solutions made by city governments each year. For a complete list of this year's categories, please view this year's program brochure.
Award winners are recognized at the League's Annual Conference, in Western City magazine and press release notifications, on the League's website, and in presentations made to city council meetings.
Congratulations to the 2012 Helen Putnam Winners!
View a list of all the cities who won the Helen Putnam Award for Excellence.
Current 2011 Award Winners
Congratulations to our 2011 winners!
Archive of Winners
Who was Helen Putnam?
Helen Putnam was a mother, school teacher, principal, mayor, and county supervisor. But most of all, Helen Putnam was a person who viewed meeting one's potential as the measure of success. Excellence, to Helen Putnam, was shown by someone who did his or her very best. She was as supportive and loving of people who did their best as she was of people who did the best. To the League and to California cities, Helen Putnam defined excellence. The Award for Excellence is given in her memory.