Nominations Requested for Tigard’s 2015 Shining Stars Community Awards

It’s that time of the year when Tigard celebrates its community by calling for Shining Stars nominees.  Think of it as Tigard’s Oscars!Title sponsored by regional bank, Washington Federal, the 41st annual Tigard Shining Stars Community Awards Celebration recognizes and honors Tigard citizens who demonstrate excellence and community leadership in volunteerism, educational achievement and business. The fun, casual dinner event and silent auction held at Embassy Suites Washington Square, celebrates our vibrant Tigard community and the individuals who make it so with awards, dinner and silent auction. 
Awards include Tigard’s First Citizen, a “From the Heart” Volunteerism Award (in honor of Jim Hartman), the Jim Nicoli Youth Volunteer Award, $3,000 in scholarships to deserving high school seniors and Chamber awards for Chamber Business of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Ambassador of the year.  For the last 3 years PGE has recognized the volunteer contributions of PGE employees within the Tigard community.
“This is the chance for Tigard residents to recognize, celebrate and say thank you to the people who work so hard all year long to enhance the community that we live and do business in and truly make Tigard “A Place to Call Home”, said Chamber CEO Debi Mollahan”. Nominations are requested from the community and chamber members for several categories: 
Tigard’s First Citizen – This award recognizes someone who has made in-depth, long-term volunteer contributions to the Tigard community over the years. The winner is active, involved, interested, and enthusiastic about making Tigard a nice place to live and work. This individual excels in any area of unpaid endeavor of education, social services, youth work, and community improvement of public services. This award is given in the spirit of all volunteers who remain unknown. The recipient joins the ranks of those previously honored in continually striving to improve the Tigard Area.  
From the Heart – This award honors a person who has dedicated their time and energy to a specific cause in the Tigard community.  Jim Hartman set the standard for this award by his example of giving from the heart to his community.  This person gives willingly, energetically and consistently.  This person might be well known or might be a “quiet” volunteer, unrecognized until now, but always gives “from the heart”!  This person may have worked on the same project for many years.
Tigard Youth Volunteer Award – This award is given in honor of former Mayor, Jim Nicoli, who passed away in 2000.  His dedication to the youth of our community was a fitting way to honor his name and award a youth in our community who volunteers to make a difference.  Many young people in Tigard are active in volunteer efforts and it is our pleasure to acknowledge their contributions of dedication, energy and community spirit.  They are the future!   
Tigard’s Chamber Business of the Year – This award recognizes a chamber business that has made in-depth contributions to the Tigard community through their business. The winner is active, involved, interested, and enthusiastic about continuing to make Tigard a destination of choice for local business. Nominee must be a chamber member in good standing.
Outstanding Chamber Volunteer – This award honors a Chamber member who has volunteered many hours of time, talent and energy to the success and growth of the Tigard Chamber.  Bert Tousey and his example of Chamber volunteerism is commitment at its best.  This person is an example of an active member who has sustained their efforts on behalf of the Chamber over a long period of time.  By their efforts, they have made this organization more effective in serving the Tigard community. 
Ambassador of the Year
Being an Ambassador for the Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce is no small task!  The Ambassador Team is a volunteer group of dynamic business professionals who support and assist the Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce, its staff and membership.  This team is the front line; providing information, creating atmosphere and providing staffing at all member involved chamber events.
The Ambassador of the Year Award should be presented to a volunteer who significantly affects a positive perception of the Chamber through active participation, an optimistic attitude and solid business practices.  The recipient is active, involved, interested, and enthusiastic about making the Tigard Chamber a great organization to be a part of! 
Only active chamber members may nominate in this category
Any individual or organization can make a nomination with the exception of Ambassador of the Year as noted.   All Nominations are due by March 13, 2015.   Nomination forms/surveys can be accessed at http://www.tigardchamber.org/shiningstarsnominations or by clicking the Shining Stars Nomination Form icon on the right top of the Tigard chamber home page at www.tigardchamber.org