State Chamber of the Year: Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly should applicants submit?

By the application deadline, state chambers should complete the application form. This year everything is contained in one form. You should submit an 800 word summary and any collateral material you feel supports your application. (e.g., if you highlight a media campaign in your description, you may include a link to a video or a dedicated website used during that campaign within your additional supporting material). There is no limit on the amount of supporting material you may submit, but such supporting material should be examples of the highlighted achievements, not additional narrative descriptions of those achievements.

When should the achievements submitted for consideration have occurred?

The achievements submitted for consideration should have occurred recently—during the prior year or this year. So, 2023 until April of 2024. We recognize that not every state legislature meets annually or has significant elections annually. For the public policy and political engagement categories, you may look back to the last legislative session or significant election cycle with regard to these areas of achievement.

Should we submit achievements for each of the six achievement categories or only one?

The State Chamber of the Year award winner will likely have made significant achievements in more than one category. Entrants should carefully consider all categories and submit information for all categories in which the state chamber has a significant achievement. In addition to one State Chamber of the Year winner, NASC may decide to recognize state chambers with outstanding achievements in any of the six categories. This decision to recognize other Chambers will be up to the judges.

Are we allowed to provide supplemental information for the essays? Such as images, videos, advocacy collateral, etc? If so, what is the best way to do this?

Yes, in addition to your brief 800-word recitation of significant achievements included with the online application, the application includes a place for you to include links to videos and any additional information via hyperlinks you'd like the judges to see and review. Information submitted outside of the application form will not be considered. If you have issues submitting your collateral material, please contact Maura Donley. Her email address is at the top of the application form.

Is there a specific criteria system the judges will use to determine a winner? Will the size of state chamber organizations be taken into account?

Judges will take into account all aspects of the state chamber's submission including the size of a chamber, its resources, and the challenges each individual chamber faces politically and the degree to which the state is business friendly. There are no set systematic criteria for the judges to use, but instead, judges will rely on their extensive experience within the state chamber community to distinguish the State Chamber of the Year. Please note that government grants are not income and all revenue results must be on an accrual basis. 

Who are the judges?
There will be a panel of 3-5 judges for the State Chamber of the Year. The judges will be experienced state chamber professionals with no current direct ties to any of the entries.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: June 21, 2024

State Chamber of the Year Application
To apply please fill out the form below

https://form.jotform.com/statechambers/nasc-2024-scoty-application