Staff Outstanding Achievement Recognition (SOAR)  

[How to Submit Nomination Form] | [Download Nomination Form (PDF)] May 2004

Purpose

Staff Outstanding Achievement Recognition (SOAR) is an International and Area Studies program designed to encourage members of the IAS community to recognize the hard work of coworkers who have provided outstanding service or actions that enhance or enrich our work environment. SOAR provides individual recognition for service and actions for more casual day-to-day performance.

Any IAS staff member may be nominated for a SOAR award by anyone working within International and Area Studies. Recognition should serve as a means of expressing appreciation for outstanding service or actions that benefit the workplace. Each employee can use their own discretion in determining "appropriate reasons" for recognizing a coworker, but should take into consideration such things as:

• improving the quality of working conditions and campus life;
• eliminating inefficiencies, waste or duplication;
• saving money, resources or time;
• streamlining administrative procedures and operating methods;
• increasing safety, promoting health, or improving morale,
• excellent customer service;
• going beyond the call of duty;
• creativity;
• and the like.

Specific information must be submitted on the SOAR nomination form. Cite a specific accomplishment or action and include a brief description (250 words or less) of what this person did to prompt you to recognize him/her.

The SOAR nominees will be recognized in a quarterly "Staff Recognition Bulletin." In addition, the names of those nominated each quarter will be placed in a box, and three names will be drawn at random to win a $75 gift certificate. Drawings will take place quarterly, on the first working day of January, April, July and October. Certificates will be issued for merchants such as Amazon.com, Women's Faculty Club, Movie Tickets, etc. (Faculty and students are not eligible for nomination, but may nominate a staff member.)

How Do I Submit My Nomination?

Any IAS faculty or staff member may submit a nomination at any time. Currently forms may be submitted to the SOAR coordinator via campus mail, fax or e-mail by using the attached nomination form, facsimile, or download the form online (pdf), and including all pertinent information outlined below. You may submit as many nominations as you see appropriate. Nominations should include a description of the actions or service that enhanced the work place and how the work benefited the unit or improved the working place environment.

The SOAR coordinator will immediately acknowledge, in writing, the receipt of each nomination and place the name in the box for the quarterly random drawing.

The SOAR Team

The following individuals are the current team members, but members will rotate among the IAS community. If you are interested in serving on this committee in the future, please let one of us know.