Nominees must be living persons who have been members of NMPW and NFPW for at least two years. A previous COA winner can be renominated as long as she/he has not been honored as NFPW’s COA winner.

Information about how to apply is on the NFPW website. The application packet should be emailed to NMPW COA Chair Adam Biederwolf with “COA Nomination” in the subject line by February 3, 2024. The packet for the New Mexico winner will be forwarded to NFPW for the national contest.

Here are the judges’ criteria:

1. Professional achievement: 50 percent. A nominee should have high professional qualifications and achievements in her/his area of communications.
2. Community service: 20 percent. A nominee should have made some impact on the world beyond her/his profession, some contribution to humanity. That impact of contribution may be through the profession or beyond it.
3. NFPW service: 15 percent. The nominee should have been active in the national organization as well. This could include attendance at previous NFPW conferences, volunteering or giving presentations at NFPW conferences, or other activities deemed by the judges to have been of service to NFPW.
4. NMPW service: 15 percent. The nominee should have made a definite and important contribution to NMPW.

The nomination package must contain several items. See the NFPW website for full information.