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Award Nominations

Tips to Boost Your Nomination

Our esteemed panel of judges from UNE Life select the winners for the Student Awards Night, based on the strength of the nominations submitted. Since they may not be personally familiar with every club’s achievements, creating a strong nomination is key! Read on for tips on how to craft a compelling nomination.

You have to be in it to win it!

If you believe you or your club deserve recognition, you can nominate yourselves for the Student Awards! Self-nominations are encouraged, and a strong application showcasing your achievements can make a difference.

When writing your nomination, make sure to focus on the impact, not just the events. Go beyond “the event was good.” Use member nominations to highlight the positive impact your club has had and encourage members to share their genuine experiences in the nomination details.

Pro Tip: Leverage Surveys! To enhance your nomination, you could create a short survey for your members to gather specific examples of your club’s positive influence. Include the survey results in your nomination for even stronger evidence.

Tell A Story

When putting together your nomination, assume the judges know nothing about your club outside of what your nomination is telling them. Connect your club’s activities and achievements directly to the award criteria. Showcase specific examples of how your club has made a positive impact on campus life, student well-being, or the community, whatever relates most strongly to the criteria. But remember, whilst we want detail, the judges are also reading a lot of nominations, so make your nomination sharp and as relevant as possible.

 

The judges don’t know what you don’t tell them

The judging panel assesses a lot of nominations and some of them may not be familiar with each club or society. The nomination is your opportunity to tell your club’s story and make a strong impression on the judges. Don’t assume they know anything about you – provide them with all the information they need to understand your club’s value and impact. So let us know, give us details and back yourself up with as much information as possible. This could include images, statistics, videos – whatever it is that clearly showcases your achievements.

Quality not quantity

The judges aren’t counting votes – they’re looking for the most impactful nominations. Don’t worry about getting tons of people to nominate you. Focus on crafting a compelling, evidenced, narrative that highlights your club’s achievements.

Back up your accomplishments with concrete evidence. Did you organise a successful event? Include photos of the turnout or quotes from attendees. Did you run a successful community outreach program? Provide a letter of appreciation or testimonial.

Don’t underestimate the power of supporting documents. Include flyers, agendas, meeting minutes, or even a short budget breakdown to showcase your planning and organisation.

Nomination Categories

Now that you know how to craft a compelling nomination, let's explore the exciting award categories available to all UNE Life affiliated Clubs & Societies:

Club of the Year

This award celebrates the outstanding achievement of one UNE Life Affiliated Club or Society throughout the last 12 months (1 September 2023 – 31 August 2024).

Judging will be coordinated based on the following criteria:

    • The nominee has brought value to the UNE community.
    • The nominee engages students with events and activities.
    • The nominee maintains regular contact with members.
    • The nominee delivers on its objectives and purpose.

JCR of the Year

This award celebrates the outstanding achievement of one UNE Life affiliated College JCR throughout the last 12 months (1 September 2023 – 31 August 2024).

Judging will be coordinated based on the following criteria:

    • The nominee has brought value to the UNE community.
    • The nominee engages students with events and activities.
    • The nominee maintains regular contact with members.
    • The nominee delivers on its objectives and purpose.

New Club of the Year

This award celebrates the outstanding achievement of one new UNE Life Affiliated Club or Society.  To be classified as a “new” club, the executive must have completed the UNE Life New Clubs Process over the last 12 months (1 September 2023 – 31 August 2024), this includes the reimagining of pre-loved clubs.

Judging will be coordinated based on the following criteria:

    • The nominee has brought value to the UNE community.
    • The nominee engages students with events and activities.
    • The nominee maintains regular contact with members.
    • The nominee delivers on its objectives and purpose.

 

President of the Year

(Individual) This award celebrates the achievement of one UNE Life affiliated Club, Society, or JCR President.  Same rulings apply for Vice President of the Year.

Judging will be coordinated based on the following criteria:

    • The nominee has shown exceptional character.
    • The nominee has demonstrated clear dedication to their club(s).
    • The nominee has acted as an outstanding leader.

Secretary of the Year

(Individual) This award celebrates the achievement of one UNE Life affiliated Club, Society, or JCR Secretary.

Judging will be coordinated based on the following criteria:

    • The nominee has shown exceptional character.
    • The nominee has demonstrated clear dedication to their club(s).
    • The nominee has acted as an outstanding leader.

Treasurer of the Year

(Individual) This award celebrates the achievement of one UNE Life affiliated Club, Society, or JCR Treasurer.

Judging will be coordinated based on the following criteria:

    • The nominee has shown exceptional character.
    • The nominee has demonstrated clear dedication to their club(s).
    • The nominee has acted as an outstanding leader.

Club Member of the Year

(Individual) This award celebrates a UNE Life affiliated Club, Society, or JCR member who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and service to their club(s) over the last 12 months (1 September 2023 – 31 August 2024). This commendation cannot be awarded to a person acting as President, Secretary or Treasurer of the Club they are applying for.

 

Social Event of the Year

This award celebrates an outstanding social event conducted by a UNE Life affiliated Club, Society, or JCR over the last 12 months (1 September 2023 – 31 August 2024).

Judging will be coordinated based on the following criteria:

    • The nominated event successfully engaged with UNE students.
    • The nominated event demonstrates creative thinking in event marketing, planning, and execution.
    • The nominated event achieved its key objectives within budget.

Academic Event of the Year

This award celebrates an outstanding, academically focused event conducted by a UNE Life affiliated Club, Society, or JCR over the last 12 months (1 September 2023 – 31 August 2024).

Judging will be coordinated based on the following criteria:

    • The nominated event successfully engaged with UNE students.
    • The nominated event demonstrates creative thinking in event marketing, planning, and execution.
    • The nominated event achieved its key objectives within budget.

Cultural Event of the Year

This award celebrates an outstanding cultural event conducted by a UNE Life affiliated Club, Society, or JCR over the last 12 months (1 September 2023 – 31 August 2024).

Judging will be coordinated based on the following criteria:

    • The nominated event successfully engaged with UNE students.
    • The nominated event demonstrates creative thinking in event marketing, planning, and execution.
    • The event achieved its key objectives within budget.

Community Outreach Program of the Year

This award celebrates an outstanding event conducted by a UNE Life affiliated Club, Society of JCR that has made its mark on the broader community. Nominated events in this category must have been carried out within the last 12 months (1 September 2023 – 31 August 2024).

Judging will be coordinated based on the following criteria:

    • The nominated event successfully engaged with a community beyond that of the UNE.
    • The nominated event appropriately represented themselves, UNE, & UNE Life in the broader community.
    • The nominated event demonstrates creative thinking in event marketing, planning, and execution.
    • The event achieved its key objectives within budget.

Online Activation of the Year

This award celebrates an outstanding online event conducted by a UNE Life affiliated Club, Society, or JCR over the last 12 months (1 September 2023 – 31 August 2024).

Judging will be coordinated based on the following criteria:

    • The nominated event successfully engaged with online UNE students.
    • The nominated event demonstrates creative thinking in event marketing, planning, and execution.
    • The event achieved its key objectives within budget.

Collaborative Event of the Year

This award celebrates an outstanding event conducted in partnership between multiple UNE Life affiliated Clubs, Societies, or JCRs over the last 12 months (1 September 2023 – 31 August 2024).

Judging will be coordinated based on the following criteria:

    • The nominated event successfully engaged with UNE students.
    • The nominated event demonstrates creative thinking in event marketing, planning, and execution.
    • The event achieved its key objectives within budget.

Merchandise Award

This award celebrates an outstanding piece of merchandise created and distributed by a UNE Life affiliated Club, Society, or JCR over the last 12 months (1 September 2023 – 31 August 2024).

Judging will be coordinated based on the following criteria:

    • The nominated merchandise was successfully received by UNE students.
    • The nominated merchandise accurately promotes the club and UNE in an appropriate manner.
    • The nominated merchandise demonstrates creative thinking in marketing, development, and execution.
    • The nominated merchandise successfully raised funds for the relevant club.
    • The nominated merchandise demonstrates accessibility across the clubs entire membership.

Marketing Campaign of the Year

This award celebrates an outstanding marketing campaign run by a UNE Life affiliated Club, Society, or JCR over the last 12 months (1 September 2023 – 31 August 2024).

Judging will be coordinated based on the following criteria:

    • The nominated marketing campaign successfully engaged with UNE students.
    • The nominated marketing campaign demonstrates creative thinking in its development, and execution.
    • The nominated marketing campaign accurately promotes the club and UNE in an appropriate manner.

Club Sponsor of the Year

This award acknowledges the outstanding contribution of a major sponsor for a UNE Life affiliated Club, Society, or JCR over the last 12 months (1 September 2023 – 31 August 2024).

 

Please note:

  • Nominations will be assessed based on the quality of the nomination, relative to the appropriate criteria.
  • Quality nominations will be assessed by the Student Awards Selection Panel, where they will be shortlisted, and a winner will be chosen.
  • All shortlisted clubs will be advised whether they have been shortlisted prior to the Student Awards Night.
  • All winners are announced at the Student Awards Night.
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