1. 2021 National Convention
  2. 2019-2021 Young Democrats of America Awards

2019-2021 Young Democrats of America Awards

2019-2021 Young Democrats of America Awards

Over the 2019-2021 biennium, young democrats have been the backbone of the Democratic Party. Your time, effort and dedication helped elect Democrats up and down the ballot all over the United States. We would like to acknowledge members for their outstanding service, exceptional achievements, and significant contributions in various categories.
 
Nominations will be submitted to the YDA Awards Committee for selection and will be presented to the award winners during the YDA National Convention. Any member of the Young Democrats of America is welcome to submit nominations/
 
If you would like to nominate someone or a YD Chapter worthy of recognition, please submit it below. Awards submissions are due by 11:59 PM EST on July 21, 2021.
 
 

 

Individual Awards

These awards highlight the outstanding individuals who have given the best to the Young Democrats of America, Their Chartered Unit or the Local Chapter.
Young Democrats who exemplify the Democratic Party and what we stand for as activists and as leaders.
 
 

Young Democrat Award

  

Rising Star Award
This award honors a Young Democrat under the age of 36 who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service in support of the Young Democrats of America.
 
  

This award is for new young democrats, who have been a member for three years or less, who have made great contributions to YDA or their Chartered Unit.

 

Young Democrat Spotlight Award

  

Young Democrat for Life

 

This award will be presented to a Young Democrat who has been involved in a variety of activities but has not necessarily held formal leadership positions. It should recognize a person who rarely receives recognition for their work "behind the scenes.”

 

   This award is designed to recognize an outstanding member within your organization for all of their individual hard work over the course of their time as a Young Democrat. This award will be presented to Young Democrats, over the age of 36, who, through their achievements, have made a valuable contribution and lasting impact within YDA, their State Chapter or their community.
 

Leadership in Action Award

 

This Award recognizes an outstanding individual who advanced the mission of their Chartered Unit, Caucus, Initiative or Region, while challenging and encouraging the membership to advance new initiatives, acquire new skills, and prepare the group for leadership transition and ongoing success.  The award recipient must display a commitment to leadership development, membership engagement, innovation, and collaboration with YDA or their State Party. In the nomination, please give a brief summary of the nominee’s history in the organization, the success achieved by the organization during the biennium, and explain how the nominee affected or caused these successes.

 
 
 

Organization Awards

These awards are to highlight outstanding Chartered Units and local chapters that make up YDA. Young Democrats organized at the State and local levels ensure that Democrats win up and down the ballot, young democrats are the future of the party and ensuring that youth are politically engaged is hard work and we are here to celebrate that work.
 
 

Outstanding Chartered Unit Award

 

Outstanding Local Chapter Award
 
This award recognizes the paramount achievement of a Chartered Unit over the last two years that causes the organization to stand out as compared to other Chartered Units. The criteria in the review are reflective of the Chartered Unit’s ability to meet its goals and objectives as stated in their current constitution. The awarded unit will have demonstrated a high level of achievement in many areas, including membership involvement, organization development, leadership training and opportunity, active participation in YDA activity and community service.
 
  

This award recognizes the outstanding achievement of a Local Chapter over the last two years that causes the organization to stand out as compared to other Local Chapters. The criteria in the review are reflective of the Local Chapter’s ability to meet its goals and objectives as stated in their current constitution. The awarded chapter will have demonstrated a high level of achievement in many areas, including membership involvement, organization development, leadership training and opportunity, active participation in their Chartered Unity and YDA activity and community service.

 
 

Best Chapter Award

 
 

This award recognizes the outstanding achievement of a newer Chartered Unit or Local Chapter within the past year. This organization must have been registered with YDA or a Chartered Unit for three years or less. The review criteria will include the organization's ability to meet the goals and objectives stated in its constitution. The organization should demonstrate a high level of achievement in one or more areas, such as membership involvement, organization development, leadership training and opportunity for members and shown active participation in YDA or Chartered Unit activities.

 

 

 

Event Awards

The purpose of these awards are to recognize the exceptional event planning or program development and execution by YDA member groups.
Whether the event/program is “tried and true” or “breaks the mold,” it should demonstrate a benefit to members.
 
 

Best Example of Teamwork

  

Outside the Box Award
 
This award recognizes the Local Chapter or Chartered Unit that most embodies the elements of teamwork, collaboration, and quality programming that benefit young democrats (either throughout the year or through a single successful program). This award also recognizes that the recipient worked effectively with their State, or County Party or an organization that upholds our Democratic values and mission.
 
  

This award recognizes Chapters or States that have shown tremendous creativity and originality in “thinking outside the box.” This could include programming, membership recruitment, or creative marketing.

Outstanding Event Award
 

This award recognises exceptional, inclusive and original events. They encourage attendees to learn a new skill, meet new people, are informative or inspirational, and offer unique and engaging opportunities for members. These events are impactful. Whether they empower one person or 100, are well organised and support youth in politics. 

  • An event that fulfilled the mission of the organization.
  • An event that innovated and adapted in response to COVID-19 and other challenges of 2020-2021.