Outreach Awards The ACWA Outreach Program plays a key role in the association’s advocacy efforts. Contacts made by ACWA members with legislators, key regulators, and administration officials have directly affected the outcomes of numerous decisions and helped advance the association’s legislative and regulatory agenda. Special Outreach Awards In addition to the Regional and Overall Outreach Awards, ACWA also offers three special outreach awards: Most Active Small Agency, Most Effective Agency on a Federal Issue, and Rising Star. ACWA member agencies may apply for all three categories of special recognition if eligible. To be recognized through one of these special outreach awards, a member agency must submit a separate entry form in addition to reporting interactions. The Outreach Task Force will review entries and determine whether recognition is warranted in each category. The awards will be made at the discretion of the task force; some categories may not be awarded annually. The point system used for overall outreach also is used for special recognition interactions. Categories and Eligibility Most Active Small Agency: An agency with fewer than 50 full-time employees that has engaged on any issue of importance to ACWA may apply for recognition through this award. An itemized list of interactions must be provided. The winner will be selected based on the total number of interactions and with consideration of agency size. Most Effective Agency on a Federal Issue: An agency that has engaged on a federal issue as prioritized by the ACWA Federal Affairs Committee may apply for recognition through this award. An itemized list of federal interactions must be provided. The winner will be selected based on the total number of federal interactions and with consideration of the importance of the issue. Rising Star: An agency that has not participated in the outreach program within the past two years and has engaged on any issue of importance to ACWA may apply for recognition through this award. An itemized list of interactions must be provided. The winner will be selected based on the total number and quality of interactions with consideration of past outreach activities. Special Awards Application Materials Entry deadlines for 2024 special outreach awards are as follows: Feb. 1, 2025 – Most Effective Agency on a Federal Issue Award Oct. 1, 2024– Most Active Small Agency and Rising Star Awards Regional and Overall Outreach Awards Each year, ACWA recognizes the most active ACWA member agencies in each region, as well as an overall winner, through the Outreach Awards Program. Interaction Points Overall interaction is tracked by ACWA staff using a point system. All letters and contacts made by members must be consistent with ACWA’s support or oppose positions or stated policies for the issue. Contact can be made in the form of a letter (faxed or emailed), email message, telephone call or in-person contact. Interaction points are awarded as follows: Letter or email – 1 point per addressee (cc’d contacts are not counted). Letters must also include bill number, position consistent with ACWA’s, and correct legislator(s) or regulatory/administrative officials to be counted. Telephone call – 2 points per call. In-person contact – 3 points per meeting or contact. BONUS POINTS – 5 points will be awarded to an agency that responds to all of the ACWA Alerts issued during the calendar year. Reporting Interactions To receive credit for the ACWA Outreach Awards Program, please use this Outreach Interaction form to report emails, phone calls, in person meetings or upload PDF copies of letters and faxes. For questions about reporting interactions, please contact ACWA Senior Regional Affairs Representative Michael Cervantes at (916) 441-4545. 2023 Regional and Overall Outreach Winners 2023 Overall Outreach Winner: Three Valleys Municipal Water District 2023 Regional Winners Region 1: Hidden Valley Lake Community Services District Region 2: Bella Vista Water District Region 3: Tahoe City Public Utilities District Region 4: San Juan Water District Region 5: Coastside County Water District Region 6: Kings River Conservation District Region 7: Kern County Water Agency Region 7: Rosedale Rio-Bravo Water Storage District Region 8: Three Valleys Municipal Water District Region 9: Cucamonga Valley Water District Region 10: Mesa Water
