City Accepting Nominations for Be More Awards Honoring Volunteers

Bloomington, Ind. – The City of Bloomington and Mayor John Hamilton encourages all community members to nominate outstanding volunteers for the Be More Awards, the community volunteer awards presented by the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, a program of the City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department. Nominations are being accepted through March 5, 2023, at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org/bemore. 

“The best thing about Bloomington is the people who live in and give to this community,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “These awards are an opportunity to recognize and honor some of the often unrecognized efforts that make Bloomington such a special city.”

Nominations may be submitted by members of the general public, community organizations, or businesses. Awards will be made in seven categories;

• Be More Bloomington, presented to an individual or group demonstrating excellence in response to issues impacting our community in 2022. Examples include but are not limited to: housing/homelessness, justice, and post-COVID recovery.
• Be More Creative, honoring volunteer work within the arts community.
• Be More Dedicated, presented to an individual or couple over the age of 60 for their lifetime of service within the community.
• Be More Energized, honoring an individual or group under the age of 25.
• Be More Engaged, honoring engagement professionals working with a volunteer program within an organization or business.
• Be More Impactful, honoring the volunteer or volunteer group of the year.
• Be More Phenomenal, presented to outstanding leadership through board, commission, or committee involvement.

Each of the seven Be More Award recipients will receive a $1,000 cash award provided by Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County for the recipient's nonprofit organization in honor of their outstanding service. 

AWARD SELECTION 

Nominations will be screened by Volunteer Network staff to ensure all nomination criteria are appropriately met; the selection committee will not review incomplete nominations. The Be More Awards selection committee is composed of impartial philanthropic leaders who volunteer their time and energy to support this program. Selection committee members will not review any organization’s nomination with which they may have either a personal or professional relationship. All decisions are final. 

2023 Be More Award recipients will be honored in a celebration ceremony on April 13th at the Whikehart Auditorium located in the newly remodeled John Waldron Arts Center Auditorium. Event co-sponsors include Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County, City of Bloomington Community and Family Resources Department, IU Credit Union, United Way of Monroe County, and WTIU Public Television.  

“The Be More Awards give us an opportunity to shine a light on the outstanding volunteers committed to helping our community. We want to take a moment to lift up the giant efforts that our neighbors make every day. The Be More Awards Celebration focuses on these community heroes and we hope that you will take time to nominate someone deserving of the spotlight,” said Michelle Moss, Interim Bloomington Volunteer Network Coordinator.